Telangana POCSO Cases: 52.54% Pending Trial, Only 3.41% Convictions in 10 Years

SC Judge Flags Frivolous Criminal Cases, 4.27 Cr Pending, Calls for Amnesty

Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has sharply criticized the filing of frivolous criminal cases, including those over food choices, poems, and social media posts. He proposed a one-time amnesty for non-serious cases to reduce the massive 4.27 crore pending criminal caseload, highlighting systemic issues in criminal justice and policing.

Over 5.93 Lakh Cases Pending, 860+ Posts Vacant in Consumer Commissions: Centre in Lok Sabha

Nearly 5.93 lakh cases are pending across the three-tier consumer dispute redressal system (NCDRC, SCDRCs, DCDRCs) as of July 2026. Over 860 posts of presidents and members are vacant, contributing to the backlog. The data was tabled in Lok Sabha in response to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Yeshwant Desai.

SC’s Nine-Judge Bench Split: ‘Industry’ Definition Retains 1978 Triple Test for Pending Cases

A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a fractured verdict on what constitutes an 'industry' under labour law. The judges agreed that pending cases under the repealed Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 will continue to be decided under the 1978 'triple test' from Bangalore Water Supply case. The new Industrial Relations Code, 2020 must be interpreted independently, and the ruling does not extend the old jurisprudence forward.

Madras HC Directs TN Chief Secretary to Form Panel on POCSO, Juvenile Justice Gaps

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to form a committee of Home, Health, and Law Secretaries to address systemic gaps in implementing the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Acts. The court made key suggestions including gender-neutral application of POCSO, avoiding criminalizing consensual adolescent relationships, and establishing protocols for medical termination of pregnancy and child witness deposition rooms. This is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon child rights, judicial activism, and state governance.

CVC Report: 7,229 CBI Corruption Cases Pending Trial, 409 Over 20 Years

The CVC's annual report reveals a massive backlog of corruption cases investigated by the CBI, with over 7,200 pending trials and 14,083 appeals/revisions pending in higher courts. This highlights systemic delays in the criminal justice system and raises governance concerns that are highly relevant for civil services and judiciary exams.

SC Replaces 2023 Gender Stereotype Handbook with 2026 Report on Compassionate Court Practices for Trial Judges

The Supreme Court has released a new report replacing its 2023 gender stereotype handbook, shifting focus from language to courtroom trauma. It mandates trial judges to develop an 'Emotional Quotient', control aggressive cross-examinations, and prevent secondary traumatisation of sexual assault survivors, following the Allahabad HC's controversial 'preparation vs attempt' ruling.

2026 Amendment Penalises Disruption of Vande Mataram Singing (Up to 3 Years Jail); Bijoe Emmanuel Case Protects Silent Dissent

The 2026 amendment to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act gives Vande Mataram the same criminal protection as the national anthem, but it does not compel singing. The Supreme Court's Bijoe Emmanuel ruling protects the right to remain silent if participation conflicts with conscience. This has implications for freedom of religion (Articles 25-26) and freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)).

Supreme Court Rules Police Cannot Independently Investigate Sex Determination Cases Under PC&PNDT Act

The Supreme Court has ruled that police cannot independently investigate offences under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. Only the Appropriate Authority, a specialised body under the Act, can investigate. Police may assist but cannot take over the investigation, and any separate criminal offences (IPC/BNS) can be investigated independently. This clarifies a long-standing legal confusion and is crucial for understanding the enforcement mechanism of this social legislation.