SC moves hearing to February 5

MUMBAI: The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (SC) has postponed the hearing on the Maratha reservation case till February. It has now decided to hear the batch of petitions challenging and supporting the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act (SEBC) on February 5. It is also likely to hear the state government’s plea against an interim order passed by a three-judge bench in September last year, staying all recruitment to government jobs and admissions to educational institutions under the quota.

The Apex court has decided to start virtual hearing of the case from January 25.

State public works department (PWD) minister Ashok Chavan, who heads the cabinet subcommittee 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. “We wanted to make the hearing physical as the SC had decided to start the virtual hearing from January 25. Considering its wide scope and numerous petitions and lawyers, it would not be possible to complete in virtual hearings,” Chavan said.

recruitment process by setting aside the applications called under the SEBC Act. CM Thackeray too was very unhappy with the development and has assured us to call for an explanation from the MPSC chief,” the minister said.

MPSC officials said that another application was also filed on January 15, saying that they don’t want to pursue the interlocutory application.