Case: Court on its own motion v. Union of India
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court was informed on Monday that the body of a 20-year-old Indian man, who drowned in the Chenab river, has been recovered from Pakistan and handed over to his parents.
In light of this development, a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta closed the suo motu case registered earlier this month to ensure the retrieval of the body.
The Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) informed the Court that the body of the deceased, Harsh Nagotra, was handed over to his family members, who cremated him on July 28 according to Hindu rites.
After recording this development, the Court closed the suo motu case.
"In view of the statement made by the learned counsel for the respondents, this PIL has been rendered infructuous and the same is, accordingly, disposed of," the Court said in its July 29 order.
The parents of the deceased youth had previously filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition regarding the matter.
They claimed that their son, Harsh Nagotra, drowned in the Chenab river under mysterious circumstances, and his body was found in Pakistan.
They requested the Court to issue directions to ensure the body was returned from Pakistan for the conduct of last rites and other rituals.
Although the Court expressed that it could not entertain a PIL on this issue, it proceeded to register a suo motu case.
On July 22, the Court directed the Union Home Ministry, the External Affairs Ministry, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to file their response within a week.
In view of their response, confirming that the body had been retrieved and brought back to India, the Court closed the case.
TAGS: India Pakistan Suo Motu Kashmir High Court Petition Deceased DSGI Own Motion
