Legal provisions involved: Article 142 of the Constitution of India

Judgement by: Supreme Court of India

Judge/Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan

Facts

In a criminal appeal pending before the Supreme Court, the court had earlier formed a National Task Force to carry out a survey connected to the issues in the case. While the work of the Task Force was ongoing, the Amicus Curiae approached the court through an interlocutory application. 

She requested that a technical expert be appointed to guide the analysis of the survey data so that the findings would be accurate and reliable. The application proposed the appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, a former Chief Statistician of India, and also sought directions to the Ministry of Education to provide necessary support.

Key legal provisions

Article 142 of the Constitution of India

Issues raised

Whether the court could appoint a technical expert to assist the Task Force and direct the government to facilitate the appointment.

Arguments of the case

It was argued that expert statistical assistance was necessary to maintain the quality and credibility of the survey findings.

Judgement

The Supreme Court allowed the application, appointed Dr. Anant as Technical Consultant, and directed the Ministry of Education to issue the appointment order, extend support, and pay suitable remuneration.

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