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Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations of Voter Manipulation On September 12, 2025 , Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of shielding those involved in attempts to manipulate voter rolls in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Gandhi claimed that in December 2022 , attempts were made to delete the names of 6,018 voters in Karnataka’s Aland constituency . In 2024 , around 6,850 “fake voters” were allegedly added in Maharashtra’s Rajura constituency . He alleged that these manipulations targeted Congress strongholds, especially voters from Scheduled Castes, minorities, and tribal communities . At a press briefing, Gandhi stated that the Karnataka CID wrote 18 times to the ECI requesting data such as OTP trails and destination ports used in these alleged deletions. According to him, the Commission refused to share this data. EC’s Response: “Allegations Baseless” The Election Commission strongly rejected Gandhi’s charges, clarifying that: Vot...

Background: The Badlapur Case In August 2024 , a shocking case emerged in Badlapur , where Akshay Shinde , a 23-year-old school cleaner, was accused of sexually assaulting two four-year-old girls. The incident exposed severe lapses in school safety protocols and triggered widespread outrage. Following the incident, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance and initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to examine child safety measures in schools across Maharashtra. Government Resolution (GR) on School Safety On May 13, 2025 , the Maharashtra Department of School Education and Sports issued a 23-page Government Resolution (GR) , based on recommendations of an expert committee appointed by the court. The GR mandated: Installation of CCTV cameras at classroom entrances, corridors, main gates, playgrounds, and outside toilets. Provision of counseling support for children. Clear protocols for reporting and handling child abuse cases . Greater collaboration be...

Urban Company’s Strategic Focus on Instant Services Urban Company Ltd. is gearing up to expand its instant at-home services segment, allowing customers to access professional services within an hour. This move reflects India’s growing shift toward quick commerce and instant gratification models. CEO Abhiraj Singh Bhal confirmed in an interview with Reuters that the company would make “meaningful” investments over the next 2–3 years to build a dense network of professionals in its core markets. According to him, instant services are not just about convenience: They represent a strategic moat for the company. They create higher engagement with customers. They provide service professionals with more opportunities to fill idle time between scheduled appointments. Investments and Challenges Ahead Urban Company’s focus on rapid service delivery will require both labour and capital investments , Bhal admitted, and this could put pressure on the firm’s profit margins ...

What is Anand Karaj? Anand Karaj is the traditional Sikh marriage ceremony, literally meaning “Blissful Union.” It involves the recitation of the Lavan (four hymns) from the Guru Granth Sahib , the holy scripture of Sikhism. Unlike Hindu weddings, which often revolve around pheras around a sacred fire, Anand Karaj places the Sikh scripture at the center, symbolizing the spiritual foundation of the marital bond. Who Follows Anand Karaj? Anand Karaj is followed by the Sikh community worldwide . It reflects Sikh values of equality, simplicity, and spiritual union. The ceremony is performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib in a gurdwara or another sacred place. Distinctiveness : It differentiates Sikh marriages from Hindu customs, highlighting the Sikh community’s distinct identity. Inclusivity : The Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct) provides that Anand Karaj can be performed only between two Sikhs. However, in practice, debates exist regarding interfaith marriage...

Some of India’s largest fintech companies, including PhonePe, Paytm, and Cred , have discontinued their popular rent payment feature after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tightened rules governing payment aggregators (PAs). The decision marks a significant shift in how users can pay their monthly rent, particularly those relying on credit cards for such transactions. RBI’s New Regulations According to an RBI circular dated 15 September 2025 , a payment aggregator (PA) must ensure that a marketplace onboarded by it does not accept payments for sellers who are not directly onboarded onto the platform. In practice, this means fintech apps can no longer act as intermediaries for landlords without performing merchant KYC (Know Your Customer) checks. Since landlords were never formally onboarded as merchants on these apps, routing rent payments via credit cards has now been disallowed. Why Fintech Apps Stopped Rent Payments Industry sources explained that fintech firms were ess...

The Kerala High Court has ordered a vigilance investigation into the reported reduction in the weight of gold-plated copper plates adorning the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols at the Sabarimala temple. The order came after discrepancies were found in the records maintained by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the shrine. Bench’s Directions A division bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar directed the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer (Superintendent of Police) to undertake a comprehensive probe into the matter. The officer has been instructed to submit a detailed and reasoned report within three weeks . The Court also directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to extend full cooperation in the investigation. Weight Discrepancy in Gold-Plated Plates According to temple records, the gold-plated copper sheets of the Dwarapalaka idols weighed 42.8 kilograms when they were last removed in 2019 for re-plating. However, when ...

