Gopal Sankaranarayanan · ECI Files

20 Mar 2026

Courts

CJI Surya Kant recuses; case to go to bench with no future CJI

ReportedNot yet checked

3 Dec 2024

Courts

CJI Sanjiv Khanna recuses from challenge to the Act

ReportedNot yet checked

6 May 2026DOCUMENTCOURTSNOT YET CHECKED

Datta-Sharma bench begins hearing challenge; refuses Centre's adjournment

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma began hearing the petitions on 6 May 2026 and refused the Solicitor General's request to adjourn. Petitioners argued Sections 7 and 8 give the executive a decisive say, and on 7 May that the Act is worse than the pre-2023 position because it builds in an executive majority.

Gopal Sankaranarayanan Justice Dipankar Datta Justice Satish Chandra Sharma Kaleeswaram Raj Prashant Bhushan R. Venkataramani Sanjay Parikh Shadan Farasat Tushar Mehta Vijay Hansaria

RESPONSE

Centre tells court judicial member on panel is a policy choice, not a necessity (2026-05-01)

Hearing dates are documented in the judgment; arguments are from SCO and TOI reports.

SOURCES

TIER 1 · PRIMARYDr. Jaya Thakur v. Union of India, W.P. (C) No. 14 of 2024 and connected matters, 2026 INSC 1040: opinions of Datta J and Sharma J and common orderSupreme Court of India (PDF hosted by Supreme Court Observer)2026-09-23
TIER 2 · RESEARCH/FILINGECI Appointments Act, 2023 | Day 2: Petitioners challenge executive dominanceSupreme Court Observer2026-05-06
TIER 2 · RESEARCH/FILINGECI Appointments Act, 2023 | Day 3: Petitioners argue that law undermines guarantee of free and fair electionsSupreme Court Observer2026-05-07
TIER 3 · PRESSWish judges appointed as speedily as ECs, says Supreme CourtThe Times of India2026-05-08