The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking enhanced safety measures for tourists in remote hilly regions of Jammu & Kashmir, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh criticized the petitioner, advocate Vishal Tiwari, questioning the intent behind filing the PIL. “Why have you filed this kind of PIL? What is your real motive? Don’t you understand the sensitivity of the issue?” Justice Surya Kant remarked, warning of possible exemplary costs.

Tiwari argued that this was the first instance where tourists were targeted in the region, and sought judicial intervention to ensure their protection.

However, the bench, in its order, stated that the petitioner appeared to be filing PILs primarily for publicity, lacking genuine concern for public interest.

The April 22 attack in Baisaran, a scenic tourist destination in Anantnag district, led to the deaths of 26 individuals, mostly visitors from outside the state. The incident escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.