Supreme Court to Consider Constitution Bench for Money Bills Controversy

The Supreme Court has agreed to contemplate forming a constitution bench to evaluate pleas challenging the passage of laws such as the Aadhaar Act as money bills. The move aims to address concerns that these laws were introduced to bypass the Rajya Sabha. A decision on forming the bench is pending.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider forming a constitution bench to deliberate on pleas contesting the passage of laws like the Aadhaar Act as money bills, a tactic allegedly used to bypass the Rajya Sabha.

The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud along with justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, received an appeal from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, stating that the pleadings were complete and a hearing date was necessary.

'I will take the call when I form the constitution benches,' the CJI noted.

Previously, the Supreme Court had indicated its intention to form a seven-judge bench to scrutinize the validity of such legislative maneuvers.

This decision seeks to address the controversy surrounding money bills after the government introduced significant legislation, like the Aadhaar Act and amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as money bills to potentially circumvent a majority-lacking Rajya Sabha.

By definition, a money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, with the Rajya Sabha restricted to making non-binding recommendations.