Budgam, April 7,(KNS): This episode lays bare the extraordinary lengths to which one individual — aided by the silent protection of the central administration — can go to cling to power. But it also reaffirms a deeper truth: you can delay democracy, but you cannot deny it. The will of the people has prevailed, proving that accountability — no matter how delayed — is inevitable.
After over a year-long legal and political struggle, Nazir Ahmad Khan has been officially removed as Chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC) Budgam. This marks the first successful no-confidence motion against a DDC Chairperson in Jammu & Kashmir and a powerful assertion of democratic will at the grassroots level.
Khan had controversially assumed the chair in February 2021 through a coin toss after a 7–7 deadlock in votes. Over time, he faced serious allegations — including failure to convene council meetings for over a year, interference in the functioning of fellow members, and aggressive conduct, especially towards women DDC members.
In response, 13 out of 14 DDC members passed a no-confidence motion on February 29, 2024. When the Deputy Commissioner failed to act within the mandated two-week window, the petitioners approached the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. Despite court orders issued on March 27, 2024, no action was taken, prompting a contempt petition — still pending.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Undeterred, the members passed a fresh no-confidence motion on December 12, 2024. Yet again, the DC failed to act, compelling the petitioners to move court once more. This time, the court directed the DC to convene a meeting on April 7, 2025.
In a last-ditch effort to preserve the status quo, Nazir Ahmad Khan filed a petition seeking a stay on the no-confidence meeting scheduled for April 7. The court dismissed the plea and offered him no protection — paving the way for the meeting to be held as directed.
Today, following the court’s directive, the meeting was finally held — and Nazir Ahmad Khan was voted out, with all 13 members present supporting the motion.
A paragraph from one of the writ petitions captures the legal gravity of the moment: “Respondent 2 (DC) shall not conduct and conclude the No-Confidence motion and shall continue to allow Respondent 3 (DDC Chairperson, Nazir Khan) to remain as chairperson illegally and illegitimately... it is imperative that this Hon’ble Court take matters into its own hands so that justice be done.”
The petitioners — all 13 elected DDC members — were represented by Advocates Zamir Abdullah and Zahir Abdullah, whose legal intervention was pivotal in restoring the democratic mandate.(KNS)