Bar Association seeks five-Judge bench for Hijab issue, writes to CJI

Hijab Issue: Following split verdicts by two judges on Thursday, the All India Bar Association (AIBA) has urged that the Hijab issue be moved to a larger bench of at least five judges, including one Muslim judge, in the Supreme Court. In a letter to the Chief Justice of India, Dr Adish C Aggarwala, Senior Advocate and Chairman of AIBA, stated that the then CJI NV Ramana has erred in constituting the bench which included Justice Hemant Gupta who was to retire on October 16, 2022, and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia who was recently appointed to Supreme Court on May 9, 2022. "I may point out that judges were not having a reasonable time to adjudicate the issue as it is evident from the fact that Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia's main thrust of his judgment is that the concept of 'essential religious practice' was not essential for the disposal of the dispute," Aggarwala pointed out. "Justice Dhulia said in his judgment that 'The court (High Court of Karnataka - added for clarification) probably took the wrong path. It was simply a question of Article 19(1)(a), its applicability and Article 25(1), primarily. And it's ultimately a matter of choice, nothing more or nothing less," said senior Advocate Aggarwala further quoting the Supreme Court judgment. Also Read | SC delivers split verdict in Karnataka Hijab ban case He claimed that due to a lack of time, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia overlooked Muslim students' plea at the Karnataka High Court that the "Hijab is part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith." "Justice Dhulia took a diametrically opposite view and struck down the High Court verdict. I was fully aware that the present Bench will be not in a position to adjudicate the issue due to shortage of time, I have not intervened in the matter in Supreme Court although I intervened before the High Court of Karnataka", said Dr Aggarwala. "In the fairness of the matter, it is humbly prayed that the Hijab matter be referred to a larger bench of 5 senior Judges including one Muslim Judge in the Supreme Court as this issue is the most important matter for all citizens of India," he stated. He also urged that when forming the Bench, it be advised to hold day-to-day hearings. "If Justice S Abdul Nazeer declines to be in the Bench, then CJI should mention this fact in the order constituting the larger bench to hear the Hijab matter. While constituting the Bench, the Bench be advised to hold a day-to-day hearing as Justice Nazeer is to retire on January 4, 2023. The world is watching the Supreme Court of India as it is a torch bearer in protecting India's democracy," a press statement issued by AIBA said. Also Read | NGT directs Delhi govt to pay Rs 900 cr as relief compensation -PTC News