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Background of the Case The Supreme Court of India has delivered a strong message against unauthorised constructions, holding that courts must not legitimise illegal structures merely because municipal regulations allow compounding on payment of fees. The observations were made while dismissing a petition challenging the demolition of unauthorised constructions in Secunderabad, Telangana. The appeal arose from a judgment of the Telangana High Court which had ordered the removal of illegal constructions raised without permission from the Secunderabad Cantonment Board. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasised that post-facto regularisation of illegal constructions defeats the rule of law and encourages rampant encroachment on public and private land. Supreme Court’s Observations: Rule of Law Cannot Be Compromised The apex court categorically held that demolition is the correct legal course where unauthorised constructions are raised, a...

India’s rapid urbanization and vehicle growth have brought with them a troubling reality — pedestrian deaths are rising at an alarming rate . Despite strong legal frameworks and new road safety standards, implementation gaps, weak enforcement, and lack of dedicated funding continue to threaten lives on Indian roads. Pedestrian Fatalities on the Rise Official government data highlights a distressing trend: pedestrian deaths in India surged from 25,858 in 2019 to 35,221 in 2023 , marking an increase of nearly 36% in four years . This means that 96 pedestrians die every single day due to road accidents — a grim indicator of unsafe urban infrastructure. In response to this crisis, the Supreme Court of India intervened on October 7, 2025 , issuing a 35-point directive in a public interest litigation filed in 2012. The directive seeks to enforce safer road designs , pedestrian facilities , and stricter accountability for non-compliance with safety norms. Supreme Court’s Directive...

 In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has held that artificial lakes or man-made waterbodies do not enjoy statutory protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 , but emphasized that governments must safeguard them under the Doctrine of Public Trust to promote ecological balance and sustainable development. The Futala Lake Case: Background The verdict came in connection with Futala Lake (Telangkhedi Tank) in Nagpur , a historical waterbody built in 1799 by the ruler of Nagpur to serve irrigation needs. The lake spans a catchment area of approximately 200 hectares and has long been a prominent urban landmark. A non-profit organization, Swacch Association Nagpur , had approached the Supreme Court challenging construction activities around the lake—such as the creation of a plaza, floating restaurant, musical fountain, and viewers’ gallery —arguing that these developments violated the Wetlands Rules, 2017 . The Bombay High Court’s N...

Students Protest Against MCD and IAS Coaching Institute After Basement Flooding Claims Three Lives in Delhi In a tragic incident, three students lost their lives due to flooding in the basement of an IAS coaching institute in Old Rajender Nagar, West Delhi. The incident has sparked widespread protests, with students and community members criticizing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the coaching institute for negligence. The Incident and Immediate Response The flooding occurred following heavy rains, which led to water accumulation in the basement of the coaching center. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was called in for rescue operations, during which three bodies were recovered. The police have registered a criminal case and are conducting an investigation into the incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police Central, M Harshavardhan, confirmed that forensic teams are collecting evidence and that two individuals have been detained as part of the investigation. Studen...

Supreme Court Highlights Grave Solid Waste Management Crisis in Delhi The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the significant issue of untreated solid waste in Delhi, labeling it a "sorry state of affairs." The court emphasized the urgent need for a concrete solution, as the current projections indicate that no adequate facilities will be available to treat the 11,000 metric tonnes of solid waste generated daily in the national capital until 2027. Court's Directives and Concerns A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih directed the Centre to convene a meeting with the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), including its commissioner, to discuss immediate steps to avert a potential public health emergency. The bench highlighted that the untreated solid waste issue, if left unaddressed, could escalate into a severe health crisis for the city's residents. The court's observations followed an affida...