Overview
- A Supreme Court bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi reiterated that total reservations for SC, ST and OBCs in local body polls cannot exceed 50%.
- The Court warned it will stay the nomination process or elections in specific civic bodies if the constitutional ceiling is crossed.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was asked to indicate how many municipalities cross the threshold as the bench urged deferring nominations, with the next hearing set for November 19.
- Elections are to be held under the pre-Banthia framework as per the Court’s May 6 order, with the Banthia Commission’s recommendations still under judicial scrutiny.
- Petitioners alleged quotas reach up to 70% in some areas, the bench said this cannot be permitted and noted officials appeared to have misconstrued earlier orders.