The Supreme Court on Monday allowed senior Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag and Jammu. However, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that Azad will not make any speeches or hold any public rally ‘as per his own submissions.’

CJI Gogoi, according to ANI, also said, “if the requirement arises, I may visit Jammu and Kashmir.” This, according to NDTV, was to check whether allegations by a child rights activist that they are having difficulties in accessing the Jammu and Kashmir High Court are true.

Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, says in Supreme Court “if requirement arises, I may visit Jammu and Kashmir” https://t.co/uiLlcRFu0X — ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2019

CJI Gogoi also asked for an immediate report from Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court while hearing the child rights activist’s plea. The CJI had asked lawyer representing the activist why he couldn’t approach the High Court. To which the lawyer had replied that this was because of a complete shutdown there. CJI Gogoi, according to Livelaw, said, “If found incorrect, be ready to face consequences.”

On Azad, the bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SA Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer allowed the petition on the assurance that he would not engage in any political activities. According to Livelaw website. Azad said that he was ‘thankful to the Supreme Court’ for permitting him to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. “I’ll present my report before the Supreme Court. I am happy that no less than CJI has shown his concern and he has held that he should visit J&K and see how things are moving,” ANI quoted him as saying.

Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM said, “Why does a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir need to seek permission from SC to travel to Jammu and Kashmir? It shows that there is no normalcy in Kashmir. If govt claims that everything is normal then why can’t politics be done.”

AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi: Why does a former CM (GN Azad) of J&K need to seek permission from SC to travel to J&K? It shows that there is no normalcy in Kashmir. If govt claims that everything is normal then why can't politics be done. pic.twitter.com/vGSE01Ch1q — ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2019

Earlier, a bench headed by CJI Gogoi also asked the government to restore normal functions in Jammu and Kashmir keeping in view national interest and security.

Earlier, the top court had allowed CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury to meet his party colleague Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, currently in detention of the central government.