SC may hear pleas on Article 35A this week

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to natives of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, this week.

The crucial hearing, which could be listed from February 26 to February 28, assumes significance in view of the toughening stand of the state-based political parties on the sensitive issue.

The Supreme Court website, in its weekly list, has listed as many as six petitions including the lead plea of NGO 'We The Citizens' for hearing during the week.

The state administration recently requested the top court to adjourn the hearing on the pleas on various grounds, including that there was no "elected government" in the state.

"The present matter involves a sensitive issue regarding a challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution of India. A short reply has been filed by the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the lead matter 'We the Citizens' and notices have not been issued on the other petitions. It will, therefore, be requesting that the matter may kindly be heard when an elected government is in place," the state administration has said in its letter.

The apex court had deferred till January this year the hearing on the pleas after the Centre and the state said local bodies polls there would go on till December.