State reasons for imposing restrictions, detentions in J&K: SC directs Centre

The bench posted the matters related to restrictions imposed by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir for hearing on October 25.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to place on the record before it all its orders relating to restriction, shutdown and detention in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, a three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana said that if the government doesn’t wish to divulge reasons for not placing any order before it, an affidavit detailing the reasons has to be filed by it. 

The bench then posted the matters related to restrictions imposed by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir for hearing on October 25.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice NV Ramana says if government doesn’t wish to divulge reasons for not placing any order before it, an affidavit detailing the reasons to be filed by it. Cases on various restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir adjourned for October 25. https://t.co/wDQBeWdhjV — ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2019

Giving a slew of directions to bring normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, the Supreme Court had earlier asked the Centre to restore communications in the Kashmir Valley while keeping in mind national security.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi had earlier passed the order on a batch of petitions filed by Kashmir Times Editor Anuradha Bhasin and Tehseen Poonawalla challenging the shutdown in the J&K.

The court also asked the Centre to make efforts so that normal functioning of schools and hospitals can be resumed.

It may be recalled that the Centre had abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 and bifurcated it into two Union territories, Ladakh being the other one.

Mobile phone networks were curtailed, curfew-like restrictions were imposed in sensitive areas of J&K and some local politicians were put under house arrest by the Centre as a precautionary move to maintain law and order in the state.

The Centre's move evoked a strong response from several quarters and a batch of petitions was filed before the top court challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's August 5 move.

However, defending the move, the Centre said that removal of the constitutional article that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir will boost the region and the country`s economic potential.

At a rally in Maharashtra on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it would take four months for Jammu and Kashmir state to return to normal.

"I assure you that it won't take more than four months to normalise the abnormal situation that has persisted there for 40 years," Modi said at the rally, speaking in Hindi. "Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh aren't just a piece of land for us," Modi said, referring to the region bordering China.