Page 7 - Supreme Court

'SC asked ECI to implement circular, didn't dismiss TMC plea': Kapil Sibal

In the Supreme Court, we decided not to challenge the circular, instead urged the court to implement the circular, said Kapil Sibal while addressing a press conference

Assam CM's wife defamation case: SC grants anticipatory bail to Pawan Khera

Earlier, the Supreme Court had declined to extend the transit anticipatory bail granted to Khera by the Telangana High Court, directing him to approach the competent court in Assam

CBI, ED to Suprema Court: Rcom probe won't hinder banks' recovery efforts

Agencies say criminal investigations into Reliance Communications operate separately from insolvency proceedings and will not affect lenders' efforts to recover dues

Laws on unwanted pregnancy in rape cases of minors must be amended: SC

Top court flags need to relax gestational limits under MTP Act, says delays in reporting and trauma require greater legal flexibility for minor survivors

SC defers hearing to May 8 over alleged ADAG banking fraud by Anil Ambani

The Supreme Court on Thursday deferred to May 8 the hearing on a PIL alleging large-scale banking fraud involving the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and its firms. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the PIL filed by former bureaucrat E A S Sarma seeking a court-monitored investigation into alleged loan frauds exceeding Rs 40,000 crore by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) firms led by Anil Ambani. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, said the two central probe agencies have filed fresh status reports in pursuance of directions issued on March 23 in the case. "The CBI and the ED have filed status reports. The kingpin has not been arrested. Anil Ambani was identified as the kingpin. But nothing has been done yet," lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the PIL petitioner, said. "I cannot respond as to why 'X' or 'Y' is not arrested. We have filed our status reports," the

SC reserves order on Cong leader Pawan Khera's plea for anticipatory bail

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on a plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered against him related to allegations that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife possessed multiple passports and undisclosed properties abroad. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar reserved its decision on the plea after the Congress leader submitted that if he doesn't get anticipatory bail in a registered case against him, then the very purpose of pre-arrest bail is gone. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Khera, said the allegations against him are a matter of trial and it was not necessary to humiliate him by arrest. He submitted that out of the total sections invoked against him, some are bailable while others don't require his arrest. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, opposed the plea and said Khera showed fake and doctored copies of passports of the chief minister's wife.

Noida court strikes: SC asks HC panel to take action against bar leaders

Taking note of the repeated strikes at the Gautam Buddha Nagar district court, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the committee of judges at the Allahabad High Court to take action against Bar Association officials on receipt of a report from the district judge. A bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued the order while hearing a case filed by Virendra Singh. The apex court noted with concern that the Gautam Buddha Nagar Bar Association has continued to pass resolutions for abstaining from work, despite a Supreme Court judgment in December 2024 explicitly restraining district bar associations from doing so. During the proceedings, CJI Kant said that the president of Gautam Buddha Nagar Bar Association has repeatedly ignored the court's direction. While the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice had already formed a three-member committee to look into the matter, the Supreme Court bench emphasised the need for swifter consequences. "We direct the

SC issues notice to Centre on plea to establish revenue judicial service

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre and others on a PIL seeking directions to establish a revenue judicial service, and prescribe minimum legal qualification and training module for public servants adjudicating land disputes. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Union of India, Law Commission and others on a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who claimed that non-qualified legal professionals were deciding land disputes. The plea submitted that nearly 66 per cent of civil cases were related to land disputes, and the key lacuna was that they were being adjudicated by officers lacking formal legal education and training, resulting in erroneous and inconsistent decisions. The petition drafted by advocate Ashwani Dubey stated that the issue was dealt with by the Allahabad High Court, but its direction has not been implemented in letter and spirit to date. The present system causes widespread and continuing .

