Page 12 - Supreme Court

SC flags fiscal strain of pre-poll freebies, questions power subsidies

Bench led by the CJI warns that unchecked largesse strains taxpayers, deepens deficits and may weaken economic foundations as States expand subsidies ahead of elections

SC to begin hearing anti-CAA pleas from May 5, pan-India matters first

The bench said it will hear the pleas related to pan-India application of the CAA first and then take note of the petitions pertaining to Assam and Tripura later

SC slams freebies culture, says states should open avenues for employment

The Supreme Court on Thursday slammed the freebies culture, saying it was high time to revisit such policies that hamper the country's economic development. Taking note of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd's plea, which proposed to provide free electricity to all irrespective of financial status of consumers, the top court said it was quite understandable if states hand-hold the poor. "Most of the states in the country are revenue deficit states and yet they are offering such freebies" overlooking development, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said. The bench said economic development of the nation gets hampered with this kind of largesse distribution and states should work to open avenues for employment instead of giving free food, cycles, electricity to all. The top court, however, issued notice to Centre and others on the plea of the DMK government-led power distribution firm which proposes to provide fr

Bail norms in heinous crimes apply equally to serious economic offences: SC

The Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad High Court bail order, holding that principles used in heinous crimes must also guide bail decisions in large-scale financial fraud cases

Supreme Court's spectrum ruling risks weakening insolvency framework

The insolvency estate encompasses enforceable rights and interests, no less than ownership of property

Pune Porsche crash case: SC grants bail to accused in 2024 accident

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to an accused in the 2024 Pune Porsche accident case on grounds of parity. The case relates to a May 19, 2024, incident in which a Porsche car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy under the influence of alcohol, fatally knocked down two IT professionals in Pune's Kalyani Nagar area. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that Ashpak Basha Makandar had been in jail since 20 months while three other accused have already been granted bail. It was alleged that Makandar facilitated the criminal conspiracy to tamper with medical evidence by swapping of blood samples of the minor occupants with those of their guardians at the hospital. "Senior counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the appellant is similarly placed to the co-accused who has already been granted bail in this matter. Bail granted in terms of the order passed," the bench said. The top court on February 2 had granted bail to three accused in the case

I-PAC raids: SC adjourns to Mar 18 ED's plea against interference by Mamata

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to March 18 the hearing on a plea moved by the ED alleging obstruction by the West Bengal government, including by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in its search operation at the I-PAC office and the premises of its director in connection with an alleged coal pilferage scam. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan deferred the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that a rejoinder will be filed during the day. The top court on January 15 said the West Bengal chief minister's alleged "obstruction" in ED's probe is "very serious" and agreed to examine if a state's law-enforcing agencies can interfere with any central agency's probe into any serious offence as it stayed FIRs against the agency's officials who raided political consultancy I-PAC on January 8. The top court, while staying the FIRs filed in West Bengal against ED officials, also directed the state police to protect the CCTV footage of the ...

Supreme Court flags rising use of unverified AI inputs in court filings

Supreme Court has cautioned against unverified AI-generated material in filings after spotting fictitious and inaccurate citations, reminding lawyers that accuracy must be ensured

SC disposes Think & Learn plea, protects 25.75% Aakash stake till NCLAT

The Supreme Court has closed Think & Learn's appeal after recording Aakash's undertaking that its 25.75% stake will remain protected until NCLAT decides a pending plea

Nine-judge Supreme Court Bench to look at definition of 'industry'

The Supreme Court has referred the scope of the term "industry" under labour law to a nine-judge Bench, which will revisit a 1975 ruling and assess the effect of later legislative developments

Byju's parent moves SC against NCLAT nod to Aakash's ₹240 cr rights issue

Think & Learn, the parent of Byju's, has moved the Supreme Court challenging an NCLAT order permitting Aakash Educational Services to proceed with the second tranche of its Rs 240-crore rights issue

Supreme Court Bench advises caution in pre-marital physical relationship

The Supreme Court on Monday said a boy and a girl before marriage are "total strangers" and they should be cautious while indulging in pre-marital physical relationships. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, which was hearing the bail plea of a man accused of rape on a false promise of marriage, questioned the woman why she travelled all the way to Dubai where they indulged in physical relationship. "It's consensual. We may be old-fashioned but a boy and girl before marriage are total strangers. They should be circumspect in indulging in physical relationships before marriage," the bench observed. "Whatever may be the thick and thin of their relationship, we fail to understand how they can be indulging in physical relationship before marriage. Maybe we are old- fashioned but you must be very careful, nobody should believe anybody before marriage," Justice Nagarathna said. Counsel for the woman said they met on a matrimonial website in 2022 and he allegedly establish

