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The Allahabad High Court has issued a directive for status quo to be maintained on a fresh dispute over alleged illegal constructions on the Yamuna floodplain in Noida. The court’s decision, issued on August 26 and uploaded on August 31, 2025 , consolidates ongoing legal scrutiny of environmental violations in the ecologically sensitive region. Background: Petition by 30 Farmhouse Owners The court order came in response to a petition filed by 30 farmhouse owners challenging demolition notices issued by the Noida Authority . The petitioners alleged selective targeting of certain properties, claiming that their farmhouses: Are five kilometres away from the riverbank Lie outside the High Flood Level (HFL) zone Are temporary in nature Do not obstruct the natural flow of the Yamuna River The petitioners also challenged the Noida Authority’s demarcation of the floodplain, carried out under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 201...

India-China Talks at a Critical Juncture Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin , marking Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. The discussions carried immense weight as the two leaders stressed the importance of border peace, strategic autonomy, and mutual cooperation amid ongoing global economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts. This meeting was the second between the leaders since both nations agreed in October 2024 to end a prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) , which had begun in April-May 2020 and caused bilateral relations to plummet to their lowest point since the 1962 border war . Border Peace as a Foundation for Progress Modi firmly conveyed India’s position that peace and tranquillity on the border are critical for the further development of bilateral ties . Both leaders expressed satisfaction with t...

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has issued a notification introducing a strict benchmark for awarding Green Credits . Under this framework, an applicant will only be eligible for Green Credit after achieving 40% canopy density on a degraded forest land parcel, following a minimum of five years of restoration activities . The move is part of the government’s broader Green Credit Programme , designed to incentivize ecological restoration, encourage corporate participation in afforestation efforts, and link environmental performance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting . Green Credit Rules 2023: Legal Basis and Objective The Green Credit Rules, 2023 , were notified in October 2023 under Sections 3, 6, and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 . The rules empower companies, private entities, and other stakeholders to take up plantation and restoration projects on degraded land , including open forest areas, scrubla...

Introduction In a landmark decision that could reshape Mumbai’s urban planning, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the Bombay High Court’s ruling to allocate 150 acres of Mulund salt pan land for the rehabilitation of ineligible Dharavi residents under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP). The verdict brings closure to a decades-long legal dispute over land originally leased for salt production but left unused for over 30 years. Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Eligibility Criteria The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, one of the world’s largest urban renewal initiatives, classifies residents into categories based on settlement dates: Residents before January 1, 2000 : Eligible for free 350 sq ft homes within Dharavi . Residents between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2011 : Eligible for 300 sq ft homes at alternate sites , such as the Mulund salt pan land. This classification ensures equitable rehabilitation while addressing the housing needs of a massive slum popula...

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) December 2024 order, directing the Centre to promote Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede to the post of Joint Commissioner (JC) of Customs and Indirect Taxes , provided he is found eligible by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Background: Wankhede’s Role in Aryan Khan Drug Case Sameer Wankhede, a 2008-batch IRS officer, served as the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai and gained national attention in October 2021 when he supervised the high-profile arrest of Aryan Khan , son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan , in a drugs-on-cruise case. However, in July 2023 , Wankhede himself came under scrutiny after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated probes into allegations that he demanded a ₹25 crore bribe from Shah Rukh Khan in exchange for not implicating Aryan Khan in the case. Sealed Cover Proc...

Trump’s Tariff Policy Faces Major Legal Setback Former US President Donald Trump’s trade policies faced a significant blow after the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, DC , ruled that a majority of his tariffs were unlawful . The decision targeted tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) , a 1977 law historically used for sanctions or asset freezes, not tariffs. Trump, however, reacted strongly to the ruling, labeling the decision as “highly partisan” and vowing to appeal to the US Supreme Court . He insisted that his tariffs were critical for protecting US manufacturers, farmers, and workers, and warned that removing them would be a “total disaster” for the American economy. The Court’s Ruling: Limits on Presidential Powers The Appeals Court emphasized that Congress, not the President, holds the constitutional authority to impose taxes and tariffs . The judges clarified that IEEPA grants the President wide emergency ...

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has begun hiring for two roles at its Gurgaon office , sparking speculation that the popular short-video app might soon return to India. However, government officials have clarified that TikTok remains banned , and no official order has been issued to unblock it. TikTok’s Recent Hiring Activity TikTok India has posted two job openings on LinkedIn: Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker), Trust and Safety Wellbeing Partnership and Operations Lead, Trust and Safety The recruitment news comes shortly after TikTok India’s official website became accessible again, fueling speculation about a potential comeback. However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has stated that these rumors are incorrect, and TikTok remains banned on Google Play Store and Apple App Store . The 2020 Ban on TikTok in India TikTok was banned in India in June 2020 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 , citing national s...

The recent passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has sparked a nationwide debate, with platforms like A23 Rummy challenging its constitutionality in court. However, when examined in the context of India’s socio-economic realities, this ban is not only justified but also a critical step towards protecting vulnerable citizens and ensuring responsible digital governance. Online Gaming: A Silent Epidemic In the last decade, online real-money gaming has become widely accessible, with platforms offering games like rummy, poker, and fantasy sports easily downloadable from app stores. These games often lure players with welcome bonuses and advertisements, promoting the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this accessibility has led to devastating consequences : Families have lost savings, assets, and livelihoods to addictive gaming platforms. There are increasing reports of mental health crises, suicides, and family breakdowns linked to gambli...

