New Delhi, October 10: The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Central government four weeks to file its response to a series of pleas seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing multiple petitions, including those filed by academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and activist Ahmad Malik, who urged for the implementation of the Centre’s earlier commitment to reinstate statehood “at the earliest”.
During the hearing, petitioners’ counsel pointed to the Court’s December 2023 verdict that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, highlighting that the Centre had assured the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, informed the bench that discussions with the Jammu and Kashmir administration were ongoing, describing the issue as “sui generis”, involving broader and unique considerations due to recent developments in the region.
“There was a solemn undertaking, but various factors must be weighed,” Mehta submitted, referring to incidents such as the Pahalgam attack and recent assembly elections, which, he argued, must be considered before taking a final decision on statehood.
Previously, the Court had directed the Centre to conduct assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024, and had emphasised restoration of statehood “at the earliest”. The petitioners contend that the continuing delay violates the principles of federalism and affects the rights of the residents of the region.
The matter has been listed for further hearing after four weeks.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
