The Supreme Court (SC) will pronounce its verdict on Friday on a clutch of petitions challenging the restrictions and internet blockade imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 since August 2019.

The batch of pleas on which the apex court will give its verdict on includes that of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad challenging the restrictions imposed in the state following the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.  

A bench comprising Justice NV Ramana, Justice R Subash Reddy, and Justice BR Gavai had reserved the judgement on November 27, 2019.

The Centre had justified the restrictions which it said were “preventive” measures to avoid any violence. The government claimed that it was because of these moves that ”not a single life was lost nor a single bullet fired”.    
The other petitions that the SC will hear include one filed by Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times and a few other pleas questioning the restrictions in the Valley. 

The Centre cited the terror and the resultant violence in the past few decades adding the terrorists from across the border local militants and separatists had held civilians captive in the region. It said it would be “foolish” if the government didn’t take such steps for the safety of citizens.