NEW DELHI: Justice Hrishikesh Roy recused himself from hearing a contempt petition alleging non-implementation of the Supreme Court's order to revise the reservation list in Kerala at regular intervals. A bench headed by Justice KM Joseph directed the petition to be listed in a bench in which Justice Roy is not a member.

Justice Hrishikesh Roy withdrew after Adv Haris Beeran, counsel for the petitioners, pointed out that Justice Roy had issued an interim order on the matter when he was the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. In a petition filed by the Central Government against the order passed by the High Court in a petition filed by the Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust, one year had been allotted for study. Trust Chairman VK Beeran filed a contempt petition alleging that no action was taken to conduct the caste census even after this deadline. The contempt petition is against the Union Home Secretary, State Chief Secretary and State Backward Classes Commission.