This week, the Supreme Court will be hearing several critical cases including the petitions challenging Aadhaar.
Here is an overview of the important cases coming up before the Supreme Court.
- Judge Loya
A bench led by CJI Dipak Misra will be hearing petitions that are seeking an independent probe into the sudden demise of CBI special judge BH Loya who had been hearing the controversial Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, in which Amit Shah had been named as an accused.
Judge Loya died on December 1, 2014 of cardiac arrest. The Maharashtra government highlighted last week that the four judges, who had been with Loya at the time of his death, had called it as “natural.”
- Aadhaar petitions
A constitution bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra and comprising four other justices will continue the hearing of petitions that have been filed to challenge the usage of Aadhar in various contexts.
Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal who is appearing for West Bengal government, has noted that the consequences of the verdict in the Aaadhar case is likely to be more critical for the country than the 1976 decision in regards to the Emergency.
- Haj pilgrim selection
A bench headed by the CJI will be hearing the plea filed by Kerala State Haj Committee which is challenging the all-India system to choose pilgrims going for the Haj pilgrimage. The Centre is expected to submit its response to the plea.
The committee has argued that the current system involving draw of lots was discriminatory, and highlighted that Kerala has a higher proportion of citizens wanting to go for Haj as compared to other states like Bihar. The petition also questions the decision by the central government to revoke the exemption offered to fifth time applicants.
- Hadiya case
Shafin Jahan has filed a petition challenging the decision of the Kerala HC judgement to annul his marriage to Hadiya, a Hindu woman who after marriage converted to Islam. The apex court had directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to not involve itself in examining Hadiya’s decision to enter into a marriage with Jahan .
According to NIA Hadiya had been indoctrinated, brainwashed and radicalized.
- Pensions for MPs
A bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar will be hearing a petition filed by Lok Prahari, an Lucknow-based NGO ,that is seeking to end the pensions provided to parliamentarians. According to the petitioner there are no guidelines that grant allowances for members of parliaments.
- Cow slaughter ban
Also coming up will be a bunch of petitions that are appealing the Bombay HC verdict banning cow slaughter in the state Maharashtra. The order has however allowed for sale and also possession of beef brought in from outside.
According to around 30 social activists of the state, the ban has “violated” the right to food. They are arguing that it breaches the fundamental right to live.
