Abrogation of Article 370 upheld, SC orders polls in Jammu and Kashmir by Sep 2024

A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously upheld its decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status upon the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, ordered restoration of statehood "at the earliest" and set a September 30, 2024 deadline for holding the assembly elections. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spearheaded the move as part of the ruling BJP's long-standing promise, said the verdict is a "resounding declaration of hope, progress, unity for our sisters and brothers in J&K, Ladakh. Seen here is a security personnel standing guard at Srinagar's Lal Chowk. (PTI)

Writing the judgement for himself and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant, CJI DY Chandrachud ruled that Article 370 was a temporary provision and the President of India was empowered to revoke it in the absence of the Constituent Assembly of the erstwhile state whose term expired in 1957. Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sanjiv Khanna penned separate but concurring verdicts on the issue. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

Petitioner's advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone spoke with the media after the Supreme Court upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution. The petitioners had contended that Article 370 could not have been amended without the concurrence of the state's Constituent Assembly that ceased to exist in 1957. (PTI)

Senior lawyers who represented the respondents, celebrate the verdict. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

The apex court also upheld the validity of the union government's decision to carve out the union territory of Ladakh from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Seen here are people celebrating the apex court's verdict near JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah's New Delhi residence. (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)

Jammu and Kashmir leaders were not pleased with the verdict. While JKNC leader Omar Abdullah vowed to continue the struggle, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called the decision a "death sentence.  Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairperson Ghulam Nabi Azad said the verdict will have to be accepted with a heavy heart. On the contrary, seen here are members of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal celebrating the judgment in Jammu. (PTI)

Celebrations were witnessed at the Mumbai BJP office. (Express photo by Amit Chakravarty)