Page 103 - Supreme Court

CJI nominates Justice Kant as chairperson of SC Legal Services Committee

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has nominated Justice Surya Kant as the new chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), in a notification dated November 12, announced the appointment of Justice Surya Kant as head of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC). The post was previously held by Justice BR Gavai, who will now head NALSA, which is mandated to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society. While the chief justice of India is the patron-in-chief of NALSA, the senior-most judge after him is its executive chair. The second senior-most judge heads the SCLSC, which provides legal services to litigants in the top court. Justice Surya Kant took charge as chief justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018. He was elevated as an apex court judge on May 24, 2019. The Supreme Court judge is due to retire on February 9, 2027.

Bulldozer justice is unconstitutional: Here are the top quotes by the SC

The judgement said that "even the accused or the convicts have certain rights and safeguards in the form of constitutional provisions and criminal law"

SC slams 'bulldozer justice': Warns executive against acting as judge

The Supreme Court asserts that executive actions cannot override the judiciary, emphasising that arbitrary bulldozer demolitions without trial violate legal rights and constitutional principles

Supreme Court to rule on 'bulldozer justice' today: what's been said so far

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict today on framing guidelines to prevent punitive 'bulldozer justice' demolitions. The court has raised concerns over extrajudicial actions by authorities

Trump names John Ratcliffe as CIA head, Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will head the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under his administration. He also picked former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as his ambassador to Israel. In a series of announcements on key positions, Trump also declared Congressman Mike Waltz his National Security Advisor who would serve in his Cabinet and asserted that his NSA pick is an expert on the threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism. For the position of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Trump picked successful real estate investor and philanthropist Steven C Witkoff, giving him the mandate to restore peace in the region. He also declared his former White House cabinet secretary Bill McGinley as the White House Counsel in his second term beginning January 20 next year. Speaking highly of Ratcliffe, Trump said, "From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to ...

SC to pronounce verdict on pan-India guidelines on demolition of properties

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Wednesday on pleas seeking framing of guidelines on demolition of properties in the country. A bench headed by Justice B R Gavai had reserved the verdict on October 1. The top court had said it will lay down pan-India guidelines while making clear that any religious structure in the middle of a road, be it a 'dargah' or a temple, "has to go" because public interest is paramount. It had said merely because somebody is an accused or even a convict cannot be a ground for demolition of property. A batch of pleas alleged that properties, including of those accused of crime, were being demolished in several states. "Whatever we are laying down, we are a secular country. We are laying it down for all the citizens, for all the institutions, not for any particular community," the bench had said. The top court was hearing the petitions filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others seeking directions to various state governments to ensure

Supreme Court dismisses plea to turn off 'machine' controlling man's brain

The appellant alleged that a 'human brain reading machinery' had been obtained by certain individuals at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and was being used to control his brain

No oral mentioning for urgent hearing of cases will be allowed: CJI Khanna

CJI Sanjiv Khanna also stated that the reasons for urgency should be clearly stated in written communications, outlining a citizen-centric agenda for judicial reforms

SC extends interim protection from arrest to actor Siddique in 'rape' case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Malayalam film actor Siddique in an alleged rape case. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma extended its interim order of September 30 in which it granted him interim protection from arrest in the case and directed him to cooperate in the investigation. The bench passed the order after senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Siddique, said he had a bad throat and sought some time to argue the matter. At the outset, Rohatgi said the investigating agency is repeatedly asking the actor about his phone and laptop which he had in 2016 but does not have it now. He said Siddique has met the complainant only once and the probe agency is also seeking his passport and Aadhaar number. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Kerala Police, said Siddique has been appearing before it but is not cooperating in the probe and giving evasive replies. On October 22, the top court ..

Supreme Court dismisses 1994 Sebi appeal against Ambani's Reliance entities

SC dismisses Sebi's appeal against Reliance Investment Holdings, Mukesh, and Anil Ambani over 1994 takeover norms breach, citing 'inordinate delay' in the regulator's actions

SC junks WB plea against arbitral award in favour of Mauritius-based firm

Observing "citizens cannot be taken for a ride", the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain an appeal of the West Bengal government against an arbitral award that asked it to pay a Mauritius-based company towards promised tax incentives. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld the July 12 order of the Calcutta High Court that refused to stay the arbitral award asking the state government to deposit Rs 2,063 crore approximately in favour of Essex Development Investments (Mauritius) Limited. The dispute pertained to the payment of assured tax incentive to Essex which had purchased West Bengal government's shares in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) as per a share purchase agreement (SPA). The bench was hearing the appeal of the state government and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation Limited (WBIDC) against the high court judgement dated September 18, 2023. The citizens cannot be taken for a ride. Here is a private ..

