In a no-nonsense ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected yet another public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the aftermath of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack — this time seeking enhanced security for tourists in hilly regions. The top court, visibly frustrated, lashed out at the petitioner, advocate Vishal Tiwari, for what it called a “publicity stunt” masked as concern for public welfare.
“Don’t try to do this… Who is inviting you to file these PILs? Don’t you understand any sensibility?” a visibly irate bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh told the petitioner. The bench minced no words in calling out the serial PIL-filer, questioning the motive behind these repeated interventions that appear more self-serving than solution-oriented.
The court’s blunt dismissal comes days after it rejected Tiwari’s previous plea demanding a judicial probe into the same attack — a cowardly act of terror that left 26 innocents dead, including a Nepalese tourist. While the court rightly slammed the petitioner’s opportunism, what remains truly enraging is the fact that terrorists have now sunk so low as to target unarmed, unsuspecting tourists.
Last time, the Supreme Court dismissed a PIL which sought a judicial commission to investigate the recent terror attack in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. The court strongly criticized the plea, warning that such actions could demoralise security forces at a time when national unity is crucial.
“This is a critical moment when the entire country is standing together against terrorism. Be responsible before filing such PILs. You also have a duty towards your country. Don’t demoralise the forces,” Justice Surya Kant stated, emphasizing the sensitivity of the issue.
The petition requested the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to lead the probe into the April 22 terror attack, carried out by four terrorists linked with Pakistan-sponsored outfits. The Court rejected the idea, saying that judges are meant to adjudicate legal disputes, not conduct investigations.
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“Since when have we become investigators? Retired judges are not meant to conduct probes. Don’t ask us to pass such orders,” the bench told the petitioner.
