Page 48 - Supreme Court

SC verdict on Friday in suo motu case on summoning of advocates by ED

The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver on Friday its verdict in a suo motu matter concerning the summoning of advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during the probe of cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai had on August 12 reserved its judgment in the suo motu case titled 'In Re: Summoning advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during investigation of cases and related issues. While hearing the matter on July 29, the top court said if a person was merely acting as a lawyer, then he should not be summoned by probe agencies for rendering legal opinion to a client who was under investigation. The apex court, however, said if a lawyer was assisting the client in the crime, then he could be summoned. Earlier, the apex court had observed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was "crossing all limits" and expressed serious concern over the agency summoning lawyers for offering legal advice or representing clients during investigations. It had

Justice Surya Kant appointed next CJI; to enter office on Nov 24

Justice Surya Kant was on Thursday appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India and he will assume charge on November 24. The Department of Justice in the Union Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his appointment. Justice Surya Kant succeeds Justice Bhushan R Gavai, who demits office on November 23. He will be the CJI for nearly 15 months and will demit office on February 9, 2027 on attaining the age of 65 years. "In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025," Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a post on X. "I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him," he added. Justice Kant, born in a middle-class family on February 10, 1962 in Hissar district of Haryana, became a top court judge on May 24, 2019. He brings to the country's top judicial office a wealth of experience

Govt to study SC order before taking call on Vi dues: Jyotiraditya Scindia

"We will need to study the order to understand its implications and will wait for Vodafone Idea to apply for seeking relief," Scindia said on the sidelines of a briefing on the Department of Posts

SC seeks Centre, Ladakh's response on plea challenging Wangchuk's detention

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took on record the amended plea of Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the climate activist's detention and sought the response of the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh in ten days. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the UT of Ladakh, to file the response to the amended plea and posted the matter for hearing on November 24. The bench also allowed senior advocate Kapil Sibal to file rejoinder, if any. On October 15, the top court deferred the hearing on the plea of Angmo after she sought to file an amended petition with additional grounds for challenging the detention of Wangchuk, currently lodged in Central jail at Jodhpur of Rajasthan. It had noted that an affidavit filed by the jailor of Jodhpur jail stated that Wangchuk's elder brother and lawyer met the detenue. Earlier, Sibal had requested the court that Wangchuk be permitted to exchange some note

Relief for Vodafone Idea may trigger govt equity dilution, say brokerages

Analysts expect AGR relief for Vodafone Idea soon, paving way for equity raising and government stake dilution while easing the telco's debt and funding constraints

Supreme Court allows Centre to reconsider Vodafone Idea's AGR dues issue

SC says offering relief is within Union government's policy domain

Bengal MGNREGA row: SC nixes Centre's plea against HC order to resume works

The Supreme Court upholds the Calcutta High Court's directive to restart MGNREGA works in West Bengal, ending a prolonged standoff over halted rural job funds

CJI BR Gavai's tenure ends soon: Meet Justice Surya Kant the next in line | Supreme court

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court after him as his successor.

VIL says keen to work with DoT to protect 200 mn users after SC AGR order

With the Supreme Court allowing the Centre to reconsider and reconcile Vodafone Idea's Rs 5,606 crore AGR dues for FY17, the telco on Monday said it looks forward to working closely with the telecom department to resolve the matter in the interests of its nearly 200 million subscribers. The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the Centre to reconsider and reconcile Vodafone Idea's pending adjusted gross revenue dues of Rs 5,606 crore for the financial year 201617, observing that the issue falls within the policy domain of the government. In a BSE filing, VIL said: "In a positive development, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has today permitted the Government to consider the grievances of Vodafone Idea Limited on the issues relating to AGR. We look forward to working closely with the Department of Telecommunications to resolve this matter in the interests of our nearly 200 million subscribers". This is an impetus to the Digital India vision and ambition of the Prime Minister, the telco ...

