Lok Sabha Question No. 64 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Pending Cases before Constitution Benches
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 64 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2024

PENDING CASES BEFORE CONSTITUTION BENCHES

## 64.  ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether several cases having serious consequences for the legal system of the country are pending before various Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the name of case, type of Constitution Bench and period of pendency;
- (c) whether the reason for pendency of the above mentioned cases is the lack of interest shown by the Government in expediting the same, if so, the action taken thereon; and
- (d)  the  decade-wise  list  of  cases  heard  and  disposed  by  the  Constitutional Benches of the Supreme Court since its inception till date?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) & (b): As  per information available on National Judicial  Data Grid (NJDG),  the  number  of  cases  pending  before  the  Constitution  Benches  of  the Supreme Court, as on 29.01.2024, are as under:

| Bench               |   No. of Pending Cases (as on 29.01.2024) |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| Five-Judge Bench    |                                        38 |
| Seven-Judge Bench   |                                         9 |
| Nine-Judge Bench    |                                         7 |
| Eleven-Judge Bench  |                                         0 |
| More than 11 Judges |                                         0 |

Source: National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)

The  detailed  Statement  of  pending  Constitution  bench-wise  cases  along with name of the case and date of filing is Annexed .

(c): No, Sir, it cannot be said that the reason for pendency of the Constitution Bench cases is  the  lack  of  interest  in  expediting  the  same.  As  per  information obtained  from  the  Supreme  Court,  in  respect  of  the  Constitution  Bench  cases, there are intricate issues of law involved and arguments are addressed for number of days ranging from weeks to months. The said issues require deep analysis and thorough  examination  of  law.  Therefore,  it  is  not  possible  to  set  out  strict parameters  and  timelines  regarding  adjudication  of  such  cases.  Further,  the adjudication and expeditious disposal of cases is within the exclusive domain of the judiciary.

(d): As per information provided by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the decadewise  list  of  cases  heard  and  disposed  of  by  the  Constitutional  Benches  of  the Supreme Court since its inception are as under:

| S.no.   | Period    | No. of Constitution Bench matters disposed off   |
|---------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------|
| 1       | 1950-1959 | 440                                              |
| 2       | 1960-1969 | 956                                              |
| 3       | 1970-1979 | 292                                              |
| 4       | 1980-1989 | 110                                              |
| 5       | 1990-1999 | 157                                              |
| 6       | 2000-2009 | 138                                              |
| 7       | 2010-2019 | 70                                               |
| 8       | 2020-2023 | 25                                               |
|         | TOTAL     | 2,188                                            |

Source: Supreme Court of India (data as on 11.12.2023)

## Annexure

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) AND\_(B) OF LOK SABHA  UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  64  FOR  ANSWER  ON  02.02.2024 REGARDING 'PENDING CASES BEFORE CONSTITUTION BENCHES'.

| Diary no.        | Case Number                                 | Date of Filing   | Party Name                                                              |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Five-Judge Bench | Five-Judge Bench                            | Five-Judge Bench | Five-Judge Bench                                                        |
| 25700 / 2023     | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 678 / 2023          | 01-07-2023       | GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF D Vs UNION OF INDIA         |
| 31429 / 2013     | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 921 / 2013          | 01-10-2013       | SAMA-RESOURCE GROUP FOR WOMENANDHEALTH Vs UNION OF INDIA                |
| 11168 / 2014     | CURATIVE PETITION(CIVIL) / 106 / 2014       | 02-04-2014       | DR. SHEKHAR SESHADRI Vs SURESH KUMAR KOUSHAL                            |
| 3658 / 2022      | CONTEMPT PETITION (CIVIL) / 91 / 2022       | 03-02-2022       | PIYALI RAY CHOWDHURY Vs NARAYAN SWAROOP NIGAM                           |
| 25917 / 2023     | -                                           | 03-07-2023       | ANJALI SHARMA Vs UNION OF INDIA                                         |
| 26252 / 2023     | -                                           | 03-07-2023       | THE ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA Vs UNION OF INDIA                     |
| 46079 / 2023     | REVIEW PETITION (CIVIL) / 1866 / 2023       | 03-11-2023       | SUPRIYO @SUPRIYA CHAKRABORTY Vs UNION OF INDIA MINISTRYOFLAWAND JUSTICE |
| 27935 / 2017     | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 880 / 2017          | 04-09-2017       | ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRATICS REFORMS Vs UNION OF INDIA                   |
| 7808 / 2018      | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 202 / 2018          | 05-03-2018       | ASHWINI KUMAR UPADHYAY Vs UNION OF INDIA                                |
| 22311 / 2016     | CRIMINAL APPEAL / 1003 / 2017               | 05-07-2016       | PYARE LAL Vs STATE OF HARYANA                                           |
| 30032 / 2009     | CIVIL APPEAL / 5965 / 2010                  | 05-10-2009       | FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA Vs NAV DURGA RICE MILLS .                     |
| 10730 / 2022     | SUO MOTO WRIT PETITION(CRIMINAL) / 1 / 2022 | 06-04-2022       | IN RE: FRAMING GUIDELINES REGARDING POTENTIAL Vs                        |
| 17223 / 2015     | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 311 / 2015          | 06-05-2015       | DEPAK KUMAR NATH Vs UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS REPRE       |

