Supreme Court Observer

🌼 Good Morning! 🎥 Recently, the Supreme Court remarked that the extra-judicial ban on the film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka was contrary to the rule of law and the freedom of speech. 👨🏻‍🏫 In May, even as the Court granted bail to Prof. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was arrested for online posts concerning Operation Sindoor, it restrained him from making any posts, articles, or oral speech related to the military operation. 🗣️ In March, the Court quashed an FIR against MP Imran Pratapgarhi for reciting an Urdu poem that allegedly promoted enmity between communities. ⚖️ Do these three cases highlight inconsistencies of a polyvocal court? Where does the top court stand on free speech? We explore: https://bit.ly/4nAzTyQ

🌻 Good Morning! 📹 Have you subscribed to SCO's YouTube channel yet? We publish videos weekly: http://www.youtube.com/@supremecourtobserver 📡 Last week, we published a video on a Judgement that permits taxation of DTH providers. The Court held that the Union and states can levy service and entertainment tax respectively: https://bit.ly/40tbbGn 🧪 We also broke down a recent Judgement that deals with an accused's right to demand a narco-analysis test: https://bit.ly/4nsydao 🕌 With the full Court back in action next week, all eyes are on the interim stay in the Waqf Amendment Act case. Our video summarises key arguments: https://bit.ly/3I9MV5Y 🎙 No time to watch? Check out our podcast, perfect for listening on the go: https://bit.ly/4lFJZg5

🎑 Good evening! Today, we bring you Volume 6, Issue 4 of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR). This is the final Issue of SCO.LR for June 2025. Last week the Court did not deliver any judgements as it was on its partial working days. So, we bring you an additional 5 judgements from each month of the year, from January to May: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/sco-lr-2025-volume-6-issue-4/ Can a company be sued as a State? Can a person be acquitted because he had no motive to commit a crime? Is registration enough to transfer the title of a property? The judgements in this Issue answer all these questions and more. Catch them all in HTML format in the link below. Happy reading! https://www.scobserver.in/supreme-court-observer-law-reports-scolr/

🌼 Good Morning! 🗓️ 25 June marked 50 years since Indira Gandhi’s Congress government advised the President to proclaim the Emergency. ⚖️ The period left deep scars on the judiciary, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Collegium system of appointing judges in the 1990s. More in our latest newsletter: https://bit.ly/4nrdx2p 📜 A month after the Supreme Court decided the dispute between the State of Tamil Nadu and the Governor of the state, the President of India referred 14 questions to the Court under its advisory jurisdiction in Article 143. 🗣️ In our latest commentary, Senior Advocate M.R. Shamshad argues that the reference amounts to relitigation: https://bit.ly/3Teghm7

🍂 Good Morning! This week marks 50 years since the Emergency, a dark chapter in India's political and legal history. We've published a package of stories to mark the occasion. 🏛️ A timeline of the gradual expansion of Art 21, which guarantees the right to life & personal liberty, by the Supreme Court. The right was infamously suspended by the Court in an Emergency-era case: https://bit.ly/4k8oDqt ⛓️ A commentary where Prof V. Krishna Ananth argues that attempts to reform Article 22, which justifies preventive detention laws, are cosmetic: https://bit.ly/44moklV 🔍 An article where Ravi Nair of the South Asia HR Documentation Centre suggests there isn't much to celebrate of the SC's track record since 'ADM Jabalpur': https://bit.ly/3FTSRiZ

🌅 Good Morning! 📊 The Court is currently observing its Partial Working Days. It has often been criticised for its long vacations. We examine the trend in our latest data story: https://bit.ly/44kJEbw ⚖️ On 28 April 1976, in a 4:1 majority, the Supreme Court upheld the suspension of fundamental rights during the Emergency in _ADM Jabalpur._ Ravi Nair learnt of the judgement while imprisoned in Tihar jail’s Ward 13. Read his reflections on the period 50 years later: https://bit.ly/3FTSRiZ 📜 In the latest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR), we bring you five bonus judgements from Jan–May 2025. Read here: bit.ly/4kSbYst

