Supreme Court Observer

🌸 Good Morning! 🏛 In 2024, the Supreme Court grappled with a myriad social challenges. 📝 From caste discrimination to rights of persons with disabilities, read our review of the Court's stance on substantive equality here: https://bit.ly/4fH7l1l 🗞 For the Supreme Court, 2024 was action-packed and full of excitement, not least because it was a year that saw a General Election and the retirement of one of the most high-profile Chief Justices of our times. Read highlights of the year here: https://bit.ly/3W5ssU9

🍃 Good Morning! 🗓 Today is the Supreme Court's first working day of 2025. It re-opens after 21 days of Christmas and New Year vacations. 🛐 Today, the Court will hear a plea by Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi seeking implementation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991. On 12 December, the Court had stayed further registration of suits seeking archaeological, scientific, non-scientific and other surveys of places of worship. Read here: https://bit.ly/4gU9JTm ❄ The last three months of 2024 were action-packed. The Supreme Court delivered seven Constitution Bench decisions and saw the retirement of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Our Winter Session Review captures other highlights: https://bit.ly/41So66v

🎉 Happy New Year! 🗓️ As the new year begins, we took the time to reflect on the year that's gone by...for ourselves and for the Supreme Court! 📜 The Court's work last year moved the needle on several critical aspects of public life and law. Read all our 2024 year-end assessments here: https://bit.ly/4iXjUbO 🏛️ 2025 promises to be an exciting year at the Court. We'll be here as usual observing and reporting. Stay tuned and follow us on all our scoial media platforms: 💬 Twitter (X): https://bit.ly/3dXuuCU 📸 Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Rnjzjr 📹 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RkL39u 📧 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3TZLf20 🙏🏽 Thank you for following our daily updates, and for being an engaged, interested community of readers in 2024!

⌛ Good Morning! 🏛️ 2024 is almost over. The year was marked by significant judgements, the retirement of a Chief Justice, and notable Constitution Bench activity. From a series of bail orders and a landmark reservation judgement to advancing child rights, the Court's impact was far-reaching. 📩 Our latest newsletter offers a snapshot of all the significant developments at the Supreme Court this year: https://bitly.cx/6uQJm 📽️ We also summarise the year's highlights in our latest video: https://youtu.be/PfqmNFcfqVM 📜 Our team has also published a list of the Top 10 judgements and several thematic assessments of the Court in our year-ender series: https://bit.ly/4iXjUbO 🙏🏻 Thank you for your support and encouragement this year. More in 2025!

🌱 Good Morning! 📽️ As 2024 comes to a close, our team at the _Supreme Court Observer_ got together to discuss our personal favourite judgements of the year which significantly impacted people's lives and livelihoods in the country. Watch the video here: https://bitly.cx/69s40. 👓 Prefer to read? Our article is here: https://bitly.cx/cnoxK 👂🏻The episode is also live on Spotify. Listen to it here: https://bitly.cx/cxjLQ 🏛️ In our year-end reviews, we bring you a series of thematic breakdowns of the top court's work. Read our analysis of judgements on religion and culture, federalism, elections and democracy, suo moto jurisdiction, and child rights, in our #SCO2024Review series: https://bit.ly/4iXjUbO

🌤️ Good Morning! 📣 In the lastest drop in our series breaking down the work of the Supreme Court in 2024, we published two new articles yesterday. 🇮🇳 In one, we looked at judgements concerning Centre-state relations and found that in several cases, the Court pushed for a balance of powers between the Union and states: https://bit.ly/3PhLxOQ 📃 In another, we explained all 12 Constitution Bench judgements that were pronounced this year by the top court: https://bit.ly/3ZWq3fH 5️⃣ Our team has also put together an alternative list of five cases that didn't make it to our Top 10 list but deserve a special mention for their potential impact: https://bit.ly/3ZTfA4r 🔎 Read our Top 10 judgements and other year-end reviews here: https://bit.ly/4gsI108

🍃 Good Morning! 🇮🇳 India’s secularism accommodates outward displays of religiosity and cultural assertion. Increasingly, however, such displays have been marked by a more menacing tinge. 🛐 This year, the Supreme Court wrestled with cases that touched on minority rights and cultural preservation. Read here: https://bit.ly/3BMqIIq 🏛️ In 2024, the Supreme Court decided several cases to advance child rights jurisprudence in India. From clarifying the application of certain provisions of the POCSO Act to tightening the JJ Act, it laid to rest some confusions that had long bothered litigators. Read here: https://bit.ly/49REK88

