Supreme Court Observer

🪴 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

🍃 Good Morning! 👨🏽‍⚖ Today, Justice Hrishikesh Roy retires from the Supreme Court after a tenure of over five years. Justice Roy’s notable judgements included one that upheld the suo moto powers of the Natiobal Green Tribunal and several that promoted party autonomy in arbitration. Read: https://bit.ly/40Tmx7f 🏛️ After graduating in 1982, Justice Roy enrolled in the Bar and began practising in Delhi. He soon moved his practice to the Gauhati High Court. More in our profile: https://bit.ly/3WBF2uE 🔎 On 6 November 2024, he authored a five-judge bench verdict which unanimously confirmed that Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) licence-holders can drive transport vehicles whose weight is less than 7500 kgs. Our judgement summary: https://bit.ly/3CsT8Yk

🌄 Good Morning! ⚖️ Yesterday, the Supreme Court directed the Union to submit details about the cases filed under the Muslim Woman Protection Act, 2019 which criminalises triple talaq. Petitioners argued that the Act discriminates against Muslim men: https://bit.ly/4hrVo0O 🥼The top court also heard the R.G. rape and murder case for the ninth time yesterday. The bench reiterated that doctors who were protesting and had returned to work after the Court's Order on 22 August 2024 would not be considered absent from duty: https://bit.ly/3WCJh8Y 🏛️ In a Ceremonial Bench commemorating the completion of the Court's 75th year, CJI Sanjiv Khanna stated that the institution embodied the aspirations of 1.4 billion people: https://bit.ly/4aC9rhY

✨ Good Morning! ⚖️ Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the R.G. Kar rape and murder case. In the previous hearing, the top court had directed stakeholders to respond to the National Task Force's draft report on pan-India guidelines for doctor safety: https://bit.ly/3ZQj6hq 🏛️ Yesterday, a Ceremonial Bench assembled to commemorate the completion of 75 years of the Supreme Court. CJI Sanjiv Khanna, AG R. Venkataramani and SCBA President Kapil Sibal delivered speeches. We bring you the highlights: https://bit.ly/4aC9rhY 🏭 On Monday, the Court pushed for strict implementation of solid waste management rules in the NCR. The Court also took note of pollution caused by thermal power plants & and vehicle emissions. More: https://bit.ly/40Cb6iV

🌸 Good Morning! 🌳 Today marks the completion of 75 years since the Supreme Court was inaugurated. On this day, we close out our special series commemorating this milestone with an in-depth exploration of the winding trajectory of the Court's environmental jurisprudence: https://bit.ly/40zknZb 🏛 Today, the Court is scheduled to hear challenges to the constitutionality of the 2019 amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Read about the case: https://bit.ly/3NSKAvL 🗳 Yesterday, the Supreme Court appointed Justice Jaishree Thakur, former judge of the Punjab & Haryana HC, as an independent observer to oversee the mayoral elections in Chandigarh. Read: https://bit.ly/40y503l

🇮🇳 Good Morning! 👨🏻‍⚖️ Since the Court's establishment 75 years ago, its sanctioned strength of 8 judges has increased six times to reach 34 today. The reason? To deal with increasing case load. But does increasing bench strength address backlog? We explore in a newsletter: https://bit.ly/42reijZ 🏛️ Over the years, the Court has seen several changes and its lawyers have adapted to them. What do they have to say about practising in the top court? Find out in our latest video: https://bit.ly/40DNHho 📃 Our special series commemorating 75 of the Supreme Court features 12 articles analysing the Court's evolving jurisprudence and its impact on public life. Read them here: https://bit.ly/46SHAID

🌇 Good Morning! 📑 Last year, the Supreme Court delivered several judgements favouring party autonomy, equality and enforceability of arbitration agreements. Here's a rundown of key judgements: https://bit.ly/42qmBMY 🚙 In November 2024, a Constitution Bench unanimously held that persons holding a light motor vehicle licence may also drive transport vehicles weighing less than 7500 kg. Our matrix breaks down the decision: https://bit.ly/4gaoD75 🎥 In our latest video, we unpack the US Supreme Court's decision upholding a law banning TikTok and what it means for free speech and global tech platforms. Watch now: https://bit.ly/3E9eACd

🕊️ Good Morning! 💍 In 2024, Supreme Court judgements brought clarity to several fuzzy areas around marriage and divorce in India. 🏛️ Some of these judgements indicated a bend towards a more conservative strain of personal law interpretation while others pointed to a progressive view of gender parity: https://bit.ly/4g8nEEI 👨‍🦽 In the latest addition to our special series commemorating 75 years of the Supreme Court, Prof. Vijay Tiwari explores how the Court has struggled to accommodate disabled persons who don’t fit the pre-decided rubrics of the neo-liberal nation-state: https://bit.ly/40FeJ97

