1. Supreme Court Questions Centre Over Rising Acid Attacks
The Supreme Court criticised the Central government over the continuing incidents of acid attacks and observed that existing guidelines to prevent the illegal sale of acid had failed to achieve their purpose. The Court remarked that the rise in such incidents indicated the policy's failure. Its observations highlighted the need for effective implementation and monitoring of restrictions on acid sales to prevent further attacks.
2. Plea Challenges Tripura Law Allowing Settlement of Rape Cases Through Fines
The Supreme Court issued notice to the State of Tripura on a public interest litigation challenging a provision of the Tripura Jamatia Customary Laws Act, 2017. The provision allegedly permits rape cases to be settled through payment of a fine of up to ?1 lakh. The petition argues that allowing such settlements places a monetary value on a woman's dignity and raises serious constitutional concerns. The Court will examine the challenge after receiving the State's response.
3. Supreme Court Directs Basic Facilities for Women Lawyers in All District Courts
The Supreme Court directed State governments and High Courts to provide exclusive bar rooms, washrooms and other basic facilities for women advocates in district, sub-divisional and taluka courts. The Court clarified that these facilities must be provided wherever women advocates practise, irrespective of their number. The direction aims to ensure proper working conditions and equal access to basic infrastructure for women lawyers across the country.
4. Supreme Court Calls for Public Awareness Campaign Against Firecrackers
The Supreme Court suggested using public awareness advertisements to encourage people to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers and suggested involving cricketer Virat Kohli in the campaign. The Court also questioned the lack of enforcement data following the previous year's trial relaxation of the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR. It stated that it was not inclined to impose a complete ban but warned that failure to enforce existing restrictions could lead to stricter action.
5. Supreme Court to Examine RBI’s Proposed Digital Fraud Regulations
The Supreme Court said it would examine the Reserve Bank of India's proposed digital fraud regulations before they are notified. The Court highlighted the need for safeguards against unusual transactions and compensation for victims where banks are negligent. It also sought scrutiny of WhatsApp's role in digital fraud. The proposed measures aim to strengthen protection for customers who lose money through online banking and digital fraud.
6. Foreign Nationality Alone Does Not Bar Bail Under UAPA: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court held that an accused person cannot be denied bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act merely because they are a foreign national. The Court clarified that the restriction on bail for illegal entry applies only when the person's entry into India is itself unlawful. Therefore, foreign nationality alone is not sufficient to attract this restriction.
7. Supreme Court Says Its Requests to Courts and Tribunals Must Be Treated as Directions
The Supreme Court clarified that any request it makes to another court or tribunal must be treated as a binding direction. It warned that it would take non-compliance with such requests seriously in the future. The observation reinforces the importance of following the Supreme Court's communications and ensuring that directions issued during judicial proceedings are properly implemented.
8. Digital Arrest Scams Must Be Dealt with Strictly: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court orally observed that people involved in digital arrest scams and extortion must be dealt with strictly. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked that even if the law allows action against such offenders before trial, that approach should also be considered. The observations reflect the Court's concern over digital arrest scams, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to threaten people and extort money.
9. Supreme Court Sets Aside Anticipatory Bail of Karnataka Lokayukta Police Officer
The Supreme Court set aside anticipatory bail granted to IPS officer Srinath Joshi Mahadev, accused in an extortion case involving the Karnataka Lokayukta Police. The Court directed him to surrender within three weeks. It also noted the irony of corruption allegations involving an officer associated with an anti-corruption institution. The order removes the anticipatory bail protection previously granted to the officer.
10. Supreme Court Seeks Strict Measures Against Unauthorised Circulation of Court Videos
The Supreme Court said that the policy being considered by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology should clearly specify the consequences of unauthorised circulation and monetisation of videos of court hearings. The Court was hearing a plea seeking measures to prevent the unauthorised extraction and distribution of live-streamed court proceedings. The Centre told the Court it was considering a policy on the issue.
