Article 370 hearing: Supreme Court asks NC lead petitioner Akbar Lone to file an affidavit affirming allegiance to the Constitution of India

 

 

 

 

National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone, the lead petitioner in the Article 370 case, to file an affidavit affirming that J&K is an integral part of India and that he owed allegiance to the Constitution of India. Lone has been given time until tomorrow.

 

 

Supreme Court’s remark came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing Centre told the Supreme Court that it wants National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone (one of the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of Article 370) to apologise for raising `Pro Pakistan’ slogans in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly in 2018.

 

SG Mehta told the bench that Akbar Lone is the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of the provision, but he has to state that he owes allegiance to the Constitution and apologise for raising the slogan on the floor of the House. Mehta supported by other senior advocates supporting abrogation of Article 370 stated that Lone must furnish an affidavit apologising for raising Pro-Pak slogans.

 

Notably, Kashmiri Hindu’s organisation ‘Roots in Kashmir’ has filed an intervention application in the apex court questioning the credentials of National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone claiming he was a supporter of secessionist forces. The organisation asserted that Lone had openly raised pro-Pakistan slogans in Jammu and Kashmir’s Assembly in 2018 and also had refused to apologise before media persons.