Constitution bench starts hearing long-pending pleas

The Supreme Court ‘s attempt to dispose of long pending matters, especially the ones involving significant questions of law, has taken off with a five-member Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan on Tuesday taking up first such matter. The bench also comprises Justices R V Raveendran, D K Jain, P Sathasivam and J M Panchal.

A batch of petitions, including one filed by K Krishna Murty, has challenged the constitutional validity of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments providing reservations to backward classes and women apart from SCs and STs in panchayat and local bodies elections. The hearing on the issue had last taken place in 2001 when another Constitution Bench had sought response from all states and Union Territories on the question raised before it.

The amendments brought about in 1993 were challenged in 1994 and the matter was referred to a Constitution Bench in 1995 as the apex court at that time was of the view that some of the provisions were open to interpretation.