Deferment of hearing on Article 35-A not a solution: Mehbooba

Srinagar: Former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that deferment of hearing on Article 35 A which bars non-state subjects to buy property in Jammu and Kashmir is not a solution.
“Even though the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution, it has brought interim relief to the people of JK. But with uncertainity looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J & K,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which guarantees special privileges to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The matter will be taken up by a 3-judge bench on 27 August to determine whether the matter is required to be referred to a 5-judge Bench.
The Supreme Court said the petitions challenging Article 35A validity will be listed before a 3-judge bench in the week starting 27 August and that bench would determine whether the matter is required to be referred to a 5-judge bench.
CJI deferred the case since one of the judges, Justice Chandrachud was absent from the court on Monday.
The Jammu Kashmir Government had also sought an adjournment to the matter till December, citing sensitive situation in the state ahead of the local polls.
The Jammu and Kashmir government according to media reports filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court seeking a dismissal of the petition, while also raising questions on the “bona fides” of the petitioner.
The affidavit reportedly said that the NGO “We the Citizens” was a “busybody, a meddlesome interloper, who has filed the instant petition seeking publicity”.