1. Plea before the Supreme Court against PM Narendra Modi’s chadar offering at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court of India seeking to restrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi from offering a ceremonial chadar at the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti during the 814th annual Urs at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The petition contends that such an act by a constitutional functionary violates the principle of secularism embedded in the Constitution. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju is scheduled to offer the chadar on behalf of the Prime Minister.
2. The central government appoints three new ASGs for the Supreme Court
The Central government, on December 22, notified the appointment of three Senior Advocates as Additional Solicitors General to represent it before the Supreme Court of India. The appointments have been made for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
3. Supreme Court extends Matrix Pharma asset freeze in RAKIA execution case
The Supreme Court of India recently extended its earlier order freezing the assets of Matrix Pharma, Tianish Laboratories, Hyderabad-based businessman Nimmagadda Prasad, his daughter Swathi Gunupati Reddy and his son-in-law Pranav Reddy Gunupati in execution proceedings initiated by the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority, a sovereign investment arm of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, after a UAE court in 2022 held Prasad and others liable for damages claimed by RAKIA.
4. Supreme Court takes suo motu notice of forest land encroachment in Uttarakhand, orders an immediate halt to construction.
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of large-scale encroachment and illegal occupation of forest land in Uttarakhand. It directed an immediate halt to all ongoing constructions in the affected areas. During the hearing, the Court strongly criticised the State administration for its failure to take timely and effective action to protect forest land, observing that continued inaction had allowed rampant violations. The Court indicated that accountability would be fixed if authorities failed to enforce forest and environmental laws strictly.
5. Supreme Court initiates suo motu case on Aravalli definition; hearing before vacation bench on December 29
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills and its associated ranges, noting the need for clarity on environmental and regulatory aspects. The matter, titled In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues, will be heard on December 29 by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices JK Maheshwari and AG Masih. The Court had earlier declined to impose a complete ban on mining in the Aravallis, observing that absolute prohibitions often fuel illegal mining activities.
6. Supreme Court to hold special sitting during vacation to hear CBI appeal against Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail.
The Supreme Court will hold a special sitting during the winter vacation on December 29 to hear the Central Bureau of Investigation’s appeal challenging the Delhi High Court order that suspended the life sentence awarded to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. A three-judge Bench will examine the CBI’s contention that the High Court committed an error of law by holding that the offence of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 5(c) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was not made out against Sengar, despite the nature of the allegations and evidence on record.
7. Supreme Court reinstates hotel worker 34 years after termination, orders 50% back wages.
The Supreme Court recently reinstated a hotel worker whose employment was terminated over 34 years ago, holding the termination unlawful and unsustainable in law. The Court ordered reinstatement with continuity of service and directed payment of 50% back wages, observing that relief cannot be denied merely because litigation remained pending for decades. It emphasised that prolonged delay in adjudication cannot operate to the detriment of a workman who has been pursuing legal remedies. That denial of back wages in such circumstances would amount to legitimising an illegal termination.
8. Supreme Court invokes Article 142 of the Constitution to order completion of Supertech’s Supernova project
The Supreme Court has invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to issue a comprehensive set of directions to ensure the completion of Supertech Realtors Pvt Ltd’s stalled Supernova real estate project in Sector 94, Noida. The proceedings arose from an insolvency action initiated against the developer, with the Court noting that prolonged uncertainty had caused severe hardship to homebuyers. Emphasising that technical insolvency processes should not defeat substantive justice, the Court stepped in to balance the interests of creditors, homebuyers and other stakeholders, and held that its constitutional powers could be exercised to do “complete justice” by facilitating completion of the project rather than allowing it to remain indefinitely stalled.
9. “Will open Pandora’s Box”: Centre opposes PIL in Delhi High Court to slash GST on air purifiers.
The Central government opposed a public interest litigation before the Delhi High Court seeking a reduction of Goods and Services Tax on air purifiers, cautioning that any judicial direction to the GST Council in this regard would “open a Pandora’s Box.” The Centre submitted that GST rate rationalisation involves a detailed consultative process within the GST Council and cannot be undertaken selectively at the instance of court orders. It was argued that granting such relief for one product could trigger similar demands across sectors, disrupting the statutory framework governing taxation. The High Court granted time to the Centre to file a detailed response, including on whether the GST Council could convene urgently to consider the issue.
10. Remove stray dogs on priority from tourist places in Indore, Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently directed the Indore Municipal Corporation to undertake a “top priority” special drive to remove stray dogs from prominent public areas, especially tourist hotspots such as Chhappan Dukan and Sarafa. The Court expressed concern about public safety and the inconvenience caused to residents and visitors by the menace of stray dogs at crowded locations. It warned that failure to comply with the directions would invite strict action, including an order for the Municipal Corporation Commissioner to appear in person before the Court.
