DB directs Expert Committee to visit vulnerable sites, submit report by April 22
PILs on deaths on Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban, Mughal Road
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Expressing displeasure over delay in the visit of the Expert Committee, constituted by the Division Bench vide its order dated December 17, 2023 to visit the vulnerable spots on the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban/Mughal Road and to make recommendations before the Court by 2nd week of February, 2024, the Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh (Jammu Wing), headed by the Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and comprising Justice M.A. Chowdhary, on Friday directed the Committee to visit the sites for which the Divisional Commissioner Jammu shall take necessary steps and submit a report thereof without any fail by the next date of hearing i.e. April 22, 2024.
The directions came in the much publicised PILs highlighting the dance of death on the roads particularly on Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban National Highway and Mughal Road.
When three clubbed PILs titled Intakhab Ahmed Qazi vs. U.T. of J&K and Ors., Bar Association Doda vs. U.T. of J&K and a letter turned PIL by a Social Activist Asif Iqbal Bhat came up for hearing, Advocate S.S. Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan and Syed Majid Shah, appearing for the petitioners submitted that it is unfortunate that the Nodal Officer i.e. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu appointed by the Division Bench vide its Order dated December 17, 2023 has taken the directions of the court casually as the Nodal Officer failed to facilitate the inspection of the vulnerable sites of accidents through the Expert Committee constituted by the Division Bench.
Advocate S. S. Ahmed vehemently argued that there is no end to the loss of lives on the roads particularly in the hilly terrains of Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban and Mughal Road and in view of the non-serious attitude of the Nodal Officer, Advocate S.S. Ahmed sought his personal appearance before the Court.
The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice N. Kotishwar Singh at this stage, expressed displeasure in the open Court with regard to the non-submission of the Status Report by the Nodal Officer in view of non-visit of the Expert Committee on the vulnerable sites of accidents on Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban and Mughal road.
There was no representation on behalf of UT of J&K in the instant PIL highlighting rampant road accidents claiming many precious human lives and CGSC Eishan Dadhichi appeared vice DSGI Vishal Sharma.
After considering the submissions of Advocate S.S. Ahmed, the Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh categorically directed the Expert Committee to visit the sites for which the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu shall take necessary steps and submit a report thereof without any fail by the next date of hearing with an advance copy to the counsel for the other side.
