The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to indicate if there is a timeframe to restore the statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, and a roadmap for this progression. The apex court sought the response while hearing pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who is representing the Centre, told the top court that the current status of Jammu and Kashmir as a union territory is temporary, adding that he would be able to make a positive statement on the timeframe on August 31, after a meeting at the highest level.
Ladakh, however, would remain a union territory, Mehta further said.
Earlier on Monday, the SG told the apex court that the current status of Jammu and Kashmir as a union territory was not permanent “It’s necessary that for some time it remains under the union as a Union Territory. The Hon’ble Home Minister has said in the House that this is a temporary measure. Ultimately, J&K will become a state,” Mehta had told a five-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