| 18396 / 2007   | CIVIL APPEAL / 9935 / 2014                   | 06-07-2007   | RANCHI ASSOCIATION Vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS .                                                |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3900 / 2008    | SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) / 3660 / 2008 | 08-02-2008   | THE STATE OF PUNJAB Vs SAHIL MITTAL                                                           |
| 28531 / 2019   | CIVIL APPEAL / 9486 / 2019                   | 09-08-2019   | CENTRAL ORGANISATION FOR RAILWAY ELECTRIFICAT Vs M/S ECI SPIC SMO MCML(JV) A JOINT VENTURE CO |
| 41794 / 2023   | -                                            | 09-10-2023   | SYDENA MUFADDAL SAIFUDDIN Vs CENTRAL BOARD OF DAWOOODI BOHRA COMMUNITY                        |
| 12551 / 2020   | -                                            | 10-06-2020   | SUVARNA PAKA JAGGA RAO Vs CHEBROLU LEELA PRASAD RAO                                           |
| 10865 / 2000   | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 546 / 2000           | 10-07-2000   | IN RE ARTICLE 334 OF THE CONSTITUTION Vs ...                                                  |
| 18450 / 2021   | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 887 / 2021           | 10-08-2021   | GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI Vs UNION OF INDIA                                                  |
| 38134 / 2009   | CIVIL APPEAL / 1214 / 2011                   | 11-12-2009   | UNION OF INDIA Vs VINOD KUMAR                                                                 |
| 1543 / 2016    | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 36 / 2016            | 12-01-2016   | V. VASANTHAKUMAR Vs H.C. BHATIA AND ORS. MINISTRY OFLAWANDJU                                  |
| 27156 / 2016   | WRIT PETITION(CRIMINAL) / 113 / 2016         | 12-08-2016   | KAUSHAL KISHOR Vs THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH GOVT. OF U.P. HOME                               |
| 28033 / 2005   | CIVIL APPEAL / 7513 / 2005                   | 14-12-2005   | STATE OF A.P. Vs B. ARCHANA REDDY .                                                           |
| 29686 / 2017   | CIVIL APPEAL / 841 / 2018                    | 16-09-2017   | M/S. BAJAJ ALLIANCE GENERAL INSURANCE CO.LTD. Vs RAMBHA DEVI                                  |
| 42134 / 2016   | SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) / 804 / 2017  | 17-12-2016   | KARMANYA SINGH SAREEN Vs UNION OF INDIA                                                       |
| 76079 / 1996   | CIVIL APPEAL / 16879 / 1996                  | 18-12-1996   | STATE OF WBVsPASCHIM BANGA B.K.SAMITY .                                                       |
| 16155 / 2022   | -                                            | 19-05-2022   | CHEBROLU LEELA PRASAD RAO Vs SOMESH KUMAR                                                     |
| 47928 / 2023   | CRIMINAL APPEAL / 3589 / 2023                | 19-11-2023   | HIGH COURT BAR ASSOCIATION ALLAHABAD Vs THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH                            |
| 13164 /        | CIVIL APPEAL / 2634 /                        | 21-04-2011   | TEJ PRAKASH PATHAK Vs                                                                         |

