INDIA BUSINESS WORLD OCTOBER (1^st - 20^th) 2007
The Month that was ...

SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO VACATE STAY ON MUSLIM QUOTA

The Supreme Court has refused to vacate its stay on further admissions of Muslim students in educational and professional colleges under the controversial Andhra Pradesh law providing 4% reservation to the community. However, the court remanded the issue to the Andhra Pradesh High Court to decide.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran turned down the plea of state government and sent the issue to the high court. Till the high court decides the merit of the case, the stay order will continue, said the apex court.

Justice K G Balakrishnan said the high court may, however, pass any interim arrangement on the matter while refusing to vacate the stay on further admissions under the controversial quota law.

Solicitor general G E Vahanavati, appearing for the state, sought vacation of stay on the ground that the stay order on admissions would deprive the benefit to the deserving students for the year. The admission and counselling for the courses should be allowed, he said.

Earlier questioned the religion-based quota, the apex court had restrained the government from making further admissions to educational and professional colleges providing for 4% reservations to Muslims. The apex court had also questioned the methodology for determining Muslim community as backward class.

The court was hearing the petitions moved by T Murlidhar Rao and others challenging state government's decision.