Supreme Court Observer

🛃 On Wednesday, the Supreme Court set aside a customs order after finding that AI hallucinated citations were used to impose a penalty of ₹425.28 crore! Our analysis: https://bit.ly/4h6RooV 👨🏾‍⚖️ Last week, the Court emphasised that legal aid is more than mere appointment of a counsel and extends to sustained, quality representation. Our report: https://bit.ly/4yg4Uwr ⚖️ The Court is set to decide whether BCI Chairperson Mannan Kumar Mishra's five-year tenure violates the BCI Rules. Read our background of the case: https://bit.ly/4xE4Wyg

🌸 Good Morning! ⚖️ Last week, Justice Sandeep Mehta wrote three letters to CJI Surya Kant alleging malpractices by Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. Later, the Collegium recommended Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal’s transfer from the Chhattisgarh High Court to the Rajasthan High Court and separately proposed his appointment as its Chief Justice. * ✉️ We explain the allegations in Justice Mehta’s leaked letters: https://bit.ly/4zNshPg * 👨🏻‍⚖️ We examine whether the Collegium resolutions addressed questions of accountability: https://bit.ly/4h8QJ5x 🏛️ Last week, the Supreme Court restored a criminal appeal dismissed by the Rajasthan High Court over a filing defect and the absence of counsel. We examine the role of “quality legal assistance” in a litigant’s journey: https://bit.ly/4yg4Uwr 📆 August 2026 saw the Supreme Court focus on the Jantar Mantar student protests, bid farewell to Justice Sanjay Karol, and close a 40-year-old question on the definition of “industry”. Read our monthly review: https://bit.ly/4d9OMUT

🌞 Good morning! 🪧 Yesterday, the Supreme Court permitted the Delhi Police to register a fresh FIR against 2873 "alleged offenders" of the 20 July Jantar Mantar protests. All existing FIRs were quashed. We report: https://bit.ly/4xsPW67 👨🏾‍⚖️ On Monday, the Collegium recommended the transfer of Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal to the Rajasthan High Court and proposed his elevation as its Chief Justice. In light of SC Justice Sandeep Mehta's leaked letters, we analyse this move: https://bit.ly/45VGjRs ⚖️ Last week, the Court delivered 4 reportable judgements. In our latest issue of SCO.LR, we summarise all 4, along with a bonus decision from 22 August. Read: https://bit.ly/4zNshPg

🌞 Good Morning! 🗃️ Our latest issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR) summarises judgements from 24 to 28 August, with one bonus decision from 22 August. Read: https://bit.ly/3SjBUoj ⚖️ Our newsletter analyses Justice Mehta's letters to the CJI alleging malpractices by the Rajasthan High Court's Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. Read: https://bit.ly/4zNshPg 3️⃣ We trace a visual history of how the three-year practice rule in the recruitment to the district judiciary has evolved since 1924. Read: https://bit.ly/3SwNwEt

🌇 Good Morning! 👨🏻‍⚖️ Our newsletter analyses Justice Sandeep Mehta’s leaked letters to CJI Surya Kant and examines how they present a unique opportunity for the Supreme Court to reinforce public confidence in the institution. Read: https://bit.ly/4zNshPg 3️⃣ Our timeline traces a brief history of how the three-year practice rule in the district judiciary has evolved since 1924. Read: https://bit.ly/3SwNwEt 🏭 The 2020 Code defines “industry” afresh. We analyse how a future Supreme Court bench might treat the commercial-character limb after the recent judgement on the definition of “industry”. Read: https://bit.ly/4wUmDZb

🌼 Good Morning! 🌳 Recently, the Supreme Court set aside a 2017 NGT finding that the World Culture Festival organised by the Art of Living Foundation had damaged the Yamuna floodplain. Our analysis: https://bit.ly/4iz8mNW 🗃️ On 25 August, the Court sought details on the number and status of appeals filed before tribunals against the deletion and inclusion of voters in West Bengal’s electoral rolls. The petitioners had submitted that the data was not in public domain. Read: https://bit.ly/4gPYle2 ⚖️ The Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026 marks the Union's fifth attempt at tribunal reform in the last decade. Prashant Reddy T. analyses the Act, pointing out how it leaves tribunals partially dependent on their parent ministries: https://bit.ly/4gkHcsI

🌇 Good Morning! 🗳️ On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sought details of appeals against the deletion and inclusion of voters in West Bengal’s electoral rolls. It also considered whether voters whose names were deleted should receive priority in the disposal of appeals. Our hearing report: https://bit.ly/4gPYle2 🪧 On 25 August, the Court agreed to list an interim application seeking the reconstitution of the High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) investigating allegations of police excesses during the 20 July student protests at Jantar Mantar. Read: https://bit.ly/4wLE7Xz ⚖️ On 13 August, the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 received Presidential assent just three days after its introduction in Parliament. In his commentary, Prashant Reddy T. explains why the Act could trigger further litigation once the qualification criteria for tribunal members are notified. Read: https://bit.ly/4gkHcsI

