New Delhi: The Centre will spell out a timeframe for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir to the Supreme Court today. It will issue a statement on when elections are likely to be held in the region. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, told the bench the union territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not a “permanent thing” and that the government will make an elaborate statement on the vexatious political issue in the court on August 31.
On the 12th day of hearing several petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Centre reiterated its longstanding position that statehood of the Jammu and Kashmir will be restored as things normalise. “The instructions are that UT is not a permanent feature. But I will make a positive statement day after tomorrow. Ladakh will remain UT,” said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, Live Law reported.
The Supreme Court also questioned the Centre about the validity of its decision to divide the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, saying the petitioners who have challenged its decision contended it was beyond the powers of Parliament.
CJI DY Chandrachud, reiterating that restoration of democracy was important, said, “So, you make them (Chandigarh) as Union Territories, but at a later point of time when the situation stabilises, the union territories are made into a state. We understand that these are matters of national security and the preservation of the nation itself is the overriding concern. Equally, restoration of democracy is also important.”
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