Bombay HC Questions Maratha Backwardness: 10% SEBC Act 2024 Under Scrutiny

Bombay HC Sets Aside Discriminatory Manual Scavenging Compensation for Private Workers; Orders ₹30 Lakh

The Bombay High Court struck down portions of Maharashtra Government Resolutions that discriminated against private sanitation workers by paying them lower compensation than government workers for deaths due to manual scavenging. The court ordered ₹30 lakh compensation to the kin of five deceased and directed identification of all such deaths within six months, highlighting persistent caste-based discrimination.

Bombay HC Rules Community Health Volunteers Entitled to Minimum Wage Under 1948 Act

The Bombay High Court has ruled that community health volunteers working for the BMC are entitled to minimum wages under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, rejecting the argument that their honorarium exempts them. This judgment strengthens labour rights for contractual and volunteer workers, an important topic for UPSC labour jurisprudence and social security.

Kerala HC Upholds 4% Disability Quota in Promotions, Sets Aside Contempt Interim Order

Kerala High Court has upheld the 4% disability quota in promotions, confirming the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's 2022 order in favour of an employee with 40% benchmark disability. It, however, set aside the tribunal's 2024 interim contempt order, ruling that positive directions cannot be issued in contempt proceedings. The judgment reinforces Supreme Court precedents in Siddaraju and Leesamma Joseph.

Bombay HC Upholds SC Order: Scheduled Caste Status Only for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists

The Bombay High Court rejected a Muslim man's plea to be declared a Scheduled Caste, upholding the 1950 Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order which restricts SC status to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The Court ruled it is bound by existing Supreme Court precedent under Article 141, even while a constitutional challenge is pending in the apex court. This decision reinforces the legal position that religious conversion can lead to loss of SC status.

SC & HCs Affirm Women's Bodily Autonomy: Menstrual Leave, Choice of Partner, Homemaker Value

In five recent rulings, the Supreme Court and various High Courts have strongly affirmed women's bodily autonomy, dignity, and personal liberty. Key judgments include upholding the right to choose a partner, recognizing the invaluable contribution of homemakers, and directing consideration of paid menstrual leave for women conductors. These rulings signal a progressive judicial shift that places women's agency over traditional social norms.

Himachal HC Holds Surrogate Mothers Entitled to 180 Days Maternity Leave Under CCS Rules

Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that commissioning mothers via surrogacy cannot be denied maternity leave, even if the state has not adopted the Centre's 2024 rules. The court reaffirmed that motherhood cannot be distinguished by the method of birth, setting a binding precedent for the state.

Bombay HC Orders Reimbursement to 4 NEET Toppers Denied Govt Seats Due to EWS, Maratha Quotas

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to reimburse fees of four medical students who were denied government college seats despite higher NEET scores, due to the application of EWS and Maratha quotas. The court criticized the 'non-transparent' implementation of the state's reimbursement scheme and upheld the primacy of merit. This judgment is significant for understanding the judicial scrutiny of reservation policies and the principle of merit in public admissions.

Maharashtra Govt Hints at Kunbi Caste Certificates for Maratha Quota; Sept 12 Deadline

Maharashtra government signals willingness to discuss Maratha community's demand for Kunbi caste certificates, a key to OBC reservation. Activist Manoj Jarange has set a September 12 deadline for acceptance, threatening Mumbai protests. The Kunbi linkage is crucial as it provides a legal path to quota under existing OBC framework, avoiding Supreme Court's 50% ceiling issues.