Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov 14: The Union Government requested additional time to file its counter-affidavit, thus the Supreme Court on Monday postponed the hearing in a group of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta requested an adjournment in the case during the mentioning round before the Chief Justice of India.
“In order to file a thorough reply, I must speak with the government. I would require higher level consultation. If there is time available “SG Mehta offered.
“I need to consult with the Government for filing a detailed counter. I would need consultation at higher level. If some time can be given”, SG Mehta submitted.
The Union was instructed to submit its counter-affidavit by December 12 by the bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who also scheduled the matter for the first week of January 2023.
“The Counter affidavit is to be filed by the Union Government by 12th December, 2022 and be listed on first week of January, 2023. The counter is to be circulated to all counsels a week prior to the listing”, the bench stated in the order.
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In one of the applications, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, the petitioner, stated that he is not asking for the Act to be repealed in its entirety but rather for an exemption for two temples. “I do not demand that the Act be repealed. However, if two temples were added, the Act would still be valid “Dr. Swamy agreed to speak.
The Union must submit its counter-affidavit by October 31 under a judgement issued on October 12 by a court chaired by the former Chief Justice of India, UU Lalit. The Court had already instructed the Centre to submit its response within two weeks on September 9.
