The Supreme Court of India.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a PIL for directions to the Centre and the States to take safety measures for the protection of tourists visiting hill states and remote places, and to deploy armed forces in places where tourists gather in large numbers.
Calling it a 'publicity' interest litigation, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, questioned the intent behind the petition, filed after April 22 Pahalgam terror strike on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
"What is your purpose? What is your motive? Who is inciting you to file this kind of PILs," the bench asked petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari.
"This is only for the safety of the public," Tiwari said, appearing in person.
The bench questioned the petitioner if he understood the sensitivity of the matter.
"You didn't realise your responsibility? You want to become the second member of this Bar known for these kinds of PILs," the bench told him.
Tiwari contended that this was a serious and unprecedented incident. "This is the first instance, when tourists have been targeted. We are only focused on their safety and nothing else,” he said.
The bench, however, said, "You are inviting some order with exemplary costs."
The court finally dismissed the petition after noting that the petitioner is indulging in one or the other purported PILs which are primarily aimed to gain publicity with no intent to serve the public cause.
The plea sought directions for the safe and secure Amarnath yatra which going to start in Jammu and Kashmir.
It also sought direction for the arrangement of proper medical facilities on tourists places especially the remote hilly and valley areas where tourists visit and gather so that there can be prompt medical aid at the time of any emergency situation.