By News Desk 
In an emotional and unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday condemned the tragic Pahalgam terror attack and held a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives. At precisely 2:00 PM, sirens echoed throughout the Supreme Court complex in New Delhi, bringing all activity to a standstill. Judges, lawyers, litigants, and court staff united in a solemn two-minute silence to honor the victims.
A First in Supreme Court History
This marked the first time the apex court of the country collectively and formally responded to a terrorist attack. Traditionally, the Supreme Court has avoided public expressions of this nature—even during significant tragedies such as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Until now, the only officially observed moment of silence has been on January 30 at 11:00 AM, to remember Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
Justice Bhushan R Gavai Led the Initiative
According to court insiders, the initiative was taken by Justice Bhushan R Gavai, the senior-most judge currently and a key contender for the position of Chief Justice. He coordinated with Justice Surya Kant to plan the event. With Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna abroad, senior judges convened during lunch to discuss the horrific footage emerging from the Pahalgam incident. By 1:45 PM, the judges had agreed on a formal resolution. At 2:00 PM, the plan was executed: sirens were sounded, and a collective silence was observed.
A Powerful Statement from the Bench
In a public statement, the Supreme Court declared:
“The attack on innocent tourists visiting the pristine beauty of Kashmir — the crown jewel of India — is a grave violation of human values and the sanctity of life. This Court strongly condemns such brutality.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also addressed the gathering, saying:
“India’s highest constitutional court, with the widest jurisdiction in the world, stands united with the grieving nation. This gesture sends a powerful message to terrorists and their enablers across borders — the pain of Pahalgam is not borne by the families alone, but by the entire nation.”
Judiciary Across the Country Joins In
This rare act by the Supreme Court sparked a ripple effect across the judiciary. High Courts in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir-Ladakh followed suit, issuing similar condemnations and holding their own moments of silence in solidarity. Additionally, over 300 members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) gathered on the central lawn of the court to pay their respects.