New Delhi: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has stayed the deportation of four people from Poonch, including a serving Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable, who were alleged to be Pakistani nationals.

The matter will next be heard on May 20

The interim relief came on April 29, when a bench of Justice Rahul Bharti ordered that the petitioners — residents of Salwah village in Poonch district — not be expelled from India until further notice. The petitioners had approached the court after being detained and facing imminent removal from the Union Territory.

One of the petitioners, Iftkhar Ali, is a CRPF constable. The family claimed they had been residing in India for decades, possessed land documents dating back to 2014, and were integrated into Indian society, with even a member serving in a government security force.

Justice Bharti, citing prima facie material on record, including land revenue documents and official service records, ruled in favour of granting interim protection. “Prima facie case is made out. List on 20.05.2025 … Meanwhile, petitioners be not asked or forced to leave UT of Jammu & Kashmir. This direction is, however, subject to objections from the other side,” the court stated.

The bench has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Poonch to file a detailed affidavit regarding the petitioners’ landholdings and their legal status in the village. Respondent authorities have been given two weeks to file their replies.

The matter will next be heard on May 20.