Supreme Court Acquits 12 in 2008 Assam Murder Citing Flawed Probe, CrPC Lapses, and Delayed FIR

Supreme Court Directs States to Revisit Raising Judicial Officers' Retirement Age to 61 in 2 Weeks

The Supreme Court has held that States cannot use financial burden as a valid ground to oppose enhancing the retirement age of judicial officers. It has directed all States/UTs to decide within two weeks, in consultation with High Courts, on allowing district judges to serve up to 61 years while a petition for uniform 62 years remains pending.

Supreme Court Clarifies July 31 Order: Media Can Report Proceedings But Cannot Use Audio-Video Clips

The Supreme Court clarified that news outlets can report court proceedings but cannot use audio or video clips in their reports. This balances open justice with preventing misuse of selective clips. Key for understanding judicial transparency and media regulation.

SC Proposes Special Courts for CBI & NIA Cases on Manipur Ethnic Violence; 891 Witnesses Yet to Testify

The Supreme Court has proposed setting up exclusive Special Courts to hear cases related to the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence investigated by the CBI and NIA, highlighting the slow pace of trials. With 891 out of 904 witnesses yet to be examined and serious charges including sexual violence, this move aims to expedite justice. For exam aspirants, this links to judicial administration, Article 14 (speedy trial), and the role of special courts under the NIA Act.

Supreme Court Uses Article 142 to Quash CJP Protest FIRs; 2,873 Individuals Excluded

The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to quash thousands of FIRs filed during CJP protests, except for 2,873 individuals with serious criminal antecedents. This controversial use of 'complete justice' powers bypasses the statutory quashing procedure under BNSS, reigniting debate on judicial overreach. For aspirants, this is a critical case study on Article 142's scope and limitations.

Supreme Court Expands to 38 Judges: Diversity Deficit Exposed as Women Only 4.15%

Parliament passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, adding 4 judges to the apex court (strength now 38). However, the article underscores a glaring lack of diversity: women constitute only 4.15% of all SC judges ever appointed, and caste representation in High Courts remains abysmally low. For exam aspirants, this links directly to the collegium system, judicial appointments, social justice, and pendency crisis.

Supreme Court Rules 1978 'Industry' Definition Not Binding on Industrial Relations Code, 2020

The Supreme Court's nine-judge Constitution Bench ruled that the 1978 landmark precedent defining 'industry' will not automatically apply to the new Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This severs the worker-friendly expansive interpretation, creating a clean slate for future labour disputes under the new code.

SC Forms HPEC Led by Justice R Subhash Reddy to Probe Police Excesses During NEET Protests

The Supreme Court has constituted a High-Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), led by former SC judge Justice R Subhash Reddy, to investigate the alleged disproportionate use of force by police against protesters at Jantar Mantar and other locations during the NEET-UG paper leak protests. The panel will examine 12 critical issues including use of pellet guns, targeting of female protesters, and the misuse of legal provisions like Section 163 BNSS and Section 152 BNS.

Supreme Court Quashes 2021 OM on Post Facto Clearances, Warns Against Environmental Amnesty Schemes

The Supreme Court quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum that allowed post facto environmental clearances, but left the door open for the Centre to legalize violations via statutory notification. This decision reaffirms the EIA sequence rule while risking the normalization of environmental amnesty schemes, as civil penalties replace criminal liability under the Jan Vishwas amendments.