The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to respond in four weeks to petitions seeking restoration of statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai that there had been substantial progress in J&K in the past six years and peaceful elections were conducted there last year.

Mehta, however, submitted that the Centre and the J&K Government were in consultation and that more time was needed to consider the issue of restoring statehood in view of security concerns.

"There has been substantial progress in Jammu and Kashmir… but certain incidents, including the Pahalgam attack, have taken place and all that will have to be taken into consideration before a final call is taken,” Mehta said during the

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