SC links J&K statehood restoration to ground situation.

New Delhi, Aug 14, KNT: The Supreme Court on Thursday said that the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir must be taken into account while considering the restoration of its statehood.A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while hearing pleas seeking directions to restore the statehood of the Union Territory, observed that recent incidents such as what happened in Pahalgam could not be ignored.“You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam,” the CJI remarked.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, reiterated that the government had assured restoration of statehood after elections but said there was a peculiar situation in the region. He sought eight weeks’ time to take instructions from the government on the issue.The matter has been posted for further hearing after the Centre files its response. [KNT]