Page 65 - Supreme Court

Panchayat poll candidates obligated to disclose info on pending cases: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which said the candidates contesting panchayat elections were obligated to disclose information about the pending cases against them. A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the remarks while affirming the decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court to uphold the dismissal of the 'pradhan' (head) of the Pangna village panchayat in Mandi district. The high court on October 16, 2024, held that the concealment of material facts by the petitioner amounted to "corrupt practice" under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and was another valid ground to declare his election null and void. The top court said, "We fail to find any merit as far as the petitioner's challenge to the impugned order(s) and judgment(s) of the high court are concerned. We say so for the reason that the regulations framed by the State Election Commission have rightly been held by the high court to be

Pune Porsche crash: Accused teen's mother gets interim bail from SC

The mother of a 17-year-old boy involved in the Pune Porsche crash, in which two persons lost their lives, walked out of jail on Saturday, four days after the Supreme Court granted her interim bail. She is the first among the 10 accused arrested in the alleged blood sample-swapping case to be released on bail. The others in custody include the teenager's father, Sassoon Hospital doctors Ajay Taware and Shrihari Halnor, hospital staffer Atul Ghatkamble, two middlemen, and three others. A Porsche allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy in an inebriated state fatally knocked down two IT professionals on a two-wheeler in Pune's Kalyani Nagar in the early hours of May 19 last year. The boy's mother is accused of swapping her blood sample with that of her son to conceal his inebriation at the time of the accident. While granting the mother interim bail, the Supreme Court had directed a Pune court to set the bail conditions. Accordingly, the district and sessions court heard arguments from

Over 20 lakh acre waqf land added post 2013 amendment: Centre to SC

The Centre on Friday claimed an addition of 20 lakh acre waqf land post the law's 2013 amendment and flagged "misuse" of waqf provisions to encroach upon private and government properties. In a preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court, the Centre urged the bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna to dismiss the pleas challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The government termed it "really shocking" that after the amendment brought in 2013, there was a 116 per cent rise in the auqaf area. "Right before even Mughal era, pre-independence era and post-independence era, the total of wakfs created was 18,29,163.896 acres of land in India," it claimed. The Centre, however, said, "Shockingly after 2013, the addition of wakf land is 20,92,072.536 acres." The affidavit claimed the figures were uploaded by the respective waqfs and waqf boards voluntarily on Waqf Management System of India portal. The government said it has been the consistent experience that every waqf an

Waqf row: Centre opposes SC blanket stay on law with presumed validity

The Centre on Friday defended the amended Waqf Act in the Supreme Court and opposed any "blanket stay" by the court on a "law having presumption of constitutionality passed by Parliament". In a preliminary 1,332-page affidavit, the Centre urged the top court to dismiss the pleas challenging the validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, pointing out a "mischevious false narrative" surrounding certain provisions. "While this court would examine these challenges when the cases are heard, a blanket stay (or a partial stay) without being aware of the adverse consequences of such an order in a generality of cases (even on members of the Muslim community itself) were the petitions to be unsuccessful, would be uncalled for, especially in the context of the presumption of validity of such laws," it argued. The Centre, as a result, urged a bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, set to hear pleas for passing interim directions on May 5, not to stay the law's provisions. The government ...

'Interim stay violates separation of powers': Centre to SC on Waqf Act

The Centre tells the Supreme Court that it will defend Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying an interim stay would violate the separation of powers and that the law was passed after thorough debate

Kerala's Pala Bar Association makes history with all-women executive panel

In a historic move, the Pala Bar Association in Kerala has elected an all-women executive panel, setting a new precedent for gender-inclusive leadership in the legal profession

'Irresponsible': Supreme Court raps Rahul Gandhi for remarks on Savarkar

The Supreme Court warned Rahul Gandhi against making derogatory remarks on freedom fighters, calling his comments on VD Savarkar 'irresponsible'

Suspects can't contest CBI probes once FIR, investigation ordered: SC

The direction for a CBI probe after the registration of an FIR and subsequent investigation is not open to challenge by prospective suspects or accused, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday. The significant observations were made by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra in a judgement by which it upheld a Karnataka High Court order directing the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into alleged murder of Bengaluru-based realtor K Raghunath in 2019. The apex court dismissed criminal appeals filed by several accused parties challenging the high court's decision. We are of the considered view that once an FIR is registered and investigation has taken place, direction for an investigation by the CBI is not open to challenge by the prospective suspect or accused. The matter for entrusting investigation to a particular agency is basically at the discretion of the Court, Justice Mishra, writing the judgement for the bench, said. The bench reaffirmed the ..

Does match-fixing count as crime? Supreme Court to decide in KPL case

The case revolves around a few cricketers who were accused of fixing cricket matches in the 2018 season of Karnataka Premier League

SC condemns terrorist attack in Pahalgam, judges pay tribute to victims

The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed anguish and strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack that targeted tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday. Judges and the lawyers in the top court paid tributes to victims by observing a moment of silence. In a full court meeting held on Wednesday morning, the top court unanimously adopted a resolution denouncing the act of terror, the apex court said in a statement. This diabolical act of mindless violence has shaken the conscience of all and is a stark reminder of the brutality and inhumanity that terrorism unleashes," it said. The top court resolution went on, The Supreme Court of India pays its respectful tribute to the innocent lives snuffed out brutally and prematurely while also expressing its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed souls rest in peace and may those who were injured recover soon. The nation stands with the victims and their families in this hour of indescribable grief." The

