1. AI Can Create Copyrightable Work but Cannot Be a Legal Author: Copyright Office
The Indian Copyright Office has rejected an application seeking to recognise the AI system DABUS as the author of an artwork created using artificial intelligence. The Office held that an AI system cannot be treated as an author under the Copyright Act, 1957. The decision highlights the growing legal issue of how copyright law should apply to works created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
2. Supreme Court Seeks Review of Rules on Retail Acid Sales
The Supreme Court has directed the Central government to consider whether the retail sale of acid should be completely banned or permitted only under strict regulatory safeguards. The direction came after the Court was informed that acid remains easily available despite restrictions issued in 2013. The Court's intervention seeks stronger measures to prevent acid attacks and ensure effective implementation of existing safeguards.
3. Supreme Court Closes Case Over NCERT Chapter on 'Corruption in Judiciary'
The Supreme Court has closed its suo motu proceedings concerning a controversial reference to “corruption in the judiciary” in an NCERT Class VIII Social Science textbook. The Court had taken up the issue after concerns were raised over the contents of the textbook, which was later recalled by NCERT. With the disputed material no longer in circulation, the Court brought the proceedings to an end.
4. Supreme Court Rejects Plea for Fresh NEET-PG Exam, Imposes ?25,000 Costs
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking a fresh NEET-PG 2026 examination for all candidates after power outages affected around 2,500 students at two examination centres in Jaipur. The Court questioned the manner in which the petition was filed after the petitioner's lawyer had invited complaints from candidates through social media. The Court rejected the demand for a nationwide re-examination and imposed costs of ?25,000 on the petitioner.
5. Supreme Court Scraps ?425 Crore Customs Penalty Over Fake Citations and AI Errors
The Supreme Court has set aside a ?425.28 crore customs penalty imposed on a diamond trader after finding serious errors in the adjudication order. The Court found that the customs authority had relied on non-existent cases, fake citations and legal propositions generated through artificial intelligence. The penalty order, along with the Gujarat High Court decision upholding it, was consequently set aside. The case highlights the need for authorities to independently verify legal research before relying on AI-generated material.
6. Supreme Court to Consider Reconstitution of Bar Council of India
The Supreme Court has decided to consider the reconstitution of the Bar Council of India after elections to the State Bar Councils are completed. The Court has directed Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to participate in decisions concerning the BCI during the process. The Court has not passed any adverse order against BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra and will take a further decision after the State Bar Council elections.
7. Supreme Court Seeks Action Plan to Address Vacancies in Consumer Commissions
The Supreme Court has directed all States to respond within three weeks to concerns over vacancies, infrastructure and pendency in district and state consumer commissions. The Court was considering a status report highlighting vacant posts and other difficulties affecting the functioning of consumer forums. The directions are aimed at ensuring that consumer commissions have adequate staff and facilities to deal with pending cases efficiently.
8. Seven States Agree to Raise Retirement Age of Judicial Officers to 62
The retirement age of judicial officers in seven States that are Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are set to increase from 60 to 62 years. The respective State governments have approved the change following directions from the Supreme Court. However, the extension will be subject to a suitability assessment by the concerned High Court when a judicial officer reaches the age of 60.
9. Supreme Court Says Developer's Time-Extension Charges Cannot Be Recovered as CIRP Costs
The Supreme Court has held that time-extension charges imposed on an insolvent real estate developer cannot be recovered from homebuyers as part of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process costs. The case involved housing projects in Noida that have remained stalled for several years. The ruling protects homebuyers from being made responsible for charges arising from the developer's failure to complete the projects within the required time.
10. Supreme Court Acquits Banker in 35-Year-Old Corruption Case
The Supreme Court has acquitted a former Indian Bank branch manager in a corruption case dating back to 1991 after finding that the allegations against him were not supported by reliable evidence. The Court observed that several allegations made by the Central Bureau of Investigation were based on assumptions rather than proof and criticised the manner in which the case had been established. The acquittal brings an end to the decades-old criminal proceedings against the former banker.
