The story of Article 370, a special rule for Jammu and Kashmir, went through a series of legal fights and court decisions. This timeline covers the important events, like when the central government removed Article 370 and the challenges brought by different people in court. From the start of disputes about this article to the final decision by the Supreme Court, this timeline highlights the big moments and legal issues involved in changing one of India's important laws.
December 20, 2018: President's Rule imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Later extended until July 3, 2019.
August 5, 2019: The Centre abrogates the provisions of Article 370, granting special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
August 6, 2019: Advocate M L Sharma files the first petition challenging the presidential order scrapping Article 370. Later joined by Shakir Shabir, another lawyer from Jammu and Kashmir.
August 10, 2019: National Conference (NC) files a petition contending that the changes in the state's status were made without the mandate of its citizens, thus depriving them of their rights.
August 24, 2019: The Press Council of India moves the Supreme Court in support of the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir administration's decision to impose restrictions on communications.
August 28, 2019: The Supreme Court issues notices to the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir administration on a plea moved by Kashmir Times editor for the removal of restrictions imposed on journalists.
August 28, 2019: A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi refers the matter to a five-judge Constitution bench.
September 19, 2019: The Supreme Court sets up a five-judge Constitution bench to hear pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
March 2, 2020: The Supreme Court declines to refer a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 to a larger seven-judge bench.
April 25, 2022: The Supreme Court agrees to consider listing pleas challenging the Centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 after one of the petitioners seeks an urgent hearing due to the ongoing delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.
July 11, 2023: The Supreme Court announces that it will start day-to-day hearings from August 2 on petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
August 2, 2023: The Supreme Court begins hearing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
September 5, 2023: The Court reserves its verdict on 23 petitions after 16 days of hearings.
December 11, 2023: The Supreme Court upholds the government's decision to abrogate Article 370 and suggests steps be taken to conduct elections for the Assembly in the Union Territory by September 30 of the following year.
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