News for 'constitution bench'

SC questions Centre on bills pending with Governors since 2020

SC questions Centre on bills pending with Governors since 2020

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Centre has opposed the imposition of fixed timelines on governors and the President for decisions on bills passed by state legislatures, arguing that such constraints were intentionally omitted by the Constitution's framers.

SC quashes parts of tribunals reforms law as unconstitutional

SC quashes parts of tribunals reforms law as unconstitutional

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court of India has struck down key provisions of the 2021 Tribunals Reforms law, citing violations of separation of powers and judicial independence. The court restored earlier directions on tenure for tribunal members.

Justice Surya Kant appointed as 53rd CJI

Justice Surya Kant appointed as 53rd CJI

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice Bhushan R Gavai. He will assume office on November 24 and serve until February 9, 2027.

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking the implementation of the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

'SC Opinion Takes Away A Degree Of Power From States'

'SC Opinion Takes Away A Degree Of Power From States'

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'It makes law-making on the part of the state governments much more difficult and throws up bottlenecks as governors are not acting on bills.'

Dog lovers, feeders will be held responsible for dog bites: SC

Dog lovers, feeders will be held responsible for dog bites: SC

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court of India has expressed concern over the lack of implementation of stray animal norms and indicated it will direct state governments to pay significant compensation for dog-bite incidents. The court also suggested holding dog feeders responsible for attacks.

'Leaving with satisfaction': Outgoing CJI bids farewell

'Leaving with satisfaction': Outgoing CJI bids farewell

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai retired, reflecting on his career, commitment to the Constitution, and social justice.

Can't ignore Pahalgam: SC seeks Centre's reply on J-K statehood

Can't ignore Pahalgam: SC seeks Centre's reply on J-K statehood

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

The SC has sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Karur stampede: SC questions formation of SIT

Karur stampede: SC questions formation of SIT

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court has questioned the Madras High Court's decision to form a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the Karur stampede, which resulted in 41 deaths. The court raised concerns about the High Court's handling of the matter, particularly regarding the formation of the SIT and adverse remarks made against actor Vijay's political party.

SC upholds dismissal of Christian officer for refusing to enter temple

SC upholds dismissal of Christian officer for refusing to enter temple

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Describing the act as the 'grossest kind of indiscipline', the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a former Christian officer's plea challenging his termination from the armed forces, after he allegedly refused to participate in regimental religious activities at the sanctum sanctorum of a temple at a place of his posting.

IndiGo moves Delhi HC seeking Rs 900 crore Customs duty refund

IndiGo moves Delhi HC seeking Rs 900 crore Customs duty refund

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, has approached the Delhi high court seeking a refund of over Rs 900 crore it claims to have paid as Customs duty on aircraft engines and parts re-imported into India after overseas repairs. The petition came up for hearing on Friday before a bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Shail Jain.

BJP states defend Governor's power to assent to Bills in SC

BJP states defend Governor's power to assent to Bills in SC

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

BJP-ruled states argued in the Supreme Court that governors and the President have autonomy in assenting to bills passed by state assemblies, asserting that courts cannot mandate assent.

Meet next CJI who gave Kejri bail; SIR, Art 370 verdicts

Meet next CJI who gave Kejri bail; SIR, Art 370 verdicts

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Justice Surya Kant is set to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, bringing extensive experience and a record of significant verdicts on key issues.

SC sets time limit for arguments in Delhi riots case

SC sets time limit for arguments in Delhi riots case

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed lawyers for the accused in the February 2020 Delhi riots to restrict their oral arguments to 15 minutes, emphasizing the need for a time schedule. The court also addressed bail pleas from activists like Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, while the Delhi Police maintained the riots were a pre-planned attack.

Governors can't withhold assent to bills for eternity: SC

Governors can't withhold assent to bills for eternity: SC

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has questioned the practice of Governors withholding assent to bills indefinitely, stating that it renders the constitutional provision of 'as soon as possible' meaningless.

