The Supreme Court on Wednesday denied the Union government's request to adjourn hearings on petitions questioning the constitutional validity of a December 2023 law that removed the Chief Justice of India from the panel that selects the Chief Election Commissioner and deputies.

A two‑judge bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma turned down Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s plea, stating the matter was "more important" than any other pending case, including the nine‑judge bench hearing the Sabarimala temple dispute.

Mehta argued he was occupied with the Sabarimala reference and asked for a later date, but the bench instructed the petitioners to proceed and told the Centre to present its arguments on a subsequent day.

Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria outlined the procedural provisions of the contested Act, which replaces the earlier collegium that included the CJI with a committee of the Prime Minister, a nominated union minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.

The court ordered petitioners to complete their arguments by the next day and scheduled a separate hearing for the Union's submissions, signalling that the challenge will be decided before any further adjournments.