The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response to a plea demanding a fixed timeline for restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, preferably within two months. The application, filed by an academician and a social activist through advocate Soyaib Qureshi, argues that prolonged Union Territory status violates the Constitution’s federal structure, citing peaceful assemblies and Lok Sabha polls as proof of improved security.
A bench of CJI Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued notice and listed the matter after two months. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said the court avoided ruling on statehood in its December 2023 Article 370 verdict only because the Centre had assured restoration after elections.
“It has been 21 months since that judgment. We request a fixed timeline,” Sankaranarayanan told the court.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea, calling it “not maintainable” and stressing that “ground realities” must be considered. The bench referred to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as an example of security concerns.
In 2019, Parliament abrogated Article 370 and split the state into the UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Assembly elections were held in September–October 2024, leading to a National Conference–Congress government headed by Omar Abdullah, who has urged political parties to press for early statehood restoration.
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The Pahalgam attack, carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, killed 25 tourists and a pony operator. India responded with “Operation Sindoor,” striking terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, escalating hostilities before a ceasefire on May 10.
Case Title: Zahoor Ahmad Bhat & Khurshaid Ahmad Malik vs Union of India
Hearing Date: Thursday (exact date not specified in article)
Petition Filed Through: Advocate Soyaib Qureshi
Petitioners:
- Zahoor Ahmad Bhat – Academician
- Khurshaid Ahmad Malik – Social Activist
