Supreme Court Observer

🌞 Good morning! ⚖️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court began hearing the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and others in the Delhi riots case. Khalid’s counsel argued that there was no link between the violence and the peaceful protest organised by them. Our hearing report: https://bit.ly/3Jha1sx ☎️ Recently, the Court allowed the Union to reconsider additional dues owed by Vodafone-Idea, giving the telecom company limited relief. It noted that any wider financial support is a policy question and not the Court’s. More in our desk brief: https://bit.ly/49zdMUE ✉️ SCO.LR Volume 11 Issue 1 is now out. It covers five key judgments from last week in searchable HTML format with paragraph-level links. Read: https://bit.ly/4nCsygS

🌿 Good Morning! 🕊️ Today, the Supreme Court will continue hearing Umar Khalid’s bail plea in the Delhi riots conspiracy case. On Friday, his counsel argued that there was no direct evidence linking him to alleged acts of violence: https://bit.ly/4hBSasM ⚖️ Advocate Sarthak Gupta looks at how the Court’s approach to bail in UAPA and PMLA cases has been inconsistent. He proposes a 'Khalid Test': https://bit.ly/47xlR9O 🏛️ CJI Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor, paving the way for an orderly transition when he demits office: https://bit.ly/47Dwvfp 🕺 IP lawyer Aparajita Lath examines the growing wave of personality rights petitions in light of the rights of publicity, expression, privacy and livelihood: https://bit.ly/48YR08D

🌻 Good Morning! ⛓️‍💥 Today, the Court is set to hear Umar Khalid's bail plea. Advocate Sarthak Gupta on the inconsistent approach of the SC in UAPA cases: https://bit.ly/47iLWe2 ⚖️ On Wednesday, several HCs argued against binding guidelines on recruitment for the post of District Judge: https://bit.ly/47xCnGM ⚖️ On Tuesday, petitioners had argued in favour, highlighting the need for reservation for Civil Judges: https://bit.ly/4hxHfQI 🌳 Earlier this month, the SC ordered the protection of Saranda as a sanctuary while also permitting the operation of iron ore mines: http://bit.ly/47uccRh 🙌 Following the wave of personality rights petitions, IP lawyer Aparajita Lath argues that courts must not overprotect fame: https://bit.ly/3JkT7cr

🌿 Good Morning! 🏛️ This week, a Constitution Bench heard arguments on whether reservations can be provided to Civil Judges for the post of a Principal District Judge. 🧑‍⚖️ Yesterday, several High Courts told the Constitution Bench that any binding guidelines on promotion and recruitment would upset the balance and unduly limit High Courts’ administrative discretion: http://bit.ly/47xCnGM 🗒️ On Tuesday, petitioners argued that direct recruits are consistently preferred over Civil Judges for appointments, causing stagnation and fewer career opportunities for those promoted from the subordinate judiciary: https://bit.ly/4hxHfQI 🕺 In our latest commentary, IP lawyer Aparajita Lath examines the wave of personality-right petitions filed by celebrities, through the prism of the rights to publicity, expression, privacy and livelihood:http://bit.ly/3JkT7cr

🌼 Good Morning! 👩‍⚖ Today, a Constitution Bench will resume hearing arguments on whether posts can be reserved for Civil Judges in the Principal District Judge cadre. Yesterday, petitioners urged the Court to strike a balance between promotees and direct recruits: https://bit.ly/4hxHfQI ⛓️‍💥 On Friday, the Court is expected to hear Umar Khalid's bail plea. In our latest commentary, Advocate Sarthak Gupta analyses the Court's inconsistent UAPA and PMLA jurisprudence and proposes a 'Khalid Test' for bail: https://bit.ly/3Jwnf4y 🏛️ Earlier this week, CJI B.R. Gavai recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor. Justice Kant is currently the second senior-most judge of the top court and is expected to take over as the 53rd CJI on 24 November. More: https://bit.ly/4ocIkzZ

🌿 Good Morning! 🧑‍⚖️ Today, a five-judge Constitution Bench will hear petitions seeking reservation for Civil Judges in promotions to Principal District Judge posts. The Bench is expected to lay down clear guidelines on how inter-seniority, merit, and experience should be balanced in judicial promotions: http://bit.ly/4hs14Jc 🌫️ Even after Diwali, Delhi’s air quality has sharply deteriorated — prompting renewed attention to the Supreme Court’s past directions on firecrackers, enforcement failures and systemic pollution control: http://bit.ly/4ogtOaA 📄 Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard a plea on long-pending vacancies in the Central and State Information Commissions. The petitioners argued that the Union had taken no steps for over 10 months to fill posts at the Central Information Commission, warning that the delay was “killing the RTI Act”: http://bit.ly/43ub9Qc 🌀 Volume 10, Issue 4 of SCO.LR is now live — featuring 5 key judgments by the top court from October 2025: http://bit.ly/42ZGFp9

