In a significant development, the Supreme Court was apprised today by the Centre that the statehood of Jammu & Kashmir will be restored, while Ladakh will continue to remain a Union Territory. This announcement came during the ongoing Day 12 hearing of the batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized the importance of restoring democracy and sought clarity on whether there exists a definite timeline for the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood. The restoration of democracy and the roadmap for the future transition have been focal points in the discussions during the hearing.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, provided insights into the government’s stance. Mehta stated that while the Union Territory status is not a permanent feature, Ladakh will retain its status as a Union Territory. He assured the Court that a positive statement will be made on the matter in the forthcoming days.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Justice had posed pertinent questions regarding the possibility of a Union Territory being created for a limited period due to national security concerns, while still assuring a subsequent return to statehood. The dialogue revolved around striking a balance between national security interests and the preservation of democratic governance.
The hearing, which continued post-lunch, included discussions on the attributes of Union Territories, the representation of the will of the people, and the legislative authority of the Central government. The bench addressed the nuanced distinctions between Union Territories and States, particularly in terms of legislative powers.
As the proceedings unfolded, the Court underscored the importance of addressing the transition of Jammu & Kashmir’s status and the restoration of democracy. The hearing is expected to resume with further deliberations on these critical issues.
The Chenab Times News Desk