The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing 4.5 per cent sub-quota for minorities in central government jobs and educational institutions.

A bench comprising Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice J.S. Khelar wanted the government to clarify on what basis the subquota for minorities was arrived at.

Expressing unhappiness on the government's handling of what it termed a sensitive issue, the court directed Attorney General G.E.Vahanvati to produce documents supporting the subquota by Tuesday and posted the case for hearing on Wednesday.

The centre had moved the apex court challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing the 4.5 per cent reservation for minorities within the 27 percent OBC quota.