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.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting request from opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that discussing sub judice matters would violate judicial ethics and the principle of Separation of Powers. He advised them to file a formal petition with the Supreme Court instead of seeking an administrative meeting. The opposition had sought to discuss issues including the Chief Election Commissioner, arrests, and public transport disruptions.
The Supreme Court on Sunday issued a notice to the Centre and passed several directions regarding metro and train services, internet access, and peaceful assembly in Delhi, following a plea for contempt proceedings over alleged violations during the CJP protest. The court emphasised the protection of fundamental rights and the need for lawful conduct during protests.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The court affirmed that resignation and disqualification are distinct constitutional processes, upholding the Speaker's acceptance of the resignations and stating that the Speaker was not required to inquire into motives.
The Meerut district court has convicted Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla for the murder of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput in the high-profile 'Blue Drum' case. The court, after a 13-month trial, found them guilty, emphasizing the need for strict punishment in heinous crimes. Sentencing will be announced after 15 days, with the prosecution seeking maximum punishment.
The Supreme Court has ruled that foreign nationals can be granted bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) if their initial entry into India was legal and authorised, even if they overstayed their visa. This decision upheld a Madras High Court order granting bail to a Sri Lankan national accused in a terror case, stating that the prosecution failed to prove illegal entry. The court clarified the conjunctive conditions of Section 43D(7) of UAPA, emphasising that both foreign nationality and unauthorised entry must be proven to deny bail.
The Supreme Court has permitted Ashish Mishra, an accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case and son of former Union minister Ajay Mishra, to travel to his hometown for Diwali celebrations. The court also emphasised the need for a timely conclusion of the trial, noting that 90 out of 131 witnesses have been examined and a new judge and prosecutor have been appointed.
The move follows an online meeting held earlier this week, where captains discussed the growing uncertainty surrounding the paused ISL season.
The Supreme Court registry has identified over 10 defects in the petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in electoral rolls. Issues include missing ID cards, illegible pages, and a court fee shortfall. The petition seeks an independent audit of the Special Intensive Revision process.
The Delhi Police informed the High Court that Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site based on Supreme Court directions, a revelation made during a hearing on a plea by the Indian Youth Congress seeking protest permission. The court issued notice on the IYC's request for reconsideration and broader issues concerning protest regulation, while new sites have been designated.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police regarding an October 11 order that de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated three alternative venues. The court will examine the rationale behind the relocation, especially concerning the efficacy of Jantar Mantar and the impact on the fundamental right to protest.
The Supreme Court of India has sought proposals for establishing a permanent financial corpus to support patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder requiring expensive treatment. This initiative follows an earlier case involving comedian Samay Raina, which led the court to examine broader systemic concerns for SMA patients.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that criminal cases involving sexual offences against children, particularly under the POCSO Act, cannot be settled by the survivor or their family. Justice Sachin Datta emphasised that such heinous offences have a serious societal impact and quashing proceedings based on a compromise would undermine the statute's objectives and justice.
The Supreme Court has overturned the Indian Navy Selection Board's decision to deny Permanent Commission to a woman officer in the Judge Advocate General Branch. The court found that the board failed to properly consider her favourable Annual Confidential Reports and unduly focused on past non-recommendations. The Navy has been directed to reconsider her claim within six weeks.
The CBI has withdrawn approximately 20 petitions from the Supreme Court that sought to transfer cases related to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence outside the state. The agency cited "changed circumstances" for its decision, which comes after the state's CID initiated fresh inquiries and reopened cases concerning the violence.
A Meerut court sentenced a woman and her lover to death on Friday for murdering her husband and staging it as a snakebite. The court cited the Manusmriti and the mythological figure Savitri, calling it a "rarest of rare" case.
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.
The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Election Commission regarding a plea by TMC MP Dola Sen, who alleges unauthorised changes to Form 6 during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Sen claims the EC wrongly suggested the Supreme Court approved these changes. The EC, in its affidavit, defended the SIR process, stating no changes were made to the statutory Form 6 and that all decisions were unanimous. The court has given petitioners 10 days to respond to the EC's affidavit.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre, states, and Union Territories to swiftly establish dedicated courts to handle the "alarming rise" in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The directive aims to set up all 449 required NDPS courts within six weeks. Additionally, the court noted progress in establishing special courts for cases probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with several states committing to expedite their operationalisation.
The Supreme Court has made permanent its order protecting a journalist from coercive action in a road rage case and quashed a police notice to 'X' seeking his digital details. The court noted the police sought data from before the alleged crime and granted the journalist liberty to challenge the FIR and seek guidelines for data collection.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions challenging Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. This provision grants blanket immunity from civil and criminal prosecution to current and former CECs and ECs for actions taken in their official capacity. Petitioners argue this immunity is unconstitutional and broader than that afforded to other high-ranking officials, potentially undermining accountability.
