On 5th March (Tueday): In a 9-judge bench hearing regarding mineral rights taxation, the Chief Justice of India emphasized that once a royalty is fixed, states cannot demand beyond the established framework. The discussion deepened into the interaction between state and Union legislative powers over mineral resources, emphasizing the need for precision in navigating competing national interests and state taxation powers.__JETPACK_AI_ERROR__
The Supreme Court today overturned a 1998 ruling, stating that lawmakers can be prosecuted for receiving bribes for speeches or votes. CJI DY Chandrachud emphasized that bribery erodes democracy. The decision arose from the Sita Soren v. Union of India case, marking a pivotal shift in lawmakers’ immunity from criminal prosecution for bribery.
The Supreme Court Today overturned immunity for bribery in the case of legislators, emphasizing that corruption undermines the Indian parliamentary democracy. The seven-judge bench’s decision clarified that MPs and MLAs are not protected from prosecution for accepting bribes, reconsidering a 1998 judgement. The scope of legislative privileges under the Constitution is also under review.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud Today called for the end of frequent adjournments (Tareekh Pe Tareekh) in district judiciary to change the perception of litigants. He criticized the prevalent culture, stressing the need for timely legal decisions. Justice Sunita Aggarwal supported this stance, emphasizing the pivotal role of judges. Chandrachud also highlighted concerns about women’s facilities in the judiciary and encouraged the use of social media by the district judiciary.
Day-3 | 9-Judge Bench- The Supreme Court clarified that the power to impose a tax on mineral rights lies with the states, not the Parliament, and emphasized the need to preserve this authority. The court is deliberating on whether the royalty collected by the Centre on mining leases qualifies as a tax. The hearing will resume on March 5.
The Supreme Court Today (1 March) has agreed to hear an appeal from the Gyanvapi Management Committee challenging an Allahabad High Court decision deeming lawsuits for the “restoration” of a temple, where a mosque currently stands in Varanasi, as maintainable. Both sides have filed petitions and the legal battle continues.
Today (29 Feb) the Supreme Court overturned a 2018 judgment regarding the duration of interim stay orders in civil and criminal cases. The Court emphasized that stay orders should not automatically expire after six months and that time-bound decisions should only be made in exceptional circumstances. The ruling highlighted the importance of allowing each court to prioritize cases based on their unique circumstances.
The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over inadequate pension for retired district judges, emphasizing the need for a dignified post-retirement life. Chief Justice Chandrachud sought the assistance of the Attorney General, highlighting that some High Court judges were also facing pension issues. The Court had previously cautioned against non-compliance with pension directives.
