Constitution Bench of Supreme Court lays down parameters to hear cases; sets time limit, 4 lawyers appointed nodal counsel

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday laid down certain parameters to hear the matters listed before it and conclude it within a specific time. .A bench of Chief Justice of India UU Lalit and Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, S Ravindra Bhat, Bela M Trivedi and JB Pardiwala said that the cases will have to be heard three days a week and the entire hearing will have to be completed within a week.In this regard, the Court also appointed four lawyers to serve as nodal counsel in the four matters it is slated to hear.The four lawyers who have been nodal counsel are advocates Shadan Farasat, Mahfooz Ahsan, Kanu Agrawal and Nachiketa Joshi."Nodal counsel shall see common compilation in 501 and 504 is ready. It should have relevant submissions, statutory instruments and case compilations. Compilation shall not include any case law so long as cases are not available. Only index of citations along with para and page numbers to be given so that reference to books can be made. Arguing counsel to submit written submission not exceeding 3 pages along with time," the Court said.The Court also ordered that final hearing in two of the four cases before it will start on September 13, Tuesday."Considering the nature of matters, it is directed that item 504, Janhit Abhiyan vs Union of India - Pleas challenging the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act, 2019 which provides for grant of 10% quota to EWS in jobs and admissions in general category - will be taken first. The Janhit Abhiyan case will be the lead matter now. The other matter would be 501 (State of AP vs B Archana Reddy: (Whether Muslims, as a community, can be declared socially and educationally backward for the purposes of Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution?)," the Court said.The two cases will be taken up on September 6 for directions and the final hearing shall begin from September 13, the Court added. .The two cases which will be taken up on September 6 and heard finally staring September 13, are: Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India: Plea challenging current system for appointing members of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the ground that Executive enjoys the power to make appointments.State of AP v. B Archana Reddy: Whether Muslims, as a community, can be declared socially and educationally backward for the purpose of Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution?The two other cases, also listed before the same bench, were adjourned for the time being. State of Punjab v. Sahil Mitta: Petition regarding notification declaring Sikh Educational institutions in the State of Punjab to be ‘minority’ thereby permitting them to reserve 50 percent seats for the members of Sikh CommunityV Vasanthakumar v. HC Bhatia: Plea regarding demand for Courts of Appeal with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and finally decide appeals from High Courts?