Authority

High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu

Order Date

03 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Patnitop Photographer Association, a registered association of approximately 23 licensed photographers, represented by Advocate Neeraj Gupta.
  • Respondents: Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and others, represented by Advocate Anishwar Chatterji Koul, GA for R‑4.
  • The petition (WP(C) No. 1935/2026) sought a direction that the respondents refrain from issuing any further licences/permissions for photography hawkers in the Patnitop tourist area, alleging that existing licences are sufficient and additional licences overcrowd tourist spots, harming livelihoods and tourist experience.
  • Petitioners had earlier submitted a representation dated 15 March 2026 to the Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Batote, requesting a freeze on new licences; no action was taken on that representation.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, without expressing any opinion on the merits, disposed of the petition and ordered the respondents to consider and decide the representation dated 15 March 2026 in accordance with law, to pass a reasoned order within two months of receipt of the Court’s order.
  • All connected applications, if any, are also disposed of.

Topics: Licensing, Tourism, Legal Dispute