Exclusion of 'creamy layer' from reservation is legislature's call: SC

Exclusion of 'creamy layer' from reservation is legislature's call: SC

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court on Thursday said the executive and the legislature would decide whether persons, who had availed quota benefits and were in a position to compete with others, were to be excluded from reservation.

Tell us the solution: SC questions Centre on governors sitting over bills

Tell us the solution: SC questions Centre on governors sitting over bills

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court is examining the extent to which courts can intervene when governors delay or refuse to act on bills passed by state assemblies. The court questioned the Centre on whether judicial review is barred in cases of gubernatorial inaction, sparking debate on the balance of power between states and the central government.

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

SC asks poll panel to respond to parties' pleas on SIR in 2 weeks

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission to respond to petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The court has also asked the Madras and Calcutta High Courts to keep proceedings on similar petitions in abeyance.

SC fines 10 Raj dental colleges Rs 10 cr each over admission breaches

SC fines 10 Raj dental colleges Rs 10 cr each over admission breaches

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court of India has imposed a fine of Rs 10 crore each on 10 private dental colleges in Rajasthan for irregularities in admissions, citing blatant illegality and willful violation of rules. The court also directed the state government to deposit Rs 10 lakh for failing to adhere to legal procedures.

Pune land deal: HC asks if cops are protecting Parth Pawar

Pune land deal: HC asks if cops are protecting Parth Pawar

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

The Bombay High Court has questioned the police investigation into a land deal, asking why Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, has not been named in the FIR.

NHRC notice to Railways over serving only halal meat in trains

NHRC notice to Railways over serving only halal meat in trains

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

According to the proceedings of the case, the complainant has alleged that the "Indian Railways serves only halal-processed meat in non-vegetarian meals, which creates unfair discrimination and causes human-rights violations".

Handle threats to BLOs, else will cause anarchy, SC tells poll panel

Handle threats to BLOs, else will cause anarchy, SC tells poll panel

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court expressed concern over threats to election officials in West Bengal and other states, urging the Election Commission to take action. The court also addressed the lack of cooperation from state governments in electoral roll revisions.

SC rejects plea to declare Art 370 abrogation as constitutionally valid

SC rejects plea to declare Art 370 abrogation as constitutionally valid

Rediff.com21 Aug 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a declaration that abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, was constitutionally valid.

EC strongly defends TN, Bengal SIR in SC, denies mass voter deletion

EC strongly defends TN, Bengal SIR in SC, denies mass voter deletion

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Election Commission has defended its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court, refuting allegations of mass deletion of genuine voters as exaggerated and politically motivated.

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Why Does Modi Pass Bills In Such Haste?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The passing of bills without Parliament, including the treasury benches, having any real understanding of what they contained through any rigorous process has accelerated through the Modi era, points out Aakar Patel.

'You trust UK, not India': SC raps petitioners over Covid data

'You trust UK, not India': SC raps petitioners over Covid data

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court questioned petitioners who challenged the accuracy of India's COVID-19 vaccine adverse effect data, suggesting they unduly trusted UK figures. The court heard arguments about alleged deaths due to the Covishield vaccine and reserved its order.

Informing grounds of arrest constitutional requirement: SC

Informing grounds of arrest constitutional requirement: SC

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that informing an accused of the grounds for their arrest is not a formality but a mandatory constitutional requirement. The court declared the arrest of Vihaan Kumar, who was accused of financial fraud, as unconstitutional and ordered his immediate release. The ruling emphasizes the importance of procedural safeguards in criminal law and highlights the fundamental rights of arrested individuals. The court also expressed disapproval of the police's treatment of Kumar, including handcuffing and chaining him while he was in the hospital.

SC urges Hindu women to make wills to avoid property disputes

SC urges Hindu women to make wills to avoid property disputes

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court of India has appealed to women, particularly Hindu women without sons, daughters, or husbands, to make wills to avoid potential property disputes, highlighting the increasing number of women with self-acquired property.

