A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, will deliver one of the most awaited court verdicts on Monday, December 11, when it rules on the constitutionality of abrogation of the Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories.

The five-judge constitution bench, also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, is expected to pronounce its verdict in the case on Monday.

In August 2019, the Union Government had abrogated the Article 370 and reorganized Jammu & Kashmir into two UTs.

Also Read: SSP Sopore warns strict action against social media pages glorifying suicides

Several petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 were filed in the Supreme Court by different parties. A number of political parties including National Conference and Peoples Conference had also challenged the Centre’s decision.

After hearing the matter for 16 days, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in the case on September 05.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Shabir Nawab, on Thursday issued a stern warning to social media page handlers, especially Facebook, urging them to refrain from glorifying suicide cases. He said strict legal action would be taken against those found engaged in such activities.

The SSP said the police in north Kashmir’s Sopore Police District (PD) are prepared to take decisive measures against those involved in glorifying suicide cases.

The advisory comes in the wake of a recent suicide case reported in Sopore, where a teenage girl from Harwan Tujjer (Sopore outskirts) took her own life by jumping into the River Jhelum at Jamia Bridge in the township.

Also Read: DGP expresses profound grief on the loss of Inspector Masroor Wani

Addressing the media, SSP Nawab expressed concern over the unnecessary media coverage which he said contributes to a surge in suicide incidents in Sopore, terming it “intolerable”.

Following the suicide incident, a search operation was initiated to locate the victim’s body. Despite the efforts of local fishermen and teams from J&K Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the body had not been recovered from the waters of Jhelum after two days.

This advisory is not the first of its kind from SSP Nawab. In a recent press briefing regarding a murder case in Zaloora village under the jurisdiction of Police Station Bomai, he directed Facebook page owners and portals to abstain from engaging in media trials. Such actions adversely impact society and the victims involved, impeding investigations at the crime scene, he said.

Senior citizens in the town have expressed concerns over the unnecessary media coverage, which they believe sensationalises the incidents and may influence the younger generation negatively.

Authorities should only allow rescue teams and authorised media to the site to prevent such locations from becoming picnic spots as witnessed in previous incidents, they said.

Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Thursday condoled the heroic loss of Inspector Masroor Ahmad who succumbed to injuries at AIIMS New Delhi.

“As the Director General of Police, it is with profound sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of Police Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani,” DGP Swain said, according to a police spokesperson.

“Today, we mourn the loss of Police Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani, a courageous officer who valiantly served amidst the looming threat of terrorism. His sacrifice embodies the harsh reality our J&K policemen face, dedicating their lives to shield our communities from the shadows of terrorism, the DGP said.

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The DGP said that Inspector Wani’s tragic sacrifice reminds us of the immense challenges our personnel encounter daily, even in moments of leisure. It is a grim reminder of the perils faced by our brave personnel while safeguarding the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

The sacrifices made by police personnel like Inspector Wani in Jammu and Kashmir will forever remain etched in our memories. His noble spirit and unwavering commitment to serving the community serve as a shining example to us all, the DGP added, as per the spokesman.

In the face of this heartbreaking loss, our thoughts and prayers are with Inspector Wani’s family, friends, and the entire police fraternity. We stand united in mourning this profound loss and honoring his memory, the DGP said.

The cowardly attack on a policeman, enjoying a moment of leisure, is a stark reminder of the vicious mindset perpetuated by terrorist networks operating at the behest of Pakistan. This tragic incident strengthens our resolve at the J&K Police to redouble our efforts in combating terrorism, he said.

Inspector Masroor Ahmad Wani’s legacy of bravery and selflessness will continue to inspire us. His memory will forever fuel our determination to dismantle the bones of terrorism in Kashmir. We reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the people of Kashmir and eradicating the menace of terrorism from our soil, he said.

“May Inspector Wani rest in peace, knowing that his sacrifice will not be in vain. His dedication to duty and his ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered as we forge ahead, stronger and more resolute in our fight against terrorism,” said the spokesman, in a written statement.