SC notice to Centre, J&K on judicial probe into Ramban firing

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response of the Centre and the Jammu & Kashmir government on a PIL seeking judicial inquiry into the BSF firing in Ramban district of the state in which four persons were killed and several injured.

A bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Desai issued notices to the Centre, the state government and the DGP. The PIL also sought direction to provide security, lodging and medical facilities to Amarnath and Vaishnodevi pilgrims who get stranded during their journey due to imposition of curfew. The PIL filed by Sudesh Dogra, political secretary of J&K National Panthers Party, said four civilians were killed and 44 persons including security personnel were injured on July 18 when a BSF team had opened fire at a mob that had gathered at its camp in Ramban district protesting against alleged manhandling of an imam of the area by the force. The petition, filed through senior advocate Bhim Singh, said curfew was imposed after the incident due to which a large number of pilgrims got stuck on their way. It also sought compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the family members of those killed in the firing and Rs 10 lakh for the injured persons. PTI