Meet the Abdullahs, But Don’t Address the Media: J&K HC to MPs

The MPs have been allowed to meet the leaders but have been asked not to address the media thereafter.

Two MPs from the National Conference Party have been allowed to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah, President and Vice President of their party, respectively.

Photo Courtesy: RSTV

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday, 13 September, allowed two MPs from the National Conference to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah, President and Vice President of their party, respectively.

Justice (retd.) Hasnain Masoodi and Akbar Lone, the two MPs, had filed a petition in the court alleging that Dr Farooq and Mr Omar Abdullah have been placed under house arrest since 5 August. The MPs have been allowed to meet the leaders, but under stringent conditions placed by the court, reported LiveLaw.

WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS PLACED BY THE COURT?

• The court has strictly prohibited the petitioners from meeting the media/press after their meeting with the party leaders.
• The court has also directed that this meeting is only a courtesy call to know about the well being of the two top leaders of the party.

WHAT WAS THE PETITION ABOUT?

Petitioners Masoodi and Lone have alleged that Dr Farooq and Mr Omar Abdullah have been under house arrest since 5 August, and have not been allowed to meet any party worker or relative.

Other than being members of the NCP, the petitioners also claim to be close friends of the top party leaders and hence are interested in their well-being.

RESPONSE TO THE PETITION

Mr D. C. Raina the Advocate General, in response to the petition, said that there is no formal restriction on the party members to meet their leaders and the state will not have any problem with the petitioners meeting them, as long as it does not hinder the peaceful atmosphere of the state.

The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar has been asked to facilitate this meeting, according to the High Court order.

(With Inputs from Live Law)