#JAMMU: The #Jammu and #Kashmir #HighCourt on Thursday fixed April 30 for the final hearing in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging absolute powers of the Lieutenant Governor to nominate five MLAs to the #Jammu and #Kashmir Legislative #Assembly.
The PIL filed by Advocate Ravinder Sharma, Ex-MLC and Chief Spokesperson #JKPCC came up on Thursday before the special Division Bench Comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Rajesh Sekhri.
The Petitioner Ravinder Sharma, who appeared in person, pointed out to the bench that no reply had been filed by the respondents despite numerous opportunities and requested for an early hearing in the matter, which was of great public importance.
Upon this, the bench directed the matter to be listed on April 30 for a final hearing, observing that no further opportunities are to be granted, if the pleadings are not completed before the next date of hearing. Meanwhile, Advocate S S Ahmed also appeared on behalf of applicants Ravinder Singh and Gurdev Singh, requesting the court to allow their request to intervene.
The PIL will now come up on April 30 and be heard finally, even if no reply is filed from the other side before that date. According to amended Section 15 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor has the power to nominate five members- two women, two Kashmiri Pandits, and one Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (#POJK) resident – to the J&K Assembly.
These five nominated members will have the same powers and voting rights as other MLAs of the J&K Legislative Assembly
