NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, July 23: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board to entertain the pending request of the Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust (Regd.), Ludhiana to be considered for holding Langar at Panjtarni as they have been doing in the past.
The singly Bench presided over by Justice Rahul Bharati, Judge while disposing of the Petitioners writ petition, rejected the pleas taken by the SASB Authorities in denying the petitioner an Invitation to Expression of Interest for participating the process for holding the Langer during Sri Amarnath Yatra 2025. The Court further ‘held that the Petitioners has been victimised arbitrarily at the hands of Respondents (SASB) who instead of being guided and governed by a policy and principle are being led by personal preference and picks.”
The High Court vide its judgment dated 22nd July 2025 in WP(C) No. 1185/2025, has allowed the petition filed by Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust (Regd.), Ludhiana and directed Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) to immediately grant permission to the Trust for setting up its traditional Langar/Bhandara at Panchtarni for the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025.
The Petitioner, Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust (Regd.), Ludhiana in their writ petition has alleged that the Trust was arbitrarily and discriminatorily excluded by the authorities of SASB this year, despite an unblemished service record of 28 years and having received a valid NOC from Camp Director for the 2024 Yatra.
The Court has observed that such exclusion violates Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution of India, affirming the fundamental right to perform Seva (service) as a part of religious practice. The Court ruled that:”…the respondents… are hereby directed to immediately entertain the pending request of the petitioner-Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust for being accorded with permission to set up Langar at Panchtarni for this year Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025’s remainder of days…”
Mr. P N Raina, Sr. Advocate, Mr. Nigam Mehta, Advocate & JA Hamal Advocate represented the petitioner Trust while Mr. Mohsid Qadri Sr. Advocate and Mr. Anuj Dewan Rain, Advocate represented the Shrine Board.
Mr. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, Vice President, Mr. Parveen Goel, General Secretary and Rajan Gupta,Tristee of Bhole Bhandari Charitable Trust, stated: “We are humbled by this judgment and grateful to the Hon’ble High Court for upholding truth and justice. They termed it a major victory for transparency, fairness, and the spirit of service (Seva) that defines the sacred Amarnathji Yatra.
