The Supreme Court has directed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut to appear in person on November 17 for contempt proceedings concerning remarks about Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the judiciary. Journalist Nikhil Wagle is also directed to appear virtually. The apex court had issued show-cause notices to both on October 16 following a plea by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asserted that the judiciary cannot be browbeaten, during a hearing on a plea against a political march to the Supreme Court by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders on October 12. The plea alleges an attempt to obstruct the judicial system and seeks a ban on political demonstrations within court premises. The court has issued notices to the leaders and ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the incident.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant affirmed the judiciary's commitment to protecting students' right to peaceful protest during an interaction at CNLU Patna. He also addressed concerns about collegium transparency, stating that disclosure of dissenting opinions could compromise individual dignity. The CJI also praised a proposal to shorten the law degree duration.
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Election Commission and its chief regarding a plea by Sanjay Raut and 12 others, including Rahul Gandhi, concerning alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The court provisionally entertained Raut's petition but stated he would need to explain his conduct, while also addressing allegations of attempts to 'browbeat' the judiciary.
The Congress party and the INDIA bloc are planning a 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of violating the Constitution and subverting electoral democracy. This comes after alleged denials of permission for their event, which they claim is an attempt by the government to silence criticism. The JD(U) has criticised the move as an insult to Parliament and the judiciary.
The official Congress Keralam 'X' account posted a controversial message against CJI Surya Kant, which quickly went viral before being deleted. The party subsequently removed the individual responsible, with KPCC president Sunny Joseph stating the post was unauthorised and did not reflect the party's stance on judicial impartiality. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress over the incident.
A new Class 9 NCERT textbook describes the judiciary as an "impartial and independent institution" that safeguards citizens' rights and upholds the Constitution, contrasting with a previous Class 8 textbook that sparked controversy over its depiction of judicial corruption. The new textbook was prepared before the Class 8 controversy erupted.
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted the Chhattisgarh government the liberty to approach the high court for cancellation of bail granted to retired senior IAS officer Anil Tuteja in corruption cases, specifically if there are instances of bail misuse. The apex court refused to entertain the state's direct plea challenging the bail but clarified that the high court's observations during bail grant would not influence the trial. Tuteja faces probes in multiple corruption cases, including the liquor scam, District Mineral Fund irregularities, and coal levy scam.
A Delhi court has convicted a woman, Asma, under the NDPS Act for possessing over 2 kg of ganja, rejecting her defence that the contraband was planted by police. The court found the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, with the matter now listed for arguments on the quantum of sentence.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleging the 'criminal destruction' of the Tata Group, urging him to refrain from 'politicising' commercial and legal matters and accusing him of trying to incite business leaders.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated on Friday that he is prepared to apologise to the Supreme Court if his remarks were deemed inappropriate, emphasising his party's respect for the judiciary. His comments followed observations by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant regarding attempts to browbeat the judiciary. Raut also linked his apology to demands for justice concerning alleged electoral roll irregularities and the delayed hearing on the Shiv Sena name and symbol dispute.
India firmly dismissed the concerns raised by the United Nations human rights body on Sunday regarding the security measures implemented ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janta Party demonstration in Delhi, branding the remarks as "unwarranted" and an "unacceptable interference" in domestic matters.
India has strongly rejected a report by a UN human rights expert, Gina Romero, which claimed that young people in India face retaliation or stigmatisation for discussing mental health or gender justice. India's First Secretary Anuj Swarup labelled the report as "hearsay" based on "anonymous and unverified claims," asserting that it does a disservice to the expert's mandate. Swarup highlighted India's constitutional freedoms, independent judiciary, and government's proactive engagement with youth, citing examples like the amendment to the Public Examinations Act and the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) irregularities.
Harvard trained lawyer Shahdan Farasat's detention by the Delhi police at Saturday's protest has ignited a crucial debate on the shrinking space for peaceful dissent and the protection of democratic rights.
Over 100 US lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have written to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding an investigation into an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime. They also sought answers on measures to address online threats targeting Indian-Americans, criticising the Trump administration's past messaging for legitimising racial stereotypes.
Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath stated that eligibility and merit, not personal identity, should be the sole criteria for selection in public service. Speaking at the UPPSC premises, he highlighted the constitutional safeguards for impartiality in public service commissions and the far-reaching impact of their selections. His visit marked a historic first for the commission.
Israel is set to hold parliamentary elections on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vying to retain power. The election is a critical test of his leadership, influenced by the government's handling of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, subsequent wars, and ongoing legal challenges. Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, are challenging his right-wing coalition, but opinion polls suggest a fragmented outcome with no clear majority. Key issues include security, accountability for the October 7 attack, military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, and judicial reforms.
India is deeply concerned by the growing consolidation of Pakistan-backed jihadi and radical Islamist groups in Bangladesh, particularly in the strategically vital Chittagong Hill Tracts, which experts warn is transforming the country into a new safe haven for these networks and posing a direct threat to India's security.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy by suggesting India should learn from Albanian protesters who allegedly burnt down their Supreme Court due to its perceived support for a corrupt prime minister. Raut shared a video of the purported events, drawing sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who highlighted Raut's recent apology to the Supreme Court.
