Lawyers' body seeks bench without Justice Sharma in CEC, Noida DM cases
A lawyers' group has urged the Supreme Court to hear the CEC appointment law challenge and the Noida DM case before a bench excluding Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
The Lawyers Association for Constitution has approached the Supreme Court seeking a fresh hearing in two matters — the challenge to the law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the case involving the Noida District Magistrate — before a bench that does not include Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.
The association's request rests on publicly reported information that the judge's son is empanelled as standing counsel for the Election Commission of India before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. On that basis, the group has argued that Justice Sharma should not be part of the bench hearing either matter.
The two cases concern distinct issues. One relates to the legal framework for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner, while the other involves proceedings connected to the Noida District Magistrate. The association has asked that both be listed afresh before a differently constituted bench.
The development comes amid continuing litigation over the appointment process for the country's top election official, a subject that has drawn significant public and political attention.