Jammu & Kashmir High Court
Residents Of Village Gowari vs Mohammad Aijaz Asad on 18 May, 2026
Author: Rajnesh Oswal
Bench: Rajnesh Oswal
Sr. No.14
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH
AT JAMMU
(THROUGH VIRTUAL MODE)
CCP(D) 62/2025 IN[LPA 26/2025]
RESIDENTS OF VILLAGE GOWARI ...Petitioner(s)/appellant(s)
THROUGH MUZAFFER HUSSAIN
Through: Mr. Siddhant Gupta, Advocate
Vs.
MOHAMMAD AIJAZ ASAD, ...Respondent(s)
COMMISSIONER SECRETARY RURAL
DEVELOPMENT DEPTT AND OTHERS
Through: Ms. Sagira Jaffer, Assisting Counsel vice
Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG
CORAM:
HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJNESH OSWAL, JUDGE
ORDER
18-05-2026
Vide this petition, the petitioner seeks initiation of contempt
proceedings against the respondents for an apparent and willful/deliberate
non-compliance of the directions issued by this Court vide order and
judgment dated 11.07.2025, rendered in LPA No. 26/2025 (“Residents of
Village Gowari through Muzaffer Hussain v. UT of Jammu and Kashmir
and Others“).
A bare reading of the order and judgment referred to above shows
that the matter was disposed of with a direction to official respondents to
conduct the election for the post of Lamberdar for village Gowari, within a
period of three months from the date of receipt of the copy of the order by
the official respondents.
Ex-facie, over 09 months have gone by, but it appears that the matter
has not made any tangible progress. In the response submitted by the
respondents, all what is stated is that the matter, regarding conduct of
general elections in village Gowari, is under active consideration of the
Shameem Hamid Mir
department. And is currently pending before the Minister In-Charge
2026.05.20 10:42
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
Revenue for approval to convey necessary instructions to Divisional
Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Doda, for the updation of
electoral rolls in village Gowari.
Nothing, however, is discernible as to when was the matter
submitted to the Minister In-Charge Revenue for approval/sanction. And is
pending since when. Further, even the response/affidavit filed by the
respondents was submitted as back as in March, 2026, and over two
months have elapsed. Upon being pointedly asked, learned counsel for the
respondents expresses her inability to clarify as to the progress, if any,
made in the interregnum.
However, she has been able to persuade us to defer the proceedings
for a short date to enable her to seek instructions. And furnish a specific
affidavit indicating the relevant dates, the officers concerned, who dealt
with the matter post receipt of the order referred to above, and steps, if any,
that were taken to ensure compliance of the order dated 11-07-2025.
It is made clear if the said affidavit is not filed before the adjourned
date, the respondents shall join the proceedings online on the date fixed.
Adjourned to 01.06,2026, be shown higher up on the list.
(RAJNESH OSWAL) (ARUN PALLI)
JUDGE CHIEF JUSTICE
SRINAGAR
18-05-2026
Shameem H
Shameem Hamid Mir
2026.05.20 10:42
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