SC seeks CBI's response on bail plea of former DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the CBI on a bail plea filed by former DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan in an alleged Rs 34,926 crore bank fraud case. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi issued notice to the agency and sought its response. The Delhi High Court on August 4 denied bail to Wadhawan, noting that his conduct during custody was "not beyond reproach". The high court denied the relief, saying such economic offences were not only crimes against specific victims but against the financial system at large. The CBI alleged Wadhawan, as promoter and CMD of DHFL, was the principal architect of a massive financial fraud involving diversion and misappropriation of approximately Rs 34,926 crore from a consortium of 17 banks. "It is noteworthy that the conduct of the applicant during custody has not been beyond reproach. The allegations regarding manipulation of valuable assets and transactions carried out during judicial custody are grave and suggest th

SC slams states and UTs over stray dogs case; summons chief secys on Nov 3

The Supreme Court noted that only West Bengal, Delhi and Telangana had filed reports on implementing the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, despite earlier directions to all states

2020 Delhi riots: SC defers hearing on bail pleas of Umar Khalid, others

The Supreme Court observed that the Delhi Police had sufficient time to respond, adding that in bail matters, filing additional replies is unnecessary despite a request for two more weeks

CJI BR Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of India

Once President Droupadi Murmu formally approves Kant's appointment, he will take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, and serve until February 9, 2027

SC allows Centre to reassess Vodafone Idea's AGR dues, cites policy grounds

The Supreme Court said the Centre can review Vodafone Idea's AGR dues, calling it a policy decision; the move gives relief to the debt-hit telecom firm and protects 200 million consumers

Inclined to entrust CBI with probe of nationwide digital arrest cases: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday said it is inclined to entrust to the CBI the probe into digital arrest cases after taking into consideration the magnitude and pan-India spread of such crimes, and sought details of FIRs registered in different states and union territories. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to all the States and UTs on digital arrest cases and posted the suo motu cases registered by it on a complaint of an elderly women defrauded by fraudsters on November 3. The top court noted the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, that cyber crime and digital arrest cases are originating from off-shore locations like Myanmar and Thailand and directed the probe agency to come up with a plan to probe these cases. We will monitor the progress of the CBI investigation, issue whatever directions are necessary, it said. The bench asked the CBI to respond whether it needs more resources, including cyber experts who are not in

2020 riots: SC to hear bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam on Monday

The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider in the UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria is likely to hear the matter. The top court on September 22 had issued notice to the Delhi Police and sought its response. The activists have moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court order passed on September 2. The high court denied bail to nine people, including Khalid and Imam, saying "conspiratorial" violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens could not be allowed. Besides Khalid and Imam, those who faced bail rejection are Fatima, Haider, Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Abdul Khalid Saifi and Shadab Ahmed. The bail plea of another accused, Tasleem Ahmed, was rejected by a different high court bench on September 2. The high court said the Constitution affor

Florida truck crash sparks SC battle over immigrant driver licences

The case has reignited a national debate about road safety, immigration laws, and who should be allowed to operate large commercial vehicles on American highways

Govt begins process to appoint new CJI as Justice BR Gavai nears retirement

Traditionally, the outgoing CJI receives the request for recommendation about a month before demitting office upon reaching the age of 65

Courts are custodians of democracy, not just law interpreters: CJI Gavai

Observing that public trust is the judiciary's "most valuable asset", Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said that courts have an active and indispensable role to play in the system of constitutional governance and in fulfilling the mandate of the Constitution. The CJI noted that perhaps the most enduring role of courts in constitutional governance is to sustain public faith in the rule of law, adding that decisions delivered by courts, even if unpopular, must reflect fairness and moral courage. Justice Gavai, who is presently on a four-day official visit to Bhutan, delivered the keynote address at an event organised by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) School of Law at the Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu. Speaking on the theme of "courts and constitutional governance", he touched upon many aspects, including the active role of courts. "I will not burden you with more case examples, but I wish to emphasise a larger point: that the courts of any nation have an active

Govt initiates process to appoint new CJI; Justice Surya Kant next in line

The government on Thursday initiated the process to appoint the next chief justice of India as incumbent B R Gavai demits office on November 23, sources said. The letter asking Justice Gavai to name his successor is set to be delivered either this evening or on Friday, people aware of the procedure to appoint Supreme Court and high court judges told PTI. According to the memorandum of procedure, a set of documents which guide the appointment, transfer and elevation of SC and HC judges states that appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office. The Union law minister would, "at the appropriate time", seek the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the appointment of his successor. Conventionally, the letter is sent a month before the incumbent CJI retires on attaining the age of 65 years. Justice Surya Kant is the seniormost judge after the CJI and is next in line to