Supreme Court Archives - National Times

17 Apr

SC Extends Time for Election Commission to Reply in Jairam Ramesh’s PIL on Rule Amendments

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaElection Commission, Jairam Ramesh, Rule 93, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 17, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Thursday gave the Election Commission of India three more weeks to respond to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. The PIL challenges changes to Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which allegedly restrict public access to key electoral records.A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna had earlier asked the Centre and the Election Commission to file their responses by January 15. However, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission, sought more time to submit a detailed reply. The court has…

17 Apr

VP Dhankhar Slams SC Ruling on Presidential Timelines, Warns Against ‘Judicial Overreach’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJagdeep Dhankhar, Presidential powers, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 17, 2025: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s recent directive mandating a three-month deadline for the President to act on Bills referred by governors. Addressing a gathering of Rajya Sabha interns on Thursday, Dhankhar questioned the judiciary’s expanding role, cautioning against what he described as a trend of judges assuming legislative and executive powers.“There is a directive to the President by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? What is happening in the country?” he asked, expressing alarm over the perceived judicial encroachment on executive functions. The Vice President emphasised that the Constitution…

16 Apr

CJI Sanjiv Khanna Recommends Justice B.R. Gavai as His Successor

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCJI Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, Supreme Court

New Delhi, April 16, 2025: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has officially recommended Justice B.R. Gavai as his successor, setting the stage for a historic transition in the country's top judicial office. The recommendation was sent to the central government on Tuesday, in line with the convention that the outgoing CJI names the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court as their successor.Justice Gavai, currently the second-most senior judge, is poised to become India’s 51st Chief Justice. His elevation will be significant—not only for its adherence to seniority but also because he will be only the second Dalit CJI in…

16 Apr

Supreme Court Questions Centre on Allowing Muslims in Hindu Trusts Amid Waqf Act Row

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSupreme Court, Waqf Act Amendment 2025

New Delhi, April 16, 2025: As the Supreme Court began hearing multiple petitions against the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, it posed a sharp question to the Centre on Wednesday—would it be open to allowing Muslims in Hindu religious trusts, just as the amended law permits non-Muslims on Waqf boards?A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, took up 72 petitions, including those filed by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and other political and religious groups. The bench emphasized two key questions: whether the court…

13 Apr

Actor Vijay Moves Supreme Court, Challenges Constitutional Validity of Waqf Act

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaSupreme Court, Vijay, Waqf Act, Waqf Board

National Times Bureau; Tamil superstar Vijay has approached the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act, stirring a new legal and political debate nationwide. The actor, known for his outspoken views and growing influence beyond cinema, filed a petition arguing that the Waqf Act gives "arbitrary and unchecked powers" to Waqf Boards, allowing them to claim properties without due process.Vijay’s petition states that the current provisions violate citizens’ fundamental rights, especially the right to equality and property. He specifically questions how Waqf Boards are able to list lands as Waqf properties without informing or hearing the actual…

08 Apr

Centre Files Supreme Court Caveat as Opposition Mounts Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCaveat, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

NEW DELHI, April 9, 2025 — The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking to be heard before any stay is granted on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following a flurry of petitions challenging its constitutional validity. The move comes amid mounting opposition from political parties and Muslim organisations, who claim the law infringes on religious freedom.By filing the caveat, the government aims to prevent the possibility of an ex-parte interim stay. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter on April 15, as per the computer-generated listing.On Monday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv…

07 Apr

Supreme Court to Consider Urgent Hearing on Pleas Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Religious Freedom, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

New Delhi, April 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider urgent listing of multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5.Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud responded after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, mentioned the matter for immediate hearing. “All the matters will be placed before me in the afternoon,” said CJI Chandrachud, advising lawyers to follow listing procedures already in place.Nearly a dozen petitions have been filed so far, with more expected as backlash intensifies. Among the petitioners are the All…

04 Apr

Waqf Bill Faces Legal Challenge as Owaisi, Congress MP Move Supreme Court

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAsaduddin Owaisi, Mohammad Jawed, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Bill

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 — Hours after Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi moved the Supreme Court, calling it unconstitutional. They argued that the law undermines religious autonomy and discriminates against the Muslim community.The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, following its approval in the Lok Sabha with a 288-232 margin. The Bill now awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become law. It mandates that only self-owned properties can be declared as Waqf after verifying ownership and ensuring inheritance rights…

02 Apr

SC Denies Ranveer Allahbadia’s Passport Release Amid Ongoing Probe

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiapassport release, Ranveer Allahbadia, Supreme Court, YouTuber

New Delhi, April 2, 2025 - The Supreme Court has refused to release popular YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia’s passport while investigations into his controversial remarks on the show "India's Got Latent" continue. The court stated that the request would be considered only after the inquiry concludes, which is expected within two weeks.During the hearing, the bench extended Allahbadia’s interim protection from arrest in connection with multiple FIRs filed in Mumbai, Guwahati, and Jaipur. However, the judges made it clear that until the investigation is complete, his travel restrictions will remain in place.The controversy erupted after Allahbadia’s statements on his…

22 Mar

CJI Forms Panel to Probe Delhi HC Judge Over Cash Recovery Allegations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaChief Justice of India, Delhi High Court, Sanjiv Khanna, Supreme Court

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 22, 2025 – Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has set up a three-member committee to investigate allegations against Delhi High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma after a significant amount of cash was reportedly found at his residence in the national capital.The committee, announced by the Supreme Court, will be headed by Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and includes Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Justice Anu Sivaraman from the Karnataka High Court.In addition, the Supreme Court has directed the Chief Justice of the Delhi…