Supreme Court to commence final hearing in January on Shiv Sena symbol row

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench on Wednesday fixed January 21 for final hearing in the Shiv Sena symbol dispute case.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has challenged the Election Commission of India's decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde group as the official Shiv Sena and grant it the 'bow and arrow' election symbol.

Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will then hear contentions on a similar dispute concerning the NCP on January 22, as there are overlapping issues involved in both matters. The top court also set a time limit of three hours for hearing arguments from each faction.


Counsel for the Thackeray faction argued that the pleas require urgent hearing as there are local body polls in the state. Justice Kant said political parties are always in election mode in India as they are contesting national elections, state polls or even local body polls.