1. Supreme Court Upholds High Court’s Power to Suo Motu Designate Senior Advocates
The Supreme Court has ruled that High Courts are empowered to confer the Senior Advocate designation suo motu on lawyers, upholding the 2019 designations of five lawyers by the Orissa High Court. It overturned an earlier Orissa High Court decision that had struck down the rule permitting such designations without a formal application. The apex court affirmed that full courts of High Courts have the discretion to identify and recognise deserving advocates in the public interest.
2. Supreme Court to Hear Challenges to Bihar Voter Roll Revision on July 10
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions on July 10 that challenge the Election Commission of India’s decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The petitions have been filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms, MPs Mahua Moitra and Manoj Jha, and activist Yogendra Yadav. The petitioners argue that such a revision close to the Assembly elections could affect electoral fairness and transparency. The Court will examine the legality and timing of the ECI's move.
3. Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Agencies Summoning Defence Lawyers
The Supreme Court has initiated a suo motu case to examine the legality and propriety of investigating agencies summoning lawyers representing accused persons. This move follows recent instances where the Enforcement Directorate issued summons to Senior Advocates Arvind Datar and Pratap Venugopal. The Court highlighted the potential threat to the independence of the legal profession and the right to legal representation, asserting that such actions could undermine the administration of justice and the constitutional right to counsel.
4. Supreme Court Declines to Stall Release of Udaipur Files Movie
The Supreme Court refused to urgently entertain a plea seeking a stay on the release of the film Udaipur Files, which is based on the brutal killing of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur. The petition was filed by one of the accused in the murder case, seeking to halt the film’s release. However, the Court declined immediate relief, stating that the matter can be brought before the appropriate Bench after the summer break when the Court reopens on July 14.
5. Supreme Court Criticises Cartoonist Hemant Malviya Over Caricature on PM Modi and RSS
The Supreme Court strongly criticised cartoonist Hemant Malviya for publishing what it described as an "immature" and "inflammatory" caricature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS. The Court remarked that the cartoon lacked dignity and crossed the boundaries of acceptable expression. Malviya had approached the apex court after the Madhya Pradesh High Court denied him anticipatory bail in the related case. While taking a stern view of the content, the Supreme Court did not grant immediate relief but hinted at balancing free speech with responsible expression.
6. Centre Tells Supreme Court No Options Left to Save Kerala Nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen
The Central government informed the Supreme Court that all efforts, including diplomatic negotiations, to save Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya on death row in Yemen have failed. Attorney General R Venkataramani conveyed to a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that nothing has worked despite the government's persistent attempts. Priya has been convicted of the murder of a Yemeni national. The Court was informed that the situation remains grim and beyond India’s control due to Yemen's legal and political constraints.
7. Supreme Court Petition Challenges UP Govt's QR Code Mandate at Eateries During Kanwar Yatra
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s directive requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display QR codes revealing the owners' names. The petitioner argues that such a mandate facilitates discriminatory profiling under the guise of transparency, violating the principles of equality. It was also highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously struck down similar profiling measures. The plea seeks immediate intervention to prevent infringement of individual rights during the religious procession.
8. Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Bihar Voter List Revision, Urges ECI to Accept Aadhaar, Ration Card as ID
The Supreme Court declined to halt the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar but directed the ECI to consider accepting Aadhaar, ration card, and EPIC as valid ID proofs for voter verification. The Court emphasised that if the ECI chooses not to include these widely-used documents, it must provide a clear explanation. The move comes amid concerns that the ongoing voter revision could result in unjust exclusions before the state elections.
9. Justice Surya Kant Defends India’s Human Rights Record at the Swedish Legal Forum
Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, speaking at a legal forum in Stockholm, praised India’s commitment to human rights and defended the country's legal framework. He emphasised the functioning of independent bodies, such as the National Human Rights Commission and State Commissions, in safeguarding constitutional values. Justice Kant highlighted India's proactive judiciary and democratic processes as key to upholding individual rights, even in challenging times, reinforcing faith in the nation’s legal system on the global stage.
10. Udaipur Files Producers Move Supreme Court Against Delhi High Court Stay
The producers of the film Udaipur Files approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s order staying the movie’s release. Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the producers, mentioned the matter before a Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi. The Supreme Court agreed to list the plea for urgent hearing within a day or two. The producers argued for swift relief, citing the film’s scheduled release and public interest surrounding the content.
