Supreme Court Observer

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads of the day: 💰 On July 27th 2022, a Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar delivered the much awaited Judgment on the challenges to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The decision, which upheld all the challenged provisions, brings 80 petitions challenging the wide investigatory powers of the Enforcement Directorate to a close. SCO's coverage tells you everything you need to know: (https://bit.ly/3PK9U6K) 🤝 Yesterday, CJI Ramana inaugurated the front office of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. The SCLSC plays a key role in ensuring access to justice by providing free legal services to disadvantaged litigants at the SC. In 2020, a total of 1907 applicants approached the SCLSC seeking legal aid. How many applicants did the Committee serve? SCO reports: (https://bit.ly/3J7tOpG) 💻 The Delhi HC granted the Delhi Police 4 weeks to respond to AltNews co-founder Mohd. Zubair’s petition seeking the return of his devices and documents which were seized in the investigation against him. These developments come mere days after the SC granted bail to Mr. Zubair and protected him from the ‘vicious cycle of the criminal process’. Find out more about the allegations against Mr. Zubair and the Court’s decision on SCO’s Desk: (https://bit.ly/3czJc1K)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads of the day. 💸 The SC will deliver a much-anticipated Judgment today dealing with over 100 petitions challenging the wide powers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. This Judgment will be Justice Khanwilkar's big closing act at the Court before he retires on Friday. What is the ED? Why will today's Judgment be crucial? Dive into SCO's newsletter to find out. (https://bit.ly/3Ox2MJv) 👨🏻‍⚖Justices Khanwilkar, Maheshwari and Ravikumar heard a litany of advocates representing the challenge to the PMLA in February-March 2022. The petitioners, many of whom are prominent opposition party members accused of money laundering, argued that the Act reduces the rights of the accused to a 'vanishing point'. The Union advanced a simple defense-money laundering is a heinous transnational crime and only strict laws can combat it. SCO simplified our court-side reporting of all 22 days of hearings into an Arguments Matrix. (https://bit.ly/3PBut4V) 💱 The Union government informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that the Home Ministry cancelled FCRA licenses for over 1800 NGOs in the last 3 years. FCRA licenses enable NGOs to receive and use foreign donations. A Bench led by Justice Khanwilkar, upheld the Union's most recent amendments to the FCRA process in April. Read SCO in conversation with social impact scholars and lawyers active in the social sector to understand how the tightening grip on foreign funds affects NGOs. (https://bit.ly/3zcyZjn)

☀️Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day: 🗳 Yesterday, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena filed a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on Election Commission proceedings, which will decide which faction of the Shiv Sena is the ‘real’ one. Last week, the SC was hearing the challenge to the disqualification proceedings against the 13 rebel MLAs led by the Mr. Eknath Shinde. The Bench stated that the issues of the case may require the deliberation of a Constitution Bench. Read SCO’s report on the key concerns raised by the parties and the Court (https://bit.ly/3veU3og). 👨🏻‍⚖️ On Saturday, the Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat rejected the bail application filed by Mr. Sharjeel Imam, who has been charged with sedition along with other offences for his speeches during the CAA-NRC protests. Imam submitted that the Supreme Court on May 11th, 2022 passed an Order giving time for the Union Government to revise sedition law under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Meanwhile, all trials under Section 124A would be temporarily suspended. Last week, however, the Sessions Court rejected his bail application based on other charges against Imam. The SC’s Order of sedition did not apply here. SCO provides access to Court documents and petitions on its Case pages. Read the SC’s order here (https://bit.ly/3vC3Cy3). 🎤 The Supreme Court had given the Union government time till the third week of July 2022 to review Section 124A. The Court is yet to list the matter. SCO’s case page explains the challenge and reports on the hearings so far (https://bit.ly/3zx4sOK).https://bit.ly/3veU3o

