Karnataka hijab row | Supreme Court fixes hearing of arguments on August 29; says forum-shopping will not be permitted

The petitioners sought an adjournment saying the case was listed "suddenly" and lawyers had to travel to the apex court from across the country.

The Supreme Court fixed the hearing of arguments on August 29 in a batch of petitions challenging a Karnataka High Court decision upholding a State government Order banning the wearing of hijab to classrooms while criticising the petitioner-students of "forum-shopping" for seeking an adjournment.

A Bench led by Justice Hemant Gupta issued notice on a plea to stay the High Court Order. Karnataka, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, accepted the notice and said no counter is required to be filed. The State said it is ready to argue the case on law on Monday.

Watch | Karnataka’s hijab controversy explained

The petitioners sought an adjournment saying the case was listed "suddenly" and lawyers had to travel to the apex court from across the country.

"This kind of forum-shopping we will not permit… Time and again you have sought early listing. Now when the case is listed, you want an adjournment. Travelling from Karnataka will only take two-and-a-half hours… We will take up this case on Monday itself," Justice Gupta said.

The case was repeatedly mentioned for early listing in April, May and July in the past by the petitioners.

"At that point of time, the exams were due… so we had mentioned it… the counsel need to prepare their briefs," one of the petitioners said.