Jammu and Kashmir's statehood restoration case to be heard by the Supreme Court on August 8th.
The Supreme Court of India has rescheduled the hearing of a plea seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Originally set for August 8, 2025, the case will now be heard on August 14, 2025[1].
The plea, filed by college teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshid Ahmad Malik, challenges the delay by the Union government in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir despite earlier assurances and directions from the Supreme Court.
The matter was mentioned before a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who requested that the date for the hearing not be deleted, and the Court agreed to not delete the case from the day's causelist.
The plea argues that the formation of the Legislative Assembly before the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir would violate the idea of federalism, which forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India. It also contends that the failure to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir is gravely affecting the rights of the citizens there.
The bifurcation of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (J&K and Ladakh) followed the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has not yet decided on the validity of the abrogation of Article 370 itself. In December 2023, the Court upheld the abrogation, but concurrently noted the Centre's commitment to restore statehood "at the earliest" and had directed assembly elections by September 2024[1][2][3]. However, the Supreme Court dismissed review petitions challenging its December 2023 decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370 in May 2024.
The current government in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a National Conference government, with the support of Congress and certain independent members of the Legislative Assembly.
As of early August 2025, the Supreme Court hearing on this matter is pending, with the next scheduled date being August 14, 2025, when the petitioners expect the Court to consider their plea.
[1] The Indian Express. (2025, August 1). Supreme Court reschedules hearing on plea for restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-reschedules-hearing-on-plea-for-restoration-of-statehood-for-jammu-and-kashmir-8317742/
[2] The Hindu. (2024, May 20). Supreme Court dismisses review petitions challenging its December 2023 decision to uphold the abrogation of Article 370. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-dismisses-review-petitions-challenging-its-december-2023-decision-to-uphold-the-abrogation-of-article-370/article66932007.ece
[3] Live Law. (2023, December 14). SC upholds abrogation of Article 370, but notes Centre's commitment to restore statehood "at the earliest". Retrieved from https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/sc-upholds-abrogation-of-article-370-but-notes-centres-commitment-to-restore-statehood-at-the-earliest-177988
1.war-and-conflicts, politics, policy-and-legislation, general-news: The plea filed by college teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshid Ahmad Malid, challenging the delay by the Union government in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, is a matter of intense political discussion and is closely followed by general news outlets, given its implications for federalism, statehood, and the rights of citizens in war-torn and conflict-prone regions.
2.war-and-conflicts, politics, policy-and-legislation, general-news: The Supreme Court's decision to reschedule the hearing of the plea seeking the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir has drawn attention in policy and legislative circles, as it could potentially shape the political landscape of the region and influence the ongoing discussions on war, conflicts, and appropriate policies for managing these challenges.