The ongoing constitutional debate on the powers of governors and the President regarding pending state bills took a sharp turn as the Union government argued before the Supreme Court that states have no legal right to approach the top court under Article 32 to allege violation of their rights due to delayed or withheld assent. This submission came during the hearing of President Droupadi Murmu’s Article 143 reference in May, which seeks clarity on the April 8 Supreme Court ruling that prescribed timelines for the President and governors to act on pending bills. Key Arguments from the Union Government Appearing before a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai , Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta asserted that: States Cannot Claim Fundamental Rights The Constitution confers fundamental rights on citizens and individuals, not governments. A state is “the State” as defined under Article 12 and is a repository of duties , not a hold...

The Supreme Court of India, in a significant ruling, has reiterated that the gravity of a crime alone is insufficient to impose the death penalty unless the judicial process leading to the sentencing is scrupulously fair, transparent, and in strict compliance with constitutional safeguards . This judgment, delivered in the case involving death row convict Vasant Sampat Dupare , is a reminder of India’s strong constitutional framework that upholds life, dignity, and justice , even for those convicted of heinous crimes. The Fragility of the Death Penalty System A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta emphasized the irreversible nature of capital punishment and the risk of wrongful convictions. The judgment pointed out that investigations in India often rely on confessions extracted under opacity, contested recoveries, and forensic material of doubtful rigor , which when coupled with an overburdened trial system, increases the risk of errors. “A Constituti...

In a landmark step towards strengthening military integration and enhancing operational capabilities, India on Wednesday released three new joint doctrines for the armed forces. These doctrines aim to address modern warfare challenges, improve interoperability, and align India’s defense strategy with evolving security threats. Boosting Jointness and Theaterisation The doctrines were unveiled as part of India’s ongoing drive toward theaterisation , a key reform aimed at integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force under unified commands. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the Joint Doctrine for Special Forces (SF) operations and the doctrine for Airborne and Heliborne Operations during the Ran Samwad military conclave. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the Joint Doctrine for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) . This strategic step comes as India works toward creating a cohesive force structure to address evolving geopolitical and technological cha...

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, the United States has imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian goods, taking the total tariff rate on several products to 50% . The move, announced by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, officially came into effect at 9:31 AM IST on August 27, 2025 . The decision is seen as a strategic measure to pressure Russia into peace talks over Ukraine while indirectly targeting India’s purchase of Russian oil. Timeline of Tariff Implementation According to a formal notification issued by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , all Indian-origin goods entering the United States will be subject to the new tariff structure. However, the DHS has allowed limited exemptions for shipments already in transit: Products loaded at ports before 12:01 AM EST, August 27, 2025 , will be exempt. Goods must enter for consumption or be withdrawn from a warehouse before 12:01 AM EST, September 17, 2025 . Importers must provide certificat...

Introduction The Supreme Court of India has raised a crucial constitutional question: Can the apex court remain powerless if the President or state governors indefinitely withhold assent to bills passed by duly elected legislatures? The matter came up while examining President Droupadi Murmu’s Article 143 reference filed in May 2025, seeking clarity on the judiciary’s role in enforcing timelines for assent to legislation. This debate strikes at the heart of India’s separation of powers and federal structure , questioning whether constitutional discretion vested in high offices should be judicially regulated when used to indefinitely stall governance. Background: The Tamil Nadu Bills Case This presidential reference stems from the Supreme Court’s April 8, 2025 judgment concerning Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s prolonged inaction over several state bills. The Court invoked Article 142 to deem 10 Tamil Nadu bills as assented to , holding that the governor’s delay was “ille...

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a death row convict can challenge their sentence through a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution , granting an additional layer of judicial review even after a review petition and mercy pleas have been exhausted. This landmark decision came in response to a plea filed by Vasant Sampat Dupare , convicted for the rape and murder of a four-year-old in 2008. While the Court upheld his conviction, it allowed a re-examination of his death sentence, citing the necessity to consider mitigating factors such as psychological and psychiatric evaluations before imposing capital punishment. The Case of Vasant Sampat Dupare Dupare’s crime, described by the Court as “depraved and calamitous,” involved battering a minor with stones after committing sexual assault. He was sentenced to death, and his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2014. A review petition filed by Dupare was dismissed in 2017, followed by the rejection of his m...

The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) recently proposed ward formations for the upcoming civic polls have ignited sharp debates across the city. While civic elections are routine pre-election exercises, this round has attracted unusual scrutiny, with citizen forums, housing associations, and activists questioning the methodology, fairness, and transparency of the ward demarcations. Allegations of Arbitrary Boundaries Through a public notice issued on August 22, 2025 , PMC invited objections and suggestions on its draft ward boundaries until September 4. What began as a procedural step has escalated into a city-wide controversy , with residents alleging that the ward boundaries are arbitrarily drawn, outdated, and disconnected from ground realities . Kondhwa, Kausarbaug, and NIBM Annexe residents objected to their developed residential areas being merged with slum pockets and forested lands, leading to diluted voter representation. In Wagholi , the Housing Societies Associa...