The Jammu and Kashmir government withdrew the suspension order on Sunday. Also, Bhat has been asked to “report back to his place of origin”. The decision comes a day before the Center wraps up its arguments on the Article 370 issue before the Supreme Court. This is the first case in the last four years, when a government order has been revoked in Jammu and Kashmir.
Last week, the Supreme Court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to speak to the Lt Governor about suspending the lecturer, days after he appeared before a five-judge constitution bench.
Zahoor Ahmed Bhat also holds a law degree. He argued before the court against the 2019 move that stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated it into two union territories.
After this, the Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir suspended him for violating the Civil Service Rules, Rules of Conduct of Government Servants and Leave Rules.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal raised the issue in the Supreme Court, following which Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to look into it and speak to the lieutenant governor. Sibal told the court that Bhatt argued in court for five minutes, due to which he was suspended on August 25. “He took two days off, went back and was suspended,” said Sibal.
The Chief Justice remarked, “Attorney General, just look at what has happened. Anyone who appears in this court is now suspended. Look at this. Talk to the LG.” “If anything else, it’s a different matter, but why is the order of their arrival and then the suspension so close,” he asked.
Constitution Bench Member Justice S.K. Kaul pointed to the “proximity” between the petitions and the suspension order, prompting the Solicitor General to admit that “the timing was definitely not right.” Another judge of the bench, Justice BR Gavai, also said that the government’s action could be vindictive.
Mehta said there were other issues due to which he was suspended and Bhat appeared in various courts. On this, Sibal argued that he should have been suspended earlier, why now. The senior lawyer said Bhatt teaches politics in Jammu and Kashmir and the 2019 move made it difficult for him as his students were questioning democracy.
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