SANJAY TICKOO Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Secular, the expression appearing in the preamble of the Constitution of India, forms the bedrock of this writ petition. The petitioners, Kashmiri pundits, have approached this Court seeking issuance of directions to the respondent State and its authorities for protecting and preserving some of their religious places. Their grievance is that uncouth attempts have been made by some locals and non locals to change the status of their religious places into commercial places.

(2.) Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Honble Supreme Court. The Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, vide his communication dated 12-04-2007, informed the petitioners therein that the petition is not covered under PIL guidelines. The petitioners were advised to file proper petition before the concerned High Court for grant of desired relief in the matter.

(3.) Another petition (OWP 349/2007) was filed before this Court, which was considered by the Division Bench. On 25-07-2007, the Division Bench permitted the petitioners to withdraw the writ petition in view of the observations contained in the aforementioned communication dated 12-04-2007.