Jammu and Kashmir elections by September 30; Supreme court with instructions to Election Commission

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court upheld the Central Government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and ordered elections to be conducted by September 30, 2024. This directive was given to the Election Commission. The Court clarified that Jammu and Kashmir doesn't possess powers distinct from other states under the Constitution of India. It affirmed that the invocation of Article 370 pertains to war situations and doesn't interfere in the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly in Kashmir.

Highlighting the significance of Kashmir as an integral part of India, the Court emphasized that India lacked sovereignty at its inception and Kashmir doesn't hold exclusive powers. The Supreme Court dismissed 23 petitions challenging the central action specifically the abrogation of Article 370 which granted special status and led to the division of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into Union Territories.

Notably, the verdict was delivered by a five-member constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. It's interesting to note that Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, a member of the bench and a Kashmiri Pandit is set to retire on the 25th of this month.