Constitution bench begins hearing on Aadhaar validity

The bench is scheduled to hear seven other important cases, including the one over Section 377 of the IPC, which criminalises homosexuality.

None of the four ‘rebel’ judges-Justices Ranjan Gogoi, Kurian Joseph, Madan B. Lokur and Justice Chelameswar- who had fired salvo at Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra over assignment of cases are part of the Constitution Bench.

The apex court on Tuesday announced formation of  the  five-member constitution bench that remains the same as the previous one that had heard matters related to Aadhaar  and none of the four senior judges, who had publicly criticised  the CJI, are on it.

Headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, the bench has Justice AK Sikri, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan as other members.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled an extension of the deadline for Aadhaar-linking with mobile phones, bank accounts and government schemes to March 31, 2018.

The top court's rule was preceded by the Centre urging the Supreme Court to extend the deadline of Aadhaar-linking to March 31, 2018.

The  four senior-most judges virtually held  a banner of revolt by addressing a press conference last week, accusing the CJI of not following the set norms for assigning cases.

In the first sign of conciliatory communication, the CJI met the four for 15 minutes on Tuesday. 

According to reports, Justice Chelameswar, the senior-most among the ‘rebel’ judges, is likely to miss a weekly lunch with other justices as he is said to be unwell.