The court has scheduled the next hearing for Apr 8
Srinagar, Mar 14: A court in Srinagar has issued a pre-cognizance notice to the organisers of a fashion show held in Gulmarg on March 7, which sparked outrage across the Valley.
The event, conducted during the ongoing month of Ramadhan, sparked a major controversy, leading to disruptions in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Budget session.
Following the uproar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that the government had no involvement in the event, describing it as a “private affair”.
The Special Mobile Magistrate Court in Srinagar issued the pre-cognizance notices to fashion designers Shivan and Narresh, the organisers of the show, and the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE India, following a complaint filed by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) leader Adil Nazir Khan.
The complainant, through his counsel Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar, has asked the court to take appropriate action, stating that the petition is made in good faith and in the interest of justice.
The fashion show, organized to mark the 15th anniversary of Shivan and Narresh’s label, featured models in skiwear against the snowy backdrop of the popular ski resort. However, it has drawn widespread criticism from local residents, politicians, and religious groups, with many deeming it “obscene” and “inappropriate”.
In response to the backlash, the designers apologized, stating that their intent was to celebrate creativity rather than offend religious or cultural values. Despite this, the controversy has escalated into a legal matter, with photographers involved in capturing the event also facing scrutiny.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 8.
