SC to hear pleas challenging Section 6A of Citizenship Act on Nov 7

On Thursday, the Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for November 7 to consider petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act. This section was added as an amendment in 1985 to implement the Assam Accord. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will lead the five-judge Constitution bench, including Justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra.

- ASHISH SINHA

Originally listed for October 17, the case was rescheduled due to the next week being designated as a miscellaneous week in the apex court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the initial hearing date clashed with the miscellaneous week, leading to the rescheduling confirmed by the Chief Justice.

In the previous hearing, the Apex Court decided to title the proceedings as "In Re: Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955."

The matter concerning citizenship in Assam was initially referred to a five-judge Constitution bench on December 17, 2014. The bench was constituted on April 19, 2017, to handle the case.