11-judge bench to hear a petition challenging Maratha reservation

On 26 August 2020, The Supreme Court of India directed to set up an 11-Judge bench to reconsider its 50% cap on Maratha reservation. Earlier in 1992, a 50% limit on the reservation was declared by the nine judge’s bench in the Indira Sawhney case. A bunch of petitions was filed contending that the law, which provides 12% to 13% reservation quota for Maratha  Community, breached the 50% cap of the reservation limit.

The senior advocates pleaded in the court to refer the case to an 11-judge bench and reconsidering a 50% ceiling. The court should revisit the direction given in the Indira Sawhney case and should remove the restriction of 50% cap on the reservation.

Author: Muskan Dosar, the ICFAI University, Dehradun