Karnataka HC Rules Evading Section 35(3) BNSS Notice Valid Ground for Arrest in Offences Up to 7 Years

Karnataka HC Enforces Right to Be Forgotten, Masks Acquitted Woman’s Name in Digital Records

The Karnataka High Court has directed search engines and judicial record-keepers to mask the name of a woman acquitted in 2019 under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, upholding the 'right to be forgotten' in the digital age. This landmark ruling reinforces privacy rights and the need to prevent obsolete accusations from stigmatizing individuals, with significant implications for data protection and judicial record management.

Allahabad HC Rules CCTV Footage Exempt Under RTI Section 8(1)(g), Cannot Be Provided Directly

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that CCTV footage cannot be directly provided to an applicant under the RTI Act as it is exempt under Section 8(1)(g). However, a court or commission can direct preservation and production of such footage after a complaint is filed. This clarifies the scope of RTI exemptions and the procedure for accessing sensitive information.

SC Issues Notice to Centre on Plea to Ban Polygamy Under Section 82 BNS Uniformly

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of polygamy among Muslims, arguing it violates gender equality and is a primary driver of female destitution. The plea seeks uniform application of Section 82 BNS (bigamy law) and compulsory registration of Muslim marriages. This case could reignite the Uniform Civil Code debate and has implications for personal law reforms.

SC 9-Judge Bench Rules BWSSB Triple Test Not Binding for IRC 2020 Section 2(p)

The Supreme Court's 9-judge bench has held that the landmark 1978 'Triple Test' for defining 'industry' under the ID Act will not be a binding precedent for interpreting the identical provision in the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This could weaken worker protections just as more workers move to the private sector post-liberalisation.

SC Seeks Centre Reply on PIL: Minors' Online Accounts Without Valid Contracts Under Section 11 Indian Contract Act

A PIL filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance has challenged the practice of allowing minors to independently sign up for digital platforms without verified parental consent. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre, highlighting the legal gap between Section 11 of the Indian Contract Act (barring minors from contracts) and existing IT/DPDP rules.

Madras HC: No Sanction Needed Under BNSS Section 218 for Disproportionate Assets Cases

The Madras High Court has ruled that no prior sanction is required under Section 197 CrPC or Section 218 BNSS to prosecute public servants for disproportionate assets, because such an offence has no nexus with official duty. The ruling, which refused to discharge former DMK Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and his family, clarifies a key examiner-relevant dimension of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

SC Issues Notice on BCI's Conflict of Interest in Regulating and Owning Law Universities

The Supreme Court has questioned the Bar Council of India's authority to regulate legal education, noting that the BCI is a regulator of the legal profession, not an expert in legal education. The Court issued notice on a petition alleging conflict of interest as BCI owns law universities through its trust.

Varsha Ashok Aglawe Appointed as 54th GSI Director General, First Woman in 176 Years

Varsha Ashok Aglawe, a palaeontologist with over three decades of experience, has become the first woman to head the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in its 176-year history. This landmark appointment signals a gender shift in India's premier geoscientific institution and comes with strategic priorities on critical mineral exploration and mineral security—key for national resource self-sufficiency.