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  Kiren Rijiju Initiates Cross-Party Consultations on Impeachment Motion In a politically significant development, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reportedly initiated discussions with various political parties to garner support for an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, currently serving at the Allahabad High Court. This follows allegations linked to the discovery of “burnt cash” in a storeroom at his official residence during his tenure as a judge of the Delhi High Court.  In-House Inquiry Committee Report Submitted The Supreme Court had previously formed a three-member in-house inquiry committee under the leadership of Justice Sheel Nagu (Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court), Justice GS Sandhawalia (Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Judge, Karnataka High Court). The committee submitted its findings on May 3, 2025, to the then Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The inquiry wa...

Apex Court Extends Interim Protection for BJP Minister On May 21, 2025, the Supreme Court of India extended its interim stay on the arrest of BJP Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah , who had made controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi in the context of Operation Sindoor , an Indian Army operation involving Pakistan. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh passed the order while also instructing the Madhya Pradesh High Court to close its suo moto proceedings , noting that the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter. “Let there be no parallel proceedings. Let the High Court close the case in view of the ongoing matter here,” the Court observed. SIT Investigation Underway The court perused a status report filed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police , which confirmed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising three senior IPS officers , including one woman officer from outside the Madhya Pr...

A Transformational Step in Justice Delivery The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has strongly advocated for the establishment of a centralised oversight mechanism for tribunals in India. According to the industry body, such a reform would significantly enhance the responsiveness, efficiency, and transparency of India's quasi-judicial system. This step, CII suggests, is essential for boosting regulatory credibility, improving the ease of doing business, and strengthening investor confidence. Role and Relevance of Tribunals Tribunals play a crucial role in India's justice delivery framework. They are quasi-judicial bodies that adjudicate on complex and specialised matters in areas such as labour, environment, taxation, company law, and public services . Unlike traditional courts, tribunals are designed to provide speedy and expert resolution of domain-specific disputes. Currently, over 16 central tribunals operate under different ministries, directly impacting cr...

Centre Argues Waqf Is Charitable, Not an Essential Part of Islam During the ongoing constitutional challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , the Central Government on Wednesday submitted to the Supreme Court of India that the concept of Waqf —though rooted in Islamic tradition— does not constitute an essential religious practice under Islam . Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed a bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih , stating: “Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. Waqf is nothing but charity in Islam, and charity exists in every religion.” Waqf Boards Discharge Secular, Not Religious, Functions The Solicitor General emphasized that Waqf Boards perform only secular functions such as: Property management Register maintenance Auditing of accounts He argued that the administration of religious property falls under secular regulatory power...

Background: Challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 A batch of petitions was heard by the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 . Petitioners, including prominent senior advocates, alleged that the amendments are designed not to protect but to capture Waqf properties via a non-judicial mechanism , violating fundamental rights of the Muslim community. Key Argument: "Non-Judicial Process to Capture Waqf Properties" Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that the amended Act empowers government officers, rather than courts, to decide property disputes related to Waqf land. He specifically criticized the provision allowing officers above the rank of Collector to adjudicate whether Waqf properties encroach on government land. According to Sibal, this bypasses judicial safeguards and allows properties to be confiscated before any adjudication, effectively stripping...

Justice B.R. Gavai Takes Oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India On May 14, 2025, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in a solemn ceremony held at the Ganatantra Mandap. Justice Gavai succeeded Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13. The 64-year-old will serve as CJI for over six months, with his term concluding on November 23. A Historic Appointment: Dalit Representation at the Apex Justice Gavai's appointment is historically significant, as he becomes only the second person from the Dalit community to rise to the position of Chief Justice of India. The first was Justice K.G. Balakrishnan in 2007. His elevation is seen as a moment of both pride and progress in a country still grappling with deep-rooted social inequalities. From Slums to Supreme Court: Early Life and Education Born on November 24, 1960, in the Frezarpura slum of Amravati, M...

Background: Presidential Reference under Article 143 In a significant constitutional development, the President of India has invoked Article 143 of the Constitution to seek the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion on the issue of timelines for granting assent to state legislature-passed bills. This move comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark April 8, 2025 verdict , which attempted to establish fixed time frames for the President and Governors to approve or act upon bills passed by state legislatures. The Trigger: SC's April 8 Verdict on Gubernatorial Delays The issue originates from the case State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu & Anr. , where the Tamil Nadu Government challenged the delay by the Governor in granting assent to several bills passed by the state assembly. The Supreme Court, citing the absence of a specific timeline under Articles 200 and 201 , invoked Article 142 to direct the President and Governors to act within three months on such ...

📜 Background: Supreme Court’s April 8 Verdict On April 8, 2024, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant ruling in the case involving the Tamil Nadu Government vs the Governor , setting specific deadlines for the Governor and President to decide on pending state legislation . This decision was perceived as a move to curb executive delay in state lawmaking processes. However, this directive faced a constitutional rebuttal from President Droupadi Murmu , who has now formally questioned the legal validity of imposing such deadlines through judicial orders. 🏛️ President Murmu's Constitutional Standpoint In her response, President Murmu asserted that neither Article 200 nor Article 201 of the Constitution prescribes any timelines for the Governor or the President to act upon state Bills. Article 200: Role of the Governor This provision allows the Governor to: Grant assent to a Bill, Withhold assent, Return the Bill to the state legislature (if it is no...