🌞Good morning! 🃏The Supreme Court will soon hear challenges to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act which bans all real money games. In a new commentary, Sudhanshu Kumar, Aditi Pangotra & Harsha N question the logic of a blanket ban: http://bit.ly/4ocDbIm 🏳️‍🌈Recently, in Jane Kaushik v UoI, the Court slammed governments for failing to enforce transgender rights under the 2019 Act. With a committee led by Justice Asha Menon now set to frame equality guidelines, we note that the ruling rekindles the vision in the 2015 'NALSA' verdict: http://bit.ly/47IxzzC 📈The Court’s pendency hit 88,625 cases in September, the highest this year. Read our monthly tracker for more: http://bit.ly/3J67FfX

🪻Good Morning! 🏳️‍🌈 Last week, the Court directed compensation for a transwoman teacher who was dismissed by private schools in UP and Gujarat after she revealed her gender identity. The Court also held that the Union and states had failed to provide a proper mechanism for her to seek remedies: https://bit.ly/4oDawMl 🎥 Earlier this month, an advocate hurled a shoe at CJI Gavai during a proceeding. In our latest video, we unpack how precedent and statutes support a contempt action against the assailant: https://bit.ly/4ovfzhH 📬 Prefer to read? We’ve covered the incident in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4pZWZzU 📑 Catch up on this week's edition of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports: http://bit.ly/4njXNgz

🌿 Good Morning! 👨‍⚖️ Next week, a five-judge Constitution Bench will hear arguments on whether reservation can be provided within the Principal District Judge cadre for officers promoted from the Civil Judge/Judicial Magistrate level: http://bit.ly/3WO4Y5M 🚦Earlier this month, the Supreme Court issued time-bound directions to curb road fatalities, ordering strict helmet enforcement, nationwide footpath audits, and regulation of high-beam and strobe lights within 7 months: http://bit.ly/49hXnDZ 📖 Volume 10, Issue 3 of SCO.LR is live — featuring judgements spanning the SC/ST Atrocities Act, matruka property, CBI investigations, the rights of waitlisted candidates and limits on dormant parties exploiting long-pending litigation: http://bit.ly/4njXNgz

⛅ Good Morning! ⚖️ The Supreme Court Collegium has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that it was revising a transfer recommendation at the Government's request. Justice Atul Sreedharan will now go to the Allahabad HC instead of Chhattisgarh. Our newsletter has the story: https://bit.ly/46XLeTc 🏥 The Court has asked the Centre to consider formulating a comprehensive policy for providing financial and other support to Armed Forces cadets who suffer disabilities during training. Read: https://bit.ly/3WNg8Yo 🏙️ As the capital emerges from Diwali celebrations, here’s what the Court had said on firecracker use in Delhi-NCR: https://bit.ly/4oluI55 🌀 Volume 10, Issue 3 SCO.LR is here! Your weekly dose of five key cases from the top court: https://bit.ly/3KY0wyQ

⛅Good Morning! 🔍 While the Supreme Court Collegium officially acknowledged that the transfer of Justice Atul Sreedharan to Allahabad High Court was after the Union’s intervention, it remains silent on the reasons. Our newsletter unpacks the story: https://bit.ly/46XLeTc 🏙️ As New Delhi emerges after a weekend of Diwali celebrations, here's a breakdown of the Court's orders on firecrackers. While green crackers may be used between 18-21 October, the Court has laid down certain conditions: https://bit.ly/4oluI55 🌀 Volume 10, Issue 3 of SCO.LR is out! It features decisions on the SC/ST Atrocities Act, matruka property, CBI investigations, the rights of waitlisted candidates and limits to dormant parties free-riding benefits of long pending litigation: https://bit.ly/3KY0wyQ

🌴 Good Morning! 👨‍⚖️ The SC Collegium recently recommended that Justice Atul Sreedharan be transferred to Allahabad High Court. It had earlier recommended a transfer to Chhattisgarh. Its latest resolution acknowledged that the reconsideration was "sought" by the Union Government. What does this suggest? Our newsletter: https://bit.ly/46XLeTc 🏥 The Court has urged the Government to consider comprehensive proposals for providing financial benefits and facilities for armed forces cadets who become disabled as a result of training. More in our report: https://bit.ly/3WNg8Yo ⏱️ Earlier this month, the Court clarified that the Juvenile Justice Act applies retrospectively. We analyse the practical and policy considerations: http://bit.ly/42I8u55

🌤 Good Morning! 🗳 Yesterday, the Supreme Court continued hearing challenges to the Special Intensive Revision of Bihar’s voter list. The Bench noted that the Election Commission is "bound" to publish the final list on time. More: http://bit.ly/4n7WCk0 🎆 The Court has allowed the restricted sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi–NCR from 18 to 21 October, provided they carry authorised QR codes. The Court also ordered random checks and monitoring. http://bit.ly/4oluI55 ⚖️ On 9 October, the Court held that the Juvenile Justice Act operates retrospectively, extending its protection to those who were minors before the law came into effect. What implications does this have for India’s criminal justice system? http://bit.ly/42I8u55

