News for 'Constitutional Bench'

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

SC directs Centre to safeguard domestic workers' rights

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India directed the government to establish a legal framework to protect domestic workers and address their exploitation.

SC deadline over, EC yet to get electoral bond details

SC deadline over, EC yet to get electoral bond details

Rediff.com6 Mar 2024

The State Bank of India has not shared details of the electoral bonds encashed by political parties till Wednesday, the deadline set by the Supreme Court.

Daughter has right to educational expenses: SC

Daughter has right to educational expenses: SC

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a daughter has an indefeasible right to secure educational expenses from her parents, who can be compelled to provide necessary funds within their means. This ruling came in a matrimonial dispute where a daughter studying in Ireland refused to accept Rs 43 lakh given by her father towards her studies, which was part of the total alimony being paid to her mother. The court stated that the daughter has a fundamental right to pursue her education and that the parents can be compelled to provide necessary funds within their financial resources. The court also granted a decree of divorce by mutual consent to the estranged couple, directing them to abide by the terms of a settlement agreement they had reached.

SC halts bulldozer action by states, lays down guidelines

SC halts bulldozer action by states, lays down guidelines

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

Equating 'bulldozer justice' with a lawless state of affairs where might is right, the Supreme Court on Wednesday laid down pan-India guidelines and said no property should be demolished without a prior show cause notice and the affected must be given 15 days to respond.

SC upholds states' power to regulate industrial alcohol

SC upholds states' power to regulate industrial alcohol

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

In 1997, the seven-judge bench ruled that the Centre had the regulatory power over the production of industrial alcohol. The case was referred to the nine-judge bench in 2010.

HC ends monitoring of Pansare murder probe, orders to expedite trial

HC ends monitoring of Pansare murder probe, orders to expedite trial

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The Bombay High Court has discontinued its monitoring of the investigation into the 2015 murder of communist leader and rationalist writer Govind Pansare, directing the sessions court to expedite the ongoing trial. The decision comes after a report by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) indicated that the investigation has been thoroughly conducted, with only the arrest of two absconding accused remaining. The court has ordered daily hearings for the trial, which has already begun and has seen 28 prosecution witnesses examined as of December 16, 2024.

SC to examine age bar for surrogate mothers, seeks govt reply

SC to examine age bar for surrogate mothers, seeks govt reply

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India will examine the age limits for surrogate mothers and other provisions of the Surrogacy Regulation Act and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act on February 11. The court has asked the government to file its written submissions on the matter. The laws set age limits for intended parents and surrogate mothers, restricting commercial surrogacy and emphasizing altruistic surrogacy. The court is also considering alternative mechanisms for compensating surrogate mothers and has proposed a designated authority for disbursing payments instead of intended couples.

Loudspeakers not essential for any religion, rules HC

Loudspeakers not essential for any religion, rules HC

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

The Bombay High Court has ruled that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion and has directed law enforcement agencies to take prompt action against loudspeakers that violate noise pollution norms. The court also ordered the state government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels, including calibrated sound systems with auto-decibel limits. The decision came in response to a petition filed by two housing associations alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on mosques in the area.

Right to Privacy: 9-judge SC bench to decide if it is a fundamental right

Right to Privacy: 9-judge SC bench to decide if it is a fundamental right

Rediff.com18 Jul 2017

The order came on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme.

SC orders medical aid for fasting farmer leader

SC orders medical aid for fasting farmer leader

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered immediate medical aid for farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast at the Punjab-Haryana border. The court also urged farmers to adopt the Gandhian way of protesting and to ensure that Dallewal's life is saved. The court has formed a high-powered committee to make recommendations to the stakeholders regarding the farmers' grievances.

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Democracy does not begin and end with elections and the integrity of election process is pivotal for sustaining the democratic form of government, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while striking down as unconstitutional the electoral bonds scheme for political funding.

CJI sets up all-woman bench to hear matrimonial disputes, bail pleas

CJI sets up all-woman bench to hear matrimonial disputes, bail pleas

Rediff.com1 Dec 2022

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has constituted an all-woman bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Bela M Trivedi to hear transfer petitions involving matrimonial disputes and bail matters on Thursday.