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has clarified that only superior courts such as the High Court or the Supreme Court have the authority to order a re-investigation in a criminal matter. Magistrates, the court observed, do not have the jurisdiction to issue such directions. Bench’s Observations Justice J.S. Bedi , while hearing a case involving a Sirsa resident, explained that “re-investigation” means a de novo investigation , which virtually nullifies and replaces the original investigation already conducted. This authority rests solely with the higher judiciary. In contrast, the Court distinguished this from “further investigation” , which remains within the domain of the investigating agency . However, the agency must ideally inform the magistrate before conducting further inquiry since a challan (charge-sheet) would already have been filed. The Court explained that further investigation usually arises when: Additional evidence is discovered against the existing accused...

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to actor Alok Nath in connection with a fraud case linked to a controversial marketing scheme in Haryana. The case involves allegations of large-scale cheating through a cooperative society that operated under the guise of financial savings schemes. Bench Issues Notice A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan issued notice to the Haryana Police and other respondents after hearing the actor’s plea. The Court directed that no coercive steps should be taken against Alok Nath until the next date of hearing. The bench’s order is similar to an earlier decision where the top court had extended protection from arrest to actor Shreyas Talpade , who is also an accused in the same case. FIR and Allegations The case stems from a complaint filed by Vipul Antil , a 37-year-old resident of Sonepat, Haryana . He alleged that both Alok Nath and Shreyas Talpade promoted the cooperative s...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to dismiss the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) demand to remove senior match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 panel. This comes after Pakistan threatened to pull out of the tournament over the controversial no-handshake incident that occurred during the India–Pakistan Group A clash in Dubai. Background: The Handshake Fiasco On September 14, 2025 , after India’s victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Group A fixture at the Dubai International Stadium , Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav later explained the decision, stating it was a mark of solidarity with the families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, in which 26 civilians were killed by terrorists. The refusal sparked a diplomatic and sporting controversy, with the PCB filing a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) , alleging that referee ...

The Supreme Court of India, in a batch of writ petitions led by Writ Petition (Civil) No. 276 of 2025 , examined the constitutional validity of key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 . The petitioners argued that several amendments were violative of Articles 14, 15, 19, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 300A of the Constitution, while the Union of India defended the law as a necessary reform to address misuse of Waqf provisions. Background of the Case Multiple writ petitions challenged amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995 (renamed as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995). The contentious provisions included Sections 3(r), 3C, 3D, 3E, 9, 14, 23, 36, 104, 107, 108, 108A , among others. The primary challenges were against: Deletion of “Waqf by User” (customary usage-based waqf). Government property exemption (Section 3C). Protected monuments provision (Section 3D). Restrictions on Scheduled Tribe land (Section 3E). Inclusion o...

The final deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for Assessment Year 2025–26 is September 15, 2025 . The Income Tax Department has reminded taxpayers that no further extension will be granted this year. Already, more than six crore ITRs have been filed, with numbers expected to rise further as last-minute filers complete the process. Earlier, the due date was July 31 , but it was extended by six weeks due to “structural and content revisions” in the ITR forms. The department has also ensured round-the-clock assistance through calls, live chat, WebEx sessions, and social media support. Importance of Filing Income Tax Return Filing ITR is not just a legal obligation; it has multiple practical and financial benefits. 1. Legal Compliance Every person with taxable income above the basic exemption limit must file ITR. Non-filing can lead to penalties, interest, and prosecution in some cases. 2. Proof of Income ITR acts as an authentic document for proof of income. It is oft...

Introduction In a significant ruling with far-reaching implications for India’s real estate sector, the Supreme Court of India has drawn a sharp line between speculative investors and genuine homebuyers , calling the former a “slow poison” to the sector. The Court emphasized that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 , should not be exploited as a recovery tool by investors seeking quick profits without any intent of purchasing a home. Instead, the law must be a mechanism for protecting homebuyers and ensuring timely completion of projects. The Case Before the Court A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan was hearing a batch of appeals linked to insolvency proceedings initiated against two builders. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had previously dismissed these cases, classifying the petitioners as “speculative investors.” The Supreme Court upheld the NCLAT’s decision, reiterating that speculative misuse of the IBC undermines the very stabil...

