Hearing On Petitions Challenging 'Places Of Worship Act' Adjourned To 14 November; New CJI To Decide The Bench For Case

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of the Chief Justice of India U U Lalit, Justice R Bhatt and Justice Ajay Rastogi, has listed the petitions challenging the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 for 14 November.

The central government has been directed to file its reply by 31 October. 

The petitions have been filed challenging the constitutionality of the act in as much as it prohibits remedies against illegal encroachment on the place of worship and pilgrimages prior to 15 August 1947. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the reply of the central government is still under consideration and another two weeks would be required.

Senior counsel, Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the petitioners argued that the act was passed without any deliberations and debates.

He further argued that there are certain additional questions which are to be considered, as they were not taken up by the Ayodhya judgement, which had upheld the Places of Worship Act. 

The matter will now be taken on 14 November. By then, the incumbent CJI would have demitted office and Justice D Y Chandrachud would be the Chief Justice.

The CJI being the master of roster, it would now be Justice Chandrachud who would decide the bench for hearing the challenge to the act.