Pahalgam terror attack: SC stays deportation of 6-member family to Pak, directs authorities to check documents

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the deportation of a six-member family to Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Court directed Union government authorities to not take any coercive action against the family until their documents are verified.

 

The family of six allegedly overstayed their visas and they were taken to the Wagah border for deportation. Hearing the matter, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh directed Central government authorities to verify the documents they possessed. The petitioners claimed they possessed Indian passports and Aadhar cards. 

 

The bench directed authorities to verify all documents at the earliest. The apex court also allowed the petitioners to approach the Jammu and Kashmir High Court if they were dissatisfied with the decision of authorities. "In the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, authorities may not take coercive action till an appropriate decision is taken. If petitioners are dissatisfied by final decision, they can approach J&K and Ladakh High Court. Order not to be treated as precedent,” Live Law reported quoting the bench. 

 

As per the petition, the family members of Ahmed Tarek Butt, claimed they were detained and taken to the Wagah border for deportation to Pakistan despite having valid Indian documents. They are facing deportation to Pakistan following diplomatic measures announced by the Centre in the aftermath of the killings of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

 

India announced a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan in the aftermath of the attack. India suspended visas for Pakistani nationals, suspended the Indus water treaty, closed the Attari border and declared defence advisors and their support staff at the Pakistan Embassy in Delhi as Persona Non Grata.

India