'Publicity, Not Public Cause': SC Dismisses Plea Seeking Directions For Safety Of Tourists In J&K After Pahalgam Terror Attack

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking directions for the safety of tourists in remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir in view of the recent Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh slammed the petitioner, advocate Vishal Tiwari, for filing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The bench said that the PIL was filed only for "publicity".

"Why have you filed this kind of PIL? What is your real motive? Don't you understand the sensitivity of the issue? I think you are inviting some exemplary cost for filing this PIL," Justice Surya Kant told Tiwari.

The petitioner's lawyer said this was the first time that tourists in Jammu and Kashmir were targeted, and due to this reason, he was seeking directions for their safety.

The bench, in its order, said, "The petitioner is indulging in filing one after the other PIL in which the primary aim appears to be to get publicity with no real interest in the public cause."

Meanwhile, the petitioner asserted that he was not seeking directions against the government. The petitioner also sought directions for a safe and secure Amarnath yatra which is scheduled to begin in July this year.

Terrorists on April 22 opened fire in Baisaran, a popular tourist spot in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, killing 26 people, mostly tourists from other states. Among the deceased was also a local pony ride operator who was shot dead when he was saving tourists.

India downgraded diplomatic relations with Pakistan after the attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Published on: Monday, May 05, 2025, 03:30 PM IST