Srinagar, May 19 -- The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that a person cannot be declared a "history-sheeter" or placed under police surveillance mechanically, holding that such action must be based on "reasonable belief founded on objective and verifiable material".

The court also held that the accused has to be afforded an opportunity of being heard, as mandated under the J&K Police Rules, 1960, even in cases involving serious criminal allegations.

Justice Sanjay Parihar made the observation while quashing the history sheet and surveillance entry of petitioner Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh and directing the authorities to remove his name from Surveillance Register No. 10 maintained at Police Station Beerwah in Budgam distri...