🌟 Good Morning! 📝 As part of our year-ender reviews, we’ve published two new articles focusing on child rights and religious freedom. 🛡️ This year, the Court filled legislative gaps, put social media platforms under scrutiny, and intervened for children from minority communities. Read more: https://bit.ly/49REK88 🕌 We also listed significant cases addressing religious and cultural rights in a polarising environment: https://bit.ly/3BMqIIq ❓Also, do read our year-ender reviews on: 1) The Court’s suo moto powers: https://bit.ly/4frIdeJ 2) Election-related cases: https://bit.ly/49OH3Zw 3) Top 10 Judgements of 2024: https://bit.ly/4gtAxdj 📖 Happy reading!

🍃 Good Morning! Last week, before its winter break commenced on 20 December, the Supreme Court issued the following orders: 🎼 An interim order preventing Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna from being recognised as the recipient of the Sangit Kalanidhi M.S. Subbulakshmi Award. Read Advocate on Record Chitranshul Sinha's article on this unique case: https://bitly.cx/lst6 💨 In the Delhi-NCR pollution matter, the Court demanded accountability on waste management, firecrackers, and payments to construction workers. The Court will follow-up on the implementation of its directions in January 2025. Our report: https://bitly.cx/d80Lp 🔝Have you caught up with our list of *Top 10 Judgements of the Year*?: https://bitly.cx/iqS78

🌟 Good Morning! 🗓️ The Supreme Court is officially on winter vacation from today until 2 January 2025. Our package of year-ender content includes several thematic reviews of the Court. 📈 This year, the Court exercised its suo moto jurisdiction in 12 cases, the highest ever since its establishment. Our data analysis shows that the last 5 years account for over half of the 66 suo moto cases in the last 20 years: https://bit.ly/4frIdeJ 🗳️ 2024 was a general election year. We revisit notable judgements and petitions that occupied the top court’s attention in election season: https://bit.ly/49OH3Zw 🏛️ We've also put together a list of 10 judgements of 2024 which could potentially impact large constituencies of the population: https://bit.ly/4gtAxdj

☀ Good afternoon! 🎉 As mentioned in our morning broadcast, today marks the last working day of the Supreme Court in 2024! We also hinted at an exciting drop. It's here now. Our list of the top 10 judgements of the year! 📃 Out of over 950 verdicts this year, we picked the ones that could potentially have a lasting impact on politics, economy and society. 📖 Read it now: https://www.scobserver.in/journal/supreme-court-review-top-10-judgements-of-2024/ ➕ There's another list to look forward to. An "alt list" of five decisions that didn't make it to the Top 10 but which our reporters believe should not slip under the radar. You can read about them in our Saturday desk brief. Have you subscribed yet? https://bit.ly/402MoJt

🌿 Good morning! 🗓 Today is the Supreme Court's last working day before it breaks for winter vacation. Yesterday, a circular by the Court stated that from January 2025, regular matters will be listed on Thursdays. Read how CJI Sanjiv Khanna's listing reforms shook up the Court's functioning in the year's final few weeks: https://bit.ly/3VJpMeM 📈 Earlier this month, we recorded that CJI Khanna's decision to halt regular hearings increased disposal rate by 16 percent in November. Read more: https://bit.ly/41Kjq2q 🔎 COMING SOON | Stay tuned for our exclusive list of the top 10 judgements of 2024 - cases that created impact and shifted jurisprudence. Meanwhile, revisit our list of the most significant judgements from last year: https://bit.ly/41D197b

🌱 Good Morning! 💨 Today, the Supreme Court will continue monitoring the air pollution and solid waste management crisis in Delhi. Earlier this week, the Court had summoned the Chief Secretary of Delhi to explain the delay in providing data on compliance with the solid waste management rules: https://bitly.cx/NHmpq 🍃 In addition to monitoring measures aimed at improving the depleting air quality, the Court is also looking into the broader factors contributing to the crisis to ensure sustainable, long-term solutions: https://bit.ly/49CYM6c 🏛 The Court has also come down heavily on the Delhi and Union governments for systemic failures in managing the crisis, even warning contempt proceedings for non-compliance with its directions: https://bit.ly/3BeK2O6

