India's Supreme Court on Monday ordered that elections are held in Jammu & Kashmir next year, after New Delhi revoked its limited autonomy and imposed direct rule on the Muslim-majority Kashmir in 2019.
In a judgement, the Supreme Court said Jammu and Kashmir should be put on par with other Indian states "at the earliest and as soon as possible", with state elections to take place by September 30, 2024, reports AFP.
A five-member Constitution bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, while delivering the judgement, said, "We hold exercise of presidential power to issue constitutional order abrogating Article 370 of Constitution as valid."
The bench also directed restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a federally-run territory since abrogation of Article 370 in August, 2019 in quickest possible time.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
