News for 'constitutional validity'

Cash row: No relief for Justice Varma as SC backs misconduct finding

Cash row: No relief for Justice Varma as SC backs misconduct finding

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court dismissed Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma's plea seeking invalidation of a report that found him guilty of misconduct in the cash discovery row.

New CJI-led bench to hear pleas against Waqf Act

New CJI-led bench to hear pleas against Waqf Act

Rediff.com5 May 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday said the pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act's constitutional validity will now be taken up by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India-designate Justice B R Gavai on May 15 as the incumbent CJI will be demitting office on May 13.

Welfare over sops for industry: Mamata digs in ahead of polls

Welfare over sops for industry: Mamata digs in ahead of polls

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

'The chief minister believes the poorest of the poor have the first right on government resources.'

EPFO adds nearly 22 lakh members in June

EPFO adds nearly 22 lakh members in June

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

Retirement fund body EPFO recorded a 13.46 per cent year-on-year growth in net member addition of 21.89 lakh in June, according to the latest payroll data released on Wednesday. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) provisional payroll data for June 2025 showed a net addition of 21.89 lakh members, marking the highest recorded addition since payroll data tracking began in April 2018, a labour ministry statement said.

SC questions how convicted people can return to Parl, legislature

SC questions how convicted people can return to Parl, legislature

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India expressed concern about the "criminalization of politics" and questioned how convicted individuals can return to Parliament. The court sought the assistance of the attorney general on this issue, highlighting the apparent conflict of interest and the need for clarity on the Representation of People Act's provisions. The court also raised concerns about the slow pace of trials against lawmakers, with a significant number of cases pending. The issue has been referred to a larger bench for consideration.

Merely having Aadhaar, voter ID doesn't make one Indian citizen: HC

Merely having Aadhaar, voter ID doesn't make one Indian citizen: HC

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The Bombay High Court ruled that possessing documents like Aadhaar, PAN, or voter ID does not automatically grant Indian citizenship, emphasizing the importance of the Citizenship Act of 1955.

No need for socialism, secularism in India: Shivraj

No need for socialism, secularism in India: Shivraj

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said 'there is no need for socialism in India', adding 'secularism is not the core of our culture'.

Want To Buy Farm Land?

Want To Buy Farm Land?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

'Legally clean farmland is difficult to find. It requires time, money, and legal effort to verify the title.'

Explained: Trump's H1 Order Decoded

Explained: Trump's H1 Order Decoded

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

A deep dive into Trump's new policy and what it means for Indian professionals and companies.

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.

When A Bank Account Has No Nominee

When A Bank Account Has No Nominee

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

Whenever possible, the karta or head of the family should openly discuss the future distribution of movable and immovable property with all legal heirs.

SC grants protection to scribe in case booked in Assam

SC grants protection to scribe in case booked in Assam

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has granted interim protection to journalist Abhisar Sharma in an FIR lodged against him in Assam over a video post allegedly criticising the state's policies.

'Patience On The Markets Will Be Rewarded'

'Patience On The Markets Will Be Rewarded'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

'If nominal growth improves and earnings pick up, Indian stock markets could see a rally next year.'

SC directs Punjab, Haryana to cooperate on SYL canal dispute

SC directs Punjab, Haryana to cooperate on SYL canal dispute

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India has directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to cooperate with the Centre in finding an amicable solution to the long-standing dispute over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. The court deemed the de-notification of land acquired for the canal in Punjab an "act of high-handedness" and emphasized the need to consider "wider ramifications" beyond legal considerations. The court has set August 13 for a further hearing if an amicable solution is not reached.

SC to set up new Constitution bench to hear polygamy, 'nikah halala' pleas

SC to set up new Constitution bench to hear polygamy, 'nikah halala' pleas

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The Supreme Court said on Thursday that it will set up a fresh five-judge Constitution bench at an "appropriate stage" to hear pleas challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims.

SC asks EC for data on disqualification of convicted politicians

SC asks EC for data on disqualification of convicted politicians

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Election Commission of India to provide details of cases in which it had either removed or reduced the period of disqualification from electoral rolls of leaders post their conviction in criminal cases.

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Can't be a 'blanket stay' on Waqf law: Centre to SC

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

The Indian government has defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, arguing that there cannot be a blanket stay on the law as there is a presumption of its constitutionality. The Centre countered the pleas challenging the law's validity, asserting that the amendments were undertaken after a comprehensive study by a parliamentary panel. The government also highlighted the "reported misuse" of earlier provisions and the increase in waqf land, claiming that over 20 lakh hectares were added after 2013.

New CJI-led bench to hear Waqf pleas on May 20

New CJI-led bench to hear Waqf pleas on May 20

Rediff.com15 May 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for those challenging the validity of the law, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, to file their written notes by Monday.

Supreme Court allows claiming input tax credit on construction expenses

Supreme Court allows claiming input tax credit on construction expenses

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

In a development that may encourage increased investment in commercial real estate, the Supreme Court on Thursday gave the industry relief by permitting input tax credit (ITC) on construction expenses for buildings meant to be leased. "If the construction of a building was essential for carrying out the activity of supplying services, such as renting or giving on lease or other transactions in respect of the building or a part thereof, which are covered by clauses (2) and (5) of Schedule II of the CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) Act, the building could be held to be a plant," said Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Sanjay Karol.

Judicial review upholds doctrine of separation of powers: SC

Judicial review upholds doctrine of separation of powers: SC

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

The observations came while upholding the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act which grants Indian citizenship to immigrants from Bangladesh who entered Assam on or after January 1, 1966 but before March 25, 1971.

