New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to hear an urgent petition challenging a Karanataka government dress code order that sparked a furor over the wearing of the hijab.
A three-judge panel of the Karnataka High Court is hearing the case today. A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices AS Bopanna, and Hima Kohli, who expressed reservations over the top court's interference at this time.
The bench made the statement after senior lawyer Kapil Sibal raised the motion for an urgent hearing of the case, claiming that females are being stoned and that schools and colleges in the state have been closed. Sibal stated at the outset that the petition is about what is happening in Karnataka and how it is spreading throughout the state. He went on to say that the exams are in two months and that the case will be heard by a nine-judge panel.
"No, the High Court should make the decision. It's too early for us to become involved. The issue is that if we list, the matter will not be heard by the High Court. Do you want the case to be moved?" CJI remarked.
To this, Sibal retorted: "Please only list the subject; I am not requesting an order. If the High Court does not act, the matter can be transferred here." The CJI stated, "As Sibal insisted on the bench listing the subject," "Okay, that's it. We'll have to wait and see." It did not specify a date for the matter to be heard.
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