India, Nov. 25 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought information about the number of Maharashtra local bodies where the total reservation exceeds the 50% benchmark. It said that the election to these bodies can be held subject to final court orders and asked the state poll panel to ensure all remaining ones comply with the 50% rule.

The court passed the order as it took up a contempt petition against the state government for violating the judgment that laid down the triple test in 2021. The judgment required states to carry out a scientific study before rolling out quotas for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in local bodies. The study was to be followed by the determination of the quantum of reservation to be applied in each local body area...