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The suspension of a government officer in Karnataka for participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) march has sparked a statewide controversy that intertwines constitutional rights , civil service conduct norms , and political sensitivities . The issue has also reignited debate over the limits of state authority versus the fundamental rights of citizens and the neutrality expected of public servants. Background of the Case The controversy began when Praveen Kumar K.P. , a Panchayat Development Officer from Sirwar taluk in Raichur district , was suspended after being seen in RSS uniform during a route march at Lingsugur on October 12 , part of the organisation’s centenary celebrations . The suspension order, issued by IAS officer Arundhati Chandrashekar , cited violation of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021 , which mandate political neutrality among public officials. The officer is to remain under suspension with a subsistence allowance pending a departmen...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court of India , challenging the Bombay High Court’s order that declared the arrest of former Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) chief Anilkumar Pawar as illegal and ordered his immediate release. The ED, through a Special Leave Petition (SLP) , has also sought a stay on the High Court’s order pending final adjudication. The plea is expected to be heard on Friday before the Supreme Court bench. High Court’s Findings: Arrest Declared Illegal and Arbitrary In a strongly worded order, the Bombay High Court bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad criticised the ED’s actions, terming the arrest “arbitrary, illegal and unsupported by evidence.” The court observed that the arrest violated Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 , as well as Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India , which guarantee equality before law, freedom of mov...

The Supreme Court of India has reignited the debate around capital punishment methods, questioning whether the colonial-era practice of death by hanging should continue to be India’s sole means of execution. On October 9, 2025 , a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta suggested that the Union Government should consider giving death row convicts the option to choose between hanging and lethal injection , observing that “methods of execution across the world have undergone significant change” since India codified hanging into law. The Case and the Challenge The issue arises from a petition filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra , challenging the constitutional validity of Section 354(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) , which mandated that a person sentenced to death “shall be hanged by the neck till he is dead.” This provision has now been replaced by Section 393(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 , but the method of hangin...

In a significant ruling reinforcing the separation of religion and state finances, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has prohibited the state government from utilising temple donations for public welfare or non-religious schemes. The decision, delivered by a Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla , marks an important precedent for protecting religious endowments and ensuring accountability in temple administration. The Case: Petition for Transparency and Religious Autonomy The order came while disposing of a petition filed by Kashmir Chand Shadyal , who sought strict compliance with the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984 . The petitioner raised concerns that donations made by devotees to temples were being diverted toward general government welfare schemes — a move that, he argued, violated both the intent of the Act and constitutional principles protecting religious freedom. The court agreed, ru...

In a significant development that clarifies an important aspect of criminal procedure, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that a court can order voice sample collection not only from the accused but also from witnesses , if such evidence is necessary for a criminal investigation. The ruling further strengthens the scope of forensic evidence admissibility while ensuring that such orders do not violate the constitutional protection against self-incrimination. Voice Samples Do Not Amount to Self-Incrimination A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed that the act of furnishing a voice sample does not violate Article 20(3) of the Constitution, which protects an accused person from being compelled to be a witness against themselves. The bench clarified that providing a voice sample falls in the same category as submitting fingerprints, handwriting, or signature specimens , none of which amount to testimonial compulsion. Quoti...

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the legality of continued toll collection from heavy vehicles entering Mumbai through five key entry points. The petition argues that the ongoing toll collection violates constitutional and statutory provisions and imposes an arbitrary financial burden on vehicle owners. Details of the PIL and Parties Involved The PIL, filed by advocate Pravin Wategaonkar , names the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) as respondents. The MSRDC manages major arterial roads in Mumbai and collects toll through contractors. Currently, only heavy vehicles entering Mumbai through five major entry points — Dahisar, LBS Road (Mulund), Eastern Express Highway (Mulund), Airoli Creek Bridge, and Vashi — are required to pay toll tax. Earlier, even light motor vehicles paid tolls ranging from ₹45 to ₹75. However, they were exempted from toll ...

Introduction: Strengthening the Shield of Liberty In a landmark judgment delivered in Vihaan Kumar v. State of Haryana (2025 INSC 162), the Supreme Court of India reaffirmed one of the most vital constitutional guarantees — the right of every person to be informed of the grounds of arrest . Authored by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, the judgment reinforces Article 22(1) of the Constitution and clarifies the procedural obligations of law enforcement agencies during arrest. Case Background The petitioner, Vihaan Kumar , challenged his arrest by the Haryana Police, alleging that he was not informed of the reasons for his detention. He argued that such omission violated his fundamental right under Article 22(1) of the Constitution and Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) , which together safeguard a person’s liberty during the process of arrest. The respondent State maintained that the arrest was legally conducted and that the petitio...

