SC Rules Cinema Halls Private Property, Upholds Food Pricing Freedom in Multiplexes

Supreme Court Strikes Down Maharashtra’s Methanol Denaturing Rules as Unconstitutional: Violates Articles 14 & 19(1)(g)

Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra's Rules 18A & 18B of the Poisons Rules mandating colourant/bitterant in methanol, holding them disproportionate and violative of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g). The court also issued detailed guidelines to prevent hooch tragedies. This judgment is critical for understanding proportionality test and state regulation of industrial poisons.

Patna HC Mandates Hearing, Fixed Timelines for Remission; 30-Day Appeal, 14-Yr Custody Rule

The Patna High Court has laid down directions to make remission and premature release transparent and time-bound. Key reforms include a hearing before remission withdrawal, fixed deadlines for reports (15/30/15 days), a 30-day appeal mechanism, and a dedicated portal for tracking life convicts. This affects the Bihar Prison Manual, 2012 and sets a precedent for prison reforms.

SC Upholds HC: Kodagu Homestay Owner's Arrest Illegal, Rs 5 Lakh Compensation Despite US Embassy Pressure

The Supreme Court has upheld the Karnataka High Court ruling that the arrest of a Kodagu homestay owner in an alleged sexual assault case was illegal, rejecting the state's appeal. The judgment reinforces that arrest is not a 'ritualistic exercise' and that fundamental rights cannot be bartered away under pressure from foreign embassies. It also makes the state liable for Rs 5 lakh compensation.

AP High Court Declares Three-Capitals Petitions Infructuous; Amaravati Now Sole Capital Under AP Reorganisation (Amendment) Act 2026

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has deemed all petitions against the proposed three-capitals model as infructuous after Parliament amended the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, making Amaravati the sole capital by law. This ends a long-standing political and legal battle, with implications for state governance and federal structure.

Tamil Nadu Issues Advance Medical Directives Guidelines 2026 for Passive Euthanasia

Tamil Nadu has issued the Tamil Nadu Advance Medical Directive Guidelines, 2026 to operationalise passive euthanasia and strengthen patient autonomy at the end of life. The guidelines follow Supreme Court directions in Common Cause and Harish Rana vs Union of India, requiring States to establish medical boards and custodians for Advance Medical Directives. This is a landmark state-level health governance step with direct UPSC and State PSC relevance.

Calcutta HC Rules Electricity Essential for Dignified Life, Restores Power in Disputed Property

Calcutta High Court held that electricity is essential for 'meaningful civilized living' under Article 21. It restored power to occupants of a disputed property but clarified that restoration does not create any right to stay or equity in their favour.

SC Stops Assam Teacher Appointments Under Provincialisation; Cites Articles 14, 16, 21A & 254

The Supreme Court on September 8, 2026 restrained Assam from appointing or absorbing teachers in schools and colleges under the provincialisation scheme, in response to a PIL challenging the 2017 Act. The petition argues that the scheme allows entry into government service without fair, transparent and competitive recruitment, violating Articles 14, 16, 21A and 254. This is a high-yield case combining constitutional law, teacher eligibility and Centre-State legislative overlap.

Telangana HC Disqualifies MLA Under Tenth Schedule for Contesting Lok Sabha on Congress Ticket

Telangana High Court set aside the Assembly Speaker's order rejecting disqualification petitions and declared BRS-turned-Congress MLA Danam Nagender disqualified from April 23, 2024. The case reinforces the Tenth Schedule's anti-defection law: contesting a Lok Sabha election on another party ticket without resigning from the original party amounts to voluntarily giving up membership. This verdict is crucial for UPSC Polity as it clarifies the Speaker's role and limits of judicial review.