The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for timely investigations and conclusions of criminal cases involving illicit money in elections. Observing that black money compromises democracy and the rule of law, the court issued several directives, including reporting seizures to competent authorities within 24 hours, completing investigations within a year, and submitting quarterly status reports to the Election Commission. The ruling also mandates High Courts to designate special courts for expeditious disposal of cases against candidates and requires High Court approval for withdrawing cases.
The Supreme Court has ruled that an appellate court cannot unilaterally enhance a convict's sentence unless an appeal for enhancement is filed by the State, victim, or complainant. This significant observation came in a triple-murder case where the Madras High Court had enhanced a co-convict's life sentence to imprisonment for the remainder of his life without such an appeal.
The Supreme Court is considering whether a typographical error in an arrest memo is sufficient grounds to invalidate an arrest and grant bail in a murder case. The case involves Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of her husband's murder, who was granted bail by the Meghalaya High Court due to a procedural error in her arrest document. The Solicitor General argued that the error was clerical and the gravity of the crime should outweigh such a technicality.
AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, who was allegedly 'picked up' by plainclothes police officers, has been released, police informed the Delhi High Court. His family had filed a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal detention, claiming he was taken from his home while leading a protest for a murdered sanitation worker.
Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal has surrendered before a Goa court to begin serving his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in a 2013 sexual assault case. This follows a Supreme Court directive and his conviction by the Bombay High Court, which overturned his earlier acquittal. Tejpal's appeal against his conviction is slated for a Supreme Court hearing in September 2026.
The Bombay High Court humorously questioned if cricketers were consuming "non-vegetarian tea" due to unhygienic conditions at Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) eateries. The court ordered the MCA to clean its premises before a fresh FDA inspection, following the suspension of licenses for five restaurants due to severe food safety violations like cockroach infestations and dirty kitchens.
The CBI has registered an FIR in the Disha Salian death case, following a Bombay High Court order that criticised Mumbai Police for its six-year delay and "glaring discrepancies" in the investigation. Salian, former manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, died in June 2020, a week before Rajput's own death, which led to speculation about a connection. The High Court had expressed concerns over the Mumbai Police's handling of the case, which was initially treated as an accidental death.
The Supreme Court has directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expeditiously complete its probe into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court also mandated the SIT to submit a sealed status report and consider suggestions from litigants for improving transparency and investigation quality.
The Bombay High Court has set aside a 2011 Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) order that suspended a 61-year-old pilot's Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The court ruled the suspension "illegal and unsustainable" because the DGCA failed to provide the pilot with a show-cause notice or a hearing, violating principles of natural justice. The pilot's ATPL has been restored, though the DGCA is permitted to conduct a fresh inquiry following due process.
The Supreme Court has overturned a 2017 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation responsible for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains. The court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund the Rs 5 crore environmental compensation deposited by the foundation and continue the floodplains' rehabilitation work.
The Supreme Court has urged the CBSE to reconsider the implementation of its three-language policy for Class 9 students, emphasising that children should not be subjected to undue pressure. The court highlighted concerns about infrastructure, the starting point of the policy, and the definition of 'native' languages.
The Supreme Court has directed its High-Powered Enquiry Committee to prioritise and immediately submit an interim report on complaints of sexual assault faced by women protesters during the July 20 NEET agitation at Jantar Mantar.
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to provide details on the disposal of appeals by tribunals concerning deletions from West Bengal's electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The court emphasised the need to track the progress of these appeals, which were set up to address irregularities. It also clarified that grievances regarding the denial of PDS benefits due to voter deletion should be taken up with the Calcutta High Court.
The Supreme Court has stayed further proceedings in an FIR against Kotdwar gym operator Deepak Kumar, known as 'Mohammad Deepak', who gained prominence for confronting Bajrang Dal workers. The case stems from an incident where Deepak defended a Muslim shopkeeper, leading to a viral video and subsequent legal challenges.
The first phase of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls recorded a 36% voter turnout, with a keen contest between ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance. Student concerns like accountability, affordable accommodation, and accessible administration were prominent, influenced by past protests. The election also saw allegations between student groups and extensive security arrangements.
The Supreme Court has protected journalist Abhishek Upadhyay from coercive action by Ghaziabad Police, who had filed an FIR against him in a road rage case. Upadhyay alleges the FIR is retaliatory for his reporting on alleged irregularities in donations at Ayodhya's Ram temple. The court has sought a copy of the FIR and asked Upadhyay to approach the Allahabad High Court.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that married daughters of deceased employees are entitled to compassionate appointments, stating that marital status should not be a disqualification. The court found the bank's rejection of claims based solely on marital status to be arbitrary and discriminatory, especially when married sons were granted similar benefits. This landmark decision emphasizes dependency over marital status as the criterion for such appointments.
The Bombay High Court has expressed strong displeasure with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for approving the conversion of the Neville D'Souza football ground in Bandra into an exhibition centre, despite an earlier oral assurance to maintain status quo. The court has ordered the BMC to halt further action and questioned the impact on outdoor sports.
