PIL for publicity: SC junks petition on tourists’ safety after Pahalgam terror attack

The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL seeking enhanced safety measures for tourists in remote hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. A bench led by Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice N Kotiswar Singh, criticised petitioner Vishal Tiwari for filing the PIL, stating it appeared to be driven by a desire for publicity rather than a genuine public cause.

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“Why have you filed this kind of PIL? What’s your real motive? Don’t you understand the sensitivity of the issue? I think you are inviting some exemplary cost for filing this PIL,” the bench questioned Tiwari.

The petitioner had sought directions for ensuring tourist safety, claiming it was the first time tourists in Jammu and Kashmir had been targeted. However, the bench was unimpressed, noting that Tiwari had a history of filing PILs with similar motives. The court ultimately dismissed the petition, warning Tiwari of potential exemplary costs.

In a previous instance, on May 1, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain another PIL seeking a SIT probe headed by a former judge into the Pahalgam terror attack. The court had criticised the lawyer for filing the petition, emphasising the need for responsible actions during times of crisis.

“Be responsible before filing such a PIL. You have some duty towards the country too. You are asking a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate. Since when retired high court and Supreme Court judges have become experts in investigation? We only decide on disputes. Don’t ask us to pass an order,” the bench had said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is already investigating the case. Earlier, a separate petition had been filed by Md Junaid, Fatesh Kumar Shahu, and Vicky Kumar, seeking directions for an action plan to ensure citizen safety in tourist areas and the formation of a special investigation team to hold those responsible for the attack accountable.

The Supreme Court had previously condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, as a “diabolical act of mindless violence” and observed a two-minute silence in solidarity with the victims and their families.