New Delhi, April 22 (IANS): The Supreme Court will commence hearing from April 27 a batch of petitions challenging the validity of the NJAC Act, 2014 and the constitution amendment backing it.

The court on Wednesday rejected the plea that Justice J.S. Khehar should withdraw from hearing the matter as he is a member of the collegium.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Khehar said the hearing challenging the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) will commence from Monday and continue for 14 days.

However, the bench will meet on Thursday post lunch to decide on the future of ad hoc and additional judges in the various high courts across the country whose tenure would be coming to an end during the course of the hearing, and till the apex court pronounces its judgment.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi will apprise the apex court on the government's position on the issue when it hears the matter on Thursday.