WB govt seeks time to respond to replies filed in OBC status case in SC

The West Bengal government on Tuesday sought time to reply to the responses filed by litigants in a case pertaining to the Calcutta High Court verdict striking down the OBC status of several castes, mostly Muslim groups, in the state for granting reservation in public sector jobs and admissions in state-run educational institutes.

The top court was scheduled to hear on Tuesday the appeal of the state government along with other petitions on the issue.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, told the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra that bulky documents have been filed by the other side in the matter and he needed time to respond to them.

"I need time to respond to them," Sibal said.

"We will then list the matter in the Monday week (the week commencing from next Monday that is September 2)," the CJI said.

On August 20, the state government had sought an urgent hearing on its plea against the high cour