Jammu & Kashmir High Court on Friday ordered fresh elections to elect the new Executive Committee for the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and has nominated Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and two retired judges to oversee the election process.
In an order issued by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey on 18 September, 2020, copy of which lies with Rising Kashmir, in the case between Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, represented by senior advocate Z. A. Shah, versus Zubair Mahajan and others, represented by Advocate Syed Faisal Qadri, the court further held that the Committee elected in 2018, “which had of its own extended its term for another year, which too is coming to an end by 28.09.2020, shall be ordered to seize to exist with effect from the evening of 27.09.2020.”
“With a view to ensuring that all tasks are performed honestly and in a fair and transparent manner, the High Court proposes to nominate the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, as an overall supervising officer to oversee the performance of all these tasks by the said committees, with the assistance of two retired Judicial officers of the rank of Principal District Judge, namely, Javed Ahmad Kawoos and Abdul Wahid, who shall have to be paid such amounts as their charges as may be determined by the Court out of the funds of the Company for rendering such assistance”, the High Court further ordered.
KCCI welcomes Court’s direction
Srinagar, Sep 18 : Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Friday welcomed the directions of the High Court for facilitation of elections in the august body, as was prayed for by the KCCI.
Spokesperson and General Secretary of the KCCI Farooq Amin said that the High Court in its order has restored functioning of KCCI by the executive committee elected in the year 2018, subject to conditions till the expiry of their term, which had previously been extended by them till 27th of September, 2020.
“The election process is to begin from 28th of September, 2020 and is to conclude on 25th of October, 2020,” spokesperson said.
“The elections are to be supervised by the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar with the assistance of two retired Judicial Officers of the rank of Principal District Judge,” he said.
“However,” the spokesperson said, “parties have been asked to give their response to the tentative proposed arrangement ordered by the Court. Case has again been directed to be listed on 22nd of September, 2020.”
“The stand of the existing Executive Committee has been vindicated which always wanted to hold elections and had given it in writing before the trial Court as well as before the High Court, but had expressed it is difficulty in holding it because of COVID-19 and 144 Cr PC imposition being in place,” he said.