Citizenship Amendment Act: Final Arguments From May 5; Supreme Court Releases Timetable

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear the final arguments from May 5 on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard the case today and announced the schedule for detailed arguments.

There are many petitions before the court, including 250 petitions submitted by the Muslim League. The court has decided to hear the case continuously from May 5 onwards. On May 5 and 6, the court will hear the petitioners. On May 7, it will hear the Central Government, and on May 12, responses to the reply arguments will also be heard.

Accordingly, the bench has decided to conclude arguments on May 12 and deliver the verdict. The petitions from Assam and Tripura will be considered separately after the petitions from other states. This is because the cutoff date for Assam citizenship is different. The parties have been advised to submit any additional documents or written arguments within four weeks.

The main argument is that granting citizenship on the basis of religion violates Article 14 of the Constitution. This case has been under consideration by the Supreme Court for the past six years, and political circles are anticipating that a crucial verdict may be delivered by May.