Five prominent petitioners have urged Chief Justice B.R. Gavai to establish a Supreme Court bench to address the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, claiming delays threaten federalism and constitutional integrity. They argue that the removal of statehood is unconstitutional and call for immediate action to restore civil and political rights in the region.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated that high courts are capable of handling UAPA challenges initially. He emphasized that the Supreme Court should not be the first forum for such cases. The bench advised petitioners to approach the respective high courts before seeking intervention from the apex court. This decision reinforces the legal process and judicial hierarchy in handling UAPA cases.
Today, On 27th December, The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding a contempt plea over the non-compliance of an order to provide medical aid to Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The Court emphasized that “somebody’s life is at stake” and medical assistance must be provided urgently. The Punjab government has been accused of not following the court’s instructions.
Delhi Police opposed Nadeem Khan’s plea, citing risks to communal harmony due to his social media actions. They argue he spreads misleading narratives that instigate unrest and threaten unity. The Delhi High Court granted him interim protection from arrest while emphasizing cooperation in the investigation, highlighting the importance of maintaining national harmony.
Justice K.V. Viswanathan, born on May 26, 1966, in Kerala, became a Supreme Court judge on May 19, 2023. He has a notable legal career, becoming a Senior Advocate in 2009 and representing key cases, including marriage equality and privacy rights. He is anticipated to ascend as India’s 58th Chief Justice in 2030.
Today, On 29th November, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna requested a postponement of the Shahi Jama Masjid survey hearing, highlighting the need for careful judicial handling of sensitive matters. The Supreme Court instructed the mosque’s management to approach the High Court against a survey order. Violence erupted during a prior survey, raising communal harmony concerns.
The Kerala High Court dismissed defamation charges against three individuals for waving black flags at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s convoy in 2017. The court ruled that such protests do not amount to defamation or illegal obstruction, underscoring the legitimacy of this form of dissent within the framework of freedom of expression.
BJP leader Suresh Nakhua requested more time to rectify a flawed affidavit in his defamation case against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. Rathee sought the case’s dismissal, emphasizing Nakhua’s repeated errors. The court noted procedural issues and scheduled a hearing for February 2025, awaiting clarification on the affidavit’s compliance with new legal requirements.