Srinagar, Oct 10 : The Supreme Court has given the central government four weeks to file its response to the pleas seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The directive was issued during a hearing on Friday, with a bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai taking note of the submissions made by both sides.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Chief Justice remarked that recent developments, including the terror attack in Pahalgam, must be taken into account when considering the timeline for restoring statehood to the Union Territory.
Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan argued that Jammu and Kashmir has been without statehood since 2019. He highlighted that despite considerable time passing and elections being held, the region remains a Union Territory. “We are already in 2025, and enough time has gone by,” he stated.
Responding to the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta acknowledged the complexities on the ground. “Not only water, but also a great deal of blood has flowed,” he said, referencing the region’s security situation. He further informed the court that the Centre and the UT administration are engaged in consultations regarding the matter.
After hearing both parties, the bench granted the Centre four weeks to file a comprehensive response. (KNS)
