In Brief
Thirty-four consolidated writ petitions challenged the constitutional validity of certain amendments, alleging they violated the Constitution's basic structure by restricting affirmative action provisions to socially backward classes. A three-judge bench examined whether the cases raised a substantial question of law requiring referral to a five-judge bench. Both the petitioners and the Union's Attorney General agreed the matters involved such substantial questions. The Court allowed the petitions and referred all cases to a five-judge bench in accordance with Article 145(3) and Supreme Court Rules, Order XXXVIII, without deciding the merits.
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