*Sajad Lone welcomes J&K HC’s decision against passport denial over family ties with militants*

Srinagar, Feb 12 : J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) President Sajad Lone on Wednesday lauded the recent judgment by the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, which ruled that no individual should be denied a passport due to the involvement of their family members in militancy-related activities.

Lone emphasised that this judgment sets a powerful precedent for thousands facing similar discrimination.

“I feel optimistic that a comprehensive ruling along these lines will soon be issued in response to our party’s petition,” he said.

He underscored that his party had already challenged the “growing misuse” of police verification as a tool for “collective punishment” through a petition filed by advocate Syed Sajad Geelani.

Welcoming the court’s decision, he reaffirmed that an individual’s rights must be determined solely by their own actions, not by the circumstances of their relatives.