2 days Ago By Daily Excelsior
Srinagar, Jan 2: The Chairman of Peoples Conference (PC) and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Handwara, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the High Court, questioning the misuse of police verification process therein. The instant PIL has been filed before the registry of the court and is yet to be placed before the appropriate bench which is being done after the various procedural formalities and thereafter approval of Chief Justice. Lone claims in his petition that the police verification is being used as a tool for targeting individuals for the actions or affiliations of their family members.
It is stated that the process of verification should focus solely on an individual’s conduct and not penalize them for factors beyond their control. “..
.strict enforcement of existing guidelines, including the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Validation of Character and Antecedents) Instructions, 1997, as well as amendments introduced through Government Order No. 528-JK(GAD) of 2021 and Circular No.
05-JK(GAD) of 2024. These directives mandate clear timelines and procedural fairness in police verifications, focusing exclusively on an individual’s criminal record”, reads the PIL The petition mentions constitutional concerns, citing violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21, which guarantee equality, the freedom to pursue a profession, and the right to live with dignity. The Supreme Court judgment under caption “Bulldozer Judgment” has been mentioned in the plea which strongly opposed collective punishment, stressing that police verifications should focus solely on the individual concerned.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the principle that no individual should suffer because of others’ actions,” Lone noted. “We aim to ensure that every citizen is treated fairly and in accordance with the law.” It has been clarified that the PIL is not politically motivated but stems from a commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of constitutional rights.
“This petition includes real-life cases that showcase the economic, social, and emotional hardships caused by arbitrary police verification practices. It is about safeguarding the dignity and rights of the people,” he affirmed..