Consumer awareness: Front-of-pack labels can reshape food choices

The Economic Survey 2025-26 has highlighted that sales of UPFs grew over 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023, which is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases

SC refuses to entertain pleas against Assam CM over viral 'shooting' video

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain petitions seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a viral video purportedly showing him taking aim and firing with a rifle at members of a particular community. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked the petitioners to approach the Gauhati High Court with their grievances. The top court also asked the chief justice of the Gauhati High Court to expedite the hearing in the matter. "Why haven't you gone to the Gauhati High Court? Don't undermine its authority Will ask parties to use restraint and remain within the boundaries of constitutional morality, but this is becoming a trend just before the polls. "This is a disturbing trend that every matter ends up here. We have already deprived high courts of environmental and commercial litigations," the bench observed. During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi submitted that Sarma is a habitual and .

SC issues notice to Centre on plea challenging 2023 data protection law

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of several provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. The plea, moved by The Reporters' Collective and renowned journalist Nitin Sethi, argues that the new data regime severely dilutes the Right to Information (RTI) Act and grants the Centre "sweeping powers" over personal data. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, while agreeing to examine the legal complexities of the Act, refused to grant an interim stay on the impugned provisions. Representing the petitioners, advocate Vrinda Grover said that the Act lacks surgical precision in its attempt to protect privacy. "Instead of using a chisel, (the legislature) has used a hammer, and has thus rendered a body blow (to RTI), " the senior lawyer said. The petition said the DPDP Act creates a blanket bar on the disclosure of personal information, ..

Sabarimala row: SC to begin hearing pleas on entry of women from April 7

The Supreme Court on Monday said that a nine-judge bench will commence final hearing on a batch of petitions relating to discrimination against women in religions and at religious places, including Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said the bench, which will be constituted by the CJI, will commence the crucial hearing on the petitions on April 7. It said that the hearing is likely to conclude on April 22. The bench asked the parties to file their written submissions on or before March 14. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Centre said he supported the pleas for review of the Sabarimala verdict that allowed entry of women of all age groups in the sacred hill-top shrine in Kerala. The bench-appointed lawyer Krishna Kumar Singh is the nodal counsel for parties supporting the review of the Sabarimala verdict. It also appointed Shashwati Pari as the nodal counsel for those opposing the review o

SC to commence hearing on definition of word 'industry' from March 17

The Supreme Court on Monday said that a nine-judge Constitution bench will commence hearing on the contentious issue pertaining to the definition of the word 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 from March 17. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi formulated questions for consideration. The top court asked parties to update their written submissions or submit additional fresh written submissions on or before February 28, 2026. It clarified that matter will be heard on March 17 and 18. "In our considered opinion, we have to adjudicate following issues: Whether test laid down in para 140 to 144 by Justice V Krishna Iyer in Bangalore water supply case on whether enterprise falls within definition of Industry lays down correct law? "Whether the Industrial disputes amendment act 1982 had not seemingly come into force and industry code had any legal impact on the expression 'industry'," the bench said. The top court said it

SC remarks likely to help strengthen Rera and real estate industry

Experts said it is likely to push regulators toward stricter oversight, faster adjudication and more uniform application of rules, thereby raising compliance standards across the board

SC spectrum ruling likely to weigh on IBC recovery from Aircel, RCom

Supreme Court says telecom spectrum cannot be treated as a corporate asset under IBC, a move bankers say will dent recoveries in Aircel and RCom cases

SC asks FSSAI to respond on proposal for front-of-pack food labelling

The Supreme Court has sought the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) response on a suggestion to introduce front-of-pack labelling on packaged food products containing high levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat. Front-of-Pack (FoP) labelling is a simplified, evidence-based nutrition-labelling system placed on the front of food packages to help consumers make quick, informed and healthier purchasing decisions. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) matter filed by public charitable trust 3S and Our Health Society, seeking directions to the Centre, states and Union territories to implement the mandatory front-of-pack warning labels (FoPLs) on packaged food. In an affidavit filed in the court, the FSSAI has said it intends to conduct further research and undertake a systematic mapping of a representative sample of different varieties of packaged food products across both the solid and liquid ...