🌅 Good Morning! ⚖️ Today marks 50 years since Indira Gandhi's government declared the Emergency. The period between 25 June 1975 and 21 March 1977 saw the suspension of fundamental rights and civil liberties. 🗣️ What has changed since then? Not much, argues Ravi Nair, executive director of the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre. His article: https://bit.ly/3FTSRiZ 🚨 Stay tuned for more reflections on the Emergency and its lasting impact on the right to life, judicial appointments and more. 📜 Have you read the lastest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports? In this Issue, we bring you five bonus judgements from January to May 2025. Read now: https://bit.ly/4kSbYst

🌌 Good Morning! 🧪 Earlier this month, the Supreme Court clarified that an accused does not have an indefeasible right to voluntarily undergo a narco-analysis test. They may request it at an appropriate stage of the trial: https://bit.ly/4lo0WeF 5️⃣ As the Court is observing Partial Working Days, no decisions were delivered last week. For the latest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR), we bring you five standout bonus judgements from January to May 2025: https://bit.ly/4kSbYst 📝 Last month, the Supreme Court reserved judgement on petitions seeking an interim stay on several provisions of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. Our argument matrix breaks down the key submissions: https://bit.ly/3FLWc3z

🍃 Good Evening! 🚨 We’re back with another Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR)! ⚖️ SCO.LR brings you five unmissable judgements delivered by the Supreme Court each week. 🗓️ Last week, during its partial working days, the Court delivered no judgements. We’re using this week to bring you five bonus judgements from each month of the year, from January to May. 📜This week’s judgements consider the power of a High Court to reverse an acquittal, the public nature of forest land, the validity of a statement made by a child witness and more. Read them all now! https://www.scobserver.in/supreme-court-observer-law-reports-scolr/

☀️ Good Morning! 👨🏻‍⚖️ The in-house committee set up by CJI Khanna has found that Justice Yashwant Varma had "tacit or active control" over the store room where bundles of cash were found. The report recommends initiating removal proceedings. Read more: https://bit.ly/4llTTDq 📊 The average tenure of the 33 serving judges of the Supreme Court is 5.1 years, down slightly from last year’s 5.3 years. Short tenures can limit judicial continuity and institutional stability. More: https://bit.ly/3G5hrx9 🎬 Last week, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and other parties agreed to support the safe release of Kamal Haasan’s film 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. The state assured the Court there is no ban and promised security at screenings: https://bit.ly/3T1NCka

🌼 Good Morning! 🚨 We have several new stories to share: 📊 Data: There are 33 judges in the Supreme Court currently. What is their average tenure and why does it matter? Find out: https://bit.ly/3G5hrx9 ⚖️ Hearing: Yesterday, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and other parties agreed to support the safe release of actor Kamal Haasan's film 'Thug Life' in the state. More: https://bit.ly/3T1NCka 🗣️ Argument Matrix: Before the summer break, the Court reserved judgement on whether the Waqf Amendment Act must be stayed. Here are key arguments from the hearings: https://bit.ly/3FLWc3z 🎥 Video: The Court recently spared a convict under the POCSO Act from a 20-year jail sentence. Find out why: https://bit.ly/45wCHX6

🌤️ Good Morning! 🎥 The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Karnataka government's response on the stalling of the release of the Kamal Haasan-starrer 'Thug Life' in the state. Here's the story so far: https://bit.ly/45XZxa3 🏛️ The Supreme Court's logo has recently returned to its original monochrome design. Could this be a quiet statement in favour of tradition over transformation? Watch our video explainer to learn more: https://bit.ly/4n60vYa ✍🏻 Our SCO.LR Volume 6 Issue 2 covers important cases from 1 to 15 June 2025. Access our easy summaries here: https://bit.ly/4lf6mZv

🌦️Good Morning! 🎬 Yesterday, the Supreme Court sternly criticised the non-release of the Kamal Haasan movie 'Thug Life' in Karnataka. Haasan had sparked outrage in the state by remarking that Kannada was born out of Tamil. More: https://bit.ly/45XZxa3 📜 In June, the Court delivered judgements on narco analysis tests, closure applications and more. We've covered them all in the latest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR). Read now: https://bit.ly/4lf6mZv 💍Last month, the Court granted bail to an accused husband in an inter-faith marriage. The Bench noted that the State could not have any objection to the couple residing together as their union had the consent of their parents. More: https://bit.ly/406WIzQ

