Supreme Court's Constitution Bench to start hearing today a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional Amendment allowing reservation for Economically Weaker Sections(EWS). The 5-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, S Ravindra Bhat, Bela M Trivedi and JB Pardiwala will hear the matter.Economic reservation in jobs and education was proposed...
Supreme Court's Constitution Bench to start hearing today a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional Amendment allowing reservation for Economically Weaker Sections(EWS).
The 5-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, S Ravindra Bhat, Bela M Trivedi and JB Pardiwala will hear the matter.
Economic reservation in jobs and education was proposed to be provided by inserting clause (6) in Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution through the amendment passed by the Parliament in January 2019. The newly inserted Article 15(6) enables the State to make special provisions for advancement of any economically weaker section of citizens, including reservations in educational institutions. It states that such reservation can be made in any educational institution, including private institutions, whether aided or unaided, except minority educational institutions covered under Article 30(1). It further states that the upper limit of the reservation will be ten percent, which will be in addition to the existing reservations. After the amendment was notified by the President, a batch of petitions were filed in the SC challenging the constitutional validity of economic reservation.
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES HERE
List the matter for directions on Thursday
CJI: Mr. Farasat and Mr. Agarawal, nodal counsels have given us time required. According to them period of 18 hrs will be required for the matter. Mr. Maninder Singh and Mr. Jethmalani for Assam and MP submit that intervention apps have been referred and states will be desirous..
Sr. Adv. Wilson: We should be permitted to also advance submissions.
CJI: Whoever wishes to appear on behalf of State, will be entitled.
CJI: Mr. Shankarnarayan, formulate parameters of questions and by Thursday give us those questions. In case we have any changes, we'll make. Again 10-15 mins on Thursday. Once we are through with this, we may list the next matter akin to this.
CJI: What we propose to do is, the questions which get thrown up, we may give some time extra to either side, so effectively 5 working days. 3 working days in first week and 2 in second. This is for the first matter. We begin the matter next Tuesday.
CJI: We just want to know who will lead
Counsel: Mr. M.N. Rao will lead.
AG: I will take about 3 hours approximately.
SG: AG has said 3 hours. This is just rough idea. It might exceed...
CJI: Tell us how much time you will take.
Counsel: States have not indicated the time. 17 hours is time indicated just for petitioners.
SG Mehta: Your Lordship has two issues today. If your Lordship can consider issuing short notice and start with the second matter.
CJI: We will start as per the order. At the cost of repetition, we will hear any state that wishes to appear.
SG Mehta: I am here for the State of Maharashtra.