The Supreme Court today said it may refer to a five-judge constitution bench a plea seeking setting up of National Court of Appeal with regional benches in major cities for deciding cases arising from high courts.
A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur also sought Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi's response on suggestions submitted by senior advocate K K Venugopal, who has been appointed amicus curiae in the case.
"K K Venugopal, amicus, has proposed certain issues that call for a more authoritative pronouncement by a larger Bench. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi seeks time to examine the issues, as formulated, and make his suggestions. Post on April 25," the bench said.
The apex court also asked Rohatgi to assist Venugopal in formulating "suggestions and points" for its consideration in the case.
The apex court was hearing a PIL by Puducherry-based V Vasanthakumar pressing for setting up of a National Court of appeal at Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata and quashing of the government order rejecting his proposal on the issue.
In February 2014, Kumar had moved the apex court with the same prayer when it had disposed of the matter directing the Centre to respond to his suggestion within six months.
Later, the Centre rejected his suggestion on the ground that it would require an amendment in Article 130 of the Constitution which "is impermissible as this would change the constitution of the Supreme Court completely."
Vasanthakumar has now approached the apex court again seeking quashing of this decision of the central government.
