SC upholds J&K's higher damages to local riot victims

The Supreme Court Monday upheld the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to give higher compensation to victims of Kishtwar riots who were domicile of the state compared to the personnel belonging to central security forces.

The apex court bench of Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that in terms of Article 35 (A) of the Constitution there was no error in awarding higher compensation to the state subjects in comparison to others.

Justice Gogoi, pronouncing the judgment, said there was thus no need to go into its constitutionality and validity.

The court verdict came on a petition by Sudesh Dogra, a resident.