Supreme Court Archives - National Times

27 May

CJI Gavai Differentiates ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ and ‘Tyanchi Mumbai’ in Coastal Project Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAamchi Mumbai, B.R. Gavai, Colaba jetty project, Supreme Court, Tyanchi Mumbai

New Delhi, May 27, 2025: Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging the construction of a passenger jetty near the Gateway of India in Mumbai, while highlighting the socio-economic divide symbolized by the phrases "Aamchi Mumbai" (our Mumbai) and "Tyanchi Mumbai" (their Mumbai).The case was brought forth by the Clean and Heritage Colaba Residents Association, which argued that the project lacked environmental clearances, public consultation, and would primarily benefit private interests, rather than the general public.However, in a sharp observation during the hearing, Justice Gavai remarked that "Aamchi Mumbai does not live in Colaba…

22 May

Supreme Court Halts ED Probe into Tamil Nadu’s TASMAC, Criticizes Agency for Overreach

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEnforcement Directorate, Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu, TASMAC

New Delhi, May 22, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has stayed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) money laundering investigation into the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the state's official liquor retailer. The Court criticized the ED for "crossing all limits" and violating the federal structure of governance .A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih issued notice to the ED on a plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government and TASMAC. The plea challenged the ED's actions, alleging grave violations of constitutional rights and the federal structure. The Court's decision overrules a previous Madras High…

21 May

Centre Tells SC: Waqf Not an Essential Part of Islam; Defends Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEssential Religious Practice, Supreme Court, Waqf Act

New Delhi, May 21, 2025 – In a significant legal and constitutional development, the Central Government informed the Supreme Court that waqf, while rooted in Islamic practice, is not an essential part of Islam and thus not protected under the fundamental right to religious freedom. The submission came during hearings on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, clarified that waqf boards discharge secular functions, such as property management and financial administration, and therefore the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards does not violate religious freedom or disrupt religious practices.The…

19 May

Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe into MP Minister Vijay Shah’s Remarks Against Col. Sofiya Qureshi

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSIT Probe, Sofiya Qureshi, Supreme Court, Vijay Shah

New Delhi, May 19, 2025: The Supreme Court of India has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah for his derogatory and communal remarks against Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Rejecting Shah’s written apology, the court labeled it “crocodile tears” and criticized it as an insincere attempt to escape accountability.A two-judge bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh delivered a scathing rebuke against Shah during Monday’s hearing. “It’s not merely a gender issue or a caste issue—it’s about the dignity of a serving Indian Army officer who represented the military…

06 May

21 of 33 Supreme Court Judges Make Assets Public in Move Toward Judicial Transparency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusinessCJI Sanjiv Khanna, Judges Assets, Judicial Transparency, Supreme Court

New Delhi, May 6, 2025: In a landmark step toward greater transparency, 21 out of 33 sitting judges of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, have publicly declared their assets. This marks a significant shift in the judiciary’s approach to accountability and openness.According to an official statement issued by the Supreme Court, the Full Court resolved on April 1 that all judges would upload their asset declarations on the court’s official website. The decision was taken during a meeting led by CJI Khanna, where consensus was reached on the importance of making such information accessible to…

29 Apr

Justice BR Gavai appointed as 52nd Chief Justice of India, to take oath on May 14

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice of India, CJI appointment, Justice BR Gavai, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 28, 2025: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his swearing-in scheduled for May 14. He will succeed incumbent CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13.Justice Gavai’s tenure as the head of the judiciary will be brief, ending on November 23, 2025, when he turns 65—the retirement age for Supreme Court judges.This appointment is historic, as Justice Gavai becomes only the second Dalit judge to assume the top post in the Indian judiciary, after Justice K G Balakrishnan. His elevation is widely seen as…

28 Apr

Supreme Court Allows Ranveer Allahbadia to Reclaim Passport After ‘India’s Got Latent’ Controversy

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPassport Return, Ranveer Allahbadia, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 29, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India on Monday allowed podcaster and content creator Ranveer Allahbadia to recover his passport, granting him permission to travel abroad for professional purposes after the conclusion of investigations linked to multiple FIRs filed against him over controversial remarks made during a YouTube show.A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh directed Allahbadia to apply to the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Bureau, which would release his passport under reasonable conditions. The court emphasized that Allahbadia must comply with any future summons if required by the investigating authorities.The FIRs were lodged…

28 Apr

OTT Platforms Under Supreme Court Lens for ‘Obscene Content’; Legislative Action on the Horizon?

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, IndiaOTT, Supreme Court

New Delhi (National Times): India's Supreme Court on Monday cracked the whip on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Alt Balaji, responding to a PIL that flagged a torrent of unchecked obscene material reaching even the youngest digital users. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, arguing for the petitioners, lamented that the online world had become a free-for-all for explicit content without oversight. The Supreme Court took the plea seriously, with Justice Gavai openly urging the government to "do something legislative" to curb the menace. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta didn’t mince words either, stating that some programs contained such extreme perversity…

19 Apr

Nishikant Dubey Slams Supreme Court’s Law-Making Role, Sparks Political Clash

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJudicial Overreach, Nishikant Dubey, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act

New Delhi, April 19: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has reignited the debate over the separation of powers by stating that Parliament might as well be shut down if the Supreme Court continues to make laws. His remarks followed the apex court's decision to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Act, prompting the Centre to put parts of it on hold. Dubey expressed concern that the judiciary is increasingly stepping into the legislature's domain, citing examples where the court nullified key laws passed by Parliament.He pointed to cases like the scrapping of Section 66A of the IT Act and the decriminalization of homosexuality…

19 Apr

Centre Playing Politics Over Waqf Issue, Says Kharge Amid SC Review

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPoliticsBJP, Mallikarjun Kharge, National Herald case, Supreme Court, Waqf by user

New Delhi, April 19, 2025 — Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the central government of stoking communal tension by bringing up the issue of “Waqf by user” just as the Supreme Court is hearing challenges related to the Waqf Act. He alleged that the move is an intentional attempt to provoke disputes over religious endowment properties, particularly those under Muslim custodianship.Addressing the press, Kharge claimed that the ruling BJP is targeting Waqf institutions to divide communities and shift attention from key national issues like unemployment, inflation, and corruption. “This is part of a larger agenda. By unnecessarily raking up…