Supreme Court vacation bench tells petitioner: PIL challenging Agnipath scheme to be listed only after placing before CJI

The Supreme Court in the case Harsh Ajay Singh v Union of India observed in the petition filled by Advocate Harsh Ajay Singh for Agnipah recruitment scheme, seeking for reconsideration of Agnipah recruitment by issuance of directions to the Centre, could be listed only after it is placed before the Chief Justice of India. The vacation bench comprising of Justice CT Ravikumar and the Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia was about to rise for lunch, the counsel appearing for the petitioner urged the bench for listing the petition as the petition filled also sought for staying the implementation of the scheme. It was submitted by the counsel before the vacation bench that the writ petition has been numbered and caveat has been served to Union of India. It was remarked by Justice Ravikumar that to “Just verify whether it was placed before Chief Justice of India?”. Adding it, the Counsel submitted that “Yes it has been placed”. In the present case, the bench observed and told the petitioner that as per the circular, all such matters are to be placed before the CJI and once it is placed before the CJI, then the bench can consider. In the plea it was stated for the compensation of fouryear tenure in the prime of their youth, the Agniveers, would not be matured and so as to retain self- discipline of the Agniveers with the realization to become a better version of himself or herself both professionally as also personally. The petitioner has also served the petition to the Union, as a result of a caveat filled by the Centre. The vacation bench had said that the matter will be placed before the CJI and the CJI will take a call on this matter. Further, it may be noted that while Advocate Vishal Tiwari had sought listing of the Public Interest Litigation seeking SIT probe into the violence during Agnipath Protest. The two PIL’s were mentioned before the Top Court. Advocate ML Sharma, has also filled a PIL challenging the Centre’s “Agnipath” recruitment scheme for armed forces in the Top Court.