Srinagar, Aug. 29 -- A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul M. Pancholi said that since some of the authors of the proscribed books are residents of the Union Territory, the High Court would be better placed to appreciate the matter.

"Recently, there's an attempt to bypass High Courts. Let's have the advantage of the HC opinion. We have seen the list of the books. Some local people are talking about issues. HC would be in a better position," Justice Kant observed during the hearing.

The bench ordered that the matter, once filed, be placed before a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of the High Court and requested the High Court to endeavour to decide it at the earliest. The apex court clarified that i...