The Jammu and Kashmir Migrants (Stay of Proceedings) Act, 1997

1. (1) This Act may be called Jammu and Kashmir Migrants (Stay of Proceedings) Act, 1997.
2. (2) It extends to the 1[whole of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir].
3. (3) It shall come into force at once.

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,––

1. (a) “Government” means the Government of the 1[State of Jammu and Kashmir] ;
2. (b) “Immovable property” shall also include tenancy rights, interest created under any law for the time being in force ;
3. (c) “Migrant” means any person who has migrated from the Kashmir Valley after 1st November, 1989 and is registered as such with the Relief Commissioner and includes a person who has not been so registered on the ground of his being in service of the Government in any moving office, or having left the Valley in pursuit of his occupation or vocation and is possessed of immovable property in the Valley but is unable to ordinarily reside there due to the disturbed condition ;
4. (d) “Proceeding” includes any suit, appeal, application, petition, execution pending before any Court, Office, Tribunal or Forum for recovery of a loan, possession or a dispute relating to immovable property.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law for the time being in force, all proceedings pending or hereinafter filed against a migrant for recovery of loan raised in the Kashmir Division or relating to immovable property situated in the Kashmir Division shall remain stayed from the commencement of this Act till the Government notifies otherwise : Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a dispute relating to recovery of money or immovable property inter-se migrants.