What happened

The Supreme Court agreed to hear an oral plea by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) seeking extension of the deadline for civic elections in Bengaluru. The elections had earlier been directed for 369 wards across five Bengaluru municipal corporations by August 31, but the GBA now wants the deadline extended to December 31.

The GBA argued that Bengaluru is in the middle of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and that holding elections on the original date is impractical. The matter is expected to come up for detailed hearing and orders on July 17.

Background and earlier position

The court had earlier made strict observations after a May 20 hearing, criticising delays and describing the GBA’s opportunity as its “last chance”, with limits on further extensions. The earlier judicial direction had set a clear deadline of August 31 for the civic polls.

What changed now