Latest news with #HighCourtofJammuandKashmir
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
NALSA launches Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana to aid defence personnel
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Saturday launched the Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 here to strengthen legal aid for defence personnel. The yojana was launched in collaboration with the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority during the North Zone Regional Conference on "Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals" at SKICC here. Presiding over the event, Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, Justice Surya Kant, said the gathering in Kashmir was not just about technical discussions, but also about national integration and honouring the selfless service of the armed forces. Justice Kant said Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 marks a historic step in NALSA's 30-year journey of delivering justice to the marginalised. "Members of our armed forces and their families face legal hurdles like any other citizen whether land disputes, service entitlements, or matrimonial issues but their unique service conditions make access to justice more difficult. This scheme is our solemn pledge to stand beside those who protect our borders, ensuring that their rights are not left unprotected," he said. He outlined the three pillars of the yojana a dedicated network of legal services clinics at Zilla, Rajya, and Kendriya Sainik Boards; trained nodal officers, legal aid counsels and PLVs (including ex-servicemen) to assist families in a compassionate and timely manner; and digital access and online redressal mechanisms such as e-Lok Adalats and online mediation to ensure speed and convenience. Justice Kant said the Constitution, through Article 39A, mandates equal access to justice for all, and "if we fail to extend this support to our jawans and their families, we fail in our constitutional duty". "This yojana is our way of saying that just as they safeguard our freedom, we safeguard their dignity and rights," he said. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal commended NALSA's initiative, stating that the scheme resonates with the government's commitment to inclusive justice, digital empowerment, and fast-tracking cases involving defence personnel. Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, praised the scheme and emphasised the need for judiciary-led technological interventions to prioritise and fast-track such cases, ensuring that the limited leave time of defence personnel is not spent in prolonged legal processes. The launch of Veer Parivaar Sahayata Yojana 2025 marks a milestone in bridging the gap between legal services and the nation's defenders, echoing NALSA's motto of "Access to Justice for All.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
J&K HC quashes FIR against sportswoman Bilquis Mir, says case a ‘witch-hunt desite bringing laurels to India'
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday (July 25, 2025) quashed the First Information Report (FIR) against ace water sportswoman Bilquis Mir, questioned the investigation agency's role and described the case as a 'witch-hunt'. 'The attitude of the Investigating Agency in criminalizing non-acquisition of a technical qualification by the petitioner when she has brought laurels to the Country all over the world speaks volumes about the manner in which we are treating our sporting heroes,' Justice Sanjay Dhar observed, while quashing the FIR. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2023 filed an FIR against Ms. Mir, Executive Director, Water Sports Centre, J&K Sports Council. The ACB launched a verification process to look into allegations if she was appointed as Physical Education Teacher (PET) in relaxation of required technical qualification and if she underwent the Bachelor in Physical Education course. Quashing the FIR against Ms. Mir, Justice Dhar said, 'This is a fit case where this Court should exercise its powers under Section 528 of BNSS to quash the impugned FIR and the proceedings emanating therefrom so as to secure the ends of justice.' The court said the attitude of the Investigating Agency in criminalizing non-acquisition of a technical qualification, when she has brought laurels to the Country all over the world, 'speaks volumes about the manner in which we are treating our sporting heroes'. 'While going through the Case Diary, (the court) was alarmed to note that the probe agency has even tried to go into the issue as to whether the answer scripts of the petitioner in her graduate examination have been properly evaluated by the examiners. This attitude clearly smacks of wreaking vengeance. The present case appears to be nothing but a witch-hunt launched by vested interests,' justice Dhar observed. Ms. Mir earned laurels for India in 2024 when she became the first Indian woman on the Paris Olympics jury. She was also the Chief Finish Line Judge at the 2025 Asian Championship held in Nanjing, China. 'This Country has produced very few sports personalities and coaches of the level of the petitioner and instead of honouring them and celebrating their achievements, it seems that the people at helm of affairs are leaving no stone unturned in harassing such talented people. No surprise that even after more than 75 years of independence, this Country has failed to develop a sporting culture, as a consequence whereof, we have failed to produce sportsmen/women of international standards in proportion to our population,' the court observed . The ACB had filed a case against Ms. Mir under Section 5(1)(d) and 5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code.
