Today, On 9th July, The Supreme Court criticized the government for not implementing the Disability Act and addressing vacancies for disabled individuals. It mandated the appointment of a visually impaired candidate who passed the Civil Services Examination in 2009, and directed the consideration of 10 other visually impaired candidates for appointment to backlog vacancies. Appointments should be made within three months.
Today(on 2nd July), Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud highlighted the courts’ role as public service providers, serving the Constitution and litigants. The event, attended by dignitaries, emphasized inclusivity in new court buildings and the judiciary’s foundational principles. Various speakers, including Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, Justice Hima Kohli, and Atishi Marlena, praised the focus on judicial infrastructure.
Today, On 28th June, The West Bengal Bar Council declared July 1 as a ‘black day’ in protest against three new criminal laws. The Calcutta High Court ruled that no one can be forced to observe a strike, contradicting the Bar Council’s decision. The Bar Council of India recognized protests against these laws and called for a productive discussion with the government.
The Kerala State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on monday (24th June) urging the Central Government to change the state’s name to “Keralam.” This is the second time such a resolution has been passed. The process involves presenting a bill for alteration, receiving suggestions from the State Legislative Assembly, and ultimately obtaining the President’s approval.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld the appointment of seven judges, dismissing a petition against the appointments. The court found no merit in the arguments presented, reinforcing the validity and lawfulness of the judicial appointments. The Division Bench rejected the challenge based on various grounds, including lack of advertisement and representation, stating that the appointment process adhered to constitutional procedures.
Today, On 11th June, Justice Rajesh Sekhri granted a one-year extension as an additional judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, following a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 17. The decision, effective from July 29, 2024, ensures continuity in the judiciary of Jammu & Kashmir. The Central Government announced this extension via a tweet by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The Supreme Court of India clarified that the Constitution does not specify criteria for government servant promotions, leaving this to the discretion of the legislature and executive. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, highlighted the flexibility in determining promotion norms within the administrative framework. This sheds light on the evolving emphasis on merit in promotion criteria. The judgment emphasized that ‘merit-cum-seniority’ and ‘seniority-cum-merit’ are not mandated by law but are flexible and fluid concepts, providing dynamic guidelines for developing promotion policies.
The Madras High Court has directed the National Testing Agency to provide sanitary pads near toilets at NEET exam centers across India, in response to a 19-year-old petitioner’s medical needs. The ruling aims to ensure adequate facilities for female candidates and has been well-received, though concerns about monitoring during restroom breaks have been raised.
On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra government to give medical aid to a pregnant 17-year-old girl who turned away from hospitals for not filing a formal complaint against the boy who made her conceive. The petition, represented by advocate Nigel Quraishy, argued that hospitals denied the girl medical care because she chose not to file a police complaint against a college student with whom she had a consensual relationship. The bench presided by Justices GS Kulkarni and FP Pooniwalla ordered that the shelter home mentioned in the petition must admit the girl to provide necessary care and assistance.
Yesterday (6th April),Former AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar petitioned the Delhi HC to remove Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal due to his arrest, claiming it violates the Constitution. The petition argues that Kejriwal’s incarceration hinders his ability to fulfill his duties as CM, contravening constitutional norms. The case is likely to be heard in the coming weeks, triggering political discussions in Delhi.