38.6c New Delhi, India, Saturday, September 27, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Bihar Govt moves Supreme Court against Patna HC decision quashing 65% reservation law for SC, ST, OBC

By Jhanak Sharma      03 July, 2024 01:38 PM      0 Comments
Bihar Govt moves Supreme Court against Patna HC decision quashing 65 reservation law for SC ST OBC

Bihar: The Bihar Government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Patna High Courts decision to set aside the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) Amendment Act, 2023 (Amendment Act) and the Bihar Reservation (in Admission to Educational Institutions) Amendment Act.

The Bihar Government called the Patna High Court order erroneous and contrary to the law laid down by the top court. According to the petition, the Patna High Court failed to apply the law laid down by the top court regarding the State Amendment Acts, rendering the order unsustainable.

On June 20, the Patna High Court set aside the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) Amendment Act, 2023 (Amendment Act) and the Bihar Reservation (in Admission to Educational Institutions) Amendment Act, 2023.

It is respectfully submitted that the Honble Court, in the Maratha Reservation Judgment, rejected the demands of States, including Bihar, to refer the matter to a larger bench in view of the 50% ceiling prescribed in the Indra Sawhney judgment. The rejection was based, inter alia, on the grounds that the Indra Sawhney judgment itself allows for breaching the 50% ceiling if States can satisfy the social test for the backwardness of the class. The State of Bihar is the only state that conducted this exercise and published its Caste Survey Report on the socio-economic and educational conditions of the entire population. The State has complied with the binding decisions of this Honble Court and subsequently amended the Reservation Acts, the Bihar Government stated.

According to the Bihar Government, the Amendment Acts aim to provide adequate representation to backward classes by increasing reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Extremely Backward Class (EBC), and Backward Class (BC) to 65% from the existing 50%. The Amendment Acts were passed following the Bihar Caste Survey 2022-23, which satisfies the social test parameters affirmed by the top court to breach the 50% reservation ceiling, the petition added.

Notably, in a similar matter, the top court, in its order dated 01.05.2023, in Yogesh Kumar Thakur v. Guru Ghasidas Sahitya Avam Sanskriti Academy & Ors (Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 18816-18817 of 2022), stayed the judgment of the Honble Chhattisgarh High Court, whereby reservations in public service and posts were increased from 50% to 58%, the plea continued.

The High Court, in issuing the Impugned Judgment, failed to appreciate the true nature and import of Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India, as per the law laid down by the top court in the Indra Sawhney & Ors v. Union of India matter, the plea argued.

The Honble High Court exceeded the legitimate scope of judicial review by substituting the opinion of the state regarding the adequacy of representation with its own opinion. Furthermore, the Impugned Judgment failed to recognize that the 50% ceiling is not an inviolable rule and may be breached under exceptional circumstances.

The existence of such exceptional circumstances should be determined by the State after conducting a Social Test, as outlined by the Petitioners in accordance with the decision of this Honble Court in Jaishri Laxmirao Patil. Based on the Caste Census, the Petitioner rightly concluded that the backward classes were not adequately represented and that there was a need to enhance affirmative action to achieve the Constitutional goal of substantive equality.

It is submitted that the Impugned Judgment is contrary to the law laid down by this Honble Court. While the Honble High Court referred to and relied on the judgments of this Honble Court, it failed to apply the law laid down by this Honble Court regarding the State Amendment Acts, the petition concluded.



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Centre Seeks Permission from Supreme Court for Bihar's Caste Census Affidavit, Acknowledges Potential Ramifications Centre Seeks Permission from Supreme Court for Bihar's Caste Census Affidavit, Acknowledges Potential Ramifications

The Union government seeks permission from the Supreme Court to file an affidavit regarding Bihar's caste survey, stating potential ramifications. The Court does not plan to stay the survey's publication unless a strong case is presented by petitioners. The Patna High Court had approved the survey, deeming it valid and aimed at development with justice.

Delhi Court grants bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav in Land-for-Job scam case Delhi Court grants bail to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav in Land-for-Job scam case

A Delhi Court today granted bail to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi and their son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in the land-for-job scam case.

Supreme Court Allows Bihar Caste Census Data Publication, Sets January 2024 Hearing for Legal Challenge Supreme Court Allows Bihar Caste Census Data Publication, Sets January 2024 Hearing for Legal Challenge

Supreme Court declines status quo on Bihar caste census, allowing the state to collect and publish caste data. Court issues notice on petitions challenging the decision, scheduled for a hearing in January 2024.

Social torture classifies as cruelty for purposes of divorce, Patna HC holds [Read Judgment] Social torture classifies as cruelty for purposes of divorce, Patna HC holds [Read Judgment]

Granting divorce to a husband who claimed that the wife had made false allegations before his employer about domestic violence and of him and his mother soliciting prostitution, the Patna High Court has held that social torture in a marriage also amounts to mental torture, and thus, cruelty.

TRENDING NEWS

sc-permits-ramlila-at-school-playground-in-up
Trending Judiciary
SC permits Ramlila at school playground in UP

SC allows Ramlila at UP school ground, noting 100-year tradition, but urges finding alternate sites to keep playgrounds free for students.

26 September, 2025 12:08 AM
sc-stays-hcs-order-on-composition-of-sit-formed-to-probe-tirupati-parasadam-row
Trending Judiciary
SC stays HC's order on composition of SIT formed to probe Tirupati parasadam row

SC stays Andhra Pradesh HC order on SIT composition in Tirupati prasadam row, clarifying CBI Director’s role in appointing investigation officer.

26 September, 2025 07:53 PM

TOP STORIES

calcutta-hc-dismisses-plea-against-bengali-singer-for-allegedly-insulting-lord-ram-cites-lack-of-evidence
Trending Judiciary
Calcutta HC Dismisses Plea Against Bengali Singer For Allegedly Insulting Lord Ram, Cites Lack of Evidence [Read Judgment]

Calcutta HC dismisses plea against singer Nachiketa Chakraborty over alleged remarks on Lord Ram, citing lack of evidence and jurisdiction.

22 September, 2025 10:43 AM
allahabad-hc-slams-police-for-recording-caste-of-accused-in-firs-terms-it-identity-profiling
Trending Judiciary
Allahabad HC Slams Police for Recording Caste of Accused in FIRs, Terms It “Identity Profiling” [Read Order]

Allahabad HC condemns police for recording caste of accused in FIRs, calling it identity profiling that violates fundamental rights and constitutional values.

22 September, 2025 11:04 AM
spouse-may-claim-damages-for-marital-interference-by-third-party-delhi-hc
Trending Judiciary
Spouse May Claim Damages for Marital Interference by Third Party: Delhi HC [Read Order]

Delhi HC allows spouse to sue lover for ‘alienation of affection’, recognizing civil action for intentional interference in marriage.

22 September, 2025 01:06 PM
sc-notice-to-centre-others-on-plea-for-court-monitored-probe-into-air-india-crash
Trending Judiciary
SC notice to Centre, others on plea for court-monitored probe into Air India crash

SC issues notice on plea for court-monitored probe into Air India crash that killed 260; petitioner seeks independent, transparent, and fair investigation.

22 September, 2025 02:27 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email