🌆 Good Evening! 🔊 Here’s the latest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR)! 📜SCO.LR brings you five important Supreme Court judgments each week. This week’s edition includes judgments from 1 to 15 June. 🗓 The issue covers a broader time frame as the Court is observing its partial working days, delivering fewer judgements than usual. 🔍This week we’re looking at judgements on the right person to authorise closure of industries, the duties that building developers have towards buyers and the rights of an accused during a narco-analysis test. Read them all here: https://bit.ly/4jWTXrY 👓 Also find all five judgements in a listicle here: https://bit.ly/4lf6mZv

⛅ Good Morning! 🌀 The Supreme Court’s logo has recently returned to its traditional monochrome. Is this a subtle shift toward continuity over change? Our latest video explores: https://bit.ly/4n60vYa 📡 The Supreme Court recently held that DTH providers must pay entertainment tax to state governments, in addition to the service tax paid to the Union. In our latest newsletter, we unpack the case and its impact: https://bit.ly/4e4ATqh ☀️ The summer session of the Supreme Court saw long-pending moves towards judicial transparency and much awaited hearings on the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act. More here: https://bit.ly/3ZsxQCx

⛅ Good Morning! 📡 Recently, the Supreme Court held that DTH providers were liable to pay an "entertainment" tax to state governments in addition to the "service" tax they pay to the Union. In our latest newsletter, we explore the context and potential impact of this decision: https://bit.ly/4e4ATqh 📜 This was one of the judgements we covered in Volume 5, Issue 4 of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR). Read other judgement summaries from that Issue here: https://bit.ly/3SVf6I2 ✍🏻 If you are using SCO.LR in your research or work, we'd love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions at admin@scobserver.in.

🥤Good Morning! 🗓️ Recently, the Supreme Court rebranded its "Vacation Days" as "Partial Working Days". 📈 The change comes after years of criticism, with commentators arguing that the Court wastes its precious time on ‘vacations’. But how much of that is really true? 📹 Our latest video tells the full story: https://youtu.be/9FxAJEzlaDg?si=P7qJ2stQYSPz8MsI 🔖 Prefer to read? Here you go: https://bit.ly/3SzsNw7 ⚖️ More about the Court’s latest changes and rebranding efforts: https://bit.ly/3ZY8I6D

🍃 Good Morning! ☀️ This summer, the Supreme Court heard the Waqf matter, delivered a Constitution Bench judgement and had new faces on the Bench. Our Summer Session Review of the Supreme Court covers important decisions and developments at the top court from April to June: https://bit.ly/3ZsxQCx 📉 For the first time in six years, the Supreme Court saw a drop in case pendency during May when Court began its partial working days. Read more: https://bit.ly/4l0oExd ⚖ Justice Bela Trivedi started her tenure from Ahmedabad City Civil Court and went on to be a judge of the Supreme Court for over three years. We trace the most significant decisions during her time at the top court: https://bit.ly/3ZmFJJz

☕ Good Morning! 📊 In May 2025, the pendency of cases at the Supreme Court's reduced by 67 compared to April. This was the first time in six years where the pendency declined in a month where court vacation began. Read: https://bit.ly/4l0oExd 👩‍⚖ Justice Bela Trivedi officially retired earlier this week. Known to be ‘tough’, especially in personal liberty matters, Justice Trivedi delivered key opinions on affirmative action and POCSO issues. Her notable judgements: https://bit.ly/4kSbYst 5️⃣ In our latest Issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR), we list five most important judgements from the first week of June. Read now! https://bit.ly/3ZmFJJz

🌅 Good Morning! 👩🏻‍⚖️ Justice Bela Trivedi retired yesterday after 3.75 year tenure at the Supreme Court. We have compiled a list of her notable judgements under themes like reservations, arrest and bail: https://bit.ly/3ZmFJJz ⚖️ We’ve also published a new explainer on Nodal Counsel. From tracking filings and coordinating hearings to managing timelines in high-stakes cases like the Waqf matter, their role is central to keeping things on track. More on our Procedure page: https://bit.ly/4kOfm8z 📜 Don't miss out on our latest issue of the Supreme Court Observer Law Reports (SCO.LR). In Volume 6 Issue 1, we summarise five key judgements from the first week of June: https://bit.ly/4kSbYst