The Calcutta High Court's division bench set aside a single-bench order that had granted interim protection to Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan from coercive action in a 2007 criminal case. The court ruled that there is no provision in criminal law for such interim protection, meaning Pradhan's judicial remand will remain effective ahead of the bypoll.
The Supreme Court has issued a landmark directive against immediate arrests in Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases where the accused is a parent or family member living with the child, and a matrimonial dispute exists. The ruling mandates psychological evaluation of the child by experts before police or courts form an opinion to arrest, aiming to prevent the misuse of the law in estranged couple cases.
The Delhi High Court has refused anticipatory bail to YouTuber Ajeet Bharti in a case involving alleged casteist remarks against Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, citing a statutory bar under the SC/ST Act.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled against compelling employees to wear Santa Claus red caps, stating such actions can hurt religious sentiments and are not permitted in India's democratic system. The court partly allowed a plea challenging criminal proceedings against an individual accused of forcing subordinates to wear the caps, clarifying how such cases should be treated under law.
Ganesh mandals in Mumbai have requested the Maharashtra government to clarify the implementation of a recent Bombay High Court order on noise pollution during immersion processions. The order mandates a Rs 1 lakh security deposit and legal action for violations, causing confusion among organisers as the festival concludes.
The Supreme Court has requested a report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice regarding the conduct of the presiding officer in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. This follows allegations by an eyewitness's advocate, Prashant Bhushan, that the officer improperly transferred cases, acquitted accused, and issued a non-bailable warrant against his ill client. The apex court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint an experienced public prosecutor for the trial.
The Delhi High Court has sought a response from sustainable consumer goods startup Beco regarding a suit filed by Hindustan Unilever (HUL). HUL alleges that Beco disparaged its products, Surf Excel and Vim, by claiming they cause skin irritation in its advertising campaign.
Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the transfer of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a private hospital for a medical examination concerning an eye ailment. This directive comes despite jail authorities claiming his eyesight was "almost normal," following petitions from his legal team expressing dissatisfaction with government hospital treatment.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the constitutional validity of the 2018 amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The amendment had restored restrictions on anticipatory bail and removed requirements for preliminary inquiry and prior approval before arrest. The court cited its 2020 verdict which had already upheld these amended provisions, rejecting arguments about potential misuse and "reverse discrimination."
A Delhi court has granted student activist Sharjeel Imam seven days' interim bail to attend the weddings of his two cousins in Delhi and Bihar. The court cited it as his second such plea for family events, despite opposition from Delhi Police regarding the seriousness of charges under UAPA related to the 2020 Delhi riots. Imam is subject to strict conditions during his temporary release.
Congress's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody in connection with old criminal cases, including murder charges from 2007. This development effectively prevents him from campaigning for the upcoming by-election. The Congress party has questioned the timing of the arrest, alleging political motives behind the revival of these long-pending cases.
The pendency of rape cases in courts rose from 83 per cent in 2013 to 89 per cent in 2024, while the conviction rate fell from 27 per cent to 23 per cent in the same period.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti has appealed to Ganesh mandals in Mumbai to ensure that immersion processions on the final day of the festival are free from noise pollution and inconvenience, citing the Bombay High Court's strict stance on decibel limits.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi and Gurugram police to explain why the body of missing Delhi realtor Yuvraj Singh Manchanda was cremated without identification and why details were not uploaded to the CCTNS portal. This directive comes after Manchanda's family alleged they were not informed about the recovery of his body, which was found in Gurugram and cremated before they were notified. The court also referenced its earlier directives on prompt FIR registration for missing persons, highlighting concerns about human trafficking and the need for an all-India police grid.
A Delhi court has taken cognisance of the CBI's chargesheet in the NEET paper leak case, involving 13 accused. The court also expressed strong displeasure over media publishing names of witnesses, some potentially minors, from the chargesheet.
The Bombay High Court has issued a complete ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads and deemed the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams during religious processions "unwarranted." The court emphasized that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
The Supreme Court, in a 6:3 majority verdict, has ruled that the expansive, labour-friendly definition of 'industry' from its 1978 Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board judgement will not be used for interpreting the Industrial Relations Code of 2020. However, the 'triple test' from the 1978 verdict will still apply to pending cases under the now-repealed 1947 Industrial Disputes Act.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that an Arya Samaj marriage certificate alone does not prove a valid Hindu marriage unless essential ceremonies under the Hindu Marriage Act are performed. This decision led to the reinstatement of an SSB officer who was dismissed for allegedly falsely declaring his marital status, as the court found no evidence of the required rituals in his disputed marriage.
A Delhi court has granted default bail to six Ukrainian nationals arrested in connection with an NIA probe into a drone-warfare training camp linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The court also discharged them from Immigration and Foreigners Act charges after the FRRO compounded the offences with a fine. The NIA's UAPA probe is ongoing, with a supplementary chargesheet possible.
The Karnataka government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fresh probe into the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl near Dharmasthala, following a Supreme Court order. The SIT, headed by N Shashikumar, is tasked with completing the investigation within three months.
