Srinagar: The Disciplinary Committee of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notice to three lawyers, Mian Abdul Qayoom, Nazir Ronga and Ghulam Nabi Thoker alias Shaheen for committing professional and other misconduct under the Advocates Act, 1961.
The Disciplinary Committee has asked the lawyers to appear before it on 17th December 2022 observing that ‘it is learnt prima facie allegations against Qayoom and two others amount to professional misconduct.’
Joint Registrar (Judicial), High Court of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh has issued notices to the three lawyers and also to the Secretary to Government, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (who is the complainant against the lawyers) to appear before the committee.
A complaint was filed against the three advocates for appropriate action on the basis of detailed investigation carried out by the law enforcement agencies. The investigation report had said that Mian Abdul Qayoom is known for his anti-national and secessionist stand.
“He has been instrumental in endorsing hartal calls and protest demonstration throughout the Kashmir valley,” the investigation report had revealed.
The report further revealed that in 1990, Qayoom openly came out in support of the secessionist movement and presented a memorandum to UNMOGIP Hqrs, at Srinagar. He was solely responsible for making High Court Bar Association as a constituent part of All Party Hurriyat Conference and drafting the constitution of Bar Association, wherin it was provided in the aims and objectives to secure secession of J&K from Union of India.
While recording his statement as witness in contempt petition No.11/2010 against Superintendent Kot Bhalwal Jail and others in Hon’ble High Court Srinagar on April 07, 2010, Shri Qayoom challenged the Indian constitution and said that “I do not believe in the Constitution of India,” disclosed the report.
The report further said that in April 2005 Qayoom made a public statement openly supporting terrorists and said that armed struggle should continue till goal of azadi is achieved.
“In June 2008 Qayoom played a key role in instigating the people against the government during the Amarnath Land row. In October 2008 led a procession up to Lal Chowk raising slogans in support of freedom. In March, 2009 He said that Kashmiri people should be proud of 18 “Mujahideen” who sacrificed their lives at Kupwara,” disclosed the report.
The report had further observed that Ghulam Nabi Thoker alias Shaheen is known secessionist element.
“In February 2009, Ghulam Nabi Thoker alias Shaheen while speaking in a seminar asked the self-styled separatist leadership to shun their differences and fight unitedly for seceding J&K from Union of India,” the investigation has revealed.
Similarly, the investigators have unearthed wrongdoings of Advocate Nazir Ronga.
“Nazir Ronga openly expressed sympathies towards the terrorists and defended individuals accused of terror actions. During 2008 Shri Amarnath Shrine Board land transfer row, Ronga played an active role in provoking people. He had also threatened Advocates for appearing before courts during the Hartal call given by illegal bar association,” the investigation has revealed.
