Anantnag: District Magistrate Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat has declared the District Bar Association Anantnag elections, reportedly held on October 27, null and void, citing violation of prohibitory orders issued by his office.
According to an official order, the election process had been prohibited under Order No. 01-DCA of 2025, dated January 2, 2025, pending submission of mandatory documents and fulfilment of prescribed requirements by the association.
The requirements included submission of the registration certificate, constitution and memorandum, bylaws, details of current executive members and members enrolled during the preceding 10 years, along with a detailed statement of accounts. The documents were also required to be verified, with prior permission from the District Magistrate’s office necessary before conducting elections.
The administration said the restrictions were reiterated through Order No. 62-DCA of 2026, issued on September 28, which remains in force.
The District Magistrate observed that the elections reportedly held on October 27, as publicised on social media, were conducted without fulfilling the prescribed requirements or obtaining prior permission from his office.
Consequently, the administration declared the polls null and void ab initio and non est in the eyes of law, stating that the process had been undertaken in violation of the subsisting prohibitory order.
The order also referred to applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.