LawLoveLegal

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...

Weekly FPI Investment Trends Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) made a significant comeback to Indian equity markets this week. Between May 13 and May 16 , FPIs infused a net investment of ₹4,452.3 crore , according to data released by the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) . The highest single-day inflow of the week was recorded on Friday , with ₹5,746 crore pumped into Indian equities. However, the week was not consistently bullish, as Tuesday saw a net outflow of ₹2,388 crore , hinting at some profit booking or cautious sentiment from foreign investors. May 2025 FPI Performance So far in May 2025 , FPIs have invested a total of ₹18,620 crore in Indian equity markets, marking a strong reversal in foreign investment behavior. These inflows are largely attributed to: Stabilizing global financial conditions Steady domestic growth forecasts Optimism surrounding India's general election outcomes Despite these positive signs, FPIs remain net sellers for...

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 ...

Sensex and Nifty Rally on Positive Global Cues Indian equity indices rebounded sharply on renewed optimism over a potential India-US trade deal and favorable global cues. The BSE Sensex surged 1,200.18 points , or 1.48% , to close at 82,530.74 , while the Nifty 50 climbed 395.20 points , or 1.60% , ending the day at 25,062.10 . This rally came after a subdued start to the trading session, where the Nifty 50 briefly dipped to an intraday low of 24,494 before staging a strong recovery past the psychological 25,000 mark , reaching a high of 25,116 . Broad Market Participation Signals Strong Sentiment Market breadth was overwhelmingly positive. Out of all the traded stocks, 2,511 advanced , 1,302 declined , and 139 remained unchanged , indicating broad-based buying interest across the board. Among the top gainers on the NSE were: Hero MotoCorp JSW Steel Trent Tata Motors HCL Technologies On the volatility front, the India VIX (a measure of market volatility) fe...

📜 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...

Background of the Case On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India expressed serious concern over the categorization of transgender persons as “risky” blood donors , questioning the constitutional validity of Sections 12 and 51 of the Blood Donor Guidelines, 2017 . A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh was hearing a petition filed by Thangjam Santa Singh , a Manipur-based transgender and social activist, challenging the blanket ban on blood donation by transgender individuals, men having sex with men (MSM), and female sex workers . These guidelines, issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) , classify these groups as “high risk” for infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C . Supreme Court’s Observations on Discrimination The Supreme Court questioned the constitutionality and fairness of these guidelines, particularly the blanket exclusion of the entire transgender community . The bench remarked: “Are we going to brand all transge...

📈 CPI May Rise Despite Stable Food Prices A recent report by the Union Bank of India (UBI) forecasts a possible increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation in the upcoming months. This prediction is based on two primary drivers: Rising global gold prices Ongoing international tariff wars Even if food prices remain stable , the cost of non-food essentials , especially precious metals like gold, is expected to put upward pressure on inflation. 🥦 April 2025 Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low According to inflation data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on May 13, 2025 , India's retail inflation (measured by CPI) for April 2025 dropped to 3.16% , down from 3.34% in March. This marks a six-year low , largely due to price reductions in: Vegetables Pulses and related products Fruits Meat and fish Personal care and effects Cereals and cereal-based products The overall decline in April CPI represents an 18 b...

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...

🔹 Flight Cancellations Announced by Air India On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 , Air India officially announced the cancellation of two-way flight operations to and from the following eight airports : Jammu Leh Jodhpur Amritsar Bhuj Jamnagar Chandigarh Rajkot The airline posted a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: "In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May." Air India further assured passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates as operations resume in the coming days. 🔹 IndiGo Follows with Six Airport Cancellations Following Air India's decision, IndiGo Airlines also issued a travel advisory cancelling its flight operations for May 13, 2025, at the following six airports : Jammu Amritsar Chandigarh Leh ...

