The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir to “ensure that normalcy is restored” in Jammu and Kashmir even as it asked the institutions to be mindful of national safety and security while doing so.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi said that he will visit the Jammu and Kashmir High Court after allegations were put forward that the people in the Valley are unable to approach it.

“If requirement arises, I may visit Jammu and Kashmir,” CJI Gogoi said.

Meanwhile, the top court has allowed senior Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir CM, Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag and Jammu.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that the “Congress leader will not make any speeches or hold any public rally as per his own submissions”.

Azad had moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to visit his home state to enquire about the well being of his family members.

He had tried to visit the state after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status but was sent back from the airport by authorities in August.

In his petition before the top court, he has also sought permission to check on social conditions in the state after the clampdown imposed by the authorities in the aftermath of revocation of provisions of Article 370.

Several opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, had sought to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but were not allowed to do so and were sent back from the airport itself.

The top court had on September 5, allowed former-K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija to meet her in Kashmir, where she is under detention following the revocation of the state’s special status.

In its hearing on Monday, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and the J-K government on a plea by Tamil Nadu leader Vaiko seeking National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s release from detention.

The Central Government had on Thursday listed the steps it has taken to restore normalcy.

Addressing a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said essential supplies, including 24×7 electricity, water supply, healthcare and sanitation were being ensured. Hospitals and medical facilities were functioning normally. There was no shortage of medicines. All 376 notified medicines and 62 essential medicines were available in adequate quantity.

He said that 92 per cent of the areas of J-K have no restrictions.

The spokesperson said government offices have been made fully functional from 16 August. Some 20339 schools were open and classes are being conducted. Primary and middle reopened on 19 August and secondary schools reopened on 26 August. Examinations in Government Medical College, Srinagar, were held from 5-12 September and September 24 to October 12.