CJI-led bench of SC to hear a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of CAA on 12 Sept

way2barak, Sept.8: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, UU Lalit is going to hear pleas challenging constitutionality of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 on 12 September, 2022. Apart from the Chief justice of India (CJI), Justice S Ravindra Bhat will also be a part of the bench.

Over 200 petitions are presently pending before the Supreme Court which challenge the 2019 Act. The  apex Court will hear on September 12, the bunch of petitions filed challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA 2019. 

Certain key issues which would come for discussion are: Whether the CAA violates Article 14 of the Constitution by failing the reasonable classification test? Whether the CAA discriminates on the basis of religion? Whether the CAA violates the right to live with dignity guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution? Whether G.S.R. 685(E), 686(E), 702(E) and 703(E) are unconstitutional (on the same grounds as the CAA is)?

The CAA was passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, and the Act was notified within 24 hours on December 12. However, its implementation has remained stuck as the rules have not been framed yet. In April 22, the home ministry asked for another six months to frame the rules under the CAA for the fifth time. Without the rules being framed, the government cannot implement the Act. In general, rules are framed within six months of its enactment. In April, the ministry asked for time till October 9.