Supreme Court Observer

🌄 Good Morning! *Here's the top news from February:* ⚖️ A five-judge bench reserved judgement on a court's power to modify an arbitral award: https://bit.ly/41u2LzB 📃 A Division Bench reserved judgement in a case against the TN Governor for delays in granting assent to state bills: https://bit.ly/3vBZa5j 🗨️ The SC slammed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia for "obscene" comments: https://bit.ly/434xAw3 🧑🏽‍⚖️ The Court took suo moto cognisance of an Order by the Lokpal which granted itself jurisdiction over High Court judges: https://bit.ly/3XdSQLW 🏥 The SC reiterated its directions to the National Medical Council to revise its admission guidelines for persons with disabilities: https://bitly.cx/oMuw Stay tuned to our Monthly Review for more updates!

🗞️ Good Morning! 📩 Would you like to read a crisp weekend newsletter that summarises a pressing issue in the Supreme Court? Then, SCO's Saturday Desk Briefs are for you! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3rvqmRa *Here's a round up of our briefs in February:* 1️⃣ We spoke about the top court's split verdict in a case concerning a man’s right to be buried in his own village: https://bit.ly/42CkZ2Z 2️⃣ We analysed the Court's order on the appointment of ad hoc judges in high courts: https://bitly.cx/y5Uv 3️⃣ We contextualised the case on a court's power to modify arbitral awards: https://bitly.cx/tHMWn 4️⃣ We explored the effect of the Court's directions in the Ranveer Allahbadia case: https://bit.ly/434xAw3 *Stayed tuned for more in March!*

🌼 Good Morning! 🏛️ In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court reiterated its direction to the National Medical Commission to revise its guidelines for the admission of disabled candidates to medical courses. Full story: https://bitly.cx/oMuw 💨 The Court has been monitoring the Delhi pollution crisis since November 2024. On Monday, a Division Bench called out the sluggish transition to cleaner fuels failures in solid waste management. Our report: https://bitly.cx/YFuQi 👨🏻‍⚖Last week, a Special Bench of the Court took suo moto cognisance and stayed a Lokpal Order which held that complaints against High Court judges can be investigated by the Lokpal. A rundown of the situation: https://bitly.cx/9Bcc

🌱 Good Morning! 🗳 Today, the top court is scheduled to hear petitions seeking the release of the absolute number of votes per Form 17C of the Election Rules, 1961. TMC’s Mahua Moitra and ADR, an NGO, had moved the Court last year citing discrepancies in voter turnout data. We explain the issue here: https://bit.ly/4dUu5eJ 🗃 Last week, a five-judge bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna reserved judgment on whether courts can modify arbitral awards. Our argument matrix breaks down the key contentions: https://bit.ly/41u2LzB 📴 In our latest newsletter, we analyse the Supreme Court's recent directions barring YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia from releasing new shows "till further orders": https://bit.ly/434xAw3

☕ Good Morning! ⚖️ Last week, even as the top court granted YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia interim relief and imposed a stay on fresh FIRs against him, it slammed him for his 'disgusting' comments and barred him from conducting any new shows. 🗨️ The Court also directed that he not leave the country without permission and asked that he deposit his passport with the police. In our latest newsletter, we analyse the Court's directions, which take the form of 'prior restraint': https://bit.ly/434xAw3 📃 Recently, the Supreme Court stayed a Lokpal Order which gave itself the power to investigate High Court judges, after taking suo moto cognisance of the matter. Here's everything you need to know about the case so far: https://bit.ly/3XdSQLW

☕ Good Morning! 🏛️ On Wednesday, the first Constitution Bench to assemble in CJI Khanna's tenure reserved judgement in a case to determine the extent of a court's power to modify an arbitral award. A report of the third and final day of arguments: https://bit.ly/3X2Y7Wv ▶️ This week, podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia faced heat from a Division Bench of the Court for his comments on a comedy show. The Court granted him interim protection but imposed some conditions. Our report: https://bit.ly/42VSeOS 🎟️ Last week, the Court ruled that the Union cannot impose service tax on distributors purchasing lottery tickets from a state government for resale. Read our explainer here: https://bitly.cx/Zyy4k

🌅 Good Morning! ⚖️Yesterday, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court reserved judgement on whether courts can modify an arbitral award. ⏪ Here’s a quick recap of the 3-day hearing: 3️⃣ Day 3: While petitioners opposed modification, respondents supported it on the condition that the courts don't enter the merits of the dispute: https://bit.ly/3X2Y7Wv 2️⃣ Day 2: Respondents argued that Section 34 of the Arbitration Act allows modification, as returning an award to the tribunal is different from varying it: https://bit.ly/4k8zHVs 1️⃣ Day 1: The Union contended that the current Act, as envisioned by Parliament, doesn’t permit courts to modify awards: https://bitly.cx/8D9S ❓ Want a quick summary of the issue? Read our newsletter: https://bitly.cx/tHMWn

