Two vacation benches have been constituted by the Supreme Court to hear urgent matters during Holi break starting from March 7 to March 15.
One bench will sit on March 9 (Monday), and another on March 12 (Thursday).
Two vacation officers have also been appointed for getting the matters listed before the vacation benches.
The Supreme Court, for the first time, has set up a vacation bench during the seven-day Holi break.
So far, the top court had a vacation bench only during the summer break which is nearly two-month-long. However, it can sometimes assign a vacation bench during the winter holidays as well.
A vacation bench of the Supreme Court is a special bench constituted by the Chief Justice of India under the Supreme Court rules under Rule 6 of Order II of The Supreme Court rules, 2013.
The court takes two long vacations each year, the summer and winter breaks, but is technically not fully closed during these periods.
While there is no specific definition as to what is an urgent matter, during vacations the court generally admits writs related to habeas corpus, certiorari, prohibition and quo warranto matters for enforcement of fundamental rights.
During this time, litigants can approach the vacation bench if they feel some urgency. However, the ultimate power rests with the bench to decide whether the matter is urgent enough to be heard or not.