Caste-based survey in Bihar: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay Patna High Court’s order halting caste survey performed by Bihar authorities. The subsequent listening to of the case has been scheduled on July 14.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Rajesh Bindal stated it might have to study if the train being carried out is a census in garb of survey. “We are making it clear, this is not a case where we can grant you interim relief,” the bench stated.
The apex court docket famous that the excessive court docket had posted the listening to of the principle petition on July 3. “We direct that this petition be listed on July 14. If for any reason, the hearing of the writ petition does not commence before the next date, we will hear further submission canvassed by the senior counsel for the petitioner (Bihar),” the bench stated.
In an attraction filed earlier than the highest court docket towards the May 4 order of the excessive court docket, the state authorities stated the stay will adversely have an effect on the complete train.
The state authorities stated the gathering of caste-based information is a constitutional mandate below Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. Article 15 of the Constitution says the State shall not discriminate towards any citizen on grounds solely of faith, race, caste, intercourse, native land or any of them, whereas Article 16 states there shall be equality of alternative for all residents in issues relating to employment or appointment to any workplace below the State.
The first spherical of caste survey in Bihar was performed between January 7 and 21. The second spherical began on April 15 and was supposed to proceed until May 15.
The petitions earlier than the excessive court docket have been filed by a social outfit and a few people, who had final month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an interim reduction within the type of a stay on the survey was turned down. The apex court docket had refused to intervene and referred them again to the excessive court docket with path that their petition be determined expeditiously.
(With PTI inputs)
