Srinagar, Aug 11 (KNS): The Supreme Court of India will take up the Jammu and Kashmir statehood matter, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat & Another vs Union of India, on August 14.
According to the apex court’s official website, the matter will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran.
Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone also confirmed to KNS that the matter is scheduled to be heard on August 14 by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran.
The plea, initially listed for August 8, was deferred to the new date. It was mentioned before the court on August 5 by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing academic Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and social activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik.
The petitioners, who moved the Supreme Court in October 2024, have sought restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood within a fixed time frame, preferably within two months.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The demand for restoring J&K’s statehood has gained momentum, with political parties like the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress, JKPC, Apni Party along with local stakeholders, advocating for it to restore local governance.
The Supreme Court, in a December 2023 ruling, upheld the abrogation of Article 370 but directed the Union government to restore J&K’s statehood “at the earliest” and conduct assembly elections by September 30, 2024.
The elections were held successfully, reflecting public support for democratic processes, but statehood remains unrestored.(KNS).