Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 8: High Court while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation directed the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to the decide the issue of Abhinav Gupt caves in accordance with law after hearing all concerned within a period of 4 months.
The PIL was filed by one Vir Saraf seeking direction for immediate closure of illegal stone quarrying being carried out by unauthorized persons in and around the site commonly known as “Abhinav Gupt” caves situated at Beerwah Budgam and also direction for protection of this site under the J&K Preservation Act, 1977.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice MH Attar directed: “Keeping in view the controversy raised in this Public Interest Litigation and the pendency of the matter before the Deputy Commissioner, we dispose of the petition with a direction to the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to consider and decide the issue in accordance with law after hearing all concerned including inhabitants of Beerwah.”
The DB said that the Deputy Commissioner may invite objections for and against by issuing appropriate notice.
The Department of Tourism and Culture and Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums stated in their reply that as per the Hindu Mythology “Abhinav Gupt” had some followers and the cave at Beerwah in district Budgam was also used by them for prayers and the said “Abhinav Gupt was last seen on the 10th day of dark fortnight in the year 968 BK Samvat entering the cave for his last prayer.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel