Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition filed by Congress challenging the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s authority to nominate five members

The Supreme Court of India today refused to entertain a petition filed by Congress challenging the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s authority to nominate five members to the Union Territory’s Legislative Assembly. A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna advised the petitioner to approach the High Court instead, stating that the case could be better handled under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The petition, represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on behalf of Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, questioned the LG’s power granted under the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019. The Act allows these five nominated members—two women, two displaced Kashmiri Pandits (including one woman), and one West Pakistan refugee—to participate in government formation by granting them voting rights.