​SC upholds abrogation of Article 370, calls for J&K polls by September 2024​

The Supreme Court delivered its verdict on a batch of petitions, including those filed by National Conference and People's Democratic Party, challenging the validity of the Centre's 2019 decisions to scrap the nearly 70-year-old special status for J&K under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two Union Territories.(ANI photo)

The Article 370 was meant for constitutional integration of Jammu and Kashmir with Union and it was not for disintegration and the President can declare that Art 370 ceases to exit says, CJI Chandrachud. (NBT photo)

PM in his X post shared that "Today's Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370 is historic and constitutionally upholds the decision taken by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019; it is a resounding declaration of hope, progress and unity for our sisters and brothers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Court, in its profound wisdom, has fortified the very essence of unity that we, as Indians, hold dear and cherish above all else.

I want to assure the resilient people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh that our commitment to fulfilling your dreams remains unwavering. We are determined to ensure that the fruits of progress not only reach you but also extend their benefits to the most vulnerable and marginalised sections of our society who suffered due to Article 370.

The verdict today is not just a legal judgment; it is a beacon of hope, a promise of a brighter future and a testament to our collective resolve to build a stronger, more united India. #NayaJammuKashmir"

The petitioners argued for ten-and-a-half days, putting across their views that Article 370 could not be amended after dissolution of the J&K Constituent Assembly in 1957. The respondents, including the Union government, concluded their arguments in five-and-a-half days.(IANS photo)

The five-judge constitution bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant commenced on August 2, lasted 16 days over a 35-day period and the order was reserved on September 5. (ANI photo)

During the course of the hearing, the SC observed that it was difficult to accept the argument that neither the assembly nor Parliament could touch Article 370 even when the latter had the power to amend all provisions except the basic structure provisions. The bench said there was no question of a 'referendum' relating to J&K's accession or application of the entire Constitution through the nullification of Article 370 to end the state's special status and its bifurcation into two UTs. (ANI photo)

The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhawan, Zaffar Mohd Shah, Dushyant Dave and others, argued for ten-and-a-half days, in putting across their views that Article 370 could not be amended after dissolution of the J&K Constituent Assembly in 1957. The respondents, including the Union government, concluded their arguments in five-and-a-half days. (ANI photo)

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday said he is disappointed but not disheartened with the Supreme Court's verdict on pleas challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. (ANI photo)