The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Centre's plea to adjourn hearings on constitutional challenges to a law that removed the Chief Justice of India from the panel appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. A bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta declined the request by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who cited his involvement in the ongoing nine-judge bench hearing on the Sabarimala temple entry issue.

Mehta asked that the hearing be deferred to the following week, stating he wanted to be present during arguments by petitioners. The court noted the hearing had been scheduled a month in advance and referenced press reports indicating the Sabarimala PIL might not have warranted a nine-judge bench, adding that all matters are important but must proceed as listed.

The challenge concerns a 2023 law that replaced the CJI with a Union minister nominated by the Prime Minister on the selection panel, overturning a March 2023 Supreme Court ruling that had included the CJI. Petitioners argue the new law gives the government excessive control over the appointment of election officials meant to function independently.

Chief Justice Surya Kant recused himself from the case in March this year, acknowledging a potential conflict of interest, after which the matter was reassigned to a bench without any judge in line to become Chief Justice of India. Advocates for the petitioners supported the reconstitution to avoid any perception of bias.

The hearing will continue before the newly constituted bench, with arguments set to proceed on the constitutional validity of the amended appointment process.