Crucial Month At The Supreme Court As Landmark Judgements Expected Before CJI Dipak Misra Retires

The coming month promises to be packed as far as landmark judicial pronouncements by the Supreme Court are concerned. Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is slated to retire on 2 October and before that, he is expected to deliver rulings on significant socio-legal questions ranging from the decriminalisation of homosexuality and adultery, to determining the fate of the unique identity programme, Aadhaar, among others.

The question of entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, reservation in promotion for Schedule Caste/Scheduled Tribes candidates and disqualification of chargesheeted are other Constitutional bench matters where a verdict is expected in the course of the coming weeks.

While the above stated matters are being heard by Constitution Benches in the Supreme Court which consist of a minimum of five SC judges, the CJI is also heading three-judge benches hearing key issues such as the reconsideration of 1994 Ayodhya verdict respecting the significance of mosque in the practice of Islam. Live streaming of court proceedings, dilution of anti-dowry laws, ban on legal practice by sitting elected representatives are other issues being heard by three-judge benches headed by CJI Misra.

It is expected that verdicts in these issues would have significant impact not only in terms of the socio-economic fabric of the polity but also carry significant political implications. All eyes will, therefore, be on the Supreme Court, and the implications of the verdicts to be delivered in the coming days will be felt for a long time thereafter.