Article 370: “We dont want to dismiss your petition because it might affect other petitions”, CJI Gogoi to ML Sharma

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi today berated the petitioners challenging the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution for filing petitions with defects..He was especially harsh on advocate ML Sharma, whose petition was listed today..“What kind of petition is this? What are your pleadings, prayer? In a matter of this nature, how can you file such a petition?“.The CJI, however, said that he does not want to dismiss the petition by Sharma since it might adversely affect petitions filed by other petitioners..“We don’t want to dismiss it because it might affect other petitions.”.CJI Gogoi said that he could not understand Sharma’s petition despite spending about half an hour reading it..“I tried to read your petition for half an hour but could not understand it.“.Sharma apologised all the while, and sought leave to amend the petition..The Bench was also equally critical of other petitioners. CJI Gogoi said that six petitions were filed in total, four of which have defects..“We accommodate you in between Ayodhya hearing and this is what we get“, he remarked..The Court then granted permission to the petitioners to cure defects/amend their petitions and adjourned the case..The petition filed by Kashmir Times Executive Editor Anuradha Bhasin seeking lifting of restrictions in Kashmir was also adjourned..Both Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared in that petition..The AG said that the Kashmir Times is being published from Jammu and not from Srinagar..“I want to know why they are not publishing it from Srinagar“, said the AG, questioning the bona fides of the petitioner..Solicitor General Mehta sought an outright dismissal of the petition, while calling for caution when interfering with military decisions..The Court, however, adjourned the matter saying the next date of hearing will be decided on the administrative side..A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SA Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer has been constituted to hear certain important matters..This includes ML Sharma’s plea challenging the Presidential Order of August 5 by which Article 370 was abrogated and the plea moved by Kashmir Times Editor, Anuradha Bhasin objecting to the continuing lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir..The Bench is also due to hear the petition moved by the Gujarat High Court Advocates Association (GHCAA) taking objection to the Central government’s reluctance to appoint Justice Akil Kureshi as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.