☀️Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day: 🗞️ On July 20th the SC granted bail to Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of AltNews, following his arrest in June over tweets he put out. Mr. Zubair was charged with causing public nuisance, criminal conspiracy and inciting unlawful assembly. The Court while granting bail, said the power of arrest must be used ‘sparingly’ and refused to entertain the Union’s request to restrict him from tweeting. To find a full account of the hearing, read SCO’s report. (https://bit.ly/3PyHRH1) 📈 On July 21st, Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju while addressing Parliament stated that there were no plans to increase the retirement age of SC Judges. Currently, regardless of when they are appointed, SC Judges must retire once they turn 65-years old. Recently, former SC Justice Nageswara Rao, during his farewell speech, expressed his belief that the retirement age should be increased so that Judges can serve for atleast 7-8 years at the SC. SCO has charted the average retirement age of SC Judges since 1950. (https://bit.ly/3S031Qf) 👩🏾‍⚖️ On July 23rd Justice Ravindra Bhat addressed a conference on ‘Women in Power & Decision Making’ organised by the Progress, Harmony, Development Chamber of Commerce. He spoke about how patriarchy in Indian society can stall a woman’s career. He used the Indian Judiciary as an example to highlight the need for meaningful gender representation in the professional sphere. SCO sheds light on the state of gender representation in the judiciary. (https://bit.ly/3PPQzR1)

On October 27th 2021, the Supreme Court issued an Order constituting a Technical Committee to investigate the allegations that the Union Government had used the Pegasus spyware to spy on citizens. (https://bit.ly/3PAuZAw) Between December 2021 and February 2022, 13 journalists and cyber security experts deposed before the Supreme Court’s Pegasus Technical Committee. Interestingly, the Technical Committee recorded each deposition and uploaded the footage to pegasus-india-investigation.in, making it accessible to all. Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP, John Brittas, warned that the Pegasus story was ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ of illegal surveillance in India. Read SCO’s detailed report of his deposition (https://bit.ly/3opQms2) Professor Sandeep Shukla explained to the Committee the ‘insidious’ workings of the spyware and its ability to ‘strike at the heart’ of the Right to Privacy. SCO’s report explains his submissions before the Committee. (https://bit.ly/3olRNI2) SCO reported on the key take aways from each of the 13 depositions in a unique compilation. (https://bit.ly/3PwA9NC) While the Technical Committee seems to attempt to be transparent, there have been no recent updates on the other components of the Committee’s investigation. After nine months, the Technical Committee has not given any official indication on the completion of its report, or the nature of its findings so far. Read SCO’s Pegasus Case Background to learn about the story so far. (https://bit.ly/3aV1udC)

☀️Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day. 🛕On July 21st, a 3-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court decided against dismissing the Gyanvapi Mosque Management committee's appeal. The appeal challenges the District Court's decision to create a Comission to enquire into the origins of the mosque. Read a court-side report of the hearing here. (https://bit.ly/3OrxdR5) 🤰The Court also allowed an unmarried woman to abort a 24-month pregnancy, subject to medical examination stating the abortion will not put her at risk. The Court highlighted that abortion cannot be denied to unmarried women. Challenges to the constitutionality of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 remain pending at the SC since 2019. Visit SCO's case archive for details and key documents in the case. (https://bit.ly/3ojRNsb) 🗃️Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, while addressing questions in the Rajya Sabha on July 21st, said that there are currently 72,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court. What drives this pendency? Are too many new cases being filed? Is the SC disposing of fewer cases? Read SCO's interactive analysis of pendency in 2021 to find out. (https://bit.ly/3B5vE8w)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads of the day: 🪖 On July 20th 2022, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai announced 10% reservation of posts in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFS) and Assam Rifles for ex-Agniveers. The Agnipath scheme recruits candidates for a 4-year service period and the Union has stated that candidates will receive an easier path to job recruitment in many sectors, including security services. However, the scheme does not include pension benefits and was met with widespread protests across several states. Three separate PILs have been filed in the SC challenging the constitutional validity of the Scheme as well as a plea to constitute an SIT to investigate the violent protests. What are the questions placed before SC in the Agnipath challenges? SCO reports on the case: (https://bit.ly/3B4MAMb) 📃 Yesterday, a Bench led by CJI Ramana said that the petitions filed by the Shiv Sena and its rebel MLAs raised many constitutional questions requiring the consideration of a larger Bench. The SC refused to interfere in the Maharashtra political crisis that led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi government. SCO reports on Court’s stance on the Governor’s call for a floor test following the defection of 12 Shiv Sena MLAs: (https://bit.ly/3aWBdLF) 📧 Have you subscribed to SCO Desk Briefs yet? Click on the link to receive updates on the Supreme Court straight to your inbox! (https://bit.ly/3PlTBME)

