The Supreme Court on Monday lent out a helping hand to two senior J&K politicians by allowing one to travel to the state without hindrance and enquiring on the well-being of another who was arrested on Monday night under the stringent Public Security Act.

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Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad received a favourable order from the Court as he volunteered that if permitted to visit four districts — Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, and Jammu, he will not indulge in any political activity or rally during his visit. Arguing for the veteran Congress leader, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi pointed out that his client had twice landed at Srinagar, but was denied entry following orders issued by the J&K administration.

Singhvi said that being a person in public service, it was ironic that the J&K administration would deny him the right to meet with people in his constituency. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for J&K, did not favour granting Azad's prayer as he feared it would entail "repercussions" since the districts chosen have their own "peculiar" problems. But, the bench felt convinced that so long as Azad had offered that he would not engage in any political activity, there was no harm in granting his request.

The other petition, filed by MDMK leader Vaiko who sought to know the whereabouts and well-being of Abdullah as he was a speaker at an event on September 15, was also entertained. With the event over, S-G Mehta felt that the petition had become useless. He further questioned how Vaiko could plead for Abdullah without any authorisation. But the bench posted the matter for hearing on September 30.