New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for April the hearing of pleas filed challenging the validity Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, which preserves the character of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar posted the matter for hearing in the week commencing April 1.

CJI Khanna, who was sitting in a two-judge combination for the day, said that the matter requires a three-judge bench and also expressed concern over the growing petitions and applications related to the Act.

In the morning, the bench said, "It won't be taken today. It's a three-judge bench matter. We are in a two-judge bench combination today."

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