Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 21: J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu today urged the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Union Territory to forthwith issue order for restoration of powers of registration of documents to Judicial Magistrates failing which it shall be constrained to intensify ongoing agitation.
Addressing a press conference, president of the Bar Association Advocate Abhinav Sharma said that lawyers across Jammu region are on indefinite strike since November 1 in protest against shifting of J&K High Court from Janipur to Raika and transfer of powers of registration of documents from Judicial Magistrate to Revenue authorities.
“During the ongoing agitation, the office bearers and members of the Advisory Committee met the Chief Justice, who clarified that there is no decision on shifting of J&K High Court from Janipur to Raika. However, there was only indent for identification of land for raising judicial infrastructure of High Court”, Advocate Sharma said.
He disclosed that Chief Secretary of J&K Union Territory also held a meeting with the office bearers of Bar on November 15 and directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue to hold a meeting with the members of Bar. “Accordingly, a meeting of Advisory Committee was held with the Financial Commissioner Revenue on November 18 but nothing concrete came out of the meeting as a result of which the Bar is continuing its indefinite strike”, he added.
“We are going to hold meeting with heads of various organizations of civil society on November 25 to seek their support and opinion”, the Bar president said, adding “we have taken strong exception to the statements being made by various groups, individuals whether belonging to a particular political party or NGOs to the extent that demand of J&K High Court Bar Association for restoring the powers of registration of documents to Judicial Magistrates is outcome of abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A”.
“Conferring of powers of registration of documents upon Revenue authorities has nothing to do with the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A “, he said, adding “the Bar is completely opposed to the retention of Article 35-A and Article 370 and has already filed an application before the Supreme Court supporting abrogation of these Articles”.
He further said, “any statement made by any group or individual linking issue of registration of documents raised by Bar with the abrogation of Articles or with the demand of Statehood is for their personal political interests and motives”, adding “the agitation of J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu is confined to only two issues—shifting of High Court from Janipur to Raika and shifting of powers of registration of documents to the revenue authorities”.
The Bar urged the Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT to forthwith redress the demands failing which the Bar shall be constrained to intensity its agitation.
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