SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea seeking a probe into the April 22 Pahalgam terror, emphasising that judges are not investigators but decision-makers.
The petition, which sought the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the killings of 26 civilians, was sharply criticised by the bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N K Singh. Justice Kant said, “This is not the time to demoralise our forces,” urging the petitioners to be responsible in filing such pleas, especially at a time when the nation is united in its fight against terrorism.
The court made it clear that the request for a judicial commission led by a retired judge was not acceptable, as it was not within their expertise. “Since when have retired judges become experts in investigations?” the bench remarked, underlining the importance of supporting the ongoing efforts against terrorism.
The PIL also sought directions to the Centre and various agencies to ensure the safety of tourists in the Kashmir valley and to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to hold those responsible for the attack accountable. The petition was dismissed, but the court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the plea with the option to approach the jurisdictional High Court regarding the issue of Jammu and Kashmir students studying outside the region.
Meanwhile, National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General Sadanand Date arrived in Pahalgam to oversee the agency’s investigation into the terror attack, following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order for the NIA to take over the probe.
