NJAC petitions referred to Constitution Bench; No stay granted

A three judge Bench of the Supreme Court today referred the petitions challenging the Constitutionality of National Judicial Appointments Commission to a Constitution Bench. The Court also made it clear that it has not said anything with respect to the stay sought on the Act..The three judge Bench, which had heard the matter, was presided by Justice Anil R Dave and comprised of Justices Madan B Lokur and Jasti Chelameswar. The judgment was pronounced by Justice Dave a few minutes back in court room 3 of the Supreme Court..The Court had reserved its judgment on March 24, 2015 after hearing the parties for nearly four days..There were eight petitions in all challenging the Constitutional validity of the NJAC Act, 2014 and the Constitutional amendments to Articles 124 and 217 vide the Constitution (99th Amendment) Act, 2014. The following were the petitioners – Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA), RK Kapoor, Bhim Singh, Bishwajit Bhattacharya, Centre for PIL, Manohar Lal Sharma, Change India, Mathes J Nedumpara and Bar Association of India (Petitioners)..Senior Advocate Fali S Nariman had appeared for SCAORA while Senior Advocate Anil Divan had represented the Bar Association of India. Senior Advocate Bhim Singh and former ASG Bishwajit Bhattacharya had argued in person. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had represented the Central government..Interestingly, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also impleaded itself in the matter in support of the NJAC. Senior Advocate and SCBA President Dushyant Dave had appeared and argued for the SCBA..This was the second time the petitions came up for admission. These petitions were argued last year prior to the NJAC Act receiving the assent of the President. The Court had, however, turned down the challenge on the ground that it was premature..The following are the list of parties and the lawyers who appeared for them..Read the judgment below.