It was only last week that four senior most judges of the Supreme Court held a press conference wherein they expressed their concerns at the functioning of the Chief Justice of India, particularly regarding allocation of cases to judges..Interestingly, a notice was issued the very next day announcing that a Constitution Bench will hear eight cases starting January 17. It is the composition of this Bench which makes things interesting..This Constitution Bench comprises Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan..This same Bench had already heard five cases including the all-important case concerning Article 239AA of the Constitution of India, which provides for peculiar status of the National Capital Territory and the powers of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor and their interplay..Now, starting January 17, this same Bench will hear eight more cases which includes Aadhaar, Validity of Section 377 of Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality, validity of adultery law under IPC, entry of women into Sabarimala temple amongst other cases..Thus, this Constitution Bench would have heard thirteen cases when it completes the second leg of this marathon sitting.
It was only last week that four senior most judges of the Supreme Court held a press conference wherein they expressed their concerns at the functioning of the Chief Justice of India, particularly regarding allocation of cases to judges..Interestingly, a notice was issued the very next day announcing that a Constitution Bench will hear eight cases starting January 17. It is the composition of this Bench which makes things interesting..This Constitution Bench comprises Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan..This same Bench had already heard five cases including the all-important case concerning Article 239AA of the Constitution of India, which provides for peculiar status of the National Capital Territory and the powers of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor and their interplay..Now, starting January 17, this same Bench will hear eight more cases which includes Aadhaar, Validity of Section 377 of Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality, validity of adultery law under IPC, entry of women into Sabarimala temple amongst other cases..Thus, this Constitution Bench would have heard thirteen cases when it completes the second leg of this marathon sitting.