Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has journed hearing of petitions that challenge restrictions imposed in Jammu & Kashmir after abrogation Article 370 to September 16, Monday. Apex Court has declined to pass any orders against petitions filed by Kasmir Times Executive Editor Anurha Bhasin and activist Tehseen Poonawalla. Bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde and Abdul Nazeer was considering petitions filed over restrictions on media communication by Bhasin and instances of Section 144 imposed in Kashmir, by Poonawalla. 

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Editor of Kashmir Times Moves SC

Representing Kashmir Times, vocate Vrinda Grover stated that daily's publication from Srinagar has been on a standstill for a month w owing to communication blocke imposed by government. senior vocate h earlier pressed for an interim order demanding that Centre produce tification under which media restrictions were imposed. 

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing Centre stated that Kashmir Times has voluntarily chosen to stop publication and that re were several papers being published from region. He also interrupted Vrinda Grover by saying, "this is sensationalizing issue," when Grover mentioned incident of a doctor in Kashmir being intimidated for speaking to media about medical emergency due to restrictions imposed. Attorney General KK Venugopal has assured court that step by step relaxation was ongoing in Jammu & Kashmir. 

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What does Petition contend?

Bench in its previous hearing on 28th August h issued a tice in petitions filed by both Bhasin and Poonawalla. petition filed by Anurha Bhasin contends that shutdown of internet and telecommunications at a time when significant political and constitutional changes are being forged by Parliament to status of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted on violation of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19. Bhasin termed government restrictions as 'Abuse of State Power.' Earlier, Press Council of India h also filed an application in Apex Court.

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