'Incidents Like Pahalgam Cannot Be Ignored'

SC Seeks Centre’s Reply On Plea For J&K Statehood

- KO Web Desk

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, saying ground realities, including the recent Pahalgam incident cannot be ignored.

"You also have to take into consideration the ground realities... you cannot ignore what has happened in Pahalgam,” CJI B R Gavai said when counsel including senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan sought an early hearing.

The bench also comprised Justice K Vinod Chandran.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, sought dismissal of the plea and said in the past too, the court had imposed costs on such pleas.

"Elections are held, my lords are aware of the peculiar position emerging from this part of the country and there are several considerations which go into decision-making,” Mehta said.

The bench posted the plea, filed by academician Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and sociopolitical activist Ahmad Malik, for hearing after eight weeks.