Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Senior advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, a prominent figure in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, was arrested early Thursday morning, his family said.
The arrest was confirmed by Ronga's son, Adv. Umair Ronga, who took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his concern. "My father, Adv. N.A. Ronga, Chairman of the J&K High Court Bar Association, has been arrested in a deeply disturbing turn of events," he said.
My father, Adv. N.A. Ronga, the Chairman of the J&K High Court Bar Association, has just been arrested in a deeply disturbing turn of events. At 1:10 am, a contingent of J&K Police arrived at our home without any arrest warrant, merely stating, " it's an order from above" ("uper… pic.twitter.com/GrT15laZ6v
— Umair Ronga (@umairronga) July 10, 2024
Umair Ronga, while sharing videos of developments, further detailed the circumstances of the arrest, stating, "At 1:10 am, a contingent of J&K Police arrived at our home without any arrest warrant, simply stating, 'It's an order from above' ('uper se order hai'). We are left in a state of shock and profound distress. We can only hope this is not another instance of the PSA being misused to intimidate members of the J&K High Court Bar Association."
Family menbers said that Ronga has been lodged at Nishat Police station and is undergoing medical examination.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police was yet to issue a statement over Ronga's arrest.
The development follows recent revisions within the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA), notably the removal of a paragraph advocating for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute from its constitution.
The amended constitution now focuses on promoting the rights and interests of the legal profession and its members. The revision came after a directive in 2020 from the District Magistrate questioning the alignment of the Bar's objectives with the Constitution of India, which asserts Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of the country.
In a letter dated July 5, the Bar cited the Supreme Court's December 23, 2023 judgment on Article 370 provisions as influencing the amendments. The Bar acknowledged its role in legal challenges against constitutional changes implemented in August 2019.
The administration under Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor has consistently denied permission for the JKHCBA to conduct elections over the past five years, citing law and order concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent order by the District Magistrate of Srinagar characterized the Bar as an "unregistered association/body" with a "secessionist ideology."
In response, the JKHCBA emphasized its nearly century-long history and its pivotal role in upholding the legal justice system. The Bar strongly objected to what it described as the "demonization" and "vilification" of the association, which it asserted was founded on principles of justice and integrity.
Ronga, known for his involvement in the Supreme Court petition against the abrogation of Article 370, had previously been detained on August 9, 2019, just days after the constitutional changes affecting Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with India.
Nazir Ahmad Ronga currently serves as the ad hoc chairperson of the JKHCBA, with Mian Abdul Qayoom, the long-time president, incarcerated in connection with a murder case of advocate Babar Qadri.
Special Judge NIA Jatinder Singh Jamwal recently granted a 15-day judicial remand for Qayoom, who was arrested on June 25 for his alleged involvement in the 2020 murder conspiracy of advocate Qadri.
Qayoom, a veteran lawyer with over 40 years of experience, opposed extension of police remand but did not contest judicial custody, seeking to be housed at Central Jail Kot Bhalwal for improved medical care. However, the court decided on District Jail Jammu, ensuring adequate medical facilities. The court directed Qayoom's next appearance on July 20 for necessary medical examinations and care.
Mehbooba, Mirwaiz Condemn Arrest:
PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemn Ronga's arrest with Mirwaiz claiming that Ronga had been booked under the stringent PSA and lodged at Kotbalwal jail in Jammu.
"The cycle of violence continues unabated in J&K that too in areas which rarely witnessed militancy. Everyday soldiers are being martyred. GOI hasnt only failed to end militancy but is venting its frustration by launching a vicious crackdown on helpless Kashmiris. Nazir Ronga is the latest victim of its oppressive actions," Mehbooba said in a post on X.
The cycle of violence continues unabated in J&K that too in areas which rarely witnessed militancy. Everyday soldiers are being martyred. GOI hasnt only failed to end militancy but is venting its frustration by launching a vicious crackdown on helpless Kashmiris. Nazir Ronga is… https://t.co/HLvNKXyZOG
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 11, 2024
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq too took to X to denounce Ronga's arrest.
In a statement on X, a spokesperson for Mirwaiz said that the Mirwaiz "strongly denounced the nocturnal arrest of Nazir Ahmed Ronga chairman High Court Bar Association from his home, slapping of PSA on him and shifting him to kotbalwal as per his family sources". Mirwaiz said that Nazir is a senior member of Awami Action Committee "and his arrest has caused great anguish and concern to him and the party members".
"As a lawyer he served people with consideration and empathy and won their respect and as president of the bar association to which he was elected multiple times he followed the approach of conciliation and discussion in dealing with matters," the spokesperson said.
"To arrest him in such a manner in the middle of night even without a warrant as per his son’s statement in press , is highly regrettable," Mirwaiz said.
#Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Denounces Nocturnal Arrest of Nazir Ahmed Ronga
— Mirwaiz Manzil (@mirwaizmanzil) July 11, 2024
Expresses Anguish and Concern Over PSA Slap and Transfer to Kotbalwal pic.twitter.com/XZyhKGsm4H
Mirwaiz expressed solidarity with Nazir's family and said that it was "unfortunate that the policy of repression and instilling fear among people continues to be pursued by those in power".
