Srinagar, July 3, KDC: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday directed the Union Territory administration to file its response within three weeks in the petitions filed by Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi challenging two FIRs registered against him. During the hearing, the UT Government also assured the Court that no coercive or harsh measures have been taken against the Member of Parliament so far, nor are any such measures presently contemplated.
The petitions challenge FIR No. 58/2026 registered at Police Station Budgam and FIR No. 02/2026 registered by Cyber Police Kashmir.
During the course of arguments, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the allegations contained in the FIRs, even if taken at their face value, do not disclose the commission of any cognizable offence. It was further argued that the proceedings initiated against a sitting Member of Parliament amount to an unwarranted curtailment of the constitutionally protected freedom of speech and expression.
Taking note of the submissions advanced on behalf of the petitioner, the High Court directed the respondents to file their response within a period of three weeks, advocate Umair N. Ronga told news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
On behalf of the respondents, it was stated before the Court that no coercive or harsh measures have been taken against the petitioner so far, nor are any such measures presently contemplated. The respondents further informed the Court that they would obtain and place on record a status report regarding the Facebook account of the Member of Parliament, which has reportedly been taken down.
The petitioner was represented by Former Bar President Advocate N. A. Ronga and Advocate Umair N. Ronga, while the respondents were represented by Senior Additional Advocate General Advocate Mohsin Qadri and Deputy Advocate General Advocate Bikram Singh.
The matter has now been scheduled for further consideration after the respondents file their response. (KDC)
