SRINAGAR: The ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has issued a clarification following the appearance of the name Rahim Rather in a list of politicians with pending criminal cases under review by the High Court.
This clarification emphasises that the reference is not to Abdul Rahim Rather, the veteran JKNC leader and seven-time lawmaker, but rather to another individual with a similar name. The JKNC asserted that their leader has upheld an unblemished record throughout his political career, and no criminal case has ever been filed against him. The statement aims to prevent potential misunderstandings and reaffirm Rather’s commitment to integrity and public service.
The clarification comes amid a larger judicial review being conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, led by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary. The court is seeking updated reports on the status of criminal cases involving various politicians, with the governments of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh being directed to submit detailed status updates within four weeks. This action stems from a directive issued by the Supreme Court, instructing High Courts across India to expedite and monitor pending criminal cases involving current and former Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.
The High Court’s enquiry involves politicians with cases in both subordinate courts and the High Court, including several prominent leaders. The proceedings include trials at various judicial levels, with cases relating to FIRs dating back to as early as 1993. The charges cover an array of accusations, and several cases have already seen charges framed under different sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
This review, initiated as a public interest litigation (PIL), aligns with the Supreme Court’s broader mandate for High Courts to adopt expeditious handling of criminal trials involving politicians. This includes the assignment of a judicial officer to prioritise these cases, with continuity of tenure to ensure that trials are conducted with minimal delay. The Supreme Court has directed that no case involving a current or former legislator be withdrawn without High Court approval and has called for cases with any stays to be heard on a day-to-day basis, ideally reaching resolution within two months.
As the High Court intensifies its focus on the progress of these cases, the JKNC’s clarification concerning Abdul Rahim Rather aims to clear his name in the context of these proceedings and highlight the importance of accuracy when reporting on public figures with longstanding records in public service. -(KL)
