High Court Urges Quick Action on J&K Bypoll Delays

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Election Commission as well as the central and J-K governments, demanding explanations for the alleged delay in conducting bypolls for two assembly seats.

Justice Sanjay Dhar's directive followed a writ petition lodged by Harsh Dev Singh, a former minister, who argued that by-elections for Budgam and Nagrota have been unjustly postponed, contravening the statutory requirement to hold such elections within six months of a vacancy.

The Budgam seat was left vacant when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah selected another seat, while the Nagrota seat was vacated following the death of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana. Singh, advocating for adherence to Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, insists the elections should occur by March 2025 with a court hearing set for September 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)