Bombay HC Rules Police Illegal Entry into Woman's Bedroom Violates Article 21 Privacy, Orders ₹10,000 Compensation

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.

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.

Supreme Court Rules NCSC Cannot Issue Binding Directions Under Article 338

The Supreme Court clarified that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has only recommendatory and advisory powers under Article 338, not adjudicatory powers. It cannot issue binding orders in service disputes. This ruling sets boundaries for constitutional commissions under Articles 338, 338A, and 338B.

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.

SC Quashes NEET Protest FIRs Under Article 142, Orders Compensation Policy for Suicide Victims

Supreme Court used Article 142 to quash all FIRs registered against NEET protesters across India, while ordering compensation policy for families of students who died by suicide. This judgment underscores the balance between protest rights and criminal liability, and the government's commitment to address exam leak issues.

Bombay HC Directs Maharashtra to Regularise Over 450 Contractual Medical Staff, Flags Ad-Hocism in Public Employment

The Bombay High Court has directed Maharashtra to end long-term contractual hiring, specifically ordering the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation to regularise over 450 medical officers and paramedical staff who served 8–11 years on contract. The Court flagged 'ad-hocism' in public employment and linked it to the state's unemployment crisis, making this a landmark ruling for contractual workers' rights in government services.

Maharashtra Tightens Minority Status Approval: IAS Oversight, Multi-Dept Vetting, Periodic Reviews

The Reddy committee report recommends structural overhaul of minority status approval for educational institutions in Maharashtra, introducing IAS supervision, multi-department scrutiny, and post-grant periodic reviews. The new SOP, expected by end of August 2026, aims to address irregularities in the approval process.

SC Collegium Elevation Threatens Maratha Quota Case; 10% SEBC Reservation at Risk

The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation to transfer Bombay HC Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge to Calcutta HC may force a fresh hearing of the challenge to Maharashtra’s 2024 Maratha reservation law after 20 sittings. This is the second time a bench change has stalled the politically sensitive case, putting the 10% SEBC quota for the Maratha community in legal limbo.