Will devise mechanism to end caste bias in institutions: SC

Will devise mechanism to end caste bias in institutions: SC

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has announced its intention to establish an effective mechanism to address caste-based discrimination in educational institutions throughout the country. The court directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to draft regulations to prevent such discrimination and to provide data on institutions that have implemented equal opportunity cells as mandated by the 2012 UGC equity regulations. The court's decision stems from a public interest litigation filed in 2019 highlighting the prevalence of caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions and its tragic consequences, including the suicides of students like Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi.

SC orders govt to grant permanent commission to woman Army officer

SC orders govt to grant permanent commission to woman Army officer

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Union government to grant a permanent commission to a woman officer in the Army Dental Corps who was denied benefits given to similarly placed officers. The court ruled that the woman officer was wrongly excluded from consideration and that the principle of "what is sauce for the goose ought to be sauce for the gander" applies in this case. The court directed the government to implement the order within four weeks and to extend all consequential benefits, including seniority, promotion, and monetary benefits, to the officer.

SC bench hearing quota pleas for Dalit converts stumped by rejected Misra report

SC bench hearing quota pleas for Dalit converts stumped by rejected Misra report

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

What is the effect of the report of a commission of inquiry that has been rejected or not accepted by the government, and whether the empirical data which formed the basis of the report can be looked at while determining a constitutional issue, the Supreme Court wondered on Wednesday while considering the question of quotas for Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians.

Place Beant killer's mercy plea before President: SC

Place Beant killer's mercy plea before President: SC

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has directed the President to consider the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the 1995 assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The court gave the President two weeks to decide on the plea. Rajoana was sentenced to death in July 2007 for his role in the bombing that killed Beant Singh and 16 others. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a mercy petition on his behalf in 2012.

Women have constitutional right to enter Sabarimala temple: SC

Women have constitutional right to enter Sabarimala temple: SC

Rediff.com18 Jul 2018

"The right to enter a temple is not dependent on a legislation. It is the constitutional right," the bench said.

In JMM bribery case SC upholds need to review earlier verdicts

In JMM bribery case SC upholds need to review earlier verdicts

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

In its landmark verdict which held that MPs and MLAs taking bribe to vote or make a speech in the House are not immune from prosecution, the apex court said its ability to reconsider its decisions was necessary for the organic development of law and the advancement of justice. The apex court verdict overturned the 1998 judgment of the court in the JMM bribery case.

SC stays court proceedings in all masjid-mandir cases

SC stays court proceedings in all masjid-mandir cases

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Commencing hearing on pleas challenging the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to reply to cross-pleas against or seeking implementation of statute.

RG Kar protests: SC orders probe against Kolkata cops

RG Kar protests: SC orders probe against Kolkata cops

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered an SIT investigation into the alleged torture of a woman in police custody following her arrest over protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Regulation doesn't take away minority status: SC on AMU

Regulation doesn't take away minority status: SC on AMU

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

Merely because an educational institution is regulated by a statute does not take away from it the character of a minority institution, the Supreme Court observed on Tuesday as it commenced hearing the vexed question of minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Sexual harassment case cannot be closed over compromise: SC

Sexual harassment case cannot be closed over compromise: SC

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The observation came while setting aside an order of the Rajasthan high court which had quashed the FIR against a teacher who was accused of sexually molesting a 16-year-old girl at school in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district.

Won't touch northeast's special rules, govt tells SC in Art 370 hearing

Won't touch northeast's special rules, govt tells SC in Art 370 hearing

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

Tewari, a Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP, was appearing for former Arunachal Pradesh MLA Padi Richo, who has filed an intervention application in a batch of petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370.

SC dismisses pleas to review Article 370 revocation verdict in Dec 2023

SC dismisses pleas to review Article 370 revocation verdict in Dec 2023

Rediff.com22 May 2024

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud considered the pleas in chambers and dismissed applications for listing of the review petition in open Court.

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

The high court erred in holding that the law was violative of the principle of secularism, said a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

Corporate affairs ministry assessing need to ramp up bench strength of NCLT

Corporate affairs ministry assessing need to ramp up bench strength of NCLT

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is contemplating an increase to the existing strength of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) benches to handle the growing case load. The ministry is currently analysing the time taken by each bench to dispose of matters and the total number of cases being handled by each bench. "We need to first determine our requirement, given that the NCLT handles both Company Act and insolvency and bankruptcy matters. "The latter constitutes the majority of the case burden.

