Supreme Court Declines Early Hearing on J&K Statehood Plea

SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to advance the hearing on the Jammu and Kashmir statehood matter, saying it is already scheduled for October 10.Petitioners’ counsel had sought urgent listing of a contempt plea related to the abrogation of Article 370, arguing that statehood was to be restored.Chief Justice BR Gavai, heading the bench, said the case requires a constitutional bench on presidential reference and cannot be heard before the set date.