Supreme Court: No 4G Connectivity In Jammu and Kashmir For Now

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday, declined to pass an order for the restoration of 4G connectivity in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The three-judge bench of the apex court directed the government to set up a special committee to study the matter. The court was hearing a clutch of petitions on the restoration of 4G connectivity in J & K.

The Bench comprising Justices NV Ramana, R. Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai ordered that the Special Committee examine the contentions raised by the petitioners.

The high-level committee will be headed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It will also include the Secretary of Ministry of Communications and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.

Justice Ramana observed that there was a need for the apex court to ensure that national security and human rights are balanced. He added that it was true that the Union Territory had plunged into crisis and the Court was also cognizant to the concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The apex court further said that Kashmir is also experiencing the crisis of coronavirus the rest of the country and world was going through.

The matter had come up before the Supreme Court on previous occasions, as well. The Centre had pointed out that due to the threat to national security, the time had not yet come for the restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir.