A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra questioned the Maharashtra government over its dependence on the Banthia Commission findings, which have reportedly not undergone full legal verification. The court directed that elections must proceed based on the pre-commission reservation structure until the matter is fully adjudicated.

The hearing was triggered by petitions claiming that some local bodies were prepared to implement reservation percentages as high as 70%, including quotas for SC, ST and OBC communities combined. The court reiterated that such figures violate the constitutional mandate and the principles laid down in the 2021 “triple-test” judgment, which outlines the essential criteria for granting OBC reservation in local elections.

The Supreme Court issued notices to the state government and relevant stakeholders while scheduling the next hearing for November 19. The bench emphasized that while affirmative action policies are vital, they must balance constitutional safeguards, equality before law, and administrative fairness.

Legal experts view this order as a critical milestone in the long-running debate over reservation caps and the governance of local electoral structures. Political reactions are expected to intensify as nomination processes are already underway, potentially leading to procedural delays depending on the court’s final ruling.

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The judgment questioned the legality of increasing the OBC reservation quota to 27 percent, as recommended by the JK Bantia Commission. The court clarified that elections must follow the pre-2022 reservation limits.

In Telangana, 42 percent reservations are provided for BCs, raising concerns about exceeding the Supreme Court’s 50 percent ceiling. Legal challenges are already pending in the state high court.

The Supreme Court’s order has sparked debate ahead of Maharashtra’s local body elections scheduled by January. The Election Commission had earlier been instructed to conduct elections without breaching the 50 percent limit. Authorities must now ensure compliance before polling begins.

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