| 2011                                                     | 2013                                            |                   | RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 38037 / 2022                                             | -                                               | 23-11-2022        | JAYA THAKUR Vs UNION OF INDIA                                                         |
| 16113 / 2009                                             | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 274 / 2009              | 25-05-2009        | IN RE SECTION 6A OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT 1955 Vs                                       |
| 23064 / 2018                                             | CIVIL APPEAL / 9228 / 2022                      | 26-06-2018        | HARIHARAN Vs HARSH VARDHAN SINGH RAO                                                  |
| 10061 / 2017                                             | TRANSFER PETITION (CIVIL) / 582 / 2017          | 30-03-2017        | KHUDALA GRAM SEVA SHAKARI SAMITI LTD Vs UNION OF INDIA                                |
| 21589 / 2005                                             | CRIMINAL APPEAL / 375 / 2006                    | 30-09-2005        | UNION OF INDIA . Vs PREETI AGGARWAL                                                   |
| 40016 / 2015                                             | SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) / 33677 / 2015   | 30-11-2015        | S.A. SAMPATH KUMAR Vs KALE YADAIAH .                                                  |
| 60441 / 1992                                             | CIVIL APPEAL / 37 / 1992                        | 31-12-1992        | ABHIRAM SINGH Vs C.D. COMMACHEN (DEAD) BY LRS.                                        |
| 64366 / 2002                                             | CIVIL APPEAL / 8028 / 2002                      | 31-12-2002        | NMAIN Vs NMAIN                                                                        |
| Seven-Judge Bench                                        | Seven-Judge Bench                               | Seven-Judge Bench | Seven-Judge Bench                                                                     |
| 10177 / 2014 CRIMINAL APPEAL / 2019                      | / 451                                           | 26-03-2014        | SITA SOREN Vs UNION OF INDIA                                                          |
| 14059 / 2021 WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 682 / 2021          | 14059 / 2021 WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 682 / 2021 | 24-06-2021        | S.G. VOMBATKERE Vs UNION OF INDIA                                                     |
| 15235 / 2015 SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) 14842 / 2015 | /                                               | 07-05-2015        | REGISTRAR GENERAL, HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE A Vs TAMIL NADU PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION |
| 20234 / 2022 WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 493 / 2022          | 20234 / 2022 WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 493 / 2022 | 08-07-2022        | SUBHASH DESAI Vs PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, GOVERNOR OF MAHARASHTRA                         |
| 23338 / 2003 WRIT PETITION(CRIMINAL) 206 / 2003          | /                                               | 09-11-2003        | N. RAVI Vs SPEAKER,LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY,CHENNAI&ORS                                   |
| 25536 / 2010                                             | CIVIL APPEAL / 2317 / 2011                      | 13-08-2010        | THE STATE OF PUNJAB Vs DAVINDER SINGH                                                 |
| 71852 / 1994                                             | CIVIL APPEAL / 8763 / 1994                      | 11-02-1994        | ARJUN FLOUR MILLS Vs THE STATE OF ODISHA FINANCE DEPARTMENT SECRET                    |
| 9287 / 2006                                              | CIVIL APPEAL / 2286 /                           | 08-04-2006        | ALIGARH MUSLIM                                                                        |

|                  | 2006                                  |                  | UNIVERSITY THROUGH ITS REGISTR Vs NARESH AGARWAL                               |
|------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 9680 / 2017      | CIVIL APPEAL / 8588 / 2019            | 28-03-2017       | ROJER MATHEWVs SOUTH INDIAN BANK LTD AND ORS CHIEF MANAGER                     |
| Nine-Judge Bench | Nine-Judge Bench                      | Nine-Judge Bench | Nine-Judge Bench                                                               |
| 12996 / 2005     | CIVIL APPEAL / 151 / 2007             | 05-07-2005       | STATE OF U.P. . Vs M/S. LALTA PRASAD VAISH                                     |
| 16528 / 2001     | WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) / 419 / 2001    | 24-09-2001       | AHMED HABIB INDIAN INHABITANT Vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH THE SECRETARY IN |
| 38452 / 2018     | REVIEW PETITION (CIVIL) / 3358 / 2018 | 10-10-2018       | KANTARU RAJEEVARU Vs INDIAN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION THR.ITS GENE             |
| 52396 / 2023     | / /                                   | 14-12-2023       | A.GNESHWAR VYAS Vs MEENABEN JETHI                                              |
| 78629 / 1992     | CIVIL APPEAL / 1012 / 2002            | 31-12-1992       | PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION Vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA .                          |
| 9012 / 1999      | CIVIL APPEAL / 4056 / 1999            | 26-05-1999       | MINERAL AREA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ETC. Vs M/S STEEL AUTHORITY OF INDIA .      |
| 9099 / 2001      | CIVIL APPEAL / 897 / 2002             | 24-05-2001       | STATE OF U.P. Vs JAI BIR SINGH                                                 |

Source: National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG)