NEW DELHI, 13 September 2006 — Attempts by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government to win confidence of the Indian Muslims received a blow yesterday as the Supreme Court refused to stay the Allahabad High Court order directing the government not to provide any subsidy to Haj pilgrims. The apex court, however, agreed to hear on Sept. 18 a petition filed by the federal government challenging the high court order.
The federal government petitioned the top court on Monday saying that stopping the subsidy for sending over 1,00,000 Haj pilgrims would result in the loss of revenue as well as diplomatic embarrassment for India.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices B.N. Agrawal, P.P. Naolekar and Lokeshwar Singh Panta fixed the date of hearing after filing of the special leave petition (SLP) was mentioned by Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati.
Considering the urgency involved, Vahanvati pleaded for stay of the impugned judgment dated Aug. 25, but the bench said the matter would be heard on Sept. 18 when he could press for a stay.