Introduction The Uttar Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has imposed a strict ban on illegal slaughterhouses and the sale of meat within a 500-meter radius of religious sites until April 6, 2025, to maintain public order and religious sanctity. This move is significant from a constitutional and legal standpoint, particularly concerning Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and the state’s authority to impose reasonable restrictions to ensure communal harmony. The Legal and Constitutional Framework Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees that "no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law." Over the years, the Supreme Court has expanded its interpretation to include the right to live with dignity, the right to livelihood, and the right to a clean environment. However, the state has the power to impose reasonable restrictions on fundamental rights when necessary to...

Introduction On Monday, Parliament passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025 , marking a significant step in streamlining and modernizing Indian Railways. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the government's focus on infrastructure, technology, and safety while ensuring efficiency in railway operations. Key Highlights of the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025 ✅ Simplifying Laws & Empowering Railway Zones The new bill simplifies existing railway laws , reducing reliance on multiple acts. It grants General Managers of railway zones full authority to approve projects up to ₹1,000 crore , fostering decentralization and cooperative federalism . The Railway Board will continue overseeing the functioning of zones, divisions, and production units . 🚆 Infrastructure Development In the past 11 years , 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been laid— exceeding Germany’s entire railway network . 45,000 km of electrification has been completed, reducing reliance on ...

Introduction The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament witnessed intense political drama as Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha over the issues of delimitation and the New Education Policy (NEP). The DMK, in particular, criticized the government for implementing the NEP in Tamil Nadu, while also demanding a fair delimitation process that would not disadvantage Southern states. The walkout was triggered after the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha refused to allow a discussion on these matters. What is Delimitation? Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of constituencies to ensure fair political representation based on changes in population. It is carried out by the Delimitation Commission and is crucial in maintaining the principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ The exercise is typically conducted after every Census to reflect demographic shifts. Constitutional Provisions for Delimitation Article 82: It provides for the readjustment of constituenc...

Introduction In a significant step towards gender-sensitive governance at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to launch the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats (MWFGP) initiative on March 5, 2025 , at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi . This initiative, launched as part of International Women's Day 2025 celebrations , aims to ensure safety, inclusivity, and gender equality in Gram Panchayats across the country. Objective of the Initiative The primary goal of the initiative is to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district , serving as a model for gender-sensitive governance practices. These Gram Panchayats will align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating safe, inclusive, and socially just villages , contributing to the larger objective of a Viksit Bharat through Viksit Panchayats . Key Highlights of the National Convention Participation of Key Dignitaries & Stakeholders Union Minister of State SP Sing...

Constitutional Provisions for Appointment of Chief Justice of High Courts The appointment of Chief Justices of High Courts in India is governed by several constitutional provisions and guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court Collegium . The Constitution of India , particularly Articles 217 and 222 , outlines the framework for the appointment of Judges and Chief Justices  of High Courts. In conjunction with these, the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) , developed based on various Supreme Court rulings, plays a crucial role in guiding the appointment process. Article 217: Appointment of High Court Judges Article 217 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications and procedure for the appointment of Judges to High Courts . According to this Article: - A Judge of a High Court , including the Chief Justice , is appointed by the President of India . - The President consults with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) , the Governor of the respective state , and sometimes the Chief Justice of ...

Understanding the Revocation of Article 370 and Its Implications for Jammu and Kashmir In August 2019, a significant decision altered the constitutional framework of India, impacting the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. This decision involved the revocation or alteration of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, a provision that granted special autonomous status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370, a unique provision in the Indian Constitution, provided Jammu and Kashmir with a degree of autonomy, allowing the region to have its own constitution, a separate flag, and decision-making powers, except in matters of defense, foreign affairs, finance, and communications. However, the recent decision changed this arrangement, integrating Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the Indian Union. The implications of this decision are multifaceted. Firstly, it fundamentally altered the constitutional relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the centr...

One of the basic and important feature of our legal system in benefits goes to arrested person on the principal of presumption of innocence of the accused person until he/she found guilty at the end of trail on legal evidence. Rights include the rights of the accused at the time of arrest, at the time of search and seizure, during the process of trail and the like. In well known case of Meneka Ghandhi v. UOI it was interpreted that the procedure adopted  by the state must be fair, just and reasonable. The certain rights which arrested person need to know are as follows: 1. Right To Silence "it was essentially right to refuse to answer and incriminate oneself in the absence of proper charge. Not initially, the right to refuse to reply to proper charge." the Justice Malimath Committee. The dependent if he so desires can be witness in his trial. His confession in police station is not admissible in court. Only to the magistrate is admissible. The Indian constitution guarantees e...