[High Court Petition No 14 of 1995]

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 15 February 1996, reports on the progress of High Court proceedings concerning Notice of Motion No. 30 of 1996 in Writ Petition No. 14 of 1995. It explains that the petitioners challenged the validity of Section 29-A of the Representation of the People Act, which required a political party to affirm by affidavit its faith in and allegiance to socialism. The writer states that the petition was heard urgently because of the approaching general election. The letter records that the Bombay High Court Division Bench declined to hear the matter immediately, citing pressure of admission-board work, and suggested that the prayer be renewed after two weeks. When the motion was brought before the Bench again on 15 February, the court acknowledged the urgency but adjourned it for another two weeks. The motion was consequently listed for orders on 29 February 1996. The summary is limited to the complete two-page letter rendered here.

Key points

• The document is a 15 February 1996 legal status letter concerning a Bombay High Court proceeding. The proceeding involves Notice of Motion No. 30 of 1996 in Writ Petition No. 14 of 1995. The petitioners challenged Section 29-A of the Representation of the People Act. The challenged provision is described as requiring political parties to affirm faith in and allegiance to socialism. The matter was argued as urgent because of the forthcoming general election to Parliament. The Bombay High Court Division Bench twice deferred immediate consideration of the motion.
• The motion was listed for orders on 29 February 1996.