PIL seeks Rules to regulate constitution of Benches in Supreme Court, High Courts

The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict in a petition praying that Rules be framed for constituting benches and allotting jurisdiction to different Benches in the Supreme Court and High Courts..The petition filed by Asok Pande was heard by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud which reserved its order..Pande’s petition, which was filed pursuant to the press conference by the four Supreme Court judges, also prays that Constitution Benches constituted by Supreme Court should be composed of five senior-most judges..Besides, the petitioner has prayed that there should be specialised Benches to deal with PILs, tax, criminal, land and service matters..Pande has arraigned Allahabad High Court also as a respondent and has sought similar direction to be issued to Allahabad High Court..“The petitioner also seeks a writ of Mandamus to the second respondent i.e. Allahabad high Court to evolve set Rules with respect to formation of Benches and vesting of jurisdiction to them on the pattern of Rules so framed by the Supreme Court.”.The petitioner further states that though he is unaware of the practice in other High Courts, Mandamus should be issued to other High courts “in case similar is the practice in other High Courts also.”.The Bench after a short hearing reserved its verdict..Interestingly, the petition which has Supreme Court as respondent was heard by a Bench headed by CJI, who is the administrative head of Supreme Court..It is usual practice in the Supreme Court for the CJI to recuse himself from cases in which the Supreme Court is the respondent on the ground of conflict of interest since the CJI is the administrative head of Supreme Court Registry..Read the order below.