On Wednesday(24th July),The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended a fresh one-year term for nine additional judges of the Calcutta High Court, starting August 31, 2024, instead of making their appointments permanent. The judges include Justices Biswaroop Chowdhury, Partha Sarathi Sen, Prasenjit Biswas, Uday Kumar, Ajay Kumar Gupta, Supratim Bhattacharya, Partha Sarathi Chatterjee, Apurba Sinha Ray, and Md Shabbar Rashidi.
During his visit to the UK Supreme Court, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was offered the President’s seat to deliver his lecture on “Commercial Arbitration: Shared Understandings and Developments in UK and India.” He commended the Indian judiciary for its immense caseload and discussed the increasing relevance of alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration and mediation.
Former Supreme Court Judge Madan Lokur emphasized the constitutional right to silence for arrested individuals during a discussion on freedom of expression. He highlighted the interconnectedness of fundamental rights and warned about suppressing freedom of speech. Parallelly, Prabir Purkayastha reflected on his experiences and emphasized democratic resilience and support for those imprisoned.
The Supreme Court ordered an interim stay on the arrest of former DGP Rajesh Das following his appeal seeking suspension of sentence and exemption from surrender. Das was convicted for sexually harassing a woman IPS officer during an election campaign. The decision was made after the Madras High Court dismissed his pleas.
Renowned economist Sanjeev Sanyal advocates urgent judiciary modernization in India, citing its potential hindrance to the nation’s progress. He highlights inefficiencies in the current system, emphasizing the need for transformation and reforms in the collegium system. Sanyal stresses the importance of merit-based appointments and a comprehensive public debate to drive change.
Today, (on April 29),The Supreme Court of India hears a petition challenging the application of Shariat law to non-believers, brought by a former Muslim seeking equal inheritance rights. The court recognizes legal uncertainties and grants the petitioner the liberty to amend her plea for the next hearing in July 2024. The case highlights the conflict between personal and secular laws.
On Wednesday (18th April): The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for an independent candidate from Banka, Bihar. The candidate contests the cancellation of their Lok Sabha polls nomination, citing arbitrary decision-making by Election Returning Officers. The petition also seeks clarity on the term “defects of substantial character” in the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
On Monday(8th April), The Supreme Court of India is reviewing petitions challenging the appointment of 68 Gujarat judicial officers, claiming a preference for seniority over merit. Advocate R. Basanth argued that candidates with higher suitability test scores were overlooked. The hearings will continue until April 15, 2024. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud proposed evaluating candidates primarily based on merit.
![[Sexual Harassment Case by Woman IPS officer] SC Stays Arrest of Former DGP Rajesh Das](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MicrosoftTeams-image-89.png?resize=447%2C367&ssl=1)
