PILs on Flood: HC orders Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to appear

Srinagar, Sep 8: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Monday asked Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to remain present through virtual mode as it listed a matter related to measures to deal with floods on September 9.   A division bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal sought the presence of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir while hearing public interest litigations- one filed by Moulvi Peer Noor ul Haq in 2014 and the other by Environmental Policy Group (EPG) in 2017.

As the matter came up today, advocate Nadeem Qadri who assists the court as “Amicus Curiae” submitted that the flood is posing a threat in Kashmir and there are concomitant concerns over preparedness, flood-control measures, and the risks to life, property, and ecology of Kashmir.

The Amicus drew the attention of the court to the order dated August 12, 2025 in terms of which the government was required to file an Action Taken Report(ATR). Subsequently, the Court ordered Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to appear through virtual mode on September 9.

Advocate Jahangir Dar appearing for the government submitted that the matter may be listed for consideration on September 10 as on that date a PIL related to Shah Kul is scheduled to come up for hearing and the authorities involved in all these pleas are the same.

On August 12, 2025, the government through its Sr AAG had sought a short adjournment to examine the suggestions submitted by the Amicus Curiae and to submit an action taken report.  This had followed the submission by the Amicus that he had already submitted suggestions in terms of the order dated May 14, 2025.