A first: CJI to head Vacation Bench after LS poll results

New Delhi, May 11

In an unprecedented development, CJI Ranjan Gogoi will be part of the SC Vacation Bench from May 25 to 30, mainly to take care of any dispute that may arise in government formation after the LS poll results are declared on May 23.

The SC will remain closed for the annual summer break from May 13 to June 30 and will resume its regular work from July 1. The top court has a Vacation Bench functioning every year during the summer holidays but the CJI never presides over it.

As per the notification, CJI Gogoi and Justice MR Shah will be part of the Vacation Bench from May 25 to 30, which will hear urgent miscellaneous matters and other regular matters. In May last year, the Supreme Court had to deal with a dispute related to Karnataka Assembly when no party got a majority and the Congress-JDS alliance moved the top court challenging the Governor’s decision to invite the BJP to form the government.

A specially constituted three-judge Bench ordered a floor test in the Karnataka Assembly, reducing the 15-day window given by the Governor to ex-CM BS Yeddyurappa to prove his majority.

Justices Indira Banerjee and Sanjiv Khanna will be part of the first Bench from May 13 to 20 and Justices Arun Mishra and MR Shah are nominated for the second Bench from May 21 to 24. — IANS

Unprecedented 

• CJI Ranjan Gogoi will be part of the SC Vacation Bench from May 25 to 30
• He will take care of any dispute that may arise in govt formation after LS poll results on May 23
• The SC will remain closed for the summer break from May 13 to June 30 and will resume work from July 1