The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 22 January made it clear that it will not grant any stay on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) without hearing the Centre and said it may refer pleas challenging the validity of the Act to a larger Constitution bench.
It barred the high courts from passing any orders related to the Act till it decided on the matter.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a rally in Lucknow said that despite protests, CAA will not be withdrawn
- Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s bail order was modified and he has been allowed to visit Delhi on conditions
- Punjab and Kerala have passed resolutions against the contentious CAA in their respective Assemblies
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SC Bars High Courts From Passing Any CAA Orders
The Supreme Court also restrained all HCs from hearing pleas on CAA till it decides petitions.
SC Says Will Take Up Matter for Interim Orders in 5 Weeks, Hints at Larger Bench
The Supreme Court has hinted at setting up a five-judge bench, after recommendations from Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The court said taht it will take up the matter for interim orders in the next five weeks.
Court hinted at setting up a five-Judge Bench to hear the case. The matter will be listed after five weeks for interim orders.
Won't Grant Stay Without Hearing Centre: CJI Bobde
CJI SA Bobde, while hearing the Citizenship Act petitions, said that he will not grant a stay order without hearing the Central government. "We are not going to pass an ex parte order without the copy being served to the Centre," Bobde said.
Sibal Recommends Constitutional Bench, CJI Responds
Senior Counsel Kapil Sibal also recommended a larger bench to hear the matter. He told the court that there is also a question of whether the matter should be heard by a larger Bench. CJI Bobde responded saying, "maybe it should."