The Bombay High Court on Monday suspended advocate Sandeep Sadavarte for missing court time as he was in the Bigg Boss house show. The court is currently hearing several petitions challenging the Maratha reservation, which is an important legal issue in Maharashtra.
A full bench, comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, Justice GS Kulkarni, and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla, heard the arguments of all the petitioners challenging the reservation. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 19, when Advocate General Dr Birendra Saraf will present the Maharashtra government’s case.
Sadavarte, who filed the petition against the stay along with his wife, Jaishri Patil, was not present at the hearing. The court began hearing arguments against Maratha’s detention in June. Earlier lawyers, including Pradeep Sancheti and Anil Anturkar, represented the petitioners before Advocate Subhash Jha concluded arguments on Monday.
The bench noticed the absence of Sadavarte and questioned the seriousness of the matter. “Do the plaintiffs in this case not know the seriousness of the matter?” asked Chief Justice Upadhyaya. Advocate Janak Dwarkadas informed the court that Sadavarte is in the Bigg Boss house, and when asked, he explained that Sadavarte had attended a special program and brought his pet donkey with him.
The Chief Justice expressed frustration, saying, “He’s glad to have better company there.” The bench clarified that no petitioners will be allowed to argue during the next hearing, which will focus on the arguments of the Advocate General.
The petitions challenge the constitutionality of the Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Act, 2024, which provides 10 percent reservation to the Maratha community in government jobs and education. Additionally, some petitions are against the establishment of the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, headed by retired Judge Sunil Shukre, and its approach and recommendations for Maratha reservation.
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