The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday refused to issue any directions on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking ‘martyr’ status for the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack..The PIL filed by a lawyer also sought directions to declare the site of the attack as ‘Shaheed Hindu Valley Tourist Place’.The Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel said that the issue is one which falls within the policy domain of the government and courts cannot interfere."The issue as to whether a particular place is to be declared as a Memorial or be named differently or to declare deceased person(s) as Martyr/Shaheed, lies within the exclusive domain of policy decision of the State,” the Court said.“This Court, thus, refrains from entering into the field of policy making, which is exclusively reserved for the Executive,” it added..However, the Court said the petitioner can make representation to the State, which shall consider it in accordance with the law, as expeditiously as possible. “The petition stands disposed of,” the Court ordered.During the hearing of the PIL on May 6, the Court had questioned whether it can pass such directions under Article 226. .A total of 26 tourists were killed last month when terrorists opened fire in the picturesque Pahalgam. The terror attack led to a war-like situation between India and Pakistan. India has launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the killings. .Petitioner Ayush Ahuja appeared in person. Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain with Senior Panel Counsel Dheeraj Jain represented the Union of India. .[Read Order]
