GUWAHATI: In an unprecedented gesture, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday, April 24 formally condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and observed a two-minute silence in memory of the 26 victims, most of whom were tourists.
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At exactly 2:00 PM, sirens echoed across the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi, as judges, lawyers, litigants, and staff stood together in solemn silence. This marked the first time India’s apex court has collectively and officially responded to a terrorist incident in such a manner.
The initiative was led by Justice Bhushan R Gavai, the senior-most judge currently sitting on the bench and the next in line for Chief Justice, in coordination with Justice Surya Kant. Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, was abroad at the time.
The move followed an emergency consultation held during the lunch break, after senior judges reviewed graphic visuals from the Pahalgam attack. By 1:45 PM, all available judges had convened and approved a resolution condemning the violence and honouring the victims.
The Court’s official statement expressed deep sorrow and outrage:
"The Supreme Court of India pays its respectful tribute to the innocent lives snuffed out brutally and prematurely, while also expressing heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands with the victims and their loved ones in this hour of indescribable grief. The attack on peaceful tourists in Kashmir—India’s crown jewel—is a shocking affront to humanity and the sanctity of life. This Court unequivocally condemns the same."
Traditionally, the Supreme Court has only observed moments of silence on January 30 each year to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. Even during previous large-scale terror attacks, such as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, such a collective observance had not occurred—making Wednesday’s act a landmark first.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta praised the Court’s stand, calling it a “historic and powerful message” to both terrorists and their sympathisers. “The entire nation is wounded, and this unprecedented response shows that grief is not limited to the families of the victims—our institutions grieve too,” he said.
The Supreme Court’s action triggered a rare ripple effect across the judiciary. High Courts in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir–Ladakh also issued formal condemnations and observed silence in solidarity.
Meanwhile, over 300 members of the Supreme Court Bar Association assembled on the central lawn of the court complex to pay their respects, underlining a moment of unity and collective mourning across the legal community.
