CEC, EC Appointments Petition: CJI Justice Khanna Recuses from Bench

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Sanjiv Khanna has taken a significant decision by stepping away from the bench hearing a petition related to the exclusion of the CJI from the committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (EC). The petition, filed by an NGO and other organizations, challenges this exclusion and seeks a stay on the implementation of Section 7.

The matter came before a bench comprising CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar. Previously, an interim order on the case was issued by a bench led by Justice Khanna. During the hearing, senior advocates Gopal Sankaranarayanan and Prashant Bhushan raised concerns, prompting Justice Khanna to recuse himself, stating that the arguments would now need to be heard by another bench.

The case is expected to be taken up by a different Supreme Court bench after the winter recess. Until then, the central government and other parties involved have been directed to file their responses.