Supreme Court refuses to pass directions on lifting of restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass any immediate directions to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government on a plea seeking lifting of all restrictions imposed after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gives special status to to state.

The top court posted the matter after two weeks saying it will wait for the return of normalcy.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was hearing the petition filed by Congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla on the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370.

During the hearing, the bench also comprising Justices M R Shah and Ajay Rastogi, said the present situation in Jammu and Kashmir was "very sensitive" and some time should be given for bringing back normalcy in the region.

The bench also said that it should be ensured that there is no loss of life there.  

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked Anuradha Bhasin, Editor of Kashmir Times, to hand over a memo to the apex court registrar for urgent listing of her plea seeking removal of restrictions on the media in Jammu and Kashmir after scrapping of provisions of Article 370.

The bench told advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Bhasin, "you hand over the memo to the registrar and he will look into it".

Grover told the bench that Bhasin is an editor of a leading daily in Kashmir and there has been a complete lockdown in the Valley due to which journalists are unable to work.

To this, the bench said, "We will see".