How many applied for settlement from Pak: SC asks J&K

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to tell as to how many people who left for Pakistan or their descendants, children and widows have sought to return under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Permit for Resettlement, or Permanent Return to the State Act, 1982.

As Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party leader led by senior advocate Bhim Singh sought to question the validity of the law, a bench presided over by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked, “How many people have applied under it? What is the factual position?”

Singh said as per his information, 750 people had applied via Nepal. He said he was particularly challenging validity of Section 4 which is related to descendants, wife, widows and children.

Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the state, however, submitted before the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and K M Joseph, that he would seek instruction from the competent authority and give the details about the migrants and their descendants who may have applied for returning under the law.

During the hearing, the court was informed a Presidential reference was earlier made to the Supreme Court on the subject but it was returned unanswered by the top court.

The state government also said the matter should be heard after the decision on the petitions challenging validity of Articles 370 and 35A granting special status to the state and special privileges to its permanent residents.

The court, however, put the matter for consideration in the second week of January.