Thursday, the Supreme Court adjourned a petition filed by the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) seeking the conduct of elections in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
The bench consisting of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra stated that the matter would be listed following the issuance of directions in the bundle of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 because it would reduce the number of “procedural formalities” involved.
Senior leaders of the JKNPP, Manju Singh and Harsh Dev Singh, filed a petition requesting that the Election Commission of India immediately hold elections for the legislative assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. After discussing the issue with the bench, the chief justice made the following remark:
“We will adjourn this matter. The 370 matter is listed for directions on 11th. So we will adjourn this till then.“
The petitioner’s attorney, apparently dissatisfied with the ruling, argued:
“This is a different case. We have been disenfranchised.” To this, CJI DY Chandrachud said-
“These matters are linked, they’re similar. Why don’t you give a copy to the centre? This will only save on procedural formalities.“
On July 11, 2023, a constitutional tribunal is scheduled to hear the petitions challenging the repeal of Article 370. The committee hearing the case consists of the CJI, DY Chandrachud, Justices SK Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant. After March 2, 2020, the petitions are listed for the first time. Although the cases are scheduled to be heard on July 11, the Supreme Court will likely consider petitions in August. The July 11 listing is to conclude the pre-hearing procedures. Justice BR Gavai disclosed the same information while hearing the parole application of activist Testa Setalvad.