The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Center within eight weeks on a petition seeking restoration of the state in the center region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The matter was given by Chief Justice of India Bra Gavai and Justice. Vinod was heard by a bench of Chandran. The petition filed in October 2024 was brought to the court by senior advocate Gopal Shankaranarayanan, who represented educational Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and social activist Khurshed Ahmed Malik.
During the hearing, Shankaranarayanan urged the court to list all pending petitions about the state demand simultaneously. “If an executing aspect is being sought, a bench can be formed and a time -line can be set,” he presented.
Reacting to this, CJI Gawai said that the Center should first enter its response before considering any such step.
In its submission, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the government had already assured the restoration of the state after the elections. “This part of our country has a peculiar situation. I don’t know why this issue is agitated now. This particular state is not the right position to dirty water.
I still want instructions. Eight weeks can be given, ”he said.
The bench also commented that the situation on the ground should be taken into consideration. “You can’t ignore what happened in Pahalgam,” CJI Gavai saw.
The petitioners have demanded the restoration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir within a certain time limit, preferably within two months.
The demand of the state has been supported with political parties such as National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Congress, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), and APNI Party, local civil society stakeholders, who argue that it is essential for the restoration of local regime.
In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of Article 370, but directed the Central Government to “As soon as” the state of Jammu and Kashmir and conduct assembly elections by 30 September 2024.
Assembly elections were held as directed, but the question of restoring the state is unresolved. The matter will be taken again after submitting the answer to the Center. (KNS)