J&K&L High Court Issues Notice On PIL Seeking ST Status, PSP Certificates For 1947 PoJK Displaced Persons

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and issuance of PSP certificates to persons displaced from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in 1947.

The PIL has been filed by the Jammu Kashmir Action Committee through its President Gurdev Singh and was heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal.

The PIL concerns 1947 PoJK displaced persons seeking ST status and Pahari Speaking People certificates after the inclusion of the Pahari community as a Scheduled Tribe in 2024. The petition alleges that despite sharing the same ethnic and linguistic identity, displaced families are being denied certificates due to residence-based criteria.

The Court noted that vide order dated November 24, 2025, time had earlier been granted to the respondents to seek instructions and file a response. On the present date of hearing, Ms. Monika Kohli, Senior Additional Advocate General, appearing for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, submitted that a formal notice may be issued to enable the respondents to file a detailed reply to the petition.

Accepting the request, the Bench ordered notice.

Ms. Kohli accepted notice on behalf of the respondents and sought a short accommodation to file the response.

Accordingly, the matter has been adjourned to February 10, 2026, for further consideration.

Case Title: Jammu Kashmir Action Committee v. UT of J&K & Anr.

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