Supreme Court to commence hearing on Article 370 pleas in August, not July 11
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is expected to initiate the hearing of a batch of petitions challenging the dilution of Article 370 in August, despite being listed for directions on July 11. Justice BR Gavai disclosed this information during the bail hearing of activist Teesta Setalvad.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Setalvad, suggested that the hearing in her petition might be scheduled for August. In response, Justice Gavai stated, "It will be too late because we will begin hearing the challenge against Article 370."
Sibal then expressed his belief that the hearing was slated to begin on July 11. Justice Gavai clarified, "That is only for directions. Tentatively, we will be starting in August."
As per the causelist, the matters have been listed "for directions" on July 11, which primarily involves procedural formalities such as document filing, submissions, and allocation of time for arguments. Typically, the bench appoints a "nodal counsel" from both sides to ensure the compilation of documents is complete for the reference of the bench and the parties involved.
A constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, is scheduled to hear a series of pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. The abrogation resulted in the removal of special status from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and its division into the union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. The five-judge bench also includes Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant.
These petitions, which were listed on July 11, are being posted for the first time since March 2, 2020, when another constitution bench ruled against the need for a seven-judge bench referral. The hearing began in December 2019, just four months after the Centre notified the repeal of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the previous judgement stating that a five-judge bench could address the issues raised in the pleas, the matter had not been listed until now. However, it has been mentioned before the Chief Justice of India on several occasions.
Justices NV Ramana and Subhash Reddy, who were part of the last constitution bench that dealt with the matter, have already retired. While Justices Kaul, Gavai, and Kant were members of the previous five-judge bench, Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justice Sanjiv Khanna have joined to fill the vacancies.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
