SC to hear Article-35A petitions on August 31

Srinagar: The Supreme Court has tentatively listed the hearing of petitions challenging Article- 35A, which grants special rights to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, on August 31.

On Friday, the Apex Court’s website showed the case listed for next hearing on August 31.

The case, which is being heard in the court since 2014, was to be heard on August 27.

Four petitions demanding scrapping of the provisions have been moved before a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud.

The main petition was filed by a Delhi-based NGO “We the Citizens”. Later, three petitions filed by West Pakistan Refugees Action Committee, Dr Charu Wali Khanna, and Kali Dass were clubbed together.

The pleas have challenged, among others, certain provisions of Article 35A which deny property rights to a woman from J&K who marries a person from outside the state.

Article 35A was added to the Constitution of India by a Presidential Order in 1954.