August 31, 2018
On Friday, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A of the Constitution that empowers the state assembly of Jammu & Kashmir to define the state's permanent residents & their rights.
The next date for hearing on the matter is scheduled on 19th January next year.
Seeking adjournment, the Central govt. and the state administration had urged the Court to hear the matter only after the state local body elections scheduled in December are conducted.
The next date for hearing on the matter has been scheduled for January 19 2019, Supreme Court adv. Varun Kumar said.
The matter was listed before a 3-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra along with Justice AM Khanwilkar & Justice DY Chandrachud.
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the state of Jammu & Kashmir submitted before the SC, "All the security agencies are engaged in the preparation of the local body elections in the state."
Attorney General of India KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, urged the Court, "Let local body elections finish in a peaceful manner."
Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu & Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settle permanently, or get state govt jobs.
Earlier in the 1st week of August, the SC had deferred the hearing in the matter to the last week of August after both the Centre and Jammu & Kashmir administration had sought an adjournment of proceedings, citing ongoing preparations for local body polls.
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