NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 02 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, has approached the Jammu & Kashmir High Court with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), challenging the misuse of police verification processes.
Filed through Advocate Syed Sajad Geelani, the PIL aims to address concerns over unfair practices and seek justice for affected citizens.
The petition highlights the growing concern of using police verifications as a form of collective punishment, where individuals are targeted due to the actions or affiliations of their family members. Lone argues that the verification process should focus solely on an individual’s conduct and not penalize them for factors beyond their control.
Lone’s petition underscores that the misuse of police verifications has resulted in the denial of basic rights, including employment, access to passports, and other essential opportunities. He advocates for a fair, transparent, and law-abiding verification process that does not infringe on citizens’ rights.
The PIL calls for the strict enforcement of existing guidelines, including the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Validation of Character and Antecedents) Instructions, 1997, as well as the amendments introduced through Government Orders No. 528-JK(GAD) of 2021 and Circular No. 05-JK(GAD) of 2024. These guidelines mandate a focus on an individual’s criminal record and call for clear timelines in the verification process.
Lone expressed concern over the consistent disregard for these guidelines, which he believes causes unnecessary hardship for citizens. He stressed the need for proper implementation to prevent unjust punishment based on irrelevant factors.
The petition also raises constitutional concerns, claiming violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality, freedom of profession, and the right to live with dignity. Lone argues that the practice of basing police verifications on the actions of family members is not only a violation of fundamental rights but also leads to severe social, economic, and emotional consequences for individuals.
Lone referenced the Supreme Court’s “Bulldozer Judgment”, which strongly opposed the principle of collective punishment, emphasizing that police verifications should be solely based on the individual’s actions and not on those of their relatives.
“This petition is not politically motivated; it is about securing justice, ensuring equality, and protecting constitutional rights for all citizens,” Lone affirmed. “We aim to address the real-life hardships caused by arbitrary verification practices that violate the dignity and rights of individuals.”
The PIL has been submitted to the court registry and is currently under procedural review. It will be listed for hearing once cleared by the registry. (News Vibes of India)
