The Supreme Court on Monday further extended the time for the Central government to file its response on a batch of petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that consultation is going on and the government will file the reply before hearing begins, while seeking more time to file reply on the petitions.