Himachal Pradesh High Court launches the Chief Justice Disaster Relief Fund 2025, calling it “Not Just a Request for Assistance, But a Call of Conscience” to provide urgent help for victims of devastating rains and landslides across the State.
Today, On 3d July, The Supreme Court refused to cancel the Rs.1 lakh fine imposed on the Narcotics Control Bureau by the Calcutta High Court but reduced the penalty amount to Rs.50,000, offering partial relief to the agency.
NALSA and the SC Mediation Panel will launch a 90-day “Mediation For the Nation” campaign from July 1, 2025, to promote cost-effective dispute resolution across India. This initiative aims to resolve pending cases through mediation, encouraging a faster and more amicable process while alleviating the burden on courts and preserving relationships.
In the Religare ESOP case, the ED summoned Senior Advocate Pratap Venugopal over a legal opinion obtained by Care Health Insurance from Arvind Datar concerning ESOPs issued to ex-Religare chairperson Rashmi Saluja. Investigation continues.
The Orissa High Court will remain closed for summer vacation, but arrangements have been made to hear urgent matters on specific dates. A dedicated bench will be available to handle critical cases during this period.
NALSA has postponed the National Lok Adalat in northern regions due to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border. Affected areas include Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Despite this, over 1.82 crore cases were resolved nationwide on May 10, highlighting the efficacy of Lok Adalats in facilitating dispute resolution.
On 9th May 2025, the National Legal Services Authority announced Justice Surya Kant as the new Executive Chairman, effective 14th May. Nominated by President Droupadi Murmu, he succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai. Justice Kant is recognized for advocating legal aid and reforms, aiming to enhance access to justice for the disadvantaged in India.
At the Western Regional Conference, Justice BR Gavai emphasized the need for citizens to understand their constitutional rights for effective enforcement. He highlighted NALSA’s commitment to providing legal aid and supporting marginalized groups, including efforts to reduce prison overcrowding. Justice Surya Kant reiterated that justice is a fundamental right, not charity.
Justice Rajesh Bindal, born on April 16, 1961, in Ambala, Haryana, assumed office as a Supreme Court judge on February 13, 2023. He previously served at the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Jammu & Kashmir High Court, and Calcutta High Court, and as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. He will retire on April 15, 2027, after a distinguished career.
Justice CT Ravikumar, born on January 6, 1960, became a Supreme Court Judge on August 31, 2021, after over two decades in legal practice. Notably, he authored 39 judgments and emphasized child welfare in custody cases and clarified legal procedural amendments. His retirement is set for January 5, 2025.