Centre should amend law on terminating pregnancy of rape survivors: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday took strong exception to a plea by AIIMS seeking to set aside its order allowing a 15-year-old girl to medically terminate her 30-week pregnancy, and asked the Centre to consider amending the law to permit rape survivors to terminate unwanted pregnancies even beyond 20 weeks. The top court said when there is pregnancy due to rape, there should not be a time limit. Law needs to be organic and in sync with evolving time, it stressed. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said this is a case of child rape and the survivor will have a lifelong scar and trauma if termination is not allowed. The top court said if the mother does not have permanent disability then it should be carried out. It asked AIIMS to counsel parents of the survivor over the issue and said the decision has to be of the person concerned. "There are children for adoption. In this country we have lot of sympathies...There are deserted, abandoned children on the

SC flags 'grim' delays in NCLT clearing insolvency resolution plans

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of delays in NCLT approvals, warning that prolonged timelines could undermine the objectives of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

SC flags limits of reform, says courts cannot 'annihilate religion'

The Supreme Court said judicial reform has limits in matters of faith, warning against dismantling religion while hearing the Sabarimala reference before a nine-judge Bench

SC says existing laws sufficient on hate speech, declines fresh directions

The Supreme Court has ruled that existing criminal laws are adequate to address hate speech, declining to issue fresh directions while leaving scope for legislative action

Odisha proposes up to seven-year jail term for hate speech offences

Odisha plans a new law to curb hate speech and hate crimes, with provisions for up to seven years' imprisonment despite the Supreme Court saying existing laws are adequate

How a non-believer in North India claim entry right in Sabarimala: SC

How can a non-believer in North India claim the right of entry to the temple in Sabarimala? The Supreme Court questioned on Wednesday and said that while deciding the issue regarding the right to enter temples, it has to examine whether a devotee or a non-devotee is claiming that right. The observation of a nine-judge Constitution bench came while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, and on the ambit and scope of the religious freedom practised by multiple faiths. The bench comprised Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for two women named Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga, who are supporting the 2018 judgement, submitted that one of the petitioners is a scheduled caste woman and stopping her from visiting

No legislative vacuum, existing laws sufficient to tackle hate speeches: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that existing laws are sufficient to deal with the issue of hate speeches and no "legislative vacuum" exists warranting intervention. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said that creation of criminal offences and the prescription of punishments lies squarely within the legislative domain. "The Constitutional scheme founded upon the doctrine of separation of powers does not permit the judiciary to create new offences or expand the contours of criminal liability through judicial directions," Justice Nath said while pronouncing the verdict. While declining to issue directions as sought in the petitions, the bench referred to the existing criminal law and said it deals with the offence of hate speech also. "The precedents of this court consistently affirm that while Constitutional courts may interpret the law and issue directions to secure the enforcement of fundamental rights, they cannot legislate or compel legislation," the bench ..

Reliance Infratel insolvency: SC court restores lenders' creditor status

Top court rules corporate guarantees qualify as financial debt under IBC, directs reconstitution of creditors' panel in Reliance Infratel insolvency case

SC upholds arbitral award in Aakash dispute, rejects Paramount's plea

Top court declines to interfere with Delhi High Court ruling affirming arbitral award directing Paramount Learning to pay dues to Aakash Educational Services

Right to manage religious bodies cannot mean anarchy: SC in Sabarimala case

Observing that there cannot be anarchy, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the right to manage a religious institution cannot mean absence of structure and there has to be a modality and norms devised for its functioning. The observation by a nine-judge Constitution bench came while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, and on the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths. The bench comprised Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi. Advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for Peerzada Syed Altamash Nizami, direct ancestral descendent in Chisti Nizami lineage associated with dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia, submitted that a dargah is a place where a saint is buried. "Within Islam, there are differing views regarding the status of saints .

Sunjay Kapur estate case: SC urges Rani Kapur, Priya Kapur to mediate

Supreme Court urges mediation in the Sona Group trust dispute between Rani Kapur and Priya Kapur, cautioning against prolonged litigation involving an elderly litigant

Gurugram demolition drive: SC rejects plea, asks petitioners to approach HC

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition against the ongoing demolition drive in Gurugram, and asked the petitioners to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi disposed of the plea, granting liberty to the petitioners to make an urgent mentioning before the high court during the course of the day. The bench requested the high court's chief justice to entertain the mentioning either at 1 PM or immediately after lunch at 1.45 pm. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued before the bench that the local authorities have been carrying out the demolition drive without issuing show-cause notices to the residents by misconstruing an interim order of the high court. The bench observed that if the high court's interim order was allegedly being misconstrued by the authorities, then the petitioners should approach the high court. "If the high court, in its constitutional