A Graceful Exit from the Apex Court Justice Sanjiv Khanna , the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) , formally retired from office on Tuesday, May 14, 2025 , marking the end of a distinguished judicial career. Known for his clarity, humility, and unwavering commitment to the law, Justice Khanna was given a warm farewell by fellow judges, senior advocates, and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). In his farewell speech, Justice Khanna stated, "This morning, as the robe was hung for the final time, the weight of responsibility lifted from my shoulder... I have no mixed feelings. I am simply happy." Reflections on Judgeship and Responsibility Speaking at the SCBA event, Justice Khanna, now 65, expressed a sense of relief and gratitude , emphasizing the burden that comes with judgeship and the emotional significance of retirement. He shared: "It was only after donning the robes of a judge that I truly understood the weight of the responsibility bes...

  In a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged cash recovery from a High Court judge's residence, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has formally communicated with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This communication includes the report of the Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee and a response from Justice Yashwant Varma, currently serving in the Allahabad High Court. Background of the Case On March 14, 2025, reports emerged regarding the alleged discovery of partially burned sacks of cash at the official residence of then-Delhi High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma. The allegations sparked a major controversy within judicial and legal circles, prompting the Supreme Court to take swift internal action. On March 22, 2025, the Chief Justice of India constituted a three-member inquiry committee under the in-house procedure to investigate the allegations. The panel comprised: Justice Sheel Nagu , Chief Just...

Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India has directed government authorities to verify the citizenship documents of a six-member family residing in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, who are reportedly facing deportation to Pakistan. The Court has issued a protective order, instructing the authorities to take no coercive action against the family until a final decision is reached based on the verification process. Bench Composition and Order Details The case was heard by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh. During the proceedings, the bench emphasized that no adverse steps should be taken against the family until the competent authority reviews their documentation and makes a formal decision on their citizenship status. Liberty to Approach High Court The bench granted the family liberty to approach the High Court of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh in case they are dissatisfied with the decision made by the government after the verification process. This en...

  A Father’s Frustration with the System The father of the 31-year-old postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024, has publicly expressed his deep disillusionment with the Indian legal system. In a powerful and emotional statement, he told ANI that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented contradictory reports in two different courts—the Calcutta High Court and Sealdah District Court. “This is not just a failure of investigation—this is a betrayal. Even Supreme Court judges could not believe the differences in what the CBI is saying. We had faith in the agency, but now, we are losing all hope,” he stated. Allegations of Withheld Evidence The father alleged that the CBI is deliberately withholding key details about the case, despite reportedly knowing who the perpetrators are. He believes the answers lie in his daughter’s phone, which the CBI claims it does not possess—an assertion he disputes. According t...

In a strong message against caste-based violence, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the conviction and sentences of 11 individuals involved in a 2003 honour-killing case in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu . The tragic case involved the brutal murder of a young couple belonging to different castes. Background: A Crime Rooted in Caste Discrimination The case stems from the gruesome murder of a Dalit boy and a girl from the Vanniyar community , who married against the wishes of their families. The couple was poisoned to death publicly in their village, a crime orchestrated by the girl's own father and brother , among others. The crime was rooted in caste prejudice, which the Supreme Court strongly condemned, describing it as an outcome of India's " deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system ." Trial and High Court Verdict Initially: 15 individuals were charged. The trial court convicted 13 persons and acquitted 2. Upon appeal, the Madras High C...

  Context and Background The Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to Vikas Yadav , a convict in the high-profile Nitish Katara murder case , until May 8, 2025 , due to the deteriorating health of his mother. Vikas Yadav, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence without remission , has been incarcerated for his role in the 2002 murder of Katara, which was deemed an honour killing. Vikas Yadav is the son of former UP politician DP Yadav , and was convicted along with his cousin Vishal Yadav for the abduction and brutal killing of Nitish Katara , a business executive who was reportedly in a romantic relationship with Bharti Yadav , Vikas's sister. Supreme Court's Directions and Conditions for Bail The bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka issued the interim bail considering humanitarian grounds, stating that the court was “only considering the case in the context of the health condition of the convict’s mother.” The conditions for interim bail are as follows: ...

BJP MP Questions Supreme Court's Role in Lawmaking In a politically charged statement, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that the Supreme Court of India is “inciting religious wars” and overstepping its constitutional mandate by interfering in legislative matters. Dubey questioned whether the Parliament should remain operational if the judiciary continues to dictate legal directives, suggesting that the top court has exceeded its jurisdiction. Context: Remarks Amid Waqf Amendment Act Hearing The remarks came in the backdrop of ongoing Supreme Court hearings on the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The apex court had earlier suggested it might issue interim orders regarding contentious provisions, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the authority of collectors in waqf property disputes. Dubey's Remarks and Legal References Citing Articles 141 and 368 of the Constitution, Dubey emphasized the separation of powers, asserting that wh...

  🚨 SC Signals Stay on Key Provisions of Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday indicated the possibility of passing an interim order to stay certain contentious provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 . This comes in light of mounting legal challenges and widespread concerns regarding potential constitutional violations and communal sensitivities. A three-judge bench , comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna , and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan , expressed deep concern, particularly over the ongoing violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district , reportedly linked to Waqf-related issues. 🔍 Key Provisions Likely to Be Stayed The bench highlighted the following sections of the Waqf Amendment Act that may be put on hold through an interim order: Inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council , a major shift from the earlier Muslim-only structure. De-notification of proper...

Apex Court Cautions Against Insensitive Judicial Language In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court for making inappropriate remarks in a rape case, particularly the observation that the complainant "invited trouble" by accompanying the accused to his house after consuming alcohol. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih addressed the matter during a hearing on Tuesday. The Supreme Court bench cautioned judges against making such insensitive and unsubstantiated remarks in cases involving sexual violence. Justice Gavai emphasized that while bail decisions depend on the facts of each case, judges must exercise care and discretion in how they phrase their orders, especially when they relate to the complainant. “Yes, bail can be granted, but what is this discussion that she herself invited trouble? One has to be careful when saying such things, especially on this side,” said Justice ...