🌻 Good Morning! 🧨Yesterday, the Supreme Court permitted the limited sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi–NCR between 18 and 21 October. The firecrackers must contain authorised QR codes. The Court put in place regulation measures including random inspections, and monitoring by PCBs. All applicable rules here: http://bit.ly/4oluI55 ⚖️ On 9 October, the Court held that the Juvenile Justice Act applies retrospectively, which means that the law protects minors who committed offences even before the Act came into force. What does this mean for criminal law in India? http://bit.ly/42I8u55 🚦 Expressing serious concern over pedestrian fatalities, the Court directed the Union to implement a comprehensive pedestrian safety policy. It called for footpath audits, clear walking zones, regulation of strobe and high-beam lights, and strict enforcement of traffic norms: http://bit.ly/42FKpvL

🌻 Good Morning! 👨‍⚖Yesterday, a five-judge Constitution Bench passed directions in a case concerning in-service reservations for the post of Principal District Judge. Arguments will commence on 28 October: http://bit.ly/47320iw ⚖️ Yesterday, the Court ordered a CBI probe into the stampede that claimed 41 lives in TN's Karur last month. It constituted a retired judge-led supervisory committee to maintain judicial oversight over the politically sensitive investigation: https://bit.ly/4haqQ4w 🚦Concerned by the data on road fatalities, the Court had directed the Union to frame guidelines for pedestrian safety. Last week, it issued a range of directions for strict enforcement, including footpath audits and regulation of strobe lights: http://bit.ly/4qe6yeQ

🪴 Good Morning! 🚦Earlier this month, the Court issued wide-ranging directions to curb rising road fatalities. It ordered authorities to enforce strict helmet rules, footpath audits and regulation of headlights and strobe lights within 7 months: http://bit.ly/4qe6yeQ 📖 Last month, the Court referred to a larger bench on whether the Right to Education Act applies to minority educational institutions. Shivani Singh unpacks the issues at stake: https://bit.ly/46MDS4S 🏛️ The shoe-hurling incident directed at CJI BR Gavai made headlines last week. In our newsletter we write about the Court’s restraint in initiating action against the assailant: https://bit.ly/4pZWZzU ⚖️ Also, Volume 10 Issue 2 of SCO.LR is out. Don’t miss key updates from the Supreme Court. Read: http://bit.ly/46Qbv5W

📚 Volume 10 Issue 2 SCO.LR is here! In this week's Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR), we look at the most important judgements delivered by the Supreme Court between 6 October to 10 October 2025. 5️⃣ This week’s judgements deal with : - Validity of a mandatory experience clauses in public tenders - The doctrine of public trust in artificial water bodies - The right to defence under the IPC - The age-restriction on surrogacy; and - The liability of a trustee under the Negotiable Instruments Act Do check it out! https://www.scobserver.in/journal/sco-lr-2025-volume-10-issue-2/ 👀 Read these judgements in a reader friendly format on our SCO.LR page. Each judgement has been presented visually through our mindmaps: https://www.scobserver.in/supreme-court-observer-law-reports-scolr/

🪴 Good Morning! 📖 In September, the Supreme Court referred to a larger bench a 2014 Judgement which held that the Right to Education Act is not applicable to minority educational institutions. Shivani Singh on the issues at play: https://bit.ly/46MDS4S 🧨 Last week, the NCR states requested the Court to adopt a balanced approach on the sale and use of green firecrackers during Diwali. The states sought permission for limited use during celebrations for Diwali, Christmas and Gurupurab: https://bit.ly/4qpn1gr 🧑‍⚖️ A Constitution Bench held that Article 233 does not exclude judicial officers with prior Bar experience from being appointed as District Judges under the advocate stream. Our judgement matrix: http://bit.ly/4nHughE

✨ Good Morning! ⚖️ Yesterday, a five-judge Bench unanimously held that judicial officers with 7 years of prior Bar experience are eligible for direct recruitment as District Judges. The Court directed all states and HCs to amend service rules within 3 months: bit.ly/46IOzW6 📜 Interpreting Article 233 as a complete code, the Bench rejected the idea of a fixed quota for practising advocates and clarified that eligibility will rest on a combined seven years of Bar and/or judicial experience, with a minimum age of 35 years. Our Judgement Summary: http://bit.ly/4nLn8kA 🧾 Our Judgement Matrix outlines the key issues and holdings. Read here: http://bit.ly/4nHughE 🗳️ The Court continued hearing the challenge to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Bench yesterday directed the State Legal Services Authority to ensure volunteers assist 3.7 lakh excluded electors in filing appeals: http://bit.ly/434jzNY

☀️ Good Morning! 👩‍⚖️Today, a five-judge Constitution Bench will pronounce its judgement on whether judicial officers who served as advocates in the past are eligible for appointments under the Bar quota. Our argument matrix covers the key contentions: https://bit.ly/3KzccaV 🗳️A Division Bench is also scheduled to hear pleas on the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar. Update from the last hearing: http://bit.ly/48TzimJ 🥳 We are thrilled to share that SCO crossed 10,000 followers on Instagram! Your support means a lot to us. Follow our Instagram page here: https://bit.ly/46L8Z0E