The Supreme Court today i.e., September 16, 2019, directed the Central government to ensure that normalcy is restored in Jammu and Kashmir, by keeping in mind the interests of national security.
The Court asked the Attorney General to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken by the Centre to restore normalcy in the region and fixed the matter to September 30, 2019, for further hearing.
The Bench comprising of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Bobde and Justice Abdul Nazeer was hearing the petition filed by Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, challenging the communication blackout and media curbs imposed in the region following the abrogation of special status of J&K.
Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the top court that the valley has remained calm while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta noted that no loss of life has been reported in the valley since August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Article 370 of the Constitution.
Earlier, the apex court set up a five-judge Constitution Bench to hear all the petitions related to the abrogation of Article 370 in the first week of October.
During the hearing, CJI Gogoi said that he may visit the valley if the requirement arises.
"If the requirement arises, I may visit Jammu and Kashmir," CJI Gogoi said.
