Four years after abrogation of Article 370, SC to begin hearing case from August 2

The Supreme Court is set to hear petions against the abrogation of Article 370 from Wednesday - some four years after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir state was withdrawn. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will conduct day-to-day hearing from August 2.

Earlier on July 11 the bench had fixed July 27 as the deadline for filing written submissions and convenience compilations by different parties. The hearing will be held on a day-to-day basis - except on Mondays and Fridays which are days for hearing miscellaneous matters in the apex court.

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The Centre had brought in sweeping administrative changes for the northeastern state on August 2019, sparking outrage in the Opposition ranks. The Narendra Modi government revoked the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and subsequently split the region into two Union Territories - J&K and Ladakh.

A clutch of petitions challenging the move had been referred to a Constitution bench in 2019. In March 2020, a five-judge Constitution bench had refused to refer the petitions to a larger 7-judge bench.

While the move has been heavily criticised by Opposition leaders over the past four years, the Centre has remained staunch in its decision, repeatedly highlighting the many developmental works undertaken in the region. 

Earlier this week Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told the Rajya Sabha that a total of 29,295 vacancies had been filled in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

"The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has carried out several governance reforms, including in the area of recruitment in Government. After the abrogation of Article 370, a large-scale recruitment drive has been carried out and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has filled 29,295 vacancies," Rai had said. He added that recruiting agencies have advertised 7,924 vacancies and examinations in respect of 2,504 vacancies have been conducted.

(With inputs from agencies)