New Delhi: The Supreme Court today reserved its judgment on a batch of petitions filed in a long-pending case challenging the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The petitioners also challenged the J&K Reorganisation Act which was utilized to bifurcate the state into two union territories. Five judges, including Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, of the apex court were hearing the arguments from both sides- petitioner and the Government of India for 16 days, after the significant case remained dormant for over three years.
“We are satisfied with the arguments done. All aspects were argued convincingly”, said the National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi.
While the Supreme Court ordered NCP leader Mohammad Akbar Lone, the lead petitioner in Article 370 matter to file an affidavit affirming that he owes his allegiance to the Constitution, Lone submitted the same today.
A wide spectrum of issues have been discussed during the marathon 16-day hearing including the constitutional validity of the Centre’s August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate the provision, the validity of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which split the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, challenges to imposition Governor’s rule in the state on June 20, 2018.