New Delhi: On his last day in office today, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana will pronounce at least five judgments, reports say.
At about 11:30 pm Thursday night, the Supreme Court Registry updated the list of matters for orders/hearing, indicating another hectic day for the CJI.
The cases that the bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice CT Ravikumar to consider today include a PIL for restricting " irrational freebies' being promised by political parties to lure voters, "increasing the budget deficit", according to India Today.
While hearing the matter filed by Delhi BJP leader Ashwani Upadhyay, the CJI observed the court has to consider the extent of power it has to issue directions to political parties and election promises.
The court will consider the distinction between dole and welfare measures alongside if welfare measures announced before polls are freebies.
Just as political parties including AAP, Congress and DMK presented their suggestions, the CJI asked why the government had not called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue in Parliament.
Another high profile case that the CJI to consider today is the plea challenging the UP government's refusal to allow to prosecute chief minister Yogi Adityanath for his alleged hate speech in 2007 that provoked violence in Gorakhpur.
Back then, Lok Sabha MP Yogi Adityanath allegedly made an inflammatory speech in Gorakhpur during Muharram, triggering clashes killing one person.
The CJI will today consider a set of application seeking to lift ban on export of iron ore in Karnataka after a PIL by the NGO Samaj Parivartan Samudaya in 2009 led to closure of iron ore mines in the state.
A three-judge bench led by the CJI will hand out verdict on the Rajasthan government's appeal against 2016 high court verdict that allowed Ultratech Cement company to continue its limestone mining lease on a land, which the state government claims is a water body.
Another verdict expected to come today is on a plea filed by the official liquidator of ABG Shipyard against the order passed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).