The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA) on Wednesday cancelled its yearly elections and created an ad hoc committee.The development comes days after authorities barred the association from holding any elections until it clarified its position on terming Kashmir a disputed territory. The JKHCBA was also asked to submit its relevant documents to the Srinagar deputy commissioner, including the article of association and registration papers.
“Due to the imposition of prohibition by the district administration on holding JKHCBA polls for year 2020-21, a meeting of the bar association’s general committee was conducted to deal with the situation arising out of the impediments created in conduct of the elections,” an official of the association said.He said that an ad hoc committee — comprising of contesting candidates, election body and former elected body of the association — was created during the meeting. “The committee, which will be headed by advocate Nazir Ahmed Ronga as its convener or chairman, will look after the affairs of the association until a new body is elected,” he said, adding the notification for the conduct of the election stands recalled.He said another committee, headed by senior advocate Zaffar Ahmad Shah, was created during the meeting which will look into the issues raised by the district administration.
Srinagar District Magistrate Shahid Choudhary on Monday issued three notices to the president of the bar association, asking them to explain its Constitution which terms Kashmir a disputed area.Citing Kashmir Bar’s constitution which states among its objectives “to find ways and means, take steps, for resolving the issues concerning the public at large including larger issue of peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute…””You are required to explain your position on the subject since its not in consonance with the Constitution of India whereby Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and not a dispute, and also in conflict with The Advocates Act of 1961…” the notice issued by the deputy commissioner said.The bar has also been asked to submit a certificate issued by the competent authority, its Article of Association, its registered office, executive body and validity of registration among other details.