SRINAGAR: Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a senior political science instructor at a government institution in Srinagar, had his suspension lifted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday. He had been dismissed following his presence before the Supreme Court regarding the repeal of Article 370. The Supreme Court had instructed the Attorney General R Venkata Ramani and the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to investigate the suspension a few weeks earlier. Bhat, a senior instructor at a government school in Srinagar, was labelled a “delinquent officer” and suspended by Alok Kumar, the government’s principal secretary for schooling. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, senior lecturer in political science currently employed at the Government Higher Secondary School in Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, was placed under immediate suspension for violating the J&K CSR, Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (conduct) Rules, 1971, according to the order. Senior Attorney Kapil Sibal brought up the matter before a five-judge Constitution bench presided over by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud to hear the petitions contesting the alterations made to Article 370. Bhat was suspended a day after appearing before the supreme court, Sibal informed the panel. Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani was then informed by the Chief Justice, “Just look what has transpired. Anyone who shows up at this court is put on suspension. Do some research on it. Speak to the Lieutenant Governor, please. If there is something distinct from this, the Chief Justice said, “that’s different,” and he questioned, “but why in such close succession to appearance before us?” Mehta, though, argued that such activities couldn’t be seen as payback.
