Several Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) have been filed in the Supreme Court against the order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court abolishing the Roshni Act. This law gave the people of the state ownership over the land. The petitioners state that they never encroached or occupied government land nor were they made parties in the case.
Former officers, businessmen, and retired judges have challenged the High Court order of 9 October. The High Court, in its order, termed the Roshni Act as illegal and unconstitutional. Also, the CBI was ordered to investigate the allocation of land under this law.
The petitioners contend that there is no allegation of illegality against them and they did not even encroach on any government land. 26 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court. These include former Chief Conservator of Forests RK Mattu, former Judge Khalik ul Rehman, former Chief Secretary Mohammad Sai Pandit, former Power Development Commissioner Nisar Hussain, businessmen Bharat Malhotra and Vikas Khanna, and retired Commissioner Basir Ahmed.