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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) in the petitions challenging the state's decision to grant 10% reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. 

The full bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya, Justice Girish Kulkarni, and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla issued notice to the backward class commission, which is headed by retired high court judge Sunil Shukre.

Yesterday, Advocate Anil Anturkar and Advocate Pradeep Sancheti opposed Advocate Subhash Jha’s application seeking the impleadment of the commission as a party respondent.

Initially, the bench showed reluctance to add the commission as a party respondent. However, the bench later noted that some of the petitions had challenged the appointment of members of the commission and also sought to have the commission's report quashed. 

The bench said that for such prayers, the commission ought to be heard, and therefore, it had to be added as a party respondent.

During today's hearing, Advocates Anturkar and Sancheti informed the bench that they were agreeable to adding the commission as party respondents. 

The bench then directed the petitioners to amend their petitions accordingly and include the Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission as a party respondent.

Additionally, the bench issued notice to the backward class commission and asked the commission to appear on July 10.

Furthermore, the bench granted permission to the state of Maharashtra to file any additional affidavit that may be necessary. It also allowed for a rejoinder to this additional affidavit to be filed within one week's time.