Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing on Plea for Early Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir
06-07-2023 : The hearing on a petition seeking instructions for the Election Commission and the government to hold early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has been deferred by the Supreme Court of India. The bench, made up of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justices P.S. Narasimha, and Manoj Misra, noted that the applications contesting the repeal of Article 370 were due to be heard on July 11. The bench made the decision to postpone the hearing on the petition for early assembly elections after taking this into account.
The counsel representing the petitioners argued that this case was distinct since the residents of Jammu and Kashmir had been disenfranchised, and they urged the apex court to issue notice on the matter. However, the bench declined to issue notice and further adjourned the proceedings.
The petition in question was filed by leaders of the National Panthers Party (JKNPP), namely Manju Singh and Harsh Dev Singh. They sought directions from the Election Commission of India to conduct elections in the union territory without any further delay.
By deferring the hearing, the Supreme Court has postponed any immediate decision or action on the plea seeking early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The matter is now tied to the upcoming hearing related to the challenges against the abrogation of Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The court’s decision to adjourn the hearing indicates that it will first address the pending issues related to Article 370 before considering the plea for early elections.
The plea for early assembly elections is significant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the region transitioned from a state to a union territory, and the Legislative Assembly was dissolved. The administration has been under the direct control of the central government since then. The petitioners argue that the delay in conducting elections deprives the residents of their democratic rights and representation. They seek the intervention of the Supreme Court to ensure that the Election Commission takes prompt action in conducting elections in the union territory.
