Supreme Court Sets October 10 for Hearing on J&K Statehood Plea Declines Urgency

New Delhi, August 25 – The long wait for clarity on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood continues. On Monday, the Supreme Court of India declined a request for an urgent hearing on the matter, saying it has already been scheduled for October 10, 2025.

During the brief but significant courtroom exchange, the petitioners’ counsel pressed the bench for an early hearing, raising concerns tied to a contempt petition surrounding the abrogation of Article 370. “Statehood was to be granted to Jammu and Kashmir,” the lawyer urged, emphasizing the sensitivity and importance of the issue.

However, Chief Justice BR Gavai, who led the bench, stood firm. He explained that the Court is currently preparing to sit as a Constitutional Bench on a Presidential Reference, which makes it impossible to bring forward the Jammu and Kashmir case before the pre-fixed date.

The CJI added that the matter is already slotted for hearing on October 10 and will be dealt with accordingly.

This comes just days after a notable observation by the top court on August 14, where it directed the Centre to respond within eight weeks regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. During that hearing, the Chief Justice also reminded the courtroom of the fragile ground situation in the region. “You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam,” he said, solemnly referring to the terror attack that claimed 26 lives—an incident that continues to echo through the corridors of justice.

As the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to wait, hopes rest on the upcoming hearing in October—one that may define the region’s political future.