☀️ Good Morning! 🗓️ Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the R.G. Kar rape and murder case for the ninth time. During the last hearing on 10 December, the top court had stated that the case would be heard next on 17 March 2025. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3ZQj6hq ⛓️Today's listing comes in the aftermath of the Sessions Court decision which sentened the prime accused Sanjay Roy with life imprisonment on Monday. The West Bengal government has since moved the High Court seeking death penalty for the convict. 🥼The Supreme Court has been monitoring the case suo moto since August last year. Notably, it had set up a National Task Force to formulate a pan-India protocol for the safety of doctors: https://bit.ly/3SZ6VL7

🔆 Good Morning! ⚖️ Today, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear pleas challenging the 2019 amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act which empower the Union to designate individuals as ‘terrorists’. Petitioners argue that such power undermines due process, the right to dissent and reputation: https://bit.ly/4hpbMyY 🔎 In 2024, the Court granted bail to several individuals who were arrested under special criminal laws like the UAPA. In our review, we highlighted key judgements: https://bit.ly/3Wngd5t 🌍 Yesterday, after Donald Trump assumed office as President of the US, he paused the ban on TikTok for 75 days to allow time for a deal. Previously, the US Supreme Court had upheld the ban. More in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/40qrpiG

🍃 Good Morning! 🇺🇸 On Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld a law which effectively bans the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok. Was silencing TikTok about security—or stamping out 'unwanted speech'? Trump has since said he will sign an executive order putting the ban on hold. Read: https://bit.ly/40qrpiG 🛵 Today, the Indian Supreme Court will continue hearing a plea to recognise gig workers as “unorganised workers”. In the last hearing, the Court noted the delay by the Union in filing a reply. Read here: https://bit.ly/3E4R6Ov 🚙 Today, the Court will continue its hearing of the Delhi air pollution case. In the last hearing, it looked at colour-coded vehicle stickers and the framework for its implementation across India: https://bit.ly/4amZODE

🏙️ Good Morning! 📽️ Six more judge retirements are scheduled in 2025. The year will also see three Chief Justices and several changes in the Collegium. With this backdrop, we explore the conundrum of representation in our latest video: https://bit.ly/42gdSwK 🎙️The episode is also live on Spotify. Listen to it here: https://bit.ly/4hgkhfM 👨🏻‍⚖️ Justice K. Vinod Chandran assumed office as a Supreme Court judge yesterday. His elevation restores the representation of the Kerala High Court after Justice Ravikumar's retirement. More here: https://bit.ly/4g5LZLc 💨 Earlier this week, while monitoring the Delhi pollution crisis, the Court reviewed the rules for colour-coded stickers on vehicles in the NCR. More here: https://bit.ly/3E8HXnW

🌟 Good Morning! 👨‍⚖️ Today, Justice K. Vinod Chandran will take oath as a judge of the Supreme Court. Before his elevation, he was Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. 🕰️ His career as a judge began in the Kerala High Court in 2011. He will serve in the Supreme Court for over three years before retiring in 2028. 📖 Learn more about his life and career in our profile: https://bit.ly/4g5LZLc 📌 Justice Chandran’s appointment holds significance, as he brings representation from the Kerala High Court, following Justice C.T. Ravikumar's retirement earlier this month. We analyse representation at the top court on other axes of diversity here: https://bit.ly/3Pyp1BF

🍃 Good Morning! 📽️ In 2024, the Supreme Court delivered important judgements on minority rights, citizenship, Union-state relations and affirmative action. Our latest video highlights the Top 10 judgements of 2024. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/4hebWJz 📖 Prefer to read? Here's our list: https://bit.ly/4gtAxdj ❄ In December last year, the Court stayed surveys on mosques, monitored the air pollution crisis in Delhi and saw the elevation of Justice Manmohan. Our Monthly Review highlights key developments. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3PVRa61

🪴 Good Morning! 🏛️ Yesterday, the Union government notified the appointment of Justice K. Vinod Chandran to the Supreme Court. Justice Chandran's parent High Court is Kerala. 👨🏻‍⚖️His appointment will bring the sitting strength of the Court to 33 judges, leaving one vacancy. However, is regional representation the only axis of diversity? With six more retirements this year, we explore the representation conundrum in our latest newsletter: https://bit.ly/3Pyp1BF 📉 In 2024, the top court disposed of over 57,000 cases. Yet, almost 83,000 remained pending as the year turned. What do these numbers say about the Court's performance? In our latest data story, we analyse these trends: https://bit.ly/4gGOfJW

*Correction:* Today's morning update incorrectly stated that Justice Manmohan assumed office on 3 December. His appointment was *notified* that day but he assumed office on 5 December. The error is regretted.

🎋 Good Morning! 🏛️ The Supreme Court Collegium led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna has recommended two judges for elevation so far: 1. Justice Manmohan (Assumed office on 3 December 2024) 2. Justice Vinod Chandran (Union approval pending) 📍Both recommendations were based on improving High Court representation (Delhi and Kerala repsectively). Six more retirements are scheduled this year. Each brings a diversity gap of its own, sometimes on multiple axes. 👩🏻‍⚖For instance, Justice Bela Trivedi, who is retiring in June, is one of two sitting women judges and one of two judges from the Gujarat High Court. 🔍With three Chief Justices this year, how will the Collegium address the diversity problem at the top court? We explore: https://bit.ly/3Pyp1BF