Submit report on probe against Kailash Vijayvargiya, others: SC to WB govt

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to submit a report on the status of investigation against BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, Arjun Singh and others in criminal cases lodged against them in the state. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the appeals were filed in 2020 and directed the state to file a comprehensive affidavit within a month and inform it about the stage of probe in the matter. The top court also extended their interim protection till July 23, the next date of hearing. "You want investigation to be transferred to CBI. Are you sure CBI will carry out a fair investigation?" the bench asked. The petitions sought the transfer of investigation in FIRs registered at multiple police stations in West Bengal. "The petitions are of year 2020. This court had earlier only protected the petitioners for coercive action but no stay was granted. Therefore, we direct the state of West Bengal to file a comprehensive affidavit sta

'We are not worried', says Justice Surya Kant on attacks against judiciary

Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant's remarks come in the wake of a recent ruling by the apex court that set a timeline for the President and Governors to act on bills, which triggered political backlash

'Parliament is supreme': VP Dhankhar renews attack on judicial overreach

Amid judiciary vs executive row, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar backs Parliament's primacy, slams SC over contradictory verdicts, and seeks institutional accountability

SC to hear Kerala's pleas against Governor over delay in approving bills

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on May 6 the pleas of the Kerala government against the governor over the delay in approving bills passed by the state assembly. A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the state government, that the verdict of another bench on the plea of Tamil Nadu covered the issues raised in the present petition. Venugopal said the judgement delivered by a bench headed by Justice J B Pardiwala framed guidelines and set timelines for governors and the President on granting assent to bills. What is the timeline for making a reference to the President by the governor and this issue is dealt with by that judgement, the senior lawyer said. We will look into that judgement and see whether issues raised here are covered, the bench said and fixed the pleas for further hearing on May 6. Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appeari

We should maintain decorum of institution: SC over BJP MP's remarks

The Supreme Court on Monday called for maintaining "certain decorum and reputation of the institution" after it was informed that a parliamentarian made remarks against the Chief Justice of India. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the observation after petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the permission to withdraw his PIL over hate speeches during violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following the amendment to the waqf law. Tiwari was referring to the statements of Jharkhand BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who said Parliament and assemblies should be shut if the apex court had to make laws. He also blamed Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna for "civil wars" in India. "We should maintain certain decorum and reputation of the institution even in allegations. In Article 32 petition, the averments made should also be respectful," the bench told Tiwari. The bench allowed Tiwari to amend his plea, asking him to bring in court "something concrete". The BJP on April 1

SC orders ex-IAS probationer Puja Khedkar to appear before police on May 2

The Supreme Court on Monday directed former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating, and wrongly availing of OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination, to appear before Delhi Police on May 2. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma said no coercive steps will be taken against Khedkar till May 21, the next date of hearing. "It appears there has been no concrete investigation against the petitioner as such. In the circumstances, we direct the petitioner to appear before the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Central Range, Crime Branch, 2d Floor, Kamla Market Police Station, Delhi on May 2, 2025, at 10.30 am," the bench said. The order added, "It is needless to observe that the respondent/police authority is at liberty to interrogate the petitioner on May 2 and/or on any other date on which she may be summoned for the purpose of investigation." The bench ordered no coercive steps, such as arrest, against Khedkar till the

SC to hear plea against Samay Raina for ridiculing disabled people

In what could spell fresh trouble for "India's Got Latent" host Samay Raina, the Supreme Court on Monday said it would examine a plea alleging he ridiculed the disabled, including a person with visual disability and those suffering from a rare disorder like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Calling it a serious issue, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh asked senior advocate Aprajita Singh, appearing for NGO Cure SMA Foundation of India to file a proper petition instead of an interim intervention plea in the pending matter of influencer and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia. "This is a serious issue. You file a writ petition. We will see what can be done. In writ jurisdiction we have larger scope," the bench told Singh. The bench also took note of the statements that the probe against Allahbadia was over and said it would on April 28 hear a plea for the return of his passport in a case over his distasteful remarks during Raina's show. On February 18, the top court protected

Former Fortis promoter Shivinder Singh files personal insolvency at NCLT

Shivinder Singh, along with his elder brother Malvinder Singh, was once among the richest businessmen in India. The duo gained prominence after selling controlling stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories

We are alleged of encroaching upon parliamentary, executive functions: SC

"As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions," Supreme Court's Justice B R Gavai said on Monday in an apparent reference to recent attacks on the judiciary while hearing a matter over West Bengal violence. Justice Gavai, who was heading a bench also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, made a similar observation in another matter. While one matter was over the recent violence in West Bengal during anti-Waqf law protests, the other plea sought a direction to the Centre to take appropriate steps to prohibit streaming of sexually explicit and pornographic content on OTT and social media platforms. While hearing the plea over online content, Justice Gavai said, "Who can control it? It is for the Union to frame a regulation in that regard." "As it is, we are now criticised that we are interfering with the executive's function, the legislative functions," Justice Gavai told advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who was appearing in the matter. Aft

SC says probe against Allahbadia over, to hear passport plea on Apr 28

The Supreme Court on Monday observed the probe in relation to podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia was complete and said it would on April 28 hear his plea for the return of his passport in a case of distasteful remarks in a YouTube show. On February 18, the top court protected Allahbadia from arrest in multiple FIRs filed over his comments during a YouTube show and directed him to deposit his passport with the investigating officer of Police Station Nodal Cyber Police, Thane. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said it would consider Allahbadia's plea on April 28. During the hearing, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for Assam and Maharashtra police, said in the Guwahati FIR, the statement of one co-accused would be recorded whereas investigation was complete in relation to the FIR in Mumbai but a chargesheet was yet to be filed. The bench recorded Mehta's statement and observed the investigation qua Allahbadia was complete. The top court on March 3 allowed Allahb