'Systemic failure': SC steps in after dog attacks, orders relocation drive

'Systemic failure': SC steps in after dog attacks, orders relocation drive

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has directed authorities to relocate stray dogs from institutional areas like schools and hospitals to designated shelters due to a rise in dog bite cases. The court also addressed the issue of stray animals on highways.

3-judge SC bench to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Thursday

3-judge SC bench to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Thursday

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits lawsuits to reclaim a place of worship or change its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The pleas, including one filed by Ashwini Upadhyay, argue that these provisions violate the right to judicial remedy and create an arbitrary cut-off date. The matter will be heard in the backdrop of several ongoing cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura. The Muslim side has cited the 1991 law to argue that such suits are not maintainable. The Supreme Court had previously sought the Centre's response to Upadhyay's petition, which alleged that the law creates an "arbitrary and irrational retrospective cut-off date" for maintaining the character of places of worship.

SC to hear on Monday plea against Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention

SC to hear on Monday plea against Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). The plea, filed by Wangchuk's wife, argues the detention is illegal and violates his fundamental rights.

Pak's 27th Amendment seeks to clip SC powers, triggers protest calls

Pak's 27th Amendment seeks to clip SC powers, triggers protest calls

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

It also aims to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court, with some authorities shifted to the proposed Constitutional Court, and immunity to the president from criminal proceedings for life.

SIT suspects more gold lost from Sabarimala than found

SIT suspects more gold lost from Sabarimala than found

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loss case suspects that more gold was lost from the temple than initially believed. The investigation has led to political accusations and counter-accusations between various parties.

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Vijay's TVK not a recognised political party: EC

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Election Commission of India informed the Madras High Court that actor Vijay's TVK is not a recognised political party during a hearing regarding a PIL seeking its derecognition following a stampede at a party rally.

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

HC disqualifies Mukul Roy as MLA under anti-defection law

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

The Calcutta High Court has cancelled the membership of senior leader Mukul Roy in the West Bengal assembly under the anti-defection law, marking a significant moment in Indian jurisprudence.

Uproar in Parl as Kharge raises Dhankhar's 'sudden exit'

Uproar in Parl as Kharge raises Dhankhar's 'sudden exit'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge assured Chairman CP Radhakrishnan of cooperation from the Congress party in the smooth conduct of the House, while also urging him to treat the Opposition and Treasury benches equally. He also mentioned the previous Chairman, triggering protests.

BJP vs Cong in Parl over DK Shivakumar's 'changing Constitution' remark

BJP vs Cong in Parl over DK Shivakumar's 'changing Constitution' remark

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of parliament, was adjourned on Monday without transacting any business due to a heated exchange between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress over the issue of reservations to Muslims in public contracts in Karnataka. The BJP accused Congress of seeking to amend the Constitution to provide reservations based on religion, while Congress asserted its commitment to protecting the Constitution. The debate centered around a statement by a senior Congress leader, who was reportedly advocating for changing the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims.

HC upholds probe into Munambam land, slams waqf board's tactic

HC upholds probe into Munambam land, slams waqf board's tactic

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

The Kerala High Court has criticized the Kerala Waqf Board's claim on land in Munambam as a 'land grabbing tactic' and upheld the government's decision to appoint an inquiry commission to investigate the ownership of the disputed area.

DGCA to deploy staff inside IndiGo headquarters

DGCA to deploy staff inside IndiGo headquarters

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Aviation watchdog DGCA stations personnel at IndiGo's headquarters to monitor flight cancellations, crew deployment, and operational disruptions after thousands of flights were cancelled, causing passenger inconvenience.

Cricket betting profits proceeds of crime, says Delhi HC

Cricket betting profits proceeds of crime, says Delhi HC

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

The Delhi High Court has held that profits from cricket betting would constitute "proceeds of crime" under the anti-money laundering law.