SC rejects probe plea, says don't file petitions to demoralise forces

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a probe supervised by a retired SC judge into the Pahalgam attack where terrorists killed 26 tourists after identifying them by their religion and said no PIL should be filed which would demoralise the security forces. "Is this the way PILs are filed? Since when have retired SC and HC judges become experts in investigation? Judges only know how to decide cases. You are seeking a retired judge-headed investigation. Do not demoralise the forces," a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said.

"This is not the time to file this kind of PIL. At this crucial juncture, all citizens must join hands to fight terrorism . Do not file petitions to demoralise the forces. Keep in mind the sensitivity of the situation," Justice Kant said.

When petitioner Fatesh Kumar Sahu's counsel sought protection for students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in other states, the bench said it would be advisable for the petitioner to approach the HC concerned in whose jurisdiction the students are studying. The court allowed the petitioner to withdraw his plea and granted permission to move appropriate HCs.

In the afternoon, another petition was mentioned before a bench led by Justice Kant seeking stay on deportation of nine people of a family to Pakistan. It said they were being deported despite possessing Indian passports and Aadhaar cards.

Justice Kant said, "You read today's Times of India. It will help you." The judge was referring to a report in TOI on J&K HC's interim order staying deportation of J&K police head constable Ifthkar Ali and his eight siblings.