Full Bench declines interim relief in pleas against forfeiture of 25 books on Kashmir; Court issues notice

JAMMU: In a significant development, the Full Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Monday declined to grant interim relief in a batch of petitions challenging the Union Territory government's notification declaring 25 books as "forfeited" for allegedly propagating secessionism.

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Full Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli, Justice Rajnesh Oswal and Justice Shahzad Azeem refused interim relief but issued notice on the pleas filed under Section 99 with Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS). The bench, however, dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) on the same issue, observing that it did not qualify as "public interest" and remarking that "90% of people would not understand the issue."