New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday referred the freebies case to a three-judge bench while saying that the issue of freebies promised by political parties during election campaigns requires extensive debate.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said looking at the "complexity" of the freebies issues, the case is referred to a three-judge bench.

The court while referring the matter to a three-judge bench said that it's 2013 judgment in the Subramaniam Balaji v/s government of Tamil Nadu case on the same issue might need reconsideration.

 "The issues raised by parties require an extensive hearing. Certain preliminary hearings need to be determined, such as what is the scope of judicial intervention, whether the appointment of an expert body by the court serves any purpose, etc,” the bench said in its order.

The top court's order came on a batch of pleas against freebies promised by political parties.

Earlier, the top court had asked the Centre why it cannot call for an all-party meeting to determine issues relating to the promise of freebies during election campaigns.

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During the previous hearing, the apex court said that the issue concerning freebies is complex and there is a need to draw a distinction between welfare schemes and other promises that are made by political parties before elections.