New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud expressed that Article 35A encroached upon fundamental rights such as equality and the freedom to practice any profession across the country. The CJI's comments followed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statements on behalf of the Union government in front of the Supreme Court's Constitution Bench. Mehta contended that Article 35A, which exclusively applies to Jammu and Kashmir, establishes an "artificial class." CJI Chandrachud further highlighted that this article introduces a unique provision within India's Constitution, limiting its scope to "permanent residents" of Jammu and Kashmir.