🌄 Good Morning! *Here's news you cannot miss:* 1️⃣ Top court slams YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia for 'obscene' remarks: https://bit.ly/42VSeOS 2️⃣ Union asked to submit timeline on implementing Social Security Code in plea seeking social security for gig workers: https://bit.ly/4gPEBnJ 3️⃣ SC commences monitoring implementation of its 2024 judgement prohibiting discrimination in prisons: https://bit.ly/3CN2T3Q 4️⃣ Today, a 5-judge bench is expected to conclude hearings in a case about court's power to modify an arbitral award: https://bitly.cx/eIGC2 5️⃣ Today, the SC is also scheduled to hear challenges to the Election Commissioners Act, 2023 and an Andhra law barring non-Hindu vendors from leasing property in temple premises: https://bit.ly/3BwUSyT

☕ Good Morning! ⚖️ Today, a 5-judge bench will resume hearings in a case to decide if courts can modify an arbitral award. Our latest newsletter summarises everything you need to know: https://bitly.cx/tHMWn 🛵 The Court is also expected to hear a plea to recognise gig workers as “unorganised workers”. Here are updates from the last hearing: https://bit.ly/3E4R6Ov ⛓️ The Court is also scheduled to continue monitoring the steps taken by the Union and state govts to address discrimination in Indian prisons. Here's our case background: https://bit.ly/41mdyfj 🎟️ Recently, the top court ruled that the Union cannot impose service tax on distributors purchasing lottery tickets from a state govt for resale. Our explainer: https://bit.ly/42ZvFcb

🗞️ Good Morning! 🕌 Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear challenges to the Places of Worship Act. In December, the Court had stayed the filing of new suits seeking surveys of religious places across India: https://bit.ly/3ZSo2C4 🏛️ Last week, a Constitution Bench led by CJI Khanna heard arguments on courts' power to modify an arbitral award. Our report: https://bitly.cx/8D9S ✍️ Our latest newsletter contextualises the case and the Supreme Court's conflicting jurisprudence on the issue: https://bitly.cx/tHMWn 📈 In January, the top court's disposal rate was the highest so far in its 2024-25 term. Read more in our data story: https://bitly.cx/AEwB

🌄 Good Morning! ⚖️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the extent of courts' power to modify arbitral awards. The Union government argued that under the Arbitration Act, 1996, courts can only remit or set aside an award—not modify it. 🗣️ The Union further submitted that if Parliament had intended to grant courts the power to modify awards, it would have explicitly included such a provision. Meanwhile, respondents contended that the ability to partially set aside an award could also be interpreted as the power to modify it. More: https://bit.ly/4jZtOtW 📩 Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, where we will explore the context of this case: https://bit.ly/3rvqmRa 👨‍⚖Until then, catch up on last week’s newsletter: https://bitly.cx/y5Uv

🗞️ Good Morning! 🏛️ Today, a 5-judge Constitution Bench will assemble for the first time under CJI Sanjiv Khanna's tenure to hear a case on whether courts can modify arbitral awards under Sections 34 and 37 of the Arbitration Act, 1996: https://bitly.cx/eIGC2 💨 The Court will also continue hearing the Delhi pollution case. In the last hearing, it directed the Commission for Air Quality Management to draft a plan to curb stubble burning—one of the NCR's biggest polluters: https://bit.ly/4aNoJAB 👨🏻‍⚖ The SC has initiated an in-house inquiry against Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad HC, over alleged hate speech at a VHP event in December 2024. We explore the history of disciplinary proceedings and the options available: https://bitly.cx/Zh1H

☀ Good Morning! 🗳 Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard miscellaneous applications in the VVPAT case. Petitioners contended that the ECI’s standard operating procedure for vote verification contradict the Court’s 2024 directions on EVM tampering: https://bit.ly/4gBG8h8 📄 This week, the top court reserved judgement in Tamil Nadu's petition arguing that the Governor of the state cannot use discretionary powers to withhold assent for state bills: https://bit.ly/41mbKD7 👨🏽‍⚖A recent order of the Supreme Court endorsing appointment of retired high court judges as ad hoc judges gives us an opportunity to look back on the intent of the framers when it came to the temporary judges provision in the Constitution: https://bitly.cx/y5Uv

