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Jammu & Kashmir High Court
Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti & Anr vs Union Territory Of J And K & Ors on 7 February, 2026
Sr. No.41
HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH
AT JAMMU
WP(C) No.218/2026
CM No.522/2026
Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti & Anr. ....Petitioner(s)/Appellant(s)
Through :- Mr. M.A Goni, Sr. Advocate with
Mr. S. Tanzeel Illahi, Advocate.
V/s
Union Territory of J and K & Ors. ....Respondent(s)
Through :- Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG for R-1, 2, 4 & 5.
Mr. Atul Verma, Advocate for R-3.
CORAM: HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M A CHOWDHARY, JUDGE
ORDER
07.02.2026
1. The petition has been filed by Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti,
Katra and Mata Vaishno Devi Samaj Kalyan Samiti, Purana Daroor, Katra. On a
query raised by the Court with regard to maintainability of the writ petition, Mr.
M.A Goni, learned senior counsel submits that the petitioner No.1 be deleted
from the array of petitioners and petitioner No.2 being a registered organization
can maintain the writ petition. His statement is taken on record.
2. In view of the submissions made by learned senior counsel for the
petitioners at bar, petitioner No.1 is ordered to be deleted from the array of
petitioners. Registry shall make entry in the cause title of the petition.
3. Petitioner, through the medium of this petition, seeks quashment of
Government Order No.66-JK(TSM) of 2025 dated 14.08.2025 being arbitrary
passed in contravention of the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Aerial
Ropeways Act, 2002, particularly, the provisions with regard to feasibility of the
proposed ropeway project, objections of all the stakeholders and the final order
to be passed by the Government and it has further alleged that the tender with
regard to construction of the ropeway project, namely, Design, Engineering,
Construction, Development, Finance, Operation & Maintenance of Passenger
Ropeway between Tarakote & Sanjichhat at Katra, (J&K) on Boot basis, was
issued in the year 2023 in favour of the respondent No.6-GR Infra Projects
Limited, even without sanction by the Government, as such, the ropeway project
concealed and allotted for construction was illegal and liable to be quashed.
4. Ms. Monika Kohli, learned Sr. AAG appears on behalf of respondent
Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5, whereas Mr. Atul Verma, learned counsel appears for
respondent No.3-Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board, Katra. Both of them seek adjournment before consideration of the matter,
so that they may report instructions on the next date of hearing. Adjourned as
prayed for.
5. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner seeks and is
granted permission to appear virtually on the next date of hearing.
6. List on 11.02.2026.
) (M A Chowdhary)
Judge
Jammu:
07.02.2026
Surinder