So-called farmer leaders want to.....: SC slams Punjab over Dallewal fast

So-called farmer leaders want to.....: SC slams Punjab over Dallewal fast

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court criticized the Punjab government for making irresponsible statements regarding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite fast and questioned the intentions of some farmer leaders. The court emphasized that it never directed Dallewal to break his fast but expressed concern for his health and urged medical aid. The bench expressed frustration over the government's attempts to create an impression that they were persuading Dallewal to end his fast, despite the court's directives to provide medical aid.

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, who is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC civil services examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits. She has refuted all the allegations against her.

SC orders stricter anti-pollution curbs as Delhi AQI slips to 'severe+'

SC orders stricter anti-pollution curbs as Delhi AQI slips to 'severe+'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

An AQI of 400 or higher is deemed 'severe' and it can have an adverse effect on both healthy individuals and people who already have medical conditions.

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India ordered the release of a man who had spent 25 years in prison for murder, ruling that he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. The court found that the convict, Om Prakash alias Raju, had been wrongly convicted due to errors by the courts in determining his age. The case highlights the importance of proper age verification and the need for courts to actively ensure the fair treatment of juveniles within the legal system.

Freedom to vote can't be subject to undue influence: SC in electoral bonds ruling

Freedom to vote can't be subject to undue influence: SC in electoral bonds ruling

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

It is crucial to electoral democracy that the exercise of freedom to vote is not subject to undue influence, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while striking down as unconstitutional the electoral bonds scheme for political funding.

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Cash row: HC probe report, SC video cast doubt on Delhi fire chief's claim

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

A video and inquiry report have raised questions about the Delhi Fire Services' claim that no cash was found at the official residence of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma during a fire incident on March 14. The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows fire fighters dousing flames on articles that appear to include half-burnt Indian currency notes. The Delhi High Court Chief Justice has initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Varma and the Supreme Court has proposed his transfer to the Allahabad High Court.

EWS quota not violative of Constitution's basic structure, 50% ceiling not inflexible: SC

EWS quota not violative of Constitution's basic structure, 50% ceiling not inflexible: SC

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

The Supreme Court of India, by a majority view of 3:2, on Monday upheld the validity of the 103rd Constitution amendment providing 10 per cent reservation to people belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS) in admissions and government jobs.

Chirag reaching out to Dalit MPs to challenge SC verdict

Chirag reaching out to Dalit MPs to challenge SC verdict

Rediff.com11 Aug 2024

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan is planning to convene a meeting of Scheduled Caste MPs of different parties as he works to mobilise support ahead of his party filing a review plea in the Supreme Court against its judgment allowing sub-categorisation of reservation within the community.

Tirupati: SC replaces AP's probe with independent SIT to 'assuage feelings'

Tirupati: SC replaces AP's probe with independent SIT to 'assuage feelings'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday set up a five-member independent SIT to probe the allegations of animal fat used in preparing Tirupati laddus to "assuage the feelings of crores of people" while making clear that the court cannot be used as a "political battleground".

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The apex court said when a particular structure is chosen all of a sudden for demolition and the rest of similarly situated structures in the same vicinity are not even being touched, "mala fide may loom large".

SC stays survey of Sambhal mosque, calls for peace

SC stays survey of Sambhal mosque, calls for peace

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday directed a Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the case over the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and its survey at Chandausi while directing the UP government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.

New methods needed to uplist SC/STs, says judge in quota verdict

New methods needed to uplist SC/STs, says judge in quota verdict

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

The reservation policy requires a fresh relook and new methods are needed for the uplift of people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Schedule Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), Supreme Court judge Justice Pankaj Mithal said on Thursday.

SC urges time limit for same-sex marriage case, points to earlier CJIs

SC urges time limit for same-sex marriage case, points to earlier CJIs

Rediff.com20 Apr 2023

The Supreme Court, which is hearing arguments on a batch of pleas seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriage, said on Thursday that the inflow of cases in the apex court is so heavy that it is impossible to list Constitution bench matters unless the time taken to argue is rationed.

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

SC uploads probe report, with photos, video of 'cash recovery' at judge home

Rediff.com23 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has released an inquiry report into the alleged discovery of a large amount of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma. The report, which includes photos and videos, was uploaded on the court's website. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has formed an in-house committee to investigate the matter and has asked the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to not assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. Justice Varma has denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy to frame him. The inquiry report, submitted by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, has been made public and calls for a deeper probe into the incident. The incident has raised concerns about judicial accountability and has prompted the Congress party to call for strong measures to uphold public trust in the judiciary.