Menstrual hygiene policy for school students framed, approved: Centre to SC

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court of framing the "Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going Girls" approved by the Union Health Ministry. The Centre referred to a top court order of April 10, 2023, and said the Union Ministry of the Health and Family Welfare framed the policy over menstrual hygiene of female school children which was approved by the minister concerned on November 2, 2024. The top court was hearing a PIL filed by Congress leader and social activist Jaya Thakur seeking directions to the Centre and states to provide free sanitary pads to female students between Classes 6 and 12 and ensure separate female toilet facilities in all government, government-aided and residential schools. "This policy aims to mainstream menstrual hygiene within the school system of the government to bolster change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, among schoolgirls, overcoming the barriers of low awareness that often restrict their freedom, mobility and participation in .

SC rejects bail plea of Prajwal Revanna booked for rape, sexual assault

The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, accused of rape and sexual assault. Rejecting the plea, a bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma observed Revanna was a "very influential person". Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the politician, argued that the chargesheet had been filed in the case without the charge of Section 376 (rape) of the IPC. The bench, however, observed it could not interfere with the Karnataka High Court's October 21 decision denying him bail. Subsequently, Rohatgi sought the liberty to approach the court after six months. The bench said it could not say anything about it and dismissed the plea. In August, a special investigation team (SIT) in Karnataka which is probing four cases of sexual assault and harassment against Revanna submitted a 2,144-page chargesheet. The chargesheet pertains to an alleged rape case against the former MLA. Revanna is the son of Holenarasipura JD(S) MLA H D Revanna

Watch: Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes oath as 51st Chief Justice of India

Justice Sanjiv Khanna took oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.

SC raps Delhi police for lax cracker ban, orders special cell formation

Calling it a mere "eyewash", the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Delhi police for failing to comprehensively implement the firecracker ban in the national capital and only seizing raw materials. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih therefore directed the Delhi police commissioner to immediately inform all the stakeholders concerned about the ban order and ensure no sale and manufacture of crackers. "We direct Delhi police commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on fire crackers. We direct Delhi police commissioner to file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by them to enforce ban," it said. The top court wondered why the Delhi government delayed imposition of the ban on fire crackers till October 14, when the order of ban was issued. "The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion ..

SC rejects bail plea of Ex-MP Prajwal Revanna in rape and assault case

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a bail plea of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who faces charges of rape and sexual assault. A bench of Justices Dela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma rejected the plea and observed that Revanna is a very influential person. Appearing for Revanna, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said that a charge sheet has been filed in the case and section 376 of the IPC was not there in the initial complaint. The bench said it could not interfere with the Karnataka High Court's October 21 decision denying him bail. Rohatgi sought the liberty to approach the court after six months. The bench, however, said it could not say anything about that and dismissed his plea. In August, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Karnataka which is probing four cases of sexual assault and harassment against Revanna submitted a 2,144-page charge sheet. The charge sheet relates to a case in which the former MLA is accused of raping a woman, who worked as a domestic help fo

SC rejects ex-Karnataka MP Revanna's bail application in rape case

The Karnataka High Court had in October denied Revanna's request for bail; he is facing multiple accusations of repeated sexual assault and intimidation against him

No religion supports pollution or compromises public health, says SC

The Supreme Court stated that no religion supports actions harming public health and urged states to report pollution control efforts

Kharge congratulates Justice Sanjiv Khanna on being sworn in as new CJI

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday extended best wishes to Justice Sanjiv Khanna after he was sworn-in as the 51st Chief Justice of India, and noted that the position would place a lot of weight on his shoulders due to the extensive scrutiny and expectations that the office brings with it. Kharge exuded confidence that Khanna would be able to bear the weight of this responsibility and serve the Judiciary with distinction. In a post on X, the Congress chief said, "Extending best wishes to Justice Sanjiv Khanna for taking oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India. The position of the Chief Justice of India would undoubtedly place a lot of weight on his shoulders due to the extensive scrutiny and expectations that the office brings with it." "I am sure with his long and distinguished experience, he will be able to bear the weight of this responsibility and serve the Judiciary with distinction," Kharge said. Justice Khanna was on Monday sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of

Delhi riots case: SC declines activist's bail plea, directs HC to consider

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain the plea of student activist Gulfisha Fatima seeking bail in a case of "larger conspiracy" behind the North East Delhi riots of February 2020, and asked the Delhi High Court to consider her plea on November 25. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that she has been in custody for four years and 7 months in the case. The bench said her petition for bail, which is pending before the high court, should be heard on November 25 unless there are some extraordinary circumstances. The top court told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Fatima, that the high court has not been hearing her case and the matter is being adjourned on one pretext or another. He said the high court adjourned the matter 24 times as the presiding judge was on leave and six times the matter was adjourned for other reasons. "This is a question of liberty. Her case is being adjourned on one pretext or other. She has been in jail for