Srinagar: The High Court in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has issued a severe critique of the justice delivery system under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, labeling it a “cruel joke.” This rebuke comes amid concerns over prolonged detentions and delayed compensations in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the criticism emerged during a hearing of a compensation claim by a man who had been detained illegally for over 11 years. The bench, led by Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, described the administrative approach to justice under Sinha’s leadership as lethargic and lackadaisical, reflecting poorly on the regional governance.
The court expressed frustration over the administration’s failure to compensate the petitioner, who was acquitted in 2019 but has yet to receive any reparations despite clear court directives. The High Court has now given the administration a four-week deadline to resolve the compensation issue, cautioning that failure to comply could lead to contempt proceedings.
These proceedings underscore the ongoing systemic issues within the justice mechanisms in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where judicial processes are often hampered by inadequate infrastructure and manpower, prolonging legal battles for residents.