New Delhi, July 13: Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking cancellation of this year’s Amarnath yatra in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph dismissed the petition after noting that the authorities concerned will take care and will decide about it.
“We don’t want to hear the petition. The issue as to whether yatra be held should be left with the local administration,” the Apex Court said and dismissed the petition.
The Top Court said, it’s for the authorities to consider whether permission should be granted. It asked why should it assume that administration will not take right decision.
The Court said, it’s of the view that decision whether Yatra should be permitted and if so what safeguards should be followed, fall within executive domain of state. Authorities are required to bear in mind relevant statutory provisions including the guidelines.
The Apex Court said, it is for the local and Union Territory (UT) administrations of Jammu and Kashmir to take a call on whether or not Amarnath Yatra should be conducted this year.
The Apex Court said, it cannot decide this issue which is purely in the administrative domain of government.
The petitioner, Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (ABLO) had moved the Apex Court seeking appropriate directions to the concerned authorities for cancelling this year’s Amarnath yatra in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
