Apex court to hear Maratha reservation case on March 8

The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has adjourned the hearing on the Maratha reservation case till March 8. It has now decided to hear the batch of petitions challenging and supporting the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act (SEBC) on March 8.

The top court is presently hearing matters through video-conferencing since March last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier, the Apex court has decided to start virtual hearing of the case from January 25.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan was told by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who was appearing for Maharashtra, that the state is requesting for an adjournment and the matter be heard in March. The petitions on Maratha reservation was heard again today before a bench comprising Justice Nageshwar Rao, Justice Hemant Gupta, Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice Abdul Nazir under the chairmanship of Justice Ashok Bhushan.

State public works department (PWD) minister Ashok Chavan, who heads the cabinet sub-committee on Maratha reservation, said that the state had requested the SC to conduct physical hearings, as it is a crucial matter with a wide scope. The judges have therefore directed that the next hearing in the case be held on March 8.

BJP has criticised the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on the matter, saying they are incompetent. Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The stand taken by the state government has complicated the case. Every time it comes up with a different stand in court. Only the state government is responsible for what all is happening in the court over Maratha reservation. It has handled the case very badly. There is a lack of coordination and indifference. One doesn’t know the decision taken by another. The action of the state is likely to create a question mark against reservation to all communities.”

On November 30, 2018, the Maharashtra legislature had passed a bill granting 16 per cent reservation to Marathas.