New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- The Supreme Court of India, on Thursday, heard a plea seeking directions to the Centre for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The court noted that the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored while granting statehood and said that the events in Pahalgam cannot be overlooked.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while listening to the plea, said, "You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam."

Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, requested eight weeks to obtain government instructions on the issue, noting that the government had assured statehood after elections, but a peculiar situation exists.

Congress MLA and petitioner for J&K stat...