Supreme Court allows Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit J-K

New Delhi, September 16

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but said he could not hold any political rally.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister could visit four districts--Srinagar, Jammu, Baramulla and Anantnag--to meet people.

The bench, also comprising Justices SA Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer, was told by senior advocate AM Singhvi, who was appearing for Azad, that he wanted to meet the people and enquire about their welfare.

Singhvi said Azad had tried to visit the state thrice, but was turned back from the airport.

Azad, who has filed the petition in his personal capacity, had said on Sunday that it was “apolitical”.

In his plea, Azad has also sought a nod from the top court to visit his family and relatives.

In his petition before the top court, Azad has also sought permission to check on social conditions after a clampdown was imposed by the authorities following the scrapping of the state’s special status. PTI