Srinagar: Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Thursday announced to challenge the Police Verification system in Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as “a severe form of collective punishment” against families.
This decision follows a landmark Supreme Court judgment condemning the “bulldozing of properties as unjust punishment targeting families holistically”.
Lone expressed profound dismay, asserting that the current Police Verification process, often denying entire families due to a relative’s record, violates the principles of natural justice in the name of national security.
“If the Supreme Court views bulldozing properties as collective punishment, then withholding a police verification certificate for an entire family based on a relative’s record is no different,” he stated.
Lone emphasized the need to end this outdated “stone-age” justice system specifically imposed on Kashmiris, reaffirming the party’s commitment to seek judicial intervention and uphold justice in J&K.