🌼 Good Morning! 🕌 Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Gyanvapi title matter. We trace the origins of the dispute: https://bit.ly/41Gu1vd 🛕 Petitioners claim that the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb constructed the mosque after destroying part of the Kashi Vishweshwara temple. 🛐 The mosque's management committee has argued that a survey of the mosque was violative of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which states that the character of a place of worship shall shall remain as it was on 15 August 1947: https://bit.ly/3ZzjW0u 🏛️ Last week, the Supreme Court stayed the filing of new suits seeking surveys of places of worship and directed that no further orders will be passed in pending litigations: https://bit.ly/3ZSo2C4

🗞 Good Morning! ❄ Today, the Supreme Court will continue monitoring the air pollution crisis in the Delhi National Capital Region. 🍃 Last week, given the improving air quality, the top court shifted focus from damage control to long-term sustainability. Read our round-up of the latest hearings on the air pollution crisis here: https://bit.ly/49CYM6c 🏛️ Have you read our latest newsletter on the death penalty yet? Recent decisions of the top court acknowledge the need for procedural reform but there is no sign of an all-important Constitution Bench case. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4gftRQ2

🪴 Good Morning! 🏛️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which bars any changes to the religious character of a place of worship as it stood on 15 August 1947 🗣️ The Court directed the Union government to file a reply within four weeks and imposed a stay on any new suits seeking surveys of places of worship across the country. It also directed that no further orders will be passed in other pending litigations. More in our report: https://bit.ly/3ZSo2C4 🗓️ In November, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud retired and CJI Sanjiv Khanna took over. The month also saw the loop close on several significant Constitution Bench cases. Our monthly review: https://bit.ly/3BtgL2w

📰 Good Morning! 🏛️ Today, a Special Bench led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna will hear petitions concerning the Places of Worship Act. The law prohibits changing the “religious character” of places of worship from their position as of 15 August 1947: https://bit.ly/41vW3d0 ⚖️ On Monday, the Court directed the Manipur government to provide details of the properties destroyed during the ethnic violence in the state and sought a response on the rehabilitation measures undertaken so far: https://bit.ly/49wkvN8 ✒️ On 8 November, the top court laid down parameters to recognise the minority status of an educational institution. The criteria will help determine the status of Aligarh Muslim University. Here's our judgement summary: https://bit.ly/3VXldO7

🌼 Good Morning! 👨🏻‍⚖️ Yesterday, for the first time since he took oath, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna's Court heard the Kolkata hospital rape and murder case. The Court had taken suo moto cognisance of the case in August 2024. 🥼 The Court received updates on the CBI's investigation and the National Task Force's report for the safety of doctors. The judges directed all stakeholders to submit their suggestions to the Task Force as soon as possible: https://bit.ly/3ZQj6hq 📉 Last month, in a bid to decrease pendency, CJI Khanna announced that the Court would not hear regular matters "till further notice" (they will resume in January 2025). Did this move increase case disposals in November? Read: https://bit.ly/3BoYzqy

🍃 Good Morning! 🏛️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to share details of the properties in the state that have been destroyed, burnt, looted or encroached upon during the violence that began in May 2023. 🗣️ The Court has also instructed the Justice Gita Mittal Committee, which is monitoring rehabilitation in the state, to share its report with the petitioners: https://bit.ly/3VuHh2a 👨🏻‍⚖ Last week, Justice A.S. Oka expressed disapproval against the reinstatement of DMK leader Senthil Balaji in the Tamil Nadu cabinet just months after he was granted bail in an ED case in September 2024. 🗞 Our latest newsletter explores how Balaji’s case could set a crucial precedent in PMLA jurisprudence: https://bit.ly/3DixFBd

🌱 Good Morning! 🗓️ 6 December marked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 68th Death Anniversary. To commemorate, here’s our coverage of his enduring legacy: 📖 In _The Foresighted Ambedkar,_ Anurag Bhaskar debunks myths surrounding Dr. Ambedkar’s call to “burn the Constitution.” Here's an excerpt highlighting how his words have been taken out of context to downplay his faith in the document: https://bit.ly/4c3TPDm 🎙️ On the eve of the Constitution's adoption, Dr. Ambedkar delivered a speech reflecting upon the political and social inequality in India. Here's an excerpt: https://bit.ly/3ZqFSLd 🗣️ In his only known case in the top court, he evoked the ‘spirit’ of the Constitution in a precursor to the Basic Structure doctrine. More: https://bit.ly/3x2llCD