Srinagar, Aug. 19 -- The development comes six years after the statehood of J&K was annulled on August 5, 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, resulting in J&K and Ladakh becoming separate union territories.

During the hearing on petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it would restore statehood to J&K.

Incidentally, the Supreme Court on August 14 had asked the Centre to respond to petitions seeking directions to the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, even as it noted that the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack - in which 26 people were killed - can't be ignored.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai observed that the ground situation, including the April 22...