The story so far
CEC Appointment Case
Tracked across 4 sources · Updated 4h ago
The Supreme Court is examining the constitutional validity of the 2023 law that excludes the Chief Justice of India from the panel selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The court has reserved its order on whether to refer the matter to a larger bench, while the government defends the law, citing the PM's office's sanctity.
How it unfolded
13h ago
Centre defends exclusion of CJI, says PM's office has sanctity
13h ago
SC questions Parliament's exclusion of CJI from CEC selection panel
2d ago
SC reserves order on reference to larger bench in CEC appointment case
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →What did Modi govt say in court over exclusion of CJI for appointing Chief Election Commissioner
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta argued in court that the Prime Minister's office has sanctity and decisions should not be presumed to be in bad faith, questioning why cabinet selection doesn't require consultation with former judges.
The Modi government defended the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the panel for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
Mehta's submission stated that if the PM's decisions are not trusted, a provision for consulting outsiders could be considered for cabinet selection as well.
Earlier · 1d ago
Full story →Appointment of CEC, ECs: SC reserves order on need to refer matter to larger bench
Supreme Court reserved order on whether to refer appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to a larger bench.
Under the 2023 Act, the selection committee includes the prime minister, a Union minister nominated by the prime minister, and the Leader of Opposition or leader of the largest opposition party in Lok Sabha.
The Centre undertook reforms in government job recruitment to make it more efficient and time-bound.
Earlier · 12h ago
Full story →Why’s CJI not on panel to pick CEC, Supreme Court asks government
Supreme Court questioned Parliament's decision to exclude Chief Justice of India from the panel to select Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
Court noted the CJI's inclusion in other key appointment committees.
Court heard arguments challenging the 2023 Act's appointment process.
Government urged the court not to question legislative wisdom.
Bench clarified it was not questioning the Prime Minister's trustworthiness.
Earlier · 10h ago
Full story →SC reserves order on referring CEC appointment issue to 5-judge bench
The Supreme Court reserved judgment on referring the CEC appointment issue to a five-judge bench, hearing petitions against the CEC and EC (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Petitioners, including Congress leader Jaya Thakur and NGO Association for Democratic Rights, argue the law is unconstitutional as it violates Article 14 and defeats free and fair elections under Article 324.
The Act's Section 7 sets a selection committee headed by the Prime Minister, with the Leader of Opposition and a Union Minister as members.
Petitioners argue that the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel violates the principles in the Anoop Baranwal judgment.
The Centre, represented by Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued that the matter involves substantial questions of law requiring a five-judge bench under Article 145(3).