Introduction: The Shift Towards Digital Land Governance India’s land management system has traditionally relied on manual records maintained at local government offices. While foundational to governance and ownership, this manual system often led to bureaucratic delays, land disputes, and lack of transparency. Recognizing these issues, state governments across India have progressively adopted digital systems to make land-related services accessible, transparent, and efficient. Bihar Bhumi Portal: A Digital Leap in Land Management One of the leading examples of this digital transformation is Bihar’s Bihar Bhumi portal ( https://biharbhumilrc.com/ ), developed and maintained by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department of Bihar . The portal has become a centralized platform providing a wide range of land-related services to citizens, eliminating the need for in-person visits to land offices. Purpose and Vision The key objective behind launching the Bihar Bhumi portal was to empower...

Early Monsoon Onset Predicted for 2025 In a significant meteorological update, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the Southwest Monsoon will likely hit the Kerala coast around May 27, 2025 , with a model error margin of ±4 days. This is earlier than the normal onset date of June 1 , marking a strong and timely beginning to the monsoon season. Monsoon Onset Trends (2020–2024) As shown in the data provided by IMD, early monsoon onsets have been recorded in 2022 and 2024 — both years seeing the monsoon arrive before the normal onset date: Year Actual Onset Date Forecast Onset Date 2020 1st June 5th June 2021 3rd June 31st May 2022 29th May 27th May 2023 8th June 4th June 2024 30th May 31st May This forecast for 2025 could make it the third early onset in six years , showcasing IMD’s increasing precision in forecasting and the shifting patterns of seasonal rainfall. Why the Kerala Onset Matters The onset of the southwest...

🚛 India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Truck for Mining Logistics Adani Enterprises , the flagship of the Adani Group , has launched India’s first hydrogen fuel cell truck aimed at revolutionizing mining logistics with cleaner and more sustainable transportation. This milestone initiative, part of Adani's broader commitment to decarbonization, reflects a strategic shift from diesel-powered transport vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell trucks in the company’s logistics chain. Each truck is equipped with smart technology and three hydrogen tanks , capable of carrying up to 40 tonnes of cargo over a range of 200 kilometers . These vehicles are set to play a pivotal role in transporting coal from the Gare Pelma III coal block in Chhattisgarh to the state's thermal power plants. The first truck was flagged off on Saturday in Raipur by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai , who emphasized the state’s leading role in sustainable energy solutions. He noted that the move aligns wi...

India is set to present its official position at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board meeting scheduled for today, regarding the proposed financial bailout to Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed this development during a press conference in New Delhi, stating, “We will put forward our perspective and our views with the IMF members. It is up to the Board as to what decision they take.” This development comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking a fresh tranche of USD 1 billion under the ongoing IMF bailout programme. India is expected to express opposition to the package, citing Pakistan’s persistent support for terrorism, particularly in light of recent incidents. Backdrop: April 22 Terrorist Attack in Jammu & Kashmir Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following the brutal terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The assault resulted in the deaths of 26 people—mostly tourists—and left many others injured. This incident promp...

  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...

The April 22 Pahalgam Attack: The Flashpoint The trigger for recent cross-border tensions was the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir , on April 22, which left 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, dead . India has called this the “original escalation” , setting the stage for decisive counteraction. Operation Sindoor: A Measured but Forceful Response On May 7, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' , a coordinated military operation led by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force , striking nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) . These included high-profile terror hideouts in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, and Kotli , known for harbouring leadership of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) . According to the Ministry of Defence, all targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian or military casualties and focused solely on terror infrastructure , with no attacks on Pakistani military  installations . Paki...

Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack and India's Retaliatory Strikes Following the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians, India launched Operation Sindoor —a coordinated multi-force strike targeting nine terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) . These included high-value targets linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Bahawalpur , Muridke , Sialkot , Barnala , and Kotli . India's action was described as "measured, precise, and non-escalatory" , targeting only terrorist camps without hitting military or civilian infrastructure. Pakistan Retaliates with Loitering Munitions; India Responds On May 9 , Pakistan escalated tensions by targeting Jammu with loitering munitions , triggering a strong response from India’s Air Defence systems . A complete blackout was enforced in multiple districts of Jammu Division, including Kishtwar and Akhnoor , am...