SC accelerates devotion: Puts cross on NGT’s orders to declare Amarnath as Silence Zone

Srinagar, April 17: Good news for devotees of Baba Amarnath now you can shout Jaykaras as the Supreme Court has put a cross on NGT orders to announce Amarnath Caves as a silence zone.

Now in the Amarnath cave, any devotee or person can stand in front of Ice Shivlinga and shout. On Monday, the Supreme Court has canceled the NGT order in this case.

A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta stayed the December 13 order of the NGT while hearing a plea filed by the Amarnath Shrine Board against the order on the ground that a decision in a case could not be based on grounds outside the pleading of the parties.

Last year, the NGT had ordered Amarnath to be declared a Silence Zone. There was a ban on noise, heat, bells, etc. in it. It was argued behind that it has an effect on ice majestic and it is expected to melt quickly.

The green court had recommended the board to prohibit devotees from carrying mobile phones and other electronic devices after the last check-post.

The Amarnath Shrine Board had faced the wrath of the National Green Tribunal for not providing proper infrastructural facilities to pilgrims going to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, saying it can't deprive people of proper darshan.