Srinagar, Nov. 15 -- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has dismissed an appeal by the Union Territory administration, upholding a trial court decree of Rs 57.32 lakh in favour of contractors, who carried out electrical works at the MLA Hostel in Srinagar, for the detention of political leaders post Article 370 abrogation in 2019.

Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi pronounced the verdict holding that the government's appeal against the August 12, 2023 judgment of the Additional District Judge (Bank Cases), Srinagar, was devoid of merit.

The respondents, Shabir Ahmad Dar and others, claimed they executed electrical works at the MLA Hostel worth Rs 37.82 lakh, with funds contributed by the Legislative Assembly Secretariat and released to the Dir...