🌼 Good Morning! ⚖️ On 13 August, the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 received Presidential assent, three days after its introduction in Parliament. Prashant Reddy T. writes that the new Act could pave the way for another round of litigation. Read: https://bit.ly/4gkHcsI 🏭 Contributing Editor V. Venkatesan analyses the nine-judge “industry” verdict and examines what it leaves open for the new Industrial Relations Code. Read: https://bit.ly/4wUmDZb 🗳️ On 25 August, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to disclose the number of appeals pending against the deletion and inclusion of voters in West Bengal’s electoral rolls. Read: https://bit.ly/4gPYle2 🗃️ The Supreme Court’s three-day Special Lok Adalat concluded on 23 August. Of 3285 cases listed, 1712 were resolved, including 48 through mediation. We analyse: https://bit.ly/4zDTlR8

🌇 Good Morning! 📬 The Supreme Court delivered 28 reportable judgements between 17 and 21 August 2026. Our latest issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports highlights five of the most important ones: https://bit.ly/4gu6ymW ⚖️ Our newsletter examines whether the Supreme Court has bridged the gap between institutional facts and public perception in light of the NALSAR controversy. Read: https://bit.ly/3Uvm8XW 🏭 The nine-judge Constitution Bench judgement on the definition of “industry” spans 489 pages and contains five opinions. Explore our: * 📝 Judgement summary: https://bit.ly/4gorCuL * 📈 Judgement matrix: https://bit.ly/4ihwAw4

🌻 Good Morning! ⚖️ Our latest newsletter responds to the recent NALSAR row, looking at the Supreme Court's archival practices and record of judicial outreach: https://bit.ly/3Uvm8XW 👨🏻‍⚖️ On the occassion of Justice Sanjay Karol retirement, we look back at: * ✍🏼 His notable judgements: https://bit.ly/4zvUGt3 * 📊 His tenure in numbers: https://bit.ly/4xa37J7 🏭 The recent nine-judge Constitution Bench decision on definition of “industry” contained 5 opinions. Learn more through our: * 📈 Judgement matrix: https://bit.ly/4ihwAw4 * 📝 Judgement summary: https://bit.ly/4gorCuL

💤 Good Morning! 📅 We don’t usually send out our message on Saturdays, but today is a working day for the Supreme Court, so here’s what’s happening: 👨🏻‍⚖️ Justice Sanjay Karol retires from the Supreme Court today, after a tenure of three and a half years. On the occasion of his retirement, we look back at: * ✍🏼 His notable judgements: https://bit.ly/4zvUGt3 * 📊 His tenure in numbers: https://bit.ly/4xa37J7 🏭 On 20 August, a nine-judge Constitution Bench held that a reference seeking reconsideration of the definition of “industry” is maintainable. Read our: * 📈 Judgement matrix: https://bit.ly/4ihwAw4 * 📝 Judgement summary: https://bit.ly/4gorCuL ⚖️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court modified its 2025 mandate requiring Civil Judge (Junior Division) candidates to have three years of practical experience at the Bar. It held that the requirement could be met through a combination of institutional training and supervised work. Read: https://bit.ly/4qy34V0

🌞 Good Morning! 🏭 Yesterday, a nine-judge Constitution Bench held that while the 1978 definition of "industry" has stood the test of time, some aspects of the triple test require refinement. The reformulated test will apply prospectively. Our report: https://bit.ly/4imgxNr 🔖 _"14 Lawyers: Portraits from the Bar"_ by Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran tells the story of Nirmal and Kapila Hingorani, the couple behind the first PIL in India. An excerpt: https://bit.ly/3TZkqhs 🌐 Can AI companies be allowed to train their technology on copyrighted material in "public interest"? IP lawyer Aparajita Lath analyses a recent Delhi High Court decision: https://bit.ly/4ilAJix

Today, a nine-judge Constitution Bench will determine the definition of "industry" under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. 🧵 Follow this thread for live-updates from the pronouncement: https://x.com/scobserver/status/2090300278058917998

🌞 Good Morning! 🗓️ Today a nine-judge Constitution Bench will pronounce its judgement on the definition of “industry” under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Court had reserved its verdict in March, following 3 days of arguments. Our case background: https://bit.ly/4bY5uGm ❓Our explainer analyses the stakes in the case that could reshape India’s labour jurisprudence: https://bit.ly/4bnYktW 🧩 The nine-judge bench will also reconsider a 1978 decision which favoured an expansive definition of “industry” under the Act. Our arguments matrix summarises the key contentions: https://bit.ly/4d2d5VK 🏭 In a commentary, Justice K. Chandru, former judge of the Madras High Court, wrote that the nine-judge bench hearing on the definition is "a waste of judicial time." Read: https://bit.ly/4lO5oF0 📑 Stay tuned to scobserver.in as we breakdown, summarise and analyse the verdict!

