Delhi High Court Challenges Women's Reservation Delimitation Clause

The Delhi High Court sought the Centre's response on a plea challenging Article 334A(1) of the Constitution, which mandates delimitation for women's seat reservation in Parliament. The plea argues that unlike other groups, women's reservation requires delimitation, making it arbitrary and violative of constitutional equality rights.

The Delhi High Court has called for a response from the Centre regarding a plea that challenges the validity of Article 334A(1) of the Constitution. This article mandates that delimitation be a prerequisite for implementing the reservation of seats for women in Parliament.

A bench consisting of Chief Justice D K Upadhayaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has issued a notice to the Ministry of Law and Justice as well as the attorney general, given that the constitutional validity of Article 334A(1) is being questioned. The court scheduled a hearing for April 9.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner 'National Federation of India Women,' argued that the prerequisite stipulated by Article 334A(1) is not required for other categories such as scheduled castes and tribes. He claims it creates an arbitrary distinction, violating Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.

(With inputs from agencies.)