✨ Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day: 👨🏾‍⚖️ Yesterday, the SC transferred all the petitions before itself and other HCs challenging the Agnipath Recruitment Scheme to the Delhi HC. The Bench comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and A.S. Bopanna stated that the HC’s jurisdiction ‘must not lose significance’ and that it wanted the benefit of the Delhi HC’s reasoning before considering the matter. Read SCO’s report of the hearing. (https://bit.ly/3OnJTIK) 👮🏾Yesterday, the SC adjourned the challenge to Rakesh Asthana’s appointment as Delhi Police Commissioner once again. Mr. Asthana is set to retire on July 31st which may make the case infructuous. The Center for Public Interest Litigation argues that his appointment violates the SCs decisions from 2006 and 2019 regarding political interference in police affairs. SCO reported on the issues brought to the fore by Mr. Asthana’s appointment. (https://bit.ly/3yQfSM2) 📧 Have you subscribed to SCO Desk Briefs yet? Click on the link to receive updates on the Supreme Court straight to your inbox! (https://bit.ly/3PlTBME)

✨ Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day: 🕌 Yesterday the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the practice of _Talaq-E-Hasan_, where a Muslim man can divorce his wife by uttering the word ‘_talaq_’ once a month, for three months. The practice has been challenged for being arbitrary, irrational, and for violating fundamental rights. In August 2017, a 3:2 majority of the SC held the practice of Triple Talaq or _Talaq-e-Biddat_ unconstitutional, on similar grounds. The Court is set to hear the petition on July 22nd. SCO reported on the hearings in the Triple Talaq challenge here (https://bit.ly/3ciZSdQ). 📄 Following the striking down of Triple Talaq, several Muslim women filed PILs challenging the constitutionality of polygamy, _nikah halala_ and other Muslim marriage practices before the SC. Some of these petitioners also seek that the Court criminalise Triple Talaq, polygamy and other Muslim marriage practices. Read more about the pending petitions before the SC here (https://bit.ly/3uRS0Xd). 💍 The demand for a Uniform Civil Code has been pending before the Court on various aspects, including Divorce, Maintenance & Alimony Laws (https://bit.ly/3PaiKKB), Succession and Inheritance (https://bit.ly/3RKeFi3), Marriage Age (https://bit.ly/3RHizbl) and Adoption and Guardianship (https://bit.ly/3aPJ3XB). The petitions seek uniform laws for these subjects, disregarding the religion or gender of the persons involved. SCO is tracking these cases at the Supreme Court.

