Following the Supreme Court's December 2023 judgment upholding Article 370 abrogation, which directive was given regarding Jammu and Kashmir's political restoration?
- Immediate restoration of Statehood without elections
- Restoration of Statehood and holding of Legislative Assembly elections by September 2024
- Permanent Union Territory status with no elections
- Referendum on future political status
Answer: Restoration of Statehood and holding of Legislative Assembly elections by September 2024
Supreme Court judgment (December 11, 2023): 5-judge Constitution Bench unanimously: (a) Upheld Article 370 abrogation as temporary provision, (b) Validated J&K's bifurcation into UTs as temporary measure, (c) Directed: (i) Restoration of Statehood at earliest, (ii) Holding of Legislative Assembly elections by September 30, 2024, (iii) Delimitation exercise completed in 2022 to form basis for elections. Illustrates judicial balance: upholding Union power while ensuring democratic restoration in federal framework.