In the previous hearing, the division Bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Partha Sarthy observed-

"The caste status sought to be collated is not intended at taxing, branding, labeling or ostracizing individuals or groups; but it is to identify the economic, educational and other social aspects of different communities/classes/groups, which require further action by the State for its upliftment."

The Court had added that the actual survey does not contemplate any coercion to divulge details and that the action passes the test of proportionality. It, therefore, had ruled that the proposed move does not violate the individual's right to privacy since it is in furtherance of a compelling public interest and a legitimate State interest.

The survey will be carried out in two phases. The first phase, under which a household counting exercise was taken up, was conducted by the State government in January this year.

The second phase of the survey commenced on April 15, focusing on gathering data related to people's caste and socio-economic conditions. The entire process was scheduled to be completed by May this year.

Earlier, in January, the Court refused to entertain a batch of pleas challenging the Bihar government's decision to conduct a caste survey in the state.

It had said there is no merit in the petitions and dismissed them with liberty to the petitioners to approach the high court concerned.

A division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad passed the order on three petitions filed before the High Court seeking a stay.

The bench directed the State government to immediately stop the caste-based survey and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed in the writ petition.