The Supreme Court has ordered the reinstatement of R Saravanan, a deputy registrar of Periyar University, who was dismissed for alleged disproportionate assets. The court observed that dismissal is akin to a "death penalty" for a government servant and criticised the university's inquiry for lacking evidence, upholding the single-judge bench's decision.
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the increasing trend of filing criminal cases, particularly rape charges, after consensual relationships fail. The court clarified that physical intimacy during a functioning relationship cannot be retrospectively branded as rape merely because the association ended. It emphasized the need to distinguish between genuine absence of consent and regret over past consensual acts, warning against the weaponisation of criminal law.
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 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.
The Supreme Court has appointed former Delhi High Court judge Justice Najmi Waziri as a mediator to resolve the cheque-dishonour dispute involving actor Rajpal Yadav. The legal battle originated from a 2010 financial agreement for his directorial debut, 'Ata Pata Laapata', where Yadav allegedly issued dishonoured cheques. The actor has deposited Rs 2 crore with the SC registry, and the court has allowed his passport release for professional commitments.
'If you ask Prime Minister Modi prove you are Indian, as per the Election Commission's criteria, he may not be able to prove that he is an Indian.'
The apex court has reserved its judgement on draft AIFF constitution and a hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla have been found guilty by a Meerut district court in the sensational "Blue Drum" murder case, involving the killing of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput. The court, citing a Supreme Court order on strict punishment for serious crimes, will announce the sentence after 15 days. The prosecution presented 22 witnesses and sought maximum punishment for the accused.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla have been found guilty by a Meerut district court in the sensational "Blue Drum" murder case, involving the killing of merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput. The court, citing a Supreme Court order on strict punishment for serious crimes, will announce the sentence after 15 days. The prosecution presented 22 witnesses and sought maximum punishment for the accused.
The Supreme Court has granted the Centre an extension until October 15 to file its response on petitions concerning the closure of metro stations and disruption of train services in Delhi during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The court also deferred a crucial hearing, issued notice on a petition challenging the immunity of election commissioners, and sought a Delhi Police officer's presence regarding alleged assaults on women journalists. Earlier, the court had directed authorities to ensure normal public transport and prevent unlawful detentions.
The father of a doctor who was raped and murdered has questioned the CBI after former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh received bail from the Supreme Court in a financial irregularities case. Ghosh was previously granted bail in the rape-murder case in December 2024 due to the CBI's failure to file a chargesheet. Doctors and the victim's family are criticising the CBI's handling of the investigations, alleging incompetence and delays.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stated that the ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the associated restrictions in Delhi fall under law and order, not his judicial purview, and declined to meet opposition leaders regarding the issue.
The Delhi High Court is set to hear petitions concerning the alleged closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site and reported assaults on protesters. Lawyers argue that the closure infringes on the right to free speech, especially as no alternative sites were designated. Separately, Delhi Police have denotified Jantar Mantar and named three new protest locations.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman has voiced serious concerns regarding the Election Commission's functioning, stating that the right to vote is 'at great peril'. He called for the Supreme Court's intervention to address 'disturbing developments' within the poll panel, particularly citing issues like voter disenfranchisement during electoral roll revisions and the controversial appointment process of Election Commissioners.
A Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) in Karnataka, M Somashekar, has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the release of a life convict in 2018 by forging a Supreme Court order. The convict's wife, also arrested, accused Somashekar of sexual exploitation. The case came to light after a complaint from the Bengaluru Central Prison Superintendent, revealing a complex conspiracy involving a prison assistant who forged the order.
'Government cannot pick and choose as to against whom they want to take action and against whom they do not want to take action.'
The Supreme Court clarified that it was not taking cognisance of media reports suggesting government authorities tendered unconditional apologies in contempt proceedings related to restrictions during an October 10 protest. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explained that apologies are procedural, and authorities have defended their actions, citing reasons like maintaining public order and intelligence inputs. The court emphasised that media coverage was not relevant to its proceedings.
A Delhi court has upheld the conviction of Yatin Sharma in a 2013 fatal road accident case in Hauz Khas, rejecting his appeal and plea for probation. The court emphasised that high-speed vehicular negligence resulting in death warrants custodial sentences to ensure public safety and deterrence, directing Sharma to surrender within 30 days.
A 48-year-old man died after an altercation over a senior citizen's seat on the Delhi Metro. A former IAS officer and his son have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred at the Supreme Court Metro station. The victim, Pawan Sharma, sustained head injuries after being allegedly slapped and pushed.
