New Delhi, December 3
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna has recused himself from hearing petitions challenging the decision to exclude the CJI from the Chief Election Commissioner and the Committee to select Election Commissioners. During the hearing of the case, the CJI, who was sitting on the bench with Justice Sanjay Kumar, told the lawyers appearing for the six different petitioners that he could not hear these petitions. The CJI said, “This issue should be placed before a bench of which I am not a part.” On the other hand, senior lawyer Gopal Shankaranarayan and lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that the previous bench headed by Justice Khanna had issued a notice on this issue. had passed interim orders and would have no objection if they continued the hearing. However, the bench has directed the Election Commission and the Central Government to submit counterclaims regarding the objections raised by the petitioners. -PTI