SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court of India has asked National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone, the lead petitioner in the Article 370 challenge case, to file an affidavit affirming that he unconditionally accepts that JK is an integral part of India and that he owes allegiance to the Constitution of India, media reports said.
“He (Akbar Lone) has come to our court, we are more than duty-bound to hear his submissions. People across the political spectrum in J&K presented rival viewpoints before us, which is welcome …. but all of them have come here with one spirit that they abide by the integrity of India,” remarked CJI DY Chandrachud, who headed the Constitution Bench, as per IANS report.
The development came after a Kashmiri Pandits’ organization “Roots in Kashmir”, told the Constitution Bench hearing petitions against the abrogation of Article 370 that Lone has been accused of raising “pro-Pakistan slogans” in the Assembly of the erstwhile state in 2018.
On Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central government, had demanded that Lone, file an affidavit pledging his allegiance to the Constitution and saying he opposed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the region.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that Akbar will file the affidavit by Tuesday. The senior lawyer said he will not represent Lone if he does not file the affidavit as sought by the bench.
“He is an MP of Lok Sabha. He is citizen of India and sworn to his office by the Constitution. He accepts the sovereignty of India,” Sibal said.