The Delhi High Court has refused to grant bail to Olympian Sushil Kumar in the alleged murder case of former junior national wrestling champion Sagar Dhankar. The court cited concerns over influencing witnesses, the gravity of the offence, and Kumar's conduct, echoing reasons previously given by the Supreme Court when it cancelled his earlier bail.
The Calcutta High Court has verbally directed the West Bengal government to allow Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan to contest the election properly, provided he secures bail in five criminal cases. Pradhan was recently arrested in connection with multiple long-pending cases, raising questions about his ability to campaign for the upcoming bypoll.
The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to examine all six allegations of financial irregularities levelled by the Enforcement Directorate against Sameer Gehlaut, former chairperson of Indiabulls Housing Finance (IHFL), and five corporate groups, following repeated criticism of investigating agencies for lack of progress.
The Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding Bengaluru's Premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) scheme, questioning its impact on urban infrastructure. The court cited Gurugram's infrastructure collapse during rains as a cautionary tale, contrasting it with Greater Noida's planned development. The scheme allows property owners to purchase additional construction rights, but petitioners argue it strains existing infrastructure and could regularise illegal constructions.
The Bombay High Court has imposed a complete ban on firecrackers, loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams on public roads during festival processions, criticising the Maharashtra government for its laxity in implementing noise pollution rules. The court highlighted the severe noise and air pollution caused by such celebrations and called for more dignified ways of observing festivals, noting that current permissions are often ineffective due to official inaction.
Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto's growing trust, tactical understanding and complementary front-and-back court roles have strengthened their chemistry, helping the Indian pair become more consistent and competitive.
A heated exchange occurred in the Supreme Court between senior advocate S Muralidhar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta over Mehta's use of the term "Naxalites" during a hearing on the national song Vande Mataram. Muralidhar strongly objected to the remark, demanding its withdrawal, while Mehta defended his statement, referring to an ideology rather than individuals. The bench intervened, emphasising decorum and constitutional issues.
A Bahraich court has sentenced a young man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 54,000 in a rape case from four years ago. The convict, a juvenile at the time of the incident, was identified through DNA evidence after the victim became pregnant. He will be held at a 'Government Place of Safety' until he turns 21, then transferred to district jail.
Tata Sons has provided Tata Trusts with three legal opinions, including those from former Supreme Court judges BN Srikrishna and UU Lalit, to assert the validity of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as chairman for another five years, following queries from Tata Trusts regarding the September 17 board meeting resolution.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma has given split opinions on whether pleas challenging the 2023 law for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners should be referred to a larger Constitution bench, citing a difference in views on the law's constitutional validity and the executive's role in selections.
The Supreme Court has ruled that an investigating agency must seek a magistrate's approval for re-arresting an individual if they were previously released due to a breach of constitutional rights, such as not being informed of arrest grounds or being detained beyond 24 hours. This judgment reinforces the importance of Articles 22(1) and 22(2) and introduces stricter accountability measures for police officers.
The Supreme Court has indicated that individuals with a conscientious objection should not face criminal consequences for declining to sing Vande Mataram, while asking the Centre to consider a 1986 judgment protecting similar rights concerning the national anthem.
The article details a history of internal disagreements among Election Commissioners in India, highlighting instances from 1993 to the present, including clashes between CECs and commissioners over various issues like removal recommendations, dissent notes, and affidavits, culminating in recent objections regarding voter list revisions.
Mamata Banerjee, former West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo, alleged that her party leaders were kept under "house arrest" and prevented from attending a rally in Serampore. She accused BJP workers of blocking routes and the police of inaction, comparing the situation to "atrocities" seen in African countries.
'Election Commissioners are Constitutional authorities and they are not supposed to go to the Cabinet secretary. They are not supposed to write letters. And if they are aggrieved, they should straight go to the President of India.'
Comedian Pranit More has approached the Supreme Court to club multiple FIRs filed against him after a guest on his show made a controversial "Rs 370 biryani" remark, deemed misogynistic. More's counsel informed the court that he has apologised on all forums, including the National Commission for Women, and the apex court has sought notices from the Centre and state governments.
The Gauhati high court has questioned the legality of the demolition of 21 dwelling units on private agricultural land in Goalpara, saying the action appeared prima facie illegal and unauthorised and may have involved misuse of the Disaster Management Act.
The Indian men's badminton team secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at the Asian Games, advancing to the quarterfinals. Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, and K Srikkanth all won their respective matches without dropping a game, setting up a clash with hosts Japan. Lakshya Sen also shared insights on his form and the camaraderie among players.
Aishwarya, daughter of BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda, has publicly apologised to a woman police sub-inspector whom she slapped at a temple in Mandya. The apology comes after the High Court directed her to do so before applying for bail in connection with the incident, which occurred on August 12 and went viral via CCTV footage. An FIR was registered against Aishwarya for assault and obstructing duty, while she also filed a counter-complaint.
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has threatened to suspend the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) due to its failure to finalise a new constitution and hold elections as directed by the Delhi High Court. The international body cited breaches of good governance principles and has given EFI until September 28 to provide an explanation before its board considers suspension on October 13. The crisis stems from long-standing governance disputes and divisions within the ad-hoc committee appointed to oversee the federation.
