In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant verdict on Monday, upholding the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The unanimous decision by a five-judge Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, directed the reinstatement of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest and the scheduling of assembly elections by September 30, 2024.
The Centre's move in 2019 had effectively nullified Article 370 and divided the region into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The verdict follows a series of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision. The Supreme Court, after a comprehensive 16-day hearing, reserved its judgment on September 5, culminating in this landmark ruling.
Petitioners contended that Article 370 couldn't be unilaterally scrapped by the Centre, emphasizing that the authority of the Constituent Assembly was vested in the Jammu and Kashmir legislature after its dissolution in 1957.
The court's decision not only affirmed the Centre's action but also directed the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, marking a pivotal moment in the constitutional history of the region.
