Jammu, Aug 11, 2025 : Senior Congress leader and petitioner in the MLA nomination case, Advocate Ravinder Sharma, said he will file a rejoinder to the Centre’s reply before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court sets the date for final hearing. The matter is listed for August 14, when the court will decide on scheduling the hearing.
Represented by Senior Supreme Court Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sharma has challenged provisions of the J&K Reorganisation Act allowing the Lieutenant Governor to nominate five MLAs without the aid and advice of the council of ministers, and beyond the sanctioned strength of the Assembly (114 members).
Sharma argues that such nominations can alter the balance of power in the legislature, violating the Constitution’s basic structure. The High Court has framed the core legal question on whether these provisions breach constitutional principles.
The Centre and the LG have now filed their replies after multiple extensions, and Sharma said his legal team will examine them before submitting the rejoinder.
