Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits: SC asks petitioner to make representation before Centre

The Supreme Court on Friday asked an NGO to withdraw their plea seeking the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs in the valley who left their homes and migrated during 1989-2003.

The plea was heard by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and C T Ravikumar.

The top court asked the NGO ‘We the Citizens’ to make a representation to the Centre government in the matter. The NGO had sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the targeted killings in Kashmir valley that had triggered the migration.

"It is purely in the domain of the executive. You approach the government.", the court directed the NGO. The plea had also sought directions to conduct a census of Hindus and Sikhs who have been victims or survivors of the targeted killings and are now residing in different parts of India.

While the provisions of Article 370 granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, Article 35-A provided special rights and privileges to natives of the erstwhile state.

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