Students at NALSAR University of Law have written to the university administration, opposing the proposal to invite the Chief Justice of India as the chief guest for their convocation. Their objection stems from the CJI-led Supreme Court bench's refusal to urgently list a plea concerning alleged police brutality during a 'Chalo Sansad' protest, which students feel contradicts the university's values.
The Union government has deferred census operations in Manipur, originally scheduled to begin on September 1, following persistent demands from civil society organisations for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to address concerns about demographic changes due to alleged illegal immigration.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) to conduct a nationwide survey to check if any state has constructed obstacles or created blockades in elephant corridors, saying it was unacceptable.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for the establishment of a Supreme Court bench in South India to improve accessibility to justice. Speaking at a conference on Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, he also highlighted the need to address algorithmic bias and ensure judicial independence in the age of AI.
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to a Pune-based sweets shop. The court criticised the FDA for suspending the shop's license despite a 98 per cent compliance report, calling its policy "strange and perverse" and stating the regulator was "going overboard."
The Supreme Court has advised the Tamil Nadu government to present its grievance regarding the proportionate release of Cauvery water to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). This comes after Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka was not releasing its due share of water despite directions from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and CWMA, impacting farmers in the state.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol percentage in petrol at fuel pumps. The petitioner, Narendra Kumar Goswami, was advised to approach the jurisdictional high court for relief, with the Attorney General arguing it was a proxy litigation.
The Allahabad High Court has criticised the Uttar Pradesh government and police for the massive pendency of criminal cases in district courts, citing insufficient staff, lack of police cooperation, and delays in forensic reports.
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sobiya Aziz and Kamran Ashraf Reshi, accused in a terror conspiracy case related to Jammu and Kashmir and other major Indian cities. The court cited their nearly five-year incarceration and the slow pace of the trial as reasons for the decision, imposing strict conditions on their social media use.
The Supreme Court has provided significant relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by directing the Allahabad High Court to cease proceedings in a case alleging disproportionate assets against him. The apex court also instructed the CBI and ED not to submit any reports based on the high court's previous directives.
The Bombay High Court has strongly criticised the Maharashtra FDA for its "shoot first" approach, likening its drastic actions to using a sword to kill a mosquito. The court, hearing a petition from Cadila Pharmaceuticals, directed the FDA to grant companies a hearing before taking severe measures, warning of heavy costs for its arbitrary conduct.
Former editor of Tehelka, Tejpal, was convicted of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa.
The Delhi High Court has urged the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to establish clear guidelines and timelines for female athletes returning to competitive sports after maternity leave. The court's observations came during a hearing for grappler Vinesh Phogat, who is seeking permission to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships after her maternity break. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma highlighted the unfairness faced by women athletes post-childbirth and criticised the WFI's current policies, hinting at the need for a balanced framework.
The Supreme Court is deliberating whether a split in the Shiv Sena could originate in the legislature party and then extend to the broader organisation and primary membership, as it hears pleas from the Uddhav Thackeray faction challenging the Election Commission's recognition of the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
A retired Air Force officer has approached the Supreme Court, seeking urgent action against the organisers of the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march, alleging incitement to violence and continued inflammatory statements.
The Supreme Court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to issue a no-objection certificate and relieving order to international water sports coach Bilquis Mir, enabling her to join the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing Team as chief coach for the Asian Games. This ruling came after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti criticised the bureaucratic hurdles faced by Mir, highlighting systemic issues within the administration.
The Supreme Court has decided to form a high-powered committee, including retired judges and former top police officials, to investigate allegations of police excesses against student protesters in Delhi. The committee will examine video evidence and complaints, particularly from female protesters, and the court may quash FIRs against students without grave criminal antecedents, upholding the right to peaceful protest.
The Supreme Court has stayed a Madras High Court order that had quashed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to relatives of those who died in a stampede at Karur last year, questioning the locus standi of petitioners challenging government policy.
The Bombay High Court has identified a worrying trend of foreign nationals infiltrating India, fraudulently acquiring documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards to claim Indian citizenship. The court highlighted serious gaps in inter-agency coordination and document verification, noting that some individuals have engaged in anti-national activities. It urged the Centre to amend the Aadhaar Act to facilitate tracing and deportation, and to establish procedures for dealing with human trafficking and border infiltration. The ruling came during a case involving an Afghan national who overstayed his visa and obtained fake documents to secure an Indian passport.
The Supreme Court has referred Christian Michel James' plea for release in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case to another bench. The Delhi High Court previously dismissed his petition, but James continues to challenge his detention and the India-UAE extradition treaty.
Residents from three slum clusters near the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi met Rahul Gandhi, seeking his intervention against their proposed relocation to Savda Ghevra. They claim the move, mandated by a Delhi High Court order, would severely disrupt their livelihoods, children's education, and access to essential services, despite the Centre citing defence infrastructure security as the reason for eviction.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter, Anita B Pfaff, has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions for the return of her father's "ashes" from Tokyo's Renkoji temple. The apex court has issued a notice to the Centre, seeking its response on the plea. This follows a previous plea by Netaji's grand-nephew which was withdrawn after the court indicated that Bose's heir should be the one to petition.
