Pertinently, the decision to recognise the KAA has been taken at a time when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA) – which has been representing the lawyers at Srinagar Bench for many years – is facing action from the administration in Srinagar for its alleged secessionist ideology.
The District Magistrate, Srinagar on June 25 imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the district court premises at Srinagar to halt elections for office bearers of the JKHCBA.
The action had been taken based on a communication received from the KAA itself which had raised concerns about the legality and authenticity of the JKHCBA.
In the communication to the District Magistrate, the KAA had claimed that the HCBA is an unregistered association, and called for a ban on conducting the HCBA elections.
Following the KAA’s communication, the District Magistrate had directed an inquiry by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar who submitted a report stating that while the HCBA has advocated for a “peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue”, it also advanced a secessionist ideology.
The SSP had also raised concerns that a law and order issue may arise if the HCBA elections were allowed to be conducted. In view of this report, the District Magistrate issued directions to halt the conduct of the HCBA elections.
A similar action had been taken against the JKHCBA in 2023 as well.
Source: Barandbench
