Story perspectives

Parliament panel cancels Supreme Court visit over bill review

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 4:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India’s Joint Parliamentary Committee cancelled its planned Supreme Court visit on October 6.
Lok Salaam Secretariat notified members of the cancellation without giving a reason.
Supreme Court secretary general said discussing the bills with judges was not expedient.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal called the proposed interaction unconstitutional and a breach of separation of powers.
Committee is reviewing Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes Article 82A to align Lok Sabha and state elections.

History

Historical Context

In 1976, the Indian Parliament passed the 42nd Amendment, dramatically expanding legislative authority and prompting the Supreme Court to assert judicial review. The amendment added five new articles, including Article 368, and the Supreme Court, then led by Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, struck down 30 percent of its provisions. Today's cancellation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s Supreme Court visit mirrors that 1976 clash, as MP Kapil Sibal and Lok Salaam Secretariat echo concerns over constitutional balance. The episode underscores enduring tensions between legislative ambition and judicial oversight, suggesting future reforms may again test India’s separation-of-powers doctrine.

1 of 2

Story summary

India’s Joint Parliamentary Committee cancelled its planned Supreme Court visit on October 6.
Lok Salaam Secretariat notified members of the cancellation without giving a reason.
Supreme Court secretary general said discussing the bills with judges was not expedient.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal called the proposed interaction unconstitutional and a breach of separation of powers.
Committee is reviewing Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes Article 82A to align Lok Sabha and state elections.

1 / 2