By Ashiq Hussain
The government authorities have again imposed restrictions on conduct of elections for Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association in Srinagar under section 144 criminal procedure code (CrPC), citing its alleged “secessionist ideology”.
Srinagar district magistrate (DM) Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat said the restrictions were being imposed as the association failed to clarify why its constitution called “Kashmir an issue to be settled”, neither did the body produce any certificate of registration.
“Whereas, Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Srinagar till date has failed to provide any response with respect to above points and its constitution being antithetical to sovereignty and integrity of the country,” the order said.
The Bar, which has been seeking “peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue”, had to postpone its elections in 2020 when the government had raised objections to the body’s stand. In July 2023, the government authorities had officially imposed the restrictions for the first time on the conduct of Bar elections.
The order came after the Bar Association Srinagar issued a notification on June 11 for the conduct of its elections by June 31.
This story was originally published in hindustantimes.com. Read the full story here.
