The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre on an application challenging the decision to implement 27 per cent reservation for backward classes in elite central educational institutions.The application was filed by Youth for Equality, a non-governmental organisation, which had earlier filed a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the government notification issued on January 4, this year. Taking up the application, the Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia asked the Union of India to furnish its reply to the pleas raised before the court.Aggrieved by the Central Education Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006, which made it mandatory for central educational institutions to extend 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs from the 2007-8 session, the petitioner sought an immediate stay on the notification dated January 4, 2007. Terming it “unwarranted”, the application stated that irreversible consequences and large-scale chaos would follow.The counsel appearing for the petitioner sought to highlight that the notification, issued under the 93rd amendment of the Constitution passed in the winter session of Parliament, was violative of the basic structure of the Constitution.The petition said the government had failed to adopt a rational approach to the issue by ascertaining the backwardness of the intended beneficiaries or take the assistance of the National Backward Commission before coming out with the legislation. It also complained that no effort was made to exclude the creamy layer from enjoying the benefits of the said notification.It further alleged that present move was motivated by a political agenda in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. Moreover, it was stated that the notification was issued by the Centre in utter disregard of the apex court’s earlier direction stating that no action be taken until the issue was settled in court.Apex court admits plea to legalise mercy killing NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday admitted a petition seeking to declare mercy killing a legal, despite strong objections raised by the Centre. The plea seeks the framing of a law that will allow terminally ill patients in India to take a decision to "die with dignity". Appearing before the Bench of Justices B N Aggarwal and P P Naolekar, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam said the said legislation, if brought in, may be grossly misused. Seeking time to furnish an additional affidavit, Subramaniam informed the Bench that certain recommendations made by the Law Commission of India were being studied by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It would help the Centre in making a more informed decision regarding the pleas raised in the PIL, the counsel said. The Bench, allowing the Union of India to furnish additional views, deemed it fit to admit the plea that sought to raise a debate yet again as questions of law were being settled.
