Overview

• A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran granted the Union government four weeks to file its reply to multiple pleas seeking time‑bound restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre is consulting the J&K administration and cited security and ground‑reality factors, including the Pahalgam attack, in requesting more time.
• Petitioners, including Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Khurshaid Ahmad Malik and MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone, argued the delay violates federalism and asked the Court to enforce the Union’s undertaking within a set timeline.
• Counsel urged reference to a five‑judge Constitution Bench, noting the December 2023 ruling upheld the Article 370 abrogation, recorded the assurance of restoring statehood, and directed elections by September 2024, which were held.
• Local political pressure is building, with J&K leaders publicly pressing for restoration and the state Congress announcing a hunger strike from October 18 to demand full statehood.