1. Does labour law apply to State activities? 9-judge Supreme Court Constitution Bench to decide the definition of "industry"
The Supreme Court said it will constitute a nine-judge Constitution Bench to determine the scope of the term “industry” under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the earlier Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the Bench is scheduled to begin hearing the matter on March 17, a decision that could significantly impact whether labour law protections extend to various State-run and sovereign functions.
2. Extra ?9.45 crore burden: State moves Supreme Court against retrospective pay hike for Delhi HC law researchers
The Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court order directing retrospective payment of enhanced remuneration to its law researchers. According to the State, the direction imposes an unbudgeted financial liability of ?9.45 crore, and it has argued that such fiscal implications were not adequately considered before issuing the order.
3. Survivor in suicide pact punishable: Supreme Court upholds boyfriend's conviction in actress Prathyusha's death case
The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Gudipalli Siddhartha Reddy in connection with the 2002 suicide of Telugu actress Prathyusha. The Court clarified that in cases involving a suicide pact, the person who survives or does not go through with the act can still be held criminally liable, reinforcing the principle that shared intent does not absolve culpability.
4. Over 6 years and 243 petitions later, the Supreme Court to hear challenge to the Citizenship Amendment Act from May 5-12
The Supreme Court announced that it will begin hearing the batch of petitions challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act and its Rules from May 5 to May 12. The Rules, notified by the Central government in March 2024, operationalised the 2019 law, and the long-pending challenge spread across 243 petitions will now finally see substantive arguments.
5. Supreme Court stays Madras HC order halting TN Waqf Board functioning over lack of non-Muslim members
The Supreme Court stayed a Madras High Court order that had restrained the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board from exercising its powers on the ground that its constitution lacked non-Muslim members. The top court observed that the High Court’s reasoning was flawed and allowed the Board to continue functioning pending further consideration.
6. Supreme Court stays exhumation of buried bodies of tribal Christians in Chhattisgarh villages
The Supreme Court sought the Chhattisgarh government’s response to a plea alleging that tribal Christians were being denied burial rights and that bodies had been forcibly exhumed from village graveyards. The Court stayed further exhumation, acknowledging serious concerns raised about religious freedom and the dignity of the deceased.
7. Supreme Court says no to excessive leniency during sentencing of criminals, lays down guidelines
The Supreme Court cautioned courts against showing undue leniency during sentencing, holding that compensation to victims cannot substitute custodial punishment in serious offences. Setting aside a Madras High Court order that reduced a three-year jail term in an attempt to murder case, the Court laid down broader principles to ensure proportional and consistent sentencing.
8. Here is why the US Supreme Court struck down Trump tariffs
The Supreme Court of the United States held that former President Donald Trump could not impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Court ruled that the Constitution vests the authority to levy taxes and duties exclusively in Congress, and that the executive cannot bypass this legislative power through emergency provisions.
9. Law not a career ladder for personal gain: CJI Surya Kant to law students
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, speaking at the National Law University, Jodhpur, cautioned students that law should not become a mere performance or a tool for personal advancement. Emphasising substance over spectacle, he warned that when lawyers prioritise convenience over conscience, they risk undermining the democratic ideals the legal profession is meant to uphold.
10. Supreme Court orders deployment of judicial officers for West Bengal SIR, cites blame game between State and ECI
In an unexpected move, the Supreme Court directed the deployment of judicial officers, including retired judges, to ensure the smooth conduct of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The order followed allegations by the Election Commission of India that it was not being provided with adequately qualified officers by the State, prompting the Court to intervene amid the ongoing blame game.