🌸 Good Morning! 🪧 Yesterday, the Supreme Court indicated that it may use Article 142 to quash FIRs against students who participated in the recent protests. It clarified that cases involving persons accused of grave offences will continue separately. Read more: https://bit.ly/4qqhDtL 🏛️ On 3 August, CJI Surya Kant inaugurated 16 special courts at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court Complex. We examine the push for courts dedicated to anti-terror, narcotics and organised crime cases, and why this does not necessarily create judicial capacity. Read: https://bit.ly/3ShlXik 🏳️‍⚧️ On Monday, the Union assured that transgender identity cards issued before the commencement of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 will not be disturbed. Our report: https://bit.ly/3TXOSZi ⚖️ Volume 8 Issue 3 of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR) highlights five of the most important judgements delivered last week: https://bit.ly/4g3qXQM

🌼 Good Morning! 🏳️‍⚧️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court recorded the Union’s statement that transgender identity cards issued before the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 came into force will remain valid, subject to the outcome of the proceedings: https://bit.ly/3TXOSZi 📽️ The Transgender Amendment Act is currently under challenge before the Supreme Court. After three hearings, we recap the latest developments: https://bit.ly/4bUPbdz ⚖️ Volume 8 Issue 3 of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR) shortlists five important judgements from 10 to 14 August. Read: https://bit.ly/4g3qXQM

🌼 Good Morning! 🇮🇳 Our Independence Day newsletter looks back at 79 years of India’s independence and the growing influence of “Swadeshi jurisprudence” in courts and classrooms. Read: https://bit.ly/4wXRiWf ⚖️ On 22 July, the Court issued notice issued in a writ petition filed by Shiv Sena (UBT), challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s authority to recognise the merger of its legislators with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. We summarise the petition: https://bit.ly/4gznOrU 📃 On 20 July, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal filed a PIL seeking an authoritative interpretation of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The petition argues that incorrect reading of the anti-defection law facilitates defections. Read our petition summary: https://bit.ly/4xLb6fD

🌷 Good Morning! 🧑🏻‍⚖️ On 12 August, the Judges Inquiry Committee released its report on the cash-in-house controversy, finding that all three charges against Justice Yashwant Varma stand proved. Our analysis: https://bit.ly/466oT4p 📘 A recent book by N. Kavitha Rameshwar traces the journey of due process from the Magna Carta to American law and the Indian Constitution. Our Book Review: https://bit.ly/3TJxOGn ⚖️ The Supreme Court has scheduled hearings in two seven-judge Constitution Bench matters: 1. State taxation based on annual turnover — 22 September 2026: https://bit.ly/4z8rJTT 2. MLA immunity under Article 194 and freedom of speech — 6 October 2026: https://bit.ly/3UedSeN

🌼 Good Morning! 🧑🏻‍⚖️ Yesterday, the Secretaries General of both Houses of Parliament tabled the Judges Inquiry Committee’s report on the Justice Yashwant Varma cash-in-house controversy. The Committee concluded that all three Articles of Charge against him stand proved: https://bit.ly/4fTMMCf ⚖️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court listed hearings in two seven-judge Bench matters: • 🏛️ Challenge to States’ power to impose taxes based on annual turnover — from 22 September 2026: https://bit.ly/4z8rJTT • 🗣️ MLA immunity under Article 194 and freedom of speech — from 6 October 2026: https://bit.ly/3UedSeN 📖 In our review of They Created a Nation: The Omnipresence of “Due Process” in the Indian Constitution, we examine the “due process” clause deliberately omitted by the framers of the Constitution. Read: https://bit.ly/3TJxOGn

🌄 Good Morning! 👨‍⚖️ The Justice Yashwant Varma Inquiry Report is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament today. The Committee had submitted its report to Speaker Om Birla on 18 May: https://bit.ly/4ulztPD 📬 The latest issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR) brings you five notable judgements from last week: https://bit.ly/4g97oFt 🗂️ The 2026 Report on Gender and Sensitivity promises practical training for judges, but may fall short in addressing all forms of gender stereotypes: https://bit.ly/4xmKUI2 ⚖️ What is a Lok Adalat? Who organises it and what cases does it take up? Find out on our Procedure page: https://bit.ly/3TQ5aDy