Sajad Lone lauds High Court decision against passport denial over family ties with militants

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR , FEBRUARY 13 (STC): J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, has welcomed the judgment by the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, ruling no individual should be denied a passport due to the involvement of their family members in militancy-related activities.

This judgment sets a powerful precedent for thousands facing similar discrimination. And I feel optimistic that a comprehensive ruling along these lines will soon be issued in response to our party’s petition,” Sajad Lone said in a statement issues to media.
Welcoming the court’s decision, he said, “This should have happened much earlier, but better late than never. I am hopeful that this ruling will be extended across J&K and that our petition will be addressed at the earliest to ensure uniform application.”

Notably, the petition filed by JKPC specifically called for the strict implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Validation of Character and Antecedents) Instructions, 1997, along with subsequent amendments in the Government Order of 2021 and the Circular of 2024.
He expressed confidence that the ruling would rectify systemic flaws and provide long-overdue relief, particularly to the youth of J&K, who have often been subjected to unwarranted restrictions.
“If the effect of this judgment is extended across J&K, it will help ensure that our youth are not unfairly penalized and that they are given the same opportunities as their peers in the rest of the country,” JKPC supremo said.(STC)