🌄 Good Morning! 🛵 Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea to recognise gig workers as “unorganised workers”. In the previous hearing, the Court had noted the delay by the Union in filing a reply: https://bit.ly/3E4R6Ov 📃 The Court is also scheduled to hear challenges against the Governor of Kerala for delays in granting assent to state legislature bills. More here: https://bit.ly/4apXIBV ⚖️ Yesterday, the Court reserved judgement in a similar case against the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Here's our case background: https://bit.ly/3vBZa5j 👩🏻‍⚖️In our latest newsletter, we explore the history of temporary judge appointments in light of the Court's recent decision on ad hoc judges in High Courts: https://bitly.cx/y5Uv

🗞️ Good Morning! 🏛️ Today, the Supreme Court will resume hearing arguments in a case against the Tamil Nadu Governor over delays in granting assent to state legislature bills. 🗣️ On Friday, the Attorney General stated that since the bills were repugnant, the Governor didn't technically withhold assent. The hearing focused on the Governor's powers and duties under Article 200: https://bitly.cx/2rgY3 ✍️ Our latest newsletter analyses the Court’s recent order easing conditions for appointing ad hoc judges in High Courts. We use the order as a jumping off point to trace the history of the temporary judge provision, from the Constituent Assembly to the 2021 Lok Prahari case. Read here: https://bitly.cx/y5Uv

☕ Good Morning! 🏛️ Today, the Supreme Court will continue hearing the case against the Tamil Nadu Governor for delays in withholding assent to bills passed by the state legislature. Yesterday, the Court asked the Union to provide reasons for the delay: https://bit.ly/4gDoMAw 📈 In January 2025, pendency in the top Court increased by over 2600 cases compared to last January. However, pendency dropped by 527 cases compared to December 2024 as the Court resumed regular hearings. Here's our report: https://bit.ly/4185M8M 👨‍⚖ Justice Hrishikesh Roy retired from the Supreme Court on 31 January. 🗓️ He had a tenure of 5.33 years at the Court: https://bit.ly/40NuCZZ ✍🏾 During his career, he authored 46 judgements: https://bit.ly/416y2bP

🪴 Good Morning! ✍️ Today, the Supreme Court will continue hearing arguments in a case against the the Tamil Nadu Governor for delays in granting assent to state assembly bills. 🗣️ Earlier this week, the Tamil Nadu government argued that under Article 200, the Governor can withhold assent to a bill and send it back for reconsideration, but if the assembly re-passes the bill, he has no choice but to approve it: https://bit.ly/414d11e 📖 In 2024, a seven-judge bench the Supreme Court set parameters to determine an institution’s minority status. Our judgment matrix breaks down the key issues and each judge’s stance: https://bit.ly/40PGudU

🍃 Good Morning! 👨🏽‍⚖ Yesterday, CJI Sanjiv Khanna said that the Court will hear the issue of judicial vacancies in the district courts of Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in April 2025: https://bit.ly/42KTPH5 🗳 Delhi votes in its Assembly elections today. One of the city's biggest civic challenges is its pollution crisis, to which stubble burning in neighbouring states is a major contributor. 🏛 On Monday, the Supreme Court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management to develop an action plan for preventing stubble burning in the NCR states. https://bit.ly/4aNoJAB 🗓 In January, the Court completed 75 years. A juvenile justice case and a split verdict also made headlines. Our monthly review: https://bit.ly/4aKKZel

🌿 Good Morning! 🪦Last week, the operative part of a split verdict delivered by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and S.C. Sharma directed that a Christian pastor from a predominantly Adivasi village in Chhattisgarh be buried in a different village. We analyse the decision in our latest newsletter: https://bit.ly/42CkZ2Z 🏛 Today, the Court is scheduled to continue monitoring the judicial vacancies in lower courts. It had taken suo moto cognisance of the issue in 2018. Our case background: https://bit.ly/3SKEHDc 📩 If you enjoy reading a crisp weekend newsletter on the highlight of the week, SCO’s Desk Briefs are for you. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3rvqmRa

🌇 Good Morning! 📊 Justice Hrishikesh Roy retired last week on 31 January after five years at the Supreme Court. During this time, he authored 46 judgments and was a part of 326 benches. We analyse his tenure in numbers here: https://bit.ly/3CCSwzl ✍️ We also list his notable judgements which include one where he upheld the suo moto powers of the NGT and others that emphasised party autonomy in arbitration: https://bit.ly/40Tmx7f 📅 Last month, the Supreme Court celebrated the completion of 75 years. January also saw two judge retirements and one appointment. We bring you a round-up of the January highlights at the top court: https://bit.ly/4jSiLCO