Supreme Court to Review Allahabad HC Verdict on UP Madarsa Act

The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court's decision to scrap the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, which the HC deemed 'unconstitutional' and violative of secularism. Final hearing is scheduled for August 13, with lawyer Ruchira Goel as nodal counsel.

The Supreme Court announced on Monday its intention to schedule a final hearing on pleas against the Allahabad High Court's decision to nullify the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004. The High Court had branded the Act as 'unconstitutional' and claimed it violated the principle of secularism within the Constitution.

On April 5, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court's judgement, indicating that the issues raised warranted deeper examination. The bench, composed of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, set the final hearing date for August 13. Ruchira Goel was appointed as nodal counsel to ensure a common compilation of documents in electronic format.

The Supreme Court critiqued the High Court's interpretation of the Madarsa Act, stating it did not provide for religious instruction and deemed the relocation of 17 lakh students unnecessary. The court has ordered the state to file a counter by June 30, 2024, and has kept the stay on the High Court’s verdict active.