Apex court to hear GHMC polls case on August 21

The Supreme Court on Tuesday posted for hearing a batch of petitions filed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and others against an interim order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court staying the issuance of the municipal poll notification and all further proceedings on August 21.

A Bench of Justice Tarun Chatterjee and Justice R.M. Lodha fixed the date of hearing after Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati mentioned the filing of appeal by the GHMC. He said the High Court had stayed the polls on a wrong understanding of the law. However, counsel for respondents (petitioners before the High Court) pointed out that since the matter was listed for final hearing on August 14, the appeals could be heard thereafter. In view of these submissions the Bench directed the matter to be listed for hearing on August 21.

The High Court on July 29 had said that the basis for determination of Backward Class voters was faulty and illegal and had restrained the authorities from issuing the notification.