The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A that empowers the state assembly of Jammu and Kashmir to define the state¿s permanent residents and their rights. The next date for hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 19 next year. Seeking adjournment, the Central government and the state administration had urged the court to hear the matter only after the state local body elections scheduled in December are conducted.

The next date for hearing on the matter has been scheduled for January 19 next year, Supreme Court advocate Varun Kumar said. The matter was listed before a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra along with Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud.