India, April 22 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by NGO Abhinav Bharat Congress, which sought the apex court's powers under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution to be granted to the high courts.

Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass "any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any case or matter pending before it" within the country.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan wondered how the court could allow such a petition. "How can we grant such prayer? It requires an amendment to the Constitution. You go to Parliament. Prayer made in this petition is completely misconceived. Power conferred under Article 142 of the Constitution is only on this court and ...