Let Bombay HC hear plea on Maratha ordinance first: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a challenge to the Maharashtra Ordinance on Friday allowing 16 per cent quota for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in postgraduate medical/dental courses.

The petitioner was told to approach Bombay High Court, as the Vacation Bench of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Surya Kant felt that the issue ought to be heard it first. The Bench urged Bombay High Court to consider the matter as early as possible. May 31 is the last date for completion of the admission process, as per the Medical Council of India's schedule.

Ever since the introduction of the Ordinance, the state has been on vigil and had moved a caveat in the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court in order to be alerted of any petition that challenged the new law. The Ordinance opens gates for Maratha reservation in PG medical/dental admissions this year.

The Nagpur bench of Bombay HC had refused to implement the 16 per cent quota for admissions this year.

The state government approached the Supreme Court against this verdict but tasted defeat as it refused to alter the finding of the HC. Left with no legal recourse, the state enacted an Ordinance making a suitable amendment to the SEBC Act of 2018. The Ordinance received Governor's assent on Monday and the petition was filed on Tuesday in Supreme Court.

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• The Vacation Bench urged Bombay High Court to consider the matter as early as possible
• May 31 is the last date for completion of the admission process for PG medical courses