Justice K.M. Joseph

Constitution Bench begins hearing Election Commission appointment petitions

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph began hearing the batch led by Anoop Baranwal's 2015 petition on 17 November 2022 and posted it to 22 November. An application seeking that the vacant EC post be filled by an independent body was pending.

The 2026 reference order records that a two-judge bench referred the matter to a Constitution Bench in 2018, three years after filing, and that it took eight years in all to decide.

• TIER 1 · PRIMARYAnoop Baranwal v. Union of India, W.P. (C) No. 104 of 2015 and connected matters, judgment of 2 March 2023, (2023) 6 SCC 161Supreme Court of India (text via Indian Kanoon)2023-03-02
• 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