The Supreme Court today granted four weeks' time to the Union Government to file its reply to applications seeking restoration of the statehood of Jammu & Kashmir.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran recorded the submission of Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta that while peaceful elections were conducted last year in the region, more time was required to consider the issue of restoring statehood in light of security concerns and the recent Pahalgam terror attacks.

"SG states that the elections were done in a peaceful manner and a government was elected. It is submitted that during the period of the last 6 years, there has been substantial progress in J&K. He however submits that certain events had taken place in the recent past, like

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