Anantnag : District Magistrate (DM) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, has declared the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, as null and void ab initio and non est in the eyes of law, citing a blatant violation of prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate.
As per the orders issued by the District Magistrate, the election process of the District Bar Association Anantnag had been prohibited vide Order No. 01-DCA of 2025, dated January 2, 2025, pending fulfilment of mandatory requirements and submission of requisite documents by the organisation.
The conditions stipulated in the order included submission of the registration certificate, constitution and memorandum, bye-laws governing the functioning of the organisation, a list of current executive members and members enrolled during the preceding ten years along with their complete details, and a detailed statement of accounts. The order also required verification of the submitted documents and obtaining the necessary permission from the office of the District Magistrate before proceeding with the election process.
However, owing to the non-fulfilment of the prescribed requirements, the election process was again prohibited vide Order No. 62-DCA of 2026, dated September 28, 2026. The said order remains in force.
The District Magistrate observed that the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, as circulated on certain social media platforms, were conducted in violation of the subsisting prohibitory order, without fulfilment of the mandatory prerequisites and without prior intimation to or permission from the office of the District Magistrate.
The conduct of the elections, in disregard of the subsisting order and without compliance with the prescribed requirements, has been viewed as a violation of the applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including those referred to under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
Accordingly, the District Magistrate Anantnag has declared the elections of the District Bar Association Anantnag, reportedly held on October 27, 2026, as null and void ab initio and non est in the eyes of law.
The action underscores the importance of strict compliance with lawful administrative orders and the fulfilment of prescribed statutory and procedural requirements by organisations before undertaking such activities.
