India, Aug. 14 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to respond within eight weeks to pleas seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

While hearing the matter, Chief Justice BR Gavai observed that ground realities must be considered when granting statehood. "You cannot ignore what happened in Pahalgam," he said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said the government had assured statehood after elections and highlighted the "peculiar situation" in the region.

He requested eight weeks to take instructions from the government on the issue.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....