Contempt of court petition filed against Ghulam Nabi Azad

New Delhi, July 27: A contempt of court petition was today filed against Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Relief Commissioner (migrants) Vinod Koul for not complying with the Supreme Court's order to provide compensation to Kashmiri migrants according to the government's policy.

Petitioner Suram Chand, in his petition, alleged that the respondents never approached the Union government for funds to provide relief to the Kashmiri migrants, who had to flee the state due to ''Pakistan-sponsored militancy'' in the valley.

The petitioner also alleged that many among the migrants were forced to starve and some were reduced to begging due to the careless and indifferent attitude of the respondents, who had not complied with the undertaking given to the apex court, through the affidavit dated December 3, 2004, about adequate relief to be provided to the migrants.

According to the petition, there was a total of 11,904 migrants comprising 2,201 families. Most of them were forced to live without shelter, food, clothing and medicines in utter disregard and flagrant violation of human dignity and life. Their children were not receiving any education for the last eight years while many had died in the absence of medical aid. The respondents have denied the right to life, guaranteed under Article 21 of the constitution of India, due to their casual attitude.

Mr Chand requested the SC to initiate the contempt of court proceedings against the repondents for not complying with the court's order.

The petitioner also sought directions to them to implement the court's order dated July 13, 2006 by providing all benefits and relief to the migrants as was stated in the affidavit.

UNI