Restore statehood at earliest, hold polls by Sept-end: SC

Supreme Court upholds creation of Ladakh as a Union Territory (UT) and orders restoration of J&K’s statehood “at the earliest and as soon as possible”. Election Commission directed to hold assembly elections by the end of September. J&K’s statehood to be restored, status as a UT is temporary. Direct elections to legislative assemblies cannot be put on hold until statehood is restored. Steps to be taken for conducting elections to the legislative assembly of J&K. Parliament has wide powers to alter boundaries of states.