Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 20: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today asked government to inform it next week as to whether the separatist Yasin Malik has been put under surveillance.
Issuing a notice to government calling for a response to a petition by Malik, a single bench of Justice M H Attar also asked government to specify reasons if the separatist JKLF leader has been kept under the surveillance. "In the meanwhile respondents are directed to follow the mandate contained in Article 19 (1) (d) and Article 21 of the Constitution of India as also the law laid down by the constitutional bench of Hon'ble the Supreme Court Judgment (AIR 1963 SC 1295)," the court said.
The respondents however, court said, will not be prevented from proceeding in accordance with law if they feel that any action in terms of law is required to be taken. "The respondents shall also apprise the Court on next date as to whether the petitioner has been put under surveillance, if so, for what reason," the court said and asked its registry to forthwith provide full text of this order to learned counsel for respondents.
The direction by the court followed submissions by Malik's counsel, advocate Mian Qayoom, seeking directions to the government and police not to cause any kind of interference, with the right of movement of the separatist leader, in any manner whatsoever.
He said that police be asked not to keep any personnel, for the surveillance of the Malik, outside his residence. |
