SC Rejects PIL Seeking Judicial Probe Into Pahalgam Terror Attack, Slams Petitioners for ‘Irresponsible’ Plea

The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir.

While refusing to entertain the plea, the Court strongly rebuked the petitioners, calling the PIL “irresponsible” and warning against filing such petitions during sensitive times, as they may demoralize security forces.

“You must act responsibly when filing such PILs. You have a duty to the nation. Is this how you support the country by seeking a probe by retired judges and trying to demoralize the forces during a crisis? We decide disputes, we are not investigators,” remarked Justice Surya Kant during the hearing.

The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, stressed the importance of national unity during a crisis. “This is not the time for such prayers. Every citizen must stand together in the fight against terrorism. Don’t ask for anything that could weaken the morale of our forces,” the Court stated.

When the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the nature of the relief sought, the petitioners Kashmiri local

Junaid Mohd Junaid and advocates Fatesh Kumar Sahu and Vicky Kumar offered to withdraw the PIL.

Earlier, a Full Bench of the Supreme Court condemned the Pahalgam attack as “an affront to the values of humanity,” stating that the “diabolical act of mindless violence” had “shaken the collective conscience of the nation.” The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association also passed a resolution denouncing the attack.

Twenty-six people, were killed and several others injured in one of the deadliest targeted attacks on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22.

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