Sweeping changes brought by abrogation of Article 370 to be judged by bench of 7- judges

The Supreme Court while addressing the plea for an early listing of submissions challenging the Centre’s decision of abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution which brought “sweeping changes” in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This removed the special status enjoyed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

A bench comprising of two Chief Justices stated that they would examine and declare a date for the same. Following this, it has been demonstrated that the Apex Court has to re-constitute the bench of 5 judges and recommended to present the case to a larger bench, comprising of 7 judges impacting the constitutional validity of abrogation of Article 370, the Constitution of India. 

Article 370 is defined as a temporary provision that allows J&K a special status in the Union of India. Along with it, Article 35A would also be revoked which empowers the state (J&K) to define permanent residents. According to the J&K Reorganization act 2019, the parliament of India contains provisions to re-constitute the state into two India- administered union territories, J&K and Ladakh. Supreme Court was answering to around two dozen petitions filed by JKPC (Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference), Shehla Rashid, Faesal, etc. challenging the nullification of articles.