Ravita and Amardeep, sentenced to death for the snakebite murder of Ravita's husband, have been moved to separate barracks in Meerut district jail. Prison authorities noted their restlessness, and no visitors have come since the sentencing. The case, decided under 'Operation Conviction', involved strangulation disguised as a snakebite.
Former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has criticised former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's approach to judicial appointments, alleging that he was "too deferential to the government". Kaul, in his forthcoming memoir, details instances where Chandrachud sought government "pre-approval" for appointments, raising concerns about judicial independence and executive pressure.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Tihar Jail on Wednesday after furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each. They provided written undertakings not to breach peace or call for protests at Jantar Mantar as long as the site remains denotified. Their release followed a court order despite police seeking an extension of their judicial custody.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl. The court described the crime as "rarest of the rare," stating that leniency would undermine public confidence in justice. The judge highlighted the extreme depravity of the act, committed on November 16, 2025, and ruled out life imprisonment, also directing Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim's parents.
'Nobody could have played this character better than Rajkummar Rao.'
A Meerut court sentenced Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla to death for the murder of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, invoking the Mahabharata in its decision. The court deemed the crime "extremely cruel and grave," with the verdict bringing satisfaction to the victim's family and eliciting strong public emotion. Police had registered an FIR in March 2025, and the conviction came in September 2026 for the "blue drum" murder case.
The Madras High Court acknowledged the existence of corruption within the judiciary while dismissing a PIL seeking a ban on the Tamil film 'Karuppu'. The court emphasised the need for introspection and improvement within the judicial system, stating that judges are not exempt from criticism.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl late last year. The court termed the gruesome crime "rarest of the rare" and also ordered Rs 10 lakh financial assistance for the victim's family. The prosecution, led by Ujwal Nikam, relied on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies to secure the conviction.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on simultaneous elections had scheduled an "informal interaction" with Supreme Court judges, which was later cancelled by the apex court. The Supreme Court deemed the meeting inappropriate as the proposed constitutional amendment could become subject to judicial review. JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary defended the panel's initial decision, citing precedents, while DMK MP P Wilson, who mooted the idea, expressed disappointment and argued against the notion that such interactions violate separation of powers.
The Kerala High Court has upheld the conviction and life-term sentence of a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl he used to ferry to school back in 2012-13. The court dismissed his appeal, even after his death, affirming the trial court's findings based on the child's consistent testimony.
A court in Meerut has sentenced a woman and her lover to death for strangling her husband and placing a live snake beside his body to make it appear as a snakebite death. The elaborate murder plot was uncovered after a post-mortem revealed strangulation marks, leading to their conviction under 'Operation Conviction'.
Allahabad High Court Justice Vinod Diwakar has raised significant concerns regarding the functioning and transparency of full court meetings, noting that individual judges' views are not recorded and that meetings are infrequently held. His judgment calls for a more balanced and accountable approach to high court administration, highlighting issues of perceived "stage-managed" proceedings and lack of accountability in administrative decisions.
A new political outfit, the 'Lal Hit Janata Party', has emerged in Delhi, staging a counter-protest against alleged abuse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attacks on police.
The Delhi High Court has declined to intervene in the Centre's decision not to send an Indian contingent for the men's 94 kg Jiu-Jitsu category at the Asian Games, dismissing a petition by athlete Shubham Kumar. The court stated it cannot compel participation when authorities have made a decision, especially as the Games have already commenced, rendering effective relief impossible.
Top US lawmakers, leaders, and civil society members have strongly condemned an alleged plot to attack a Hindu temple in Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was arrested for attempting a mass shooting at the Aurora temple, which failed when his rifle jammed. Indian-American Congressmen and other officials have called for efforts to combat rising anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice in America, highlighting the need to protect minority houses of worship.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India, calling it "immature" and detrimental to Bangladesh's national interest. She argued that the absence lost opportunities for economic development and that foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations. Hasina also highlighted the current "grave national crisis" in Bangladesh and her intention to return to restore democracy.
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and three others have surrendered to a Thane trial court after the Supreme Court cancelled their bail in a doctor assault case. The Supreme Court overturned a Bombay High Court order, emphasizing the importance of doctor safety and noting Mhatre's extensive criminal history.
The UN human rights office expressed concern over mass detentions during protests in Delhi on Saturday, urging India to respect peaceful assembly rights and release detainees. India rejected these concerns as "misplaced" and "unwarranted interference." The protests, organised by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanded electoral reforms and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter list manipulation, which the Election Commission and BJP deny.
'Many devout religious people have told me categorically that they like celebrating festivals, but they are vehemently against the noise pollution and traffic obstruction that are being imposed under the pretext of celebrations.'
A special court in Jalna, Maharashtra, has sentenced Faizan Ahmed Abbas Husain to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The court also ordered the Maharashtra government to provide Rs 50,000 compensation to the victim.
