The Supreme Court of India allowed on Monday former chief minister of Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit IoK.
During the hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogo gave Azad permission to visit only four districts in occupied Kashmir. The former CM has been allowed to visit Baramulla, Srinagar, Anantnag and Jammu, as reported by Indian media.
The SC has said that the leader is free to interact with people during his visit to the region. However, it directed Azad not to make any speeches or hold any public rally. The chief justice also said that if the requirement arises he may visit IoK.
On Sunday, Azad had filed an application in the SC seeking permission to visit the valley. He requested the SC to allow him to visit his home state to inquire about the well being of his family members. He said he has not been allowed to go to his state and was turned away twice from Srinagar and Jammu.
Last month, he along with Rahul Gandhi, D Raja, Sharad Yadav, Manoj Jha, Majeed Memon and others were sent back by Srinagar airport authoritiesto New Delhi.