SC to hear Art 370 pleas from Nov 14
J&K The apex court gives the Centre and J&K admn 4 weeks to file response and counter-affidavits, puts embargo on fresh petitions
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday fixed November 14 to commence hearing on a batch of petitions challenging constitutional validity of the Centre’s decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by justice NV Ramana, allowed four weeks to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to file counter-affidavits on the petitions.
It refused the petitioners’ request that not more than 2 weeks be given for filing of counter-affidavits.
The apex court also put an embargo on filing of any fresh writ petition challenging the constitutional validity on abrogation of Article 370.
The bench said that it has to give a “reasonable time” to the Centre and J&K administration to file their affidavits as it is necessary that pleadings are completed so that hearing could commence.
“We have to allow the Centre and the J&K administration to file counter-affidavit otherwise we can’t decide the matter,” said the bench, also comprising justices SK Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant.
The top court said that after filing of the counter affidavits, NEWDELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that restrictions have been eased there, with Section 144 of CRPC withdrawn in all police stations and all landlines restored.
In an affidavit filed in the top court on a batch of petitions questioning curbs, the J&K administration said, “As on September 27, 100 percent landlines service have been restored in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.”
the petitioners would file replies on them within a week thereafter.
The petitioners submitted that under the new legislation, the state of J&K would become two separate Union Territories on October 31 and thus there was a need for an urgent hearing as also granting status quo.
SC SEEKS CENTRE REPLY ON YECHURY’S PLEA
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked t he Centre t o f i l e i t s response on a petition filed by CPI (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury challenging the detention of his party col
It added that 100% mobile voice phone services have been restored in Jammu and Ladakh and 10% in Kashmir.
BLOCKADE MUST
END: US LEADER
US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-cortez has said that the “blockade” on communication and lifesaving medical care in Kashmir “must end”. “Reports of violence and torture are extremely concerning and the blockade from communication and lifesaving medical care must end,” she tweeted.
league Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami in Kashmir.
The Centre’s response was sought by a three-judge bench, headed by justice NV Ramana, whic h i s he a r i ng matt e r s related to Kashmir.
Initially, the SC bench suggested that Yechury’s counsel approach the Jammu and Kashmir high court. However, later, it agreed to take up the matter after Yechury’s advocate and senior counsel Raju Ramchandran pressed that the matter should be pursued by the top court as it challenged the validity of detention of his party colleague.