On behalf of the Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC),representative organization of displaced Kashmiri Pandits , I respectfully submit this long-pending and deeply distressing issue concerning the continued non-implementation of the Distress Sale Act, 1997, a legislation enacted specifically to protect the land and property rights of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Sir, for more than three and a half decades, the Kashmiri Pandit community has lived in forced exile, carrying not only the pain of displacement but also the ongoing denial of its constitutional and civil rights. Our exile is not merely physical; it is legal and institutional. Homes, temples, orchards, and ancestral lands left behind in Kashmir did not vanish with time. Many were illegally occupied, transferred through distress sales under coercion, manipulated by forged documents, or usurped through misuse of administrative authority.
Despite countless representations, appeals, and assurances over the years, justice has remained largely out of reach.

Sir, the Distress Sale Act of 1997, intended to undo precisely these injustices, remains buried in files, unimplemented in spirit and practice, leaving the victim community disillusioned and unheard.

Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Sahab,the Kashmiri Pandit Confrence (KPC), representative organization of displaced Kashmiri Pandits , does not seek confrontation or special privilege. What we seek is a structured, humane, and credible mechanism that restores faith in governance and the rule of law. We strongly urge the constitution of a dedicated and empowered tribunal exclusively mandated to investigate and adjudicate property disputes of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Ordinary revenue mechanisms have proven inadequate for a problem of this magnitude and sensitivity. A special tribunal with clear authority, time-bound procedures, and accountability would bring focus, reduce prolonged litigation, and restore confidence among those who have waited far too long.

Sir, equally vital is the provision of special legal and financial assistance to displaced Kashmiri Pandits seeking restoration of their properties. After decades in exile, many families are economically vulnerable and emotionally exhausted. Expecting them to pursue long, expensive legal battles without institutional support is neither fair nor realistic. Government-supported legal aid and financial assistance would be a sincere acknowledgment of the extraordinary injustice suffered by this community.

Sir, the role of the local administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioners and the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, is central. The continued non-implementation of the Distress Sale Act, 1997 is a matter of grave concern. Clear directions, strict timelines, and effective monitoring are urgently required. Transparent and time-bound action would not only correct past wrongs but also reaffirm that the rule of law applies equally to all citizens.

Sir, for thirty-five long years, Kashmiri Pandits have demonstrated remarkable restraint, dignity, and unwavering faith in democratic values. They chose patience over protest and dialogue over disruption, believing that justice delayed would not become justice denied. That faith must now be rewarded with visible, sincere, and measurable action.

Hon’ble Sir, addressing this issue decisively is not merely a legal obligation; it is a moral and constitutional duty. Restoring illegally occupied properties to their rightful owners would be a powerful step toward healing, justice and national unity. It would also reaffirm the State’s commitment to fairness, compassion, and justice.

We respectfully urge your esteemed office to intervene personally and ensure that the Distress Sale Act, 1997 is implemented in letter and spirit, and that the long-pending grievances of displaced Kashmiri Pandits are resolved without further delay.
With profound respect and hope,
Yours sincerely,

[ Kundan Kashmiri]
PRESIDENT
KASHMIRI PANDIT CONFERENCE (KPC)
Mobile: 8892166955
Email: kundankashmiri@gmail.com