The Supreme Court on Monday declined an urgent hearing on the Jammu and Kashmir statehood matter, noting that it is already scheduled for October 10 this year.
Earlier in the day, the petitioners’ counsel had requested an urgent listing of the case.
“I am seeking early listing of a contempt petition relating to the abrogation of Article 370. Statehood was to be granted to Jammu and Kashmir,” the petitioners’ counsel told the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice BR Gavai.
Chief Justice Gavai, however, refused the urgent hearing, stating that the matter is already scheduled for October 10. He further informed the counsel that the court would have to sit as a Constitutional Bench on a presidential reference, and therefore, the case could not be listed before that date.
Earlier, on August 14, the apex court had sought the Centre’s reply within eight weeks on the Jammu and Kashmir statehood petition. The bench also remarked that the ground situation must be factored into any decision on the restoration of statehood. “You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam,” the CJI had observed, referring to the terror attack that claimed 26 lives. (Agencies)
