Overview

• A division bench led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh clubbed all cases against GO-9 and began hearing arguments on Wednesday.
• Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the state, following the Supreme Court’s refusal to stay local-body polls and its direction to approach the High Court.
• Petitioners argued that hiking the BC quota from 25% to 42% would take total reservations to about 67%, violating the Supreme Court’s 50% cap.
• The Advocate General said Section 285-A of the Panchayat Raj Act was amended to back the quota, while petitioners noted the Governor has not assented to the related bills.
• With the State Election Commission’s schedule active, including ZPTC/MPTC nominations from October 9, whether elections proceed now turns on the court’s orders.