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day. 🗓️ An SC Bench led by Chief Justice Ramana is scheduled to hear petitions surrounding Maharashtra's political crisis on Wednesday, July 20th. What is the conflict between the Uddhav Thackarey and Eknath Shinde factions of the Shiv Sena that have led to these cases? Read SCO Shorts for a quick refresher. (https://bit.ly/3IKuwc2) ❓The petitions raise some vital questions about the way Legislative Assemblies function. Can a Speaker suspend MLAs while a no-confidence motion is pending against the Speaker himself? Can members disqualified for defection vote in a floor test? SCO reviews the Court's existing Judgments on political defections here. (https://bit.ly/3J0jzUd) ⏪ A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and J.B. Pardiwala heard the Maharashtra case over the vacation. They refused to intervene in the pending questions, allowing the disqualified members to vote in the floor test. Before the floor test could be conducted, the Uddhav Thackarey government resigned. SCO's court-side hearing report tells you all you need to know about the case at the SC so far. (https://bit.ly/3RH18aP)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads of the day: ⚖️ Yesterday, Justice U.U. Lalit commenced hearings at 9:30AM, an hour earlier than usual. He stated that Courts should sit early everyday, ideally at 9am. Justice Lalit is the next in line to be the Chief Justice of India and will be influential in shaping Court procedure. SCO reports on who the next 9 CJIs will be, if the norm of seniority is followed. (https://bit.ly/3o3KrsJ) 👨‍⚖️ Justice Lalit is set to become the next Chief Justice after CJI Ramana retires on August 26th 2022. He is one of the few Judges to be elevated directly from the Bar to the SC Bench. SCO’s profile of Justice Lalit explores his tenure at the SC. (https://bit.ly/3o69BGS) 💸 On July 15th, Justice Khanwilkar remarked that the Judgment on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is “almost ready”. Several challenges were filed against the controversial Act claiming that the Act granted the Enforcement Directorate unregulated investigatory powers. SCO breaks down the different claims made in the case through an arguments matrix. (https://bit.ly/3AYxXdo)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s Must reads for the day: 🕌 Yesterday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) filed a petition to become a party in the challenge to the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 (PoW Act). BJP leader and SC advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay filed a petition challenging the PoW Act in October last year. The AIMPLB called Upadhyay’s challenge ‘mischevious’ in their petition, stating that it could have dire consequences for public order and peace, pointing to the communal riots that took place after the Babri Masjid demolition in Mumbai. Read SCO’s coverage of the challenge to the PoW Act. (https://bit.ly/3uIz39e) 👨🏾‍⚖️In their petition, the AIMPLB claimed that the PoW Act was meant to put an end to ‘ancient and stale’ claims relating to places of worship. In the Ayodhya dispute the SC had held that the PoW Act was meant to ensure history could not be used as a basis to start new conflicts over places of worship. However, on May 20th Justice Chandrachud allowed a survey to be conducted to determine the religious character of the Gyanvapi Mosque, effectively opening the POW Act to reconsideration. SCO covered the possible consequences of the SC adopting divergent stances regarding the PoW Act. (https://bit.ly/3cecTW4) ⌚ The Varanasi District Court continued to hear the plea filed by five Hindu women seeking permission to pray at the Gyanvapi Mosque site on July 13th. The women claim the Mosque was built on the ruins of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple after it was demolished by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in 1669. SCO’s timeline explains the legal and historical threads that led to the current dispute. (https://bit.ly/3zer2M9)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s Must reads for the day: 👨🏻‍⚖️ The Supreme Court reportedly delivered 41 judgments on Monday, the first day of its return from the summer vacation. 20 of these judgments were written by Justice M.R Shah. Including this post-vacation high, Justice Shah has written over 400 judgments in his SC tenure so far. SCO’s profile on Justice Shah discusses his notable judgments (https://bit.ly/3nYDSay) 🧕🏽 Yesterday, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana stated that the Court would hear the challenge to the Hijab Ban next week. On March 15th the Karnataka High Court upheld a Karnataka Government Order that effectively banned hijabs in government colleges. Immediately the aggrieved students appealed the High Court’s decision. The case had been repeatedly brought before the SC in March and April to no avail. SCO reported on every hearing before the HC here (https://bit.ly/3uKawAC) 📧 Sign up to SCO’s Desk Briefs to receive updates on the Supreme Court straight to your inbox! (https://bit.ly/3PlTBME)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO's must-reads for the day: 👴 On both parties' request, the Court delayed hearings in 83 year old undertrial prisoner Varavara Rao's permanent medical bail application to next week. Rao, along with many other activists, has been in jail for 2 years for his involvement in the Elgar Parishad, which allegedly caused the Bhima Koregaon violence in 2018. The SC delivered a split Judgment in 2018, dismissing a petition challenging the activists' arrest as arbitrary. Visit SCO's Bhima Koregaon case archive for more details (https://bit.ly/3NWspDa) 👨‍⚖Rao was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Act has notoriously strict guidelines for bail. While granting Rao temporary bail in 2021, the Bombay High Court relied on the SC's decision in _KA Najeeb_. Here, the SC delineated the duty of a constitutional court to grant bail even under the UAPA's strict provisions if the arrest violates the accused's fundamental rights. SCO reviews the trajectory of the SC's Judgments on bail under UAPA here (https://bit.ly/3yADLqO) ❕The Delhi Government mentioned the case regarding the dispute for control over the capital's civil servants between itself and the Union before the Chief Justice yesterday. Dr. A.M. Singhvi, appearing for Delhi, said the matter needs urgent resolution. CJI Ramana agreed. This may be the only Constitution Bench the Chief Justice forms in his tenure. Catch up on the case so far. (https://bit.ly/3Pp9wtK)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads of the day: ⚖️ The Supreme Court has returned in full swing after six long weeks. The SC’s Vacation Benches had their hands full in June with various matters ranging from Maharashtra’s political crisis to the long awaited Gujarat Riots Judgment. July promises to be an action filled month as well, with a host of important matters awaiting the Court's judgment. Find out more about upcoming hearings at the Court in our latest newsletter here: (https://bit.ly/3AKSsKv) 📰 Political defections have once more come to the forefront in light of recent developments in the Maharashtra State Assembly. Despite the former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray having stepped down to make way for a new government, multiple petitions remain pending before the SC regarding the disqualification of the rebel MLA’s. What has the SC held in the past regarding political defections? SCO records key decisions on defections. (https://bit.ly/3ayt5Rl) 💸 Justice Khanwilkar is set to retire this month after having served a 6-year tenure. Khanwilkar J’s Bench is expected to decide on the challenges to the controversial Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, before his retirement. The judgment will decide the fate of over 100 petitions including several filed by prominent political figures from across the country. SCO reports on the pending challenges: (https://bit.ly/3uGH8v3)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads for the day: 👩🏾‍⚖️ After a six-week summer vacation, the Supreme Court resumes full-functioning today (July 11th). 💼 The ongoing tussle for administrative control over Delhi's civil servants between the Union Government and the Government of NCT Delhi was referred to a Constitution Bench before the vacation. It is likely to be heard soon. This will be the first Constitution bench convened during CJI Ramana’s tenure. Keep an eye on SCO’s Case Background to read our report of the hearing. (https://bit.ly/3nSZvcl) 💬 The challenge to the constitutionality of the law on sedition is set to be heard soon as well—currently listed for July 18th. The case was last heard on May 6th, when the Union Government approached the Court stating that they would re-examining the law. The Court delivered an Order stating they ‘hoped and expected’ that the law on sedition would not be applied while the Union was re-examining it. Visit SCO’s case archive to catch up on the on the case so far. (https://bit.ly/3ItZ7up) 🚨 The clock is ticking on the challenge to Rakesh Asthana’s appointment as Delhi Police Commissioner. He is set to retire from the position on July 31st. The case has been adjourned over 10 times and his retirement would make it infructuous. The Centre for Public Interest Litigation challenged Mr. Asthana’s appointment stating that it contradicted the SC’s past decisions on the appointment of State Police Chiefs and their tenure. Find all the details, as well as a concise summary of the Writ Petition, on SCO’s Case Background. (https://bit.ly/3yUWv5B)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads for the day: 🧑🏻‍⚖️ On Monday (July 11th) the SC will return from its summer vacation. Judges of the vacation Bench scheduled hearings in two controversial events in June to be heard on the first day back from the break. The two cases to look out for on Monday include the challenges to the Agnipath Scheme and the call for the floor test by the Governor of Maharashtra. 💰 The Agnipath Scheme was introduced on June 14th, which received severe criticism for depriving young soldiers of pensions and job security. A Vacation Bench of the SC comprising Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia heard the petition challenging the constitutionality of the scheme. Stating that Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, must admit the case they listed the case for the first day back after the summer vacation. Read SCO’s case background and Court-side reports of the hearings here (https://bit.ly/3abdAyT) 🗳 On June 29th, the SC dealt a major blow to the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition when a vacation bench refused to stay the floor test called by the Governor of Maharashtra. Minutes after the Order was issued, Mr. Uddhav Thackarey resigned as Chief Minister. As the month ended, the leader of the 16 rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena, Mr. Eknath Shinde, took oath as the Chief Minister. Mr. Thackarey has filed a petition challenging the Governor’s call for a floor test and his decision to invite rebel MLA Eknath Shinde to form the new government. The Court will hear the Maharashtra political crisis on July 11th. SCO’s report explains the arguments made so far in the challenge to the floor test. (https://bit.ly/3y4dWPB)

