Aligarh Muslim University Minority Status: SC Overrules 1967 Order, New Bench to Give Verdict

New Delhi: In a landmark judgement, Supreme Court on Friday, vember 8, ruled that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is entitled to a mirity status under Article 30 of Constitution which empowers religious and linguistic mirities to establish and minister educational institutions.

In a 4:3 majority ruling, a seven-judge Constitution bench heed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud prounced verdict. bench also comprised Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Surya Kant, JB Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta, Maj Misra and Satish Chandra Sharma.

However, apex court delivered four separate judgements in Aligarh Muslim University mirity status case. CJI  DY Chandrachud said re were four separate opinions, including three dissenting verdicts. CJI said he has written majority verdict for himself and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, JB Pardiwala, Maj Misra. Justice Chandrachud said Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma penned ir separate dissenting verdicts.

With ruling, Supreme Court overruled its 1967 order in S Azeez Basha versus Union of India case, in which it h held that since Aligarh Muslim University was a Central university, it cant be considered a mirity institution. However, fabled institution got back its mirity status when Parliament passed AMU (Amendment) Act in 1981.

court ruled that issue of AMU mirity status will be decided by a regular bench. apex court by a 4:3 majority said judicial records of case should be placed before CJI for setting up a fresh bench to decide validity of a 2006 Allahab High Court verdict.

In January 2006, high court h struck down provision of 1981 law by which AMU was accorded mirity status.

(With ncy inputs)