SC VERDICT ON RIGHT TO PRIVACY

Digi Yatra policy should spell out all rules on passenger info deletion, suggests study

A study by NITI Aayog recommends that the Digi Yatra policy clearly outline rules for deleting passenger information post-travel, amid privacy concerns over user data. The policy states that facial biometrics are deleted 24 hours after the passenger's flight, but deletion rules for other data must be specified. Frequent cybersecurity audits, algorithmic audits, and ongoing monitoring are also advised to ensure data security and system reliability.

Patna High Court scraps 65% reservation for Backward Classes, EBCs, SCs & STs in Bihar

The Patna High Court has ruled that the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Act, 2023 and The Bihar (In admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, are ultra vires and violative of the equality clause under Articles 14, 15, and 16. The move comes after the Bihar legislature in 2023 had given nod to increase the reservation for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes from 50% to 65%.

INDIA bloc can betray anyone for power: PM Modi

PM Modi attacked the Haryana Congress on the issue of corruption, saying its past chief ministers would not look beyond the welfare of their home district. "There is no region of the state where the game of looting the people was not played. They would make people sell their land for jobs. An open industry of transfers and postings used to run in the state," Modi alleged.

Why Lalu Prasad Yadav is both right and wrong about Muslim reservation

Lalu Prasad has intensified the Muslim reservation debate that was triggered by PM Modi’s allegation that Congress aims to slice up the OBC quota for its minority vote bank. Prasad says Muslims should get reservation but then adds a caveat. The Constitution does not endorse reservation in jobs and education along religious lines. However, some govts have interpreted its provisions to extend reservation benefits to certain Muslim communities.

SC junks former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's plea in money laundering case

​​A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta observed that the petition has become infructuous as the High Court has delivered its judgement on May 3 and Soren has already challenged the same in the apex court. The former Jharkhand Chief Minister has sought bail from the court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, till the High Court delivers its judgement in the money laundering case.

Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea: Right to campaign in polls neither fundamental nor constitutional, ED tells SC in fresh affidavit

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted a fresh affidavit to the Supreme Court stating that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is not contesting Lok Sabha elections, has not been granted interim bail for campaigning, emphasizing that no political leader has ever received interim bail for such purposes. The agency asserted that the right to campaign in elections is neither fundamental nor constitutional. Even if a candidate is contesting, interim bail for campaigning while in custody is not granted. ED arg

Ahead of SC order on Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail plea, ED likely to file supplementary chargesheet in court

Following the Supreme Court's directive, the Enforcement Directorate is poised to submit a chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, coinciding with the day when the top court is anticipated to deliver its verdict on the bail case. Earlier, the Supreme Court expedited its decision on Kejriwal's interim bail plea, stating that it might announce the order either on Thursday or the following week, without specifying a precise date. The SC expressed apprehensions regarding the prolonged investigation by the Enforcement Directorate into the money laundering case linked to the excise policy involving Kejriwal.

Plea in SC seeks review of verdict scrapping electoral bonds scheme

A review plea challenges the Supreme Court's annulment of Modi government's electoral bonds scheme, emphasizing the need for considering public opinion and addressing constitutional rights in political funding.

SC reserves verdict on whether royalty on minerals is tax

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on the taxation of minerals royalty under the Mines and Minerals Act, addressing the conflicting views on whether royalty is considered a type of tax.

SC overturns 2018 verdict on vacation of grant of stay by lower courts in civil, criminal cases

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had on December 13, 2023 reserved its judgement after hearing senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who appeared for the High Court Bar Association of Allahabad, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and other lawyers on the issue.

Chandigarh mayoral polls case verdict: Kejriwal thanks SC, says it saved democracy

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal expressed gratitude on Tuesday, stating that the Supreme Court had safeguarded democracy during these challenging times. He extended thanks to the court for its ruling in the Chandigarh mayoral polls case. The apex court announced its intention to order a recount of votes cast in the contentious elections and to declare the result, taking into account the eight "defaced" ballots previously deemed invalid by the returning officer.