Vice-Presidential election: Stage set for 'south versus south' battle

Vice-Presidential election: Stage set for 'south versus south' battle

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The stage is set for a direct contest between NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy for the September 9 vice-presidential election. Nominations have been scrutinized and accepted.

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has stated it will intervene if there is mass exclusion in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, emphasizing the Election Commission's role as a constitutional authority.

SC to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Feb 17

SC to hear pleas on Places of Worship Act on Feb 17

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The Act prohibits conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.

Accept Aadhaar, voter ID: SC to poll panel on Bihar SIR

Accept Aadhaar, voter ID: SC to poll panel on Bihar SIR

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

Underscoring the 'presumption of genuineness' of Aadhaar and voter ID, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the publication of draft electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and said it would once and for all decide pleas against Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

SC puts off pleas on Places of Worship Act to April

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar also indicated that it may not take up the pending scheduled petitions, heard earlier by a three-judge bench, during the day as it was sitting in a combination of two judges.

New Constitution bench to hear pleas on polygamy, nikah halala among Muslims

New Constitution bench to hear pleas on polygamy, nikah halala among Muslims

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

The Supreme Court said on Thursday it will set up a fresh five-judge Constitution bench to hear the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy and 'nikah halala' among Muslims.

Bihar voter list row 'largely trust deficit', says SC

Bihar voter list row 'largely trust deficit', says SC

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The Supreme Court has begun hearing petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision to conduct a special intensive revision exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, raising concerns about voter exclusion.

Have 100% proof of EC allowing cheating, won't...: Rahul

Have 100% proof of EC allowing cheating, won't...: Rahul

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

"We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency this is the drama that is taking place. Thousands and thousands of new voters, how old are they? -- 45, 50, 60, 65, thousands and thousands of them in one constituency. This is one thing, voter deletion, voter addition, new voters who are way above 18 (is going on)... so we have caught them," he said.

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Samajwadi Party leader and Kairana MP Iqra Choudhary has moved the Supreme Court seeking effective implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This move comes amidst several petitions challenging the law's validity, including those filed by the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. The Supreme Court, in December 2022, had restrained all courts from examining fresh suits and passing interim orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places. The Act aims to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, but the dispute relating to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was kept out of its purview. The court has listed Choudhary's plea with other pending pleas for February 17.

NC's Lone pledges allegiance to Constitution but govt not happy

NC's Lone pledges allegiance to Constitution but govt not happy

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

National Conference leader Mohammed Akbar Lone on Tuesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court reiterating his oath as Lok Sabha MP, saying he will preserve and uphold the Constitution and protect the country's territorial integrity, an undertaking that irked the Centre which claimed it added "insult to injury to the nation".

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Modi govt opposes life-time ban on convicted politicians

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

The Centre said as a matter of judicial review, the court could declare the provisions to be unconstitutional, however, the relief sought by the petitioner effectively sought to read "life-long" instead of "six years" in all sub-sections of Section 8 of the Act.

From Tuesday you can watch SC's Constitution bench proceedings live online

From Tuesday you can watch SC's Constitution bench proceedings live online

Rediff.com26 Sep 2022

The Supreme Court is all set to live-stream its Constitution bench proceedings from Tuesday, and the hearing of pleas challenging reservations for the economically weaker sections and the row over control of services between the Centre and the Delhi government will be the first regular webcast.

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

India's first Buddhist CJI ruled against 'bulldozer justice'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, India's 52nd chief justice and its first Buddhist one, has played a key role in shaping the judicial landscape, penning about 300 verdicts, including landmark rulings on constitutional issues, liberty, and perhaps most important against the executive's 'bulldozer justice'.

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Errors in filing income-tax returns frequently lead to scrutiny notices, additional liabilities, or delayed refunds.

'Human Error Verdict Keeps Dreamliner's Reputation Intact'

'Human Error Verdict Keeps Dreamliner's Reputation Intact'

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

'Earlier, the NTSB was actively flagging technical issues with Boeing. But now, the narrative is shifting toward 'human error'.' 'That term is often misunderstood -- it could mean pilots, engineers, refueling staff -- anyone.' 'But this framing ('human error') conveniently steers the conversation away from mechanical or design faults.'

Abrogation of Article 370 valid, rules SC, calls for polls by Sep '24

Abrogation of Article 370 valid, rules SC, calls for polls by Sep '24

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

In an emphatic victory for the Modi government, the Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld its decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status upon the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, ordered restoration of statehood "at the earliest" and set a September 30, 2024, deadline for holding the assembly elections.

Congress to Challenge Waqf Bill in Supreme Court 'very soon'

Congress to Challenge Waqf Bill in Supreme Court 'very soon'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The Congress party announced its intention to challenge the constitutionality of the recently passed Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Supreme Court. AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the party will "very soon" file a petition, citing concerns about the bill's impact on constitutional principles. Ramesh highlighted the Congress's ongoing legal challenges against other legislation, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, and changes to the Conduct of Election Rules. He emphasized the party's commitment to defending the Constitution's principles, provisions, and practices.

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.

SC recalls 2022 verdict on benami law as unconstitutional

SC recalls 2022 verdict on benami law as unconstitutional

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

Allowing the Centre's review of the August 23, 2022 verdict, a bench Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra recalled the judgement delivered by a three-judge bench headed by former CJI NV Ramana.

SC to deliver verdict on same-sex marriage validity on Tuesday

SC to deliver verdict on same-sex marriage validity on Tuesday

Rediff.com16 Oct 2023

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had on May 11 reserved its verdict on the pleas after a marathon hearing of 10 days.