No stay on Citizenship Amendment Act: Indian Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass any order to restrain the operation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) or National Population Register (NPR).

The top court gave four weeks time to the Centre to file a counter affidavit.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde also indicated the probability of constituting a Constitution Bench to take up the matter on the next date of hearing.

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee (C) along with party supporters walk during a rally against new citizenship law. AFP

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the Indian Union Muslim League challenging the new law, urged the court to postpone the process for a few months.

However, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal opposed it saying it was equivalent to a stay.

"It means as good as granting a stay on the operation of the law," said the AG.

Then the Chief Justice said: "We aren't going to pass any such order today."

On the other hand, Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad would be joining the Shaheen Bagh protest in Delhi today after a court allowed him enter the national capital.

Chandrashekhar said, “I welcome the court's decision. This is a victory for the Constitution."

Chandrashekhar also said, "I can now visit my brothers and sisters in Delhi... who have been waiting to see me. I can listen to their troubles and try to help them."