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In a strong rebuke, the Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a judicial probe into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, questioning the motive behind the plea and whether it was intended to undermine the morale of India’s security forces.
The PIL was filed by Fatesh Kumar Shahu, Mohammad Junaid, and Vicky Kumar. During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant expressed serious concern over the timing and intent of the petition. “Be responsible before filing such PILs. You have a duty towards the country also,” Justice Kant remarked. “Is this how you want to demoralise our forces? Since when did judges become experts in anti-terror investigations?”
The petitioners urged the court to consider the plea, citing fears that Kashmiri students living in other states could face retaliation or be caught in the crossfire. They argued that their petition reflected the concerns of these vulnerable students in the wake of the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which left 26 people, mostly civilians, dead.
The bench, which also included Justice NK Singh, was not convinced by this argument. It pointed out that the PIL made no direct reference to student safety. “This is not the time… This is a crucial hour when each citizen has joined hands. This is not acceptable to us. Look at the sensitivity of the issue,” the judges said.
However, the court gave the petitioners the liberty to withdraw the plea and directed them to approach the respective state High Courts if their concern was indeed about the safety of students. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, opposed even this step, urging the court to avoid further legal complications.
The brutal attack in Pahalgam, which was claimed by The Resistance Front—a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—continues to haunt the nation. The gunmen responsible are still on the run, despite a large-scale manhunt involving the army, police, and national security agencies. Sketches of the suspects have been released, and over 2,500 individuals have been questioned as part of the investigation. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now leading the probe and has identified 20 suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs), many of whom have already been apprehended.
The central government has vowed a strong and swift response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for decisive action, granting military and intelligence agencies full freedom to determine the scope and timing of retaliation.
Condemnation of Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism has grown stronger in the wake of the attack. Intelligence reports have linked Pakistani handlers to not only the Pahalgam incident but also recent terror events in Moscow and London.
The security situation remains tense, with daily ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the Line of Control. On Thursday morning, Pakistani forces engaged in small arms firing for the seventh consecutive night, further escalating border tensions.
As the country reels from the Pahalgam tragedy, the judiciary’s firm stance signals a clear message: national unity and the morale of security forces must not be compromised in times of crisis.
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