SC verdict on electoral bonds: Still a long way to go, says former CEC

The Supreme Court's verdict striking down the electoral bonds scheme is a "great boon for democracy," according to former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi. The five-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, ruled that the scheme violates the right to information and freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.

Opposition tears into BJP's 'corrupt' electoral bonds scheme after SC calls it unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has ruled against the electoral bond scheme, which was criticized by several opposition leaders. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh praised the decision, stating it would strengthen the power of votes over notes. He criticized the Modi Sarkar government for inflicting injustice on the Annadatas and privileging the Chandadatas.

Former CECs SY Quraishi, TS Krishnamurthy lauds SC verdict on electoral bond

A five-judge apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, said the electoral bonds scheme violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. It also ordered the State Bank of India to disclose to the Election Commission the names of the contributors to the six-year-old scheme for political funding.

Petitioners hail SC verdict on electoral bonds; Prashant Bhushan calls it 'significant' decision

SC rules electoral bonds scheme 'unconstitutional'; Here are the key takeaways from the verdict

The Supreme Court has deemed the electoral bonds scheme "unconstitutional," citing its violation of the right to information. The scheme allowed anonymous corporate contributions to political parties. The court has directed the State Bank of India (SBI) to stop issuing electoral bonds and disclose details of parties that received them. The decision, coming ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, aims to enhance transparency in political funding. The ruling BJP reportedly received significantly more funding through electoral bonds than the Congress, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in political financing.

SC announces verdict on electoral bonds scheme: What is it and how is it connected with poll funding?

The Supreme Court is preparing to announce its decision on the legality of the electoral bond scheme, following a series of petitions challenging its validity. The scheme allows individuals and companies to purchase bonds for political donations, offering tax exemptions and donor anonymity. Critics argue the scheme promotes corruption and violates transparency, while the government asserts it checks illicit money use in elections. The verdict follows a bench's reservation of judgment last November, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

Bilkis Bano case: Highlights of SC judgement in 2002 Gujarat riots case

The Supreme Court on Monday invalidated Gujarat government's order granting relief to 11 convicts of Bilkis Bano gangrape case. The court said that the orders were "stereotyped" and passed without application of mind.

SC sends Bilkis Bano's convicts to jail, again: All you need to know about the 2002 Gujarat riots case

Bilkis Bano Case: The Gujarat government's decision granting remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case has been invalidated by the Supreme Court. The court ordered the convicted parties to turn themselves in to jail officials within two weeks, calling the remission orders "stereotypical."

SC verdict on abrogation of Article 370: Not in the right spirit?

Article 370, as it existed even before its abrogation in 2019, acknowledged that J&K was an integral part of India. As held by the top court, this provision, together with the state's Instrument of Accession (IOA) and its ruler's proclamation adopting the Indian Constitution, wiped out the former princely state's sovereignty.

India rejects OIC's comments on SC verdict on Jammu and Kashmir

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the OIC's action at the behest of a "serial violater of human rights and an unrepentant promoter of cross border terrorism" makes its action even more questionable. Though Bagchi did not name any country, it was clear that the reference was towards Pakistan.

Supreme Court directs establishment of Truth-and-Reconciliation Commission to probe J&K human rights violations

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to establish a Truth-and-Reconciliation Commission specifically tasked with investigating human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1980s. Justice Kaul, while announcing these separate decisions, has directed the formation of the commission to meticulously probe human rights violations, encompassing actions by both state and non-state actors.

SC seeks Centre's stand on plea for transfer of PIL against NETRA, NATGRID surveillance systems

The Supreme Court of India has asked the government to respond to a petition seeking the transfer of a public interest litigation (PIL) on surveillance systems from the Delhi High Court to the apex court. The PIL claims that citizens' right to privacy is being threatened by surveillance programs such as the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS), Network Traffic Analysis (NETRA), and National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). The PIL asks for the cessation of these surveillance projects and the establishment of an independent oversight body to review interception and monitoring orders.