The Supreme Court is hearing the plea challenging law providing that selection panel for appointing Election Commissioners will consist of the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of Opposition.

Bench: Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma.

The Court began hearing arguments in the case on 6th May, remarking that this issue is more important than any other.

The petitioners have contended that the present law ensures "Prime Minister's man" is appointed as Chief Election Commissioner undermining the independence of the Election Commission. During the course of arguments, the Court observed that the Anoop Baranwal judgment which provided for a committee of PM, LoP and CJI was only meant to fill a vacuum till the Parliament made a law, and didn't mandate a particular structure in such a law.

The Court also questioned the inclusion of a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM in the selection panel under the impugned law, remarking that the third person apart from PM and LoP should be a neutral person.