Court Emphasizes Procedural Safeguards Under PMLA The Delhi High Court has ruled that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must strictly follow the procedures laid down in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) when seeking to retain seized or frozen property. The judgment reinforces that procedural safeguards are crucial to protect individuals’ rights from arbitrary retention of property. A bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vadiyanathan Shankar delivered the verdict on Friday, making it clear that ED cannot directly seek the adjudicating authority’s approval for retention without first issuing a formal order. Requirement of a Formal Order Before Retention According to the court, before the ED approaches the adjudicating authority, an authorised officer must pass a formal order explaining why retention for up to 180 days is necessary. Without this essential step, the adjudicating authority has no legal basis to determine whether the seized property is ...

ECI Defends Its Constitutional Authority The Election Commission of India (ECI) has categorically told the Supreme Court that courts cannot mandate fixed timelines for special intensive revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls. In an affidavit filed on Friday, the ECI asserted that such decisions lie solely within its constitutional and statutory authority , as provided under Article 324 of the Constitution , the Representation of the People Act, 1950 , and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 . The Commission emphasized that it enjoys complete discretion over the preparation and revision of rolls and warned that any judicial interference in fixing mandatory timelines would amount to encroachment upon its plenary powers . PIL Seeks Nationwide Special Electoral Roll Revisions The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay . His petition demanded mandatory nationwide special intensive revisions , especially before parl...

Court’s Strong Observations The Bombay High Court has held that municipal corporations across Maharashtra must be held liable for loss of life, injuries, and damages caused to citizens due to potholes. The court emphasized that it was unacceptable for citizens to suffer without any fault of their own because of the negligence of civic authorities. A division bench of Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Sandesh Patil made these remarks on Friday while hearing a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) initiated after reports of multiple pothole-related fatalities. Data Collection on Pothole Deaths Ordered The High Court directed all municipal corporations to collect and submit data on pothole-related deaths and injuries within their jurisdictions. It also asked the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to provide details of accidents on roads and flyovers maintained by them. The court observed: “Municipal corporations must be made liable for this. Th...

Introduction On September 12, the Supreme Court of India was advised to adopt a court-monitored hybrid resolution mechanism for the completion of the long-delayed Supernova project by Supertech Realtors in Noida. The suggestion comes in line with judicial interventions in stalled housing projects like Amrapali and Unitech , ensuring homebuyers’ interests are safeguarded when insolvency processes fail. About the Supernova Project Developer : Supertech Realtors (a wholly owned subsidiary of Supertech Ltd, currently facing insolvency proceedings). Project Type : Mixed-use development, including residential units, commercial spaces, offices, studio apartments, serviced apartments, and shopping centres . Location : Sector 94, Noida. Scale : An 80-floor skyscraper with a height of 300 metres , touted as the tallest building in Delhi-NCR . Stakeholders’ Confidence in Court-Monitored Resolution Advocate Rajiv Jain , assisting in the matter, told a bench of Justices Su...

The Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline for Assessment Year 2025-26 is fast approaching on 15 September 2025 . While millions of taxpayers—salaried employees, professionals, freelancers, and businesses—are hurrying to file on time, many remain unaware of the serious consequences of missing the deadline. From late fees and interest charges to even loss of tax benefits and prosecution in extreme cases , the implications are significant. Late Fee Under Section 234F The Income Tax Act, 1961 , prescribes a penalty for delayed filing under Section 234F , based on the taxpayer’s income: If total income exceeds ₹5 lakh , the penalty is ₹5,000 . If total income is below ₹5 lakh , the penalty is ₹1,000 . No penalty applies if the income is below the taxable threshold . However, even those exempt from penalty may still face compliance issues if filing is required for reasons such as foreign income or certain financial transactions . Interest on Unpaid Tax Liability If you...

Introduction The Delhi High Court has issued a significant ruling safeguarding the personality and publicity rights of actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan , restraining multiple entities from using her name, image, and voice without prior consent. The judgment reinforces the legal protections available to celebrities against unauthorized commercial exploitation of their identity. Background of the Case Aishwarya Rai Bachchan filed a petition before the Delhi High Court, alleging that several individuals and organizations were illegally using her name, voice, and videos for commercial purposes. The unauthorized usage also included morphed images created using artificial intelligence , some of which were circulated in a pornographic context , thereby causing severe reputational and personal harm. She argued that such actions infringed upon her publicity rights, privacy, and dignity , and sought judicial intervention. The Court’s Observations Justice Tejas Karia delivered a 16-page or...