Supreme Court Seeks Responses on CBI Probe into ₹1,000 Crore Ponzi Scheme Affecting 73,000 Investors

Lok Sabha Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026; India's Russian Oil Imports Hit All-Time High of 48%

Today's top news covers the Lok Sabha's passage of the Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 without debate, India's all-time high Russian oil imports at 48% in June 2026, multiple Supreme Court orders on Cauvery, Manipur, and Abhishek Banerjee, and a police lathi-charge on student protesters in Jharkhand. Key for Prelims: data points, bill names, SC orders.

Supreme Court Directs RBI, States, CBI on Digital Arrest Scams: SOP, Kill Switch, ₹18 Cr Restored

The Supreme Court issued interim directions to combat digital arrest scams, including RBI SOP for banks, operationalization of grievance redressal and money restoration modules, and examination of a 'kill switch' for calls. The court noted a decline in reported fraud but stressed continued vigilance. This is crucial for understanding judicial activism in cybercrime and institutional coordination.

SC Upholds NCLAT Order Setting Aside CCI's ₹301.6 Cr Penalty on Grasim

The Supreme Court upheld the NCLAT order setting aside CCI's ₹301.6 crore penalty on Grasim Industries for alleged abuse of dominance in the viscose staple fibre market. The Court affirmed that CCI violated natural justice by not providing a hearing after differing from the Director General's findings.

PM CARES Fund: Donations Fall to ₹479.96 Cr, Balance Hits Record ₹8,452 Cr; No Questions in Lok Sabha

PM CARES Fund, a public charitable trust set up in 2020 for COVID-19 relief, saw donations plunge to ₹479.96 crore in FY2024-25 while its closing balance hit a record ₹8,452.06 crore. Spending fell to a five-year low of ₹87.85 lakh. The PMO has informed Lok Sabha that questions on PM CARES, PMNRF, and NDF are not admissible under parliamentary rules as they are funded by voluntary contributions, not from the Consolidated Fund of India.

₹1,700 Cr Donations to 6 RUPPs: Need for De-Registration Powers to EC

An investigation revealed that six Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) in Gujarat received ₹1,700 crore in donations in 2023-24, exceeding the combined donations of all national parties except the BJP. This highlights regulatory gaps that allow RUPPs to be used as conduits for tax evasion and money laundering. The article examines the need for the Election Commission to have de-registration powers and suggests a vote threshold for tax exemptions to curb misuse.

Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026 Overriding SC Ruling, Extinguishes Rs 2 Lakh Cr Dues

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 restricts states from imposing specified levies on mineral rights and extinguishes ~Rs 2 lakh crore in unpaid dues. Mineral-rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand oppose it as a blow to federal fiscal autonomy, potentially losing thousands of crores annually. This reverses the financial impact of a landmark 2024 Supreme Court ruling that had empowered states to tax mineral-bearing lands.

Supreme Court Seeks Centre's Response on CAPF Act 2026 Challenged for Violating Articles 14, 16, 21

The Supreme Court has questioned the constitutional validity of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, which mandates IPS officer deputation to senior CAPF posts, potentially overriding a 2025 SC judgment. This case tests the separation of powers and the rights of CAPF cadre officers under Articles 14, 16, and 21.

Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe into Custodial Death, ₹25 Lakh Interim Compensation for 2-Year FIR Delay

The Supreme Court transferred the probe into a 2024 custodial death in Chhattisgarh to the CBI, citing a two-year delay by state police in filing the FIR. It also awarded ₹25 lakh interim compensation to the family, highlighting judicial oversight on police accountability and custodial violence.