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO's must reads for the day: 🗓️ Supreme Court Judges are preparing to return from their six week summer vacation on Monday. In July, the Court is likely to see some institutional changes, crucial hearings on the Agnipath scheme and Maharashtra political crisis, an important Judgment on money laundering offences and more. Read more (https://bit.ly/3uA26fg) 🗳️ On July 6th, Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Krishna Murari refused to grant the State of Goa additional time to complete local polls. Delays in municipal and rural elections have been a major cause for concern at the SC in 2022. Most notably, the Court has come down heavily on Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for delaying local polls in an attempt to secure their OBC reservations policies. SCO's court-side report tells you the full story. (https://bit.ly/3Pa7DRj) 📧 SCO is offering an internship opportunity for an in-person Court Reporter in Delhi for August 2022. Interested 4th and 5th year law students (2nd and 3rd year for 3-year law courses) may submit their CV, cover letter and writing samples to admin@scobserver.in. Apply Now!

☀️ Good morning! Here are SCO’s must reads of the day: 💻 On July 5th, Twitter filed a suit against the Indian government before the Karnataka HC challenging orders to take down posts under the new IT Rules. Several challenges have already been filed against the controversial rules with the Bombay, Madras and Kerala High Courts having already stayed their application. In July 2021, the Union filed a petition to transfer all pending proceedings before the Supreme Court. SCO reports: (https://bit.ly/3NR0EvA) 👮 Delhi Police Commissioner, Rakesh Asthana, is set to retire in just 20 days on July 27th. Mr. Asthana was set to retire on July 31st last year, when the Union relaxed the rules to extend his tenure by one year. His appointment was challenged on the grounds that it violates established norms on political interference in police affairs. The challenge now runs the risk of becoming infructuous if the case is not decided before his retirement. SCO reports on the implications of Mr. Asthana’s appointment on police reforms in India: (https://bit.ly/3AMkC8b) 📧 SCO is offering an internship opportunity for an in-person Court Reporter in Delhi for August 2022. Interested 4th and 5th year law students (2nd and 3rd year for 3-year law courses) may submit their CV, cover letter and writing samples to admin@scobserver.in. Apply Now!

🌞Good morning! Here are SCO’s must-reads for today: 👨🏾‍⚖️ On July 4th, Justice H.P. Sandesh of the Karnataka HC said he was threatened with a transfer to a different High Court for criticising the Anti-Corruption Bureau while hearing a bail petition. Transfers of judges are often seen as a way to ‘punish’ them. SCO traced the reasons given for HC judge transfers by the collegium between 2017 and 2021 and reported on other instances of controversial transfers. (https://bit.ly/3bO5qwE) ⛓️ On July 3rd, activist Teesta Setalvad and former Gujarat state DGP R.B. Sreekumar were placed in judicial custody. They were arrested on June 25th and the FIRs registered against them directly quoted the SC’s Judgment in the Zakia Jafri case. Over 300 former judges, activists and advocates wrote a letter asking CJI Ramana to clarify that the Judgment was not meant to have ‘adverse consequences’. SCO reported on the arrests and the circumstances surrounding them. (https://bit.ly/3bLlUWl) 🪖 On July 4th the Supreme Court listed another plea challenging the Agnipath recruitment scheme to the armed forces. The plea was filed by 31 Air Force aspirants who argued that the scheme should not apply to those who are currently undergoing the selection process. To find out more about why multiple constitutional challenges have been filed against the Agnipath scheme, visit our case background. (https://bit.ly/3AxWgil)