SC Refuses to Stay Maratha Quota Order, Says Not Retrospective

The Supreme Court has sought the Maharashtra government’s response on the appeal filed in the case.

The Supreme Court refused to stay Maratha order.

(Photo: PTI)

The Supreme Court on Friday, 12 July said that the Maharashtra state government's decision to grant reservation to Maratha people and Bombay High Court's verdict upholding its decision, cannot be implemented with retrospective effect.

“Aspect of the Bombay High Court order allowing quota to Maratha community with retrospective effect from 2014 will not be made operational,” said the Supreme Court.

The apex court added, "We will hear the appeal for quashing of reservation for Maratha for admission in educational institution and government jobs."

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi did not stay the Bombay High Court court order upholding the constitutional validity of the Maratha quota law, but made their stance clear on the ‘retrospective’ angle.

The bench was hearing two appeals, including one filed by J Laxman Rao Patil challenging the high court order that upheld the constitutional validity of the quota for the Maratha community in education and government jobs in Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court has also issued a notice to the Maharashtra government and sought their response on the appeal filed in the Maratha Reservation case.

The Bombay High Court on 27 June upheld the reservation given to the Maratha community in educational institutions and government jobs.

The Court had directed to cap the reservation at 12 percent for admission to educational institutions and 13 percent for government jobs.

On 30 November 2018, the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maratha Reservation Bill which had extended 16 percent reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to the Maratha community.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)