Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 22: The High Court today reserved its order on functioning of Darbar Move after Court was informed that in view of recent hike in the number of COVID-19 cases, the annual Move arrangements have been reviewed by the Government.
Advocate Amit Gupta (AAG) informed the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal that in light of rising number of Coronavirus cases in J&K UT and in order to control it effectively, the Move of Civil Secretariat has been reviewed by the Government.
He submitted that Government has observed that the formal opening of the Move on May 4 may effect COVID-19 control efforts in the UT. The said decision, therefore, has been partially modified and the formal opening of the Darbar at Srinagar has been directed to take place on June 15.
“The issue certainly requires consideration as mentioned in previous orders. We have heard the submissions on the issue under consideration as noted in order dated April 10. We reserve our orders thereon”, the DB said.
Meantime, Court has received the tentative one week salary expenditure filed by the Financial Commissioner, Finance Department which includes Public Sector Undertakings and statutory corporations which are involved in the Darbar Move and it amounts to Rs 1158.723 lakhs.
Court has also been informed about the number of vehicles involved in the Move for transportation of records and employees and the expenses incurred thereon. As the records are presently lying at Jammu office of Civil secretariat and have not been shifted due to current situation, the Court has been informed that the Government of India had advanced sum of Rs 20 crores for the purpose of digitization of the records.
Court has issued notice to Government on an application of Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom seeking revocation of his detention or alternatively shift him from Tihar Jail to Shaheen Bagh New Delhi where the detenue Qayoom has his own property in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Government counsel has sought short adjournment in order to seek examination of these submissions and filing of written reply to the application of Qayoom. Court in view of urgency submitted by the Qayoom’s counsel sought reply from the authorities within four days and also directed the authorities for informing the court about the medical status of the detenue.
“Liberty is given to the applicant to hand over the summer clothing of detenue to the IGP Kashmir for having the same delivered to him in Central Jail Tihar Delhi”, the DB directed.
Court has also directed the Superintendent of the Jail to appear before the Court through video-conferencing along with Qayoom in order to ascertain his status of health condition.
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