Supreme Court fixes August 18 to hear appeals against Bihar caste survey

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on August 18 multiple petitions claiming that the Bihar caste-based survey was an attempt by the Nitish Kumar government to “usurp” the Centre’s powers. The Bench said any prohibitory move by the court at this stage would indirectly amount to a stay without hearing the State government side.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on August 18 multiple petitions claiming that the Bihar caste-based survey was an attempt by the Nitish Kumar government to “usurp” the Centre’s powers.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the petitioners, represented by a battery of lawyers led by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, urged the court to stay the implementation of the Patna High Court decision allowing the State government to go ahead with the survey.

The Bench said any prohibitory move by the court at this stage would indirectly amount to a stay without hearing the State government side.

The petitioners submitted that the government had issued notice on August 1, that is, within hours of the High Court order, to complete the survey within the next three days.

“This issue will become infructuous if we wait till August 18,” a lawyer submitted

Mr. Rohatgi urged the court to step in immediately.

“But it will be an indirect stay without hearing the other side or the application of mind. We do not want that. We will hear you all on August 18,” Justice Khanna addressed the petitioners.