Srinagar 02 Jan(KNB): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, challenging the misuse of police verification processes. The PIL claims that police verifications are being used as a tool for collective punishment, targeting individuals for their family members’ actions or affiliations.
Lone argues that the current system denies citizens their basic rights, such as employment and access to passports, and stresses that the verification process must remain transparent, fair, and aligned with legal standards. The PIL calls for the strict enforcement of existing guidelines and raises constitutional concerns, citing violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21.
Lone referenced the Supreme Court’s “Bulldozer Judgment,” which opposed collective punishment, and emphasized that police verifications should focus solely on an individual’s conduct. He clarified that the PIL is not politically motivated but stems from a commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of constitutional rights. The PIL is currently under procedural review and awaits a hearing.(KNB)