Mountain and Dreams v. Union Territory of J and K and Others (Tourism)

ORDER

22.04.2026 Caveat 747/2026:

¶1With the appearance of Mr. Haris Khan, Assisting Counsel appearing vice Mr. Mohsin Qadri, learned Sr. AAG for caveator, caveat stands discharged. WP(C) 801/2026:

¶2Petitioner, through the medium of this petition, claims to have been granted permission for installation, management and operation of Zip Line at Sonamarg, near Youth Hostel on 09.09.2023 and has asserted that the petitioner for the aforesaid work has invested huge money, as such, has prayed for the following reliefs: a. Issue a writ of Certiorari, quashing Corrigendum No. CEO/SDA /2026/ t25 dated tti.04.2A26 and Corrigendum No.

CEO/SDA /2026/ 61 dated 11.04.2026 issued by the respondents. b. Issue a writ of Certiorari, quashing the e-NIT dated

04.04.2026 for the reasons that the representation of the petitioner dated 09.A2.2026 seeking extension of time to operate Zipline at Sonamarg has not been considered and decided. c. Issue a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to restore the original eligibility conditions of the tender strictly in accordance with the J&K Adventure Tourism Guidelines. d. Issue a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to consider and decide the representations of the petitioner including representation dated 12.04.2026 submitted by the petitioner in a time-bound manner. e. In the alternative, direct the respondents to grant extension of the petitioner's existing contract for operation of Zipline at Sonamarg for an appropriate period in view of the extraordinary circumstances and financial losses suffered. f. Pass any other or further order(s) as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice.

¶3Learned counsel for the respondents submits that the petitioner has sought quashment of E-NIT dated 04.04.2026, whereas the fact of the matter is that the petitioner has participated in the process, in response to the aforesaid E-NIT, as such, the petitioner cannot challenge the same now.

¶4On this submission, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petition be disposed of at this stage, with a direction to the respondents to consider and decide the petitioner's representation dated 24.03.2026, in a time bound manner.

¶5Learned counsel for the respondents has not resisted this plea, for the reason that in case the petition is disposed of, the respondents shall have no difficulty in considering the representation of the petitioner.

¶6In view of the facts and circumstances of the case and submissions urged at the Bar, the present petition is disposed of, with a direction to respondents to consider the representation dated 24.03.2026 made by the petitioner expeditiously, in accordance with law.

¶7The petition is thus disposed of, along with connected CM.

(M. A. CHOWDHARY)

JUDGE

SRINAGAR:

22.04.2026 "Adil Ismail"

Serial No.259 Supplementary Cause list HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT SRINAGAR WP(C) 801/2026 CM(2048/2026)Caveat 747/2026 1. Mountain & Dreams through Saddam Hussain Thakeery, Aged 31 Years S/O Mohammad Iqbal Thakeery R/O Gagangir Ganderbal …Appellant(s)/Petitioner(s) Through: Mr. Mir Irfan, Advocate & Mr. Shabir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Vs. 1. Union Territory of J&K, through Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu/Srinagar 2. Director Tourism Department (Chairman Outsourcing Committee) Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar 3. Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) Sonamarg, Ganderbal 4. Deputy Director, Tourism (Adventure) Directorate of Tourism Kashmir, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar 5. Accounts Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) Sonamarg, Ganderbal ...Respondent(s) Through: Mr. Haris Khan, Assisting Counsel vice Mr. Mohsin Qadri, Sr. AAG CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. A. CHOWDHARY, JUDGE.