Yesterday, On 21st May, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai praised Justice Abhay S Oka as a “workaholic and dedicated to work” during a farewell organised by SCAORA, ahead of Justice Oka’s retirement on May 24.
Justice B.R. Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, marking a historic appointment as he is the first Buddhist and second Dalit to hold this position. His tenure lasts until November 2025 and reshapes the Supreme Court Collegium, ensuring continuity amid changes in seniority among its members.
Today, On 22nd January, The Supreme Court referred pleas by the RBI and others concerning the write-off of Yes Bank’s Additional Tier-1 (AT-1) bonds to a different bench. AT-1 bonds are perpetual, high-risk instruments issued by banks to bolster their capital base, offering higher interest rates. The Reserve Bank of India has the authority to cancel these bonds in cases where the issuing bank faces financial distress.
The Supreme Court ruled that the police acted “completely illegal” by filing a charge-sheet against an individual contrary to a court order prohibiting coercive action. Although it dismissed contempt notices against the officers involved after accepting their apologies, it warned that future violations could lead to contempt proceedings and mandated a review of police directives.
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat’s retirement on October 20 allowed Justice A.S. Oka to join the Supreme Court Collegium, now led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. This reorganization follows the former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s retirement. The collegium plays a vital role in judicial appointments, impacting transparency and autonomy in the Indian judiciary.