The Supreme Court Today directed the Centre to respond within three weeks to applications seeking a suspension of the CAA-Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The bench, led by CJI Chandrachud, scheduled the next hearing for April 9. The Rules relate to the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which has been the subject of numerous legal challenges since its passage in 2019.
The Central government Today requested additional time from the Supreme Court to prepare a response to applications seeking a suspension of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court of the need for more time to address the 20 applications until the court resolves the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the CAA – Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
The Supreme Court of India emphasized the right to dissent and freedom of speech, stating that criticizing government actions is not a crime. The court urged law enforcement agencies to understand and respect citizens’ rights to express dissent, stressing the need to evaluate statements based on their impact on reasonable individuals, rather than hypersensitive interpretations.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has filed a contempt petition Today against the State Bank of India (SBI) for seeking an extension to disclose electoral bond details. This defiance of Supreme Court’s order and the ensuing legal battle reflects the struggle for transparency in political funding, with far-reaching implications for India’s political and financial systems.
Rahul Gandhi Robber | The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) instructed Aaj Tak to remove a fictional video portraying Rahul Gandhi as a robber and cautioned against similar content in the future. The directive followed a complaint by the Indian Youth Congress president, alleging malicious intent to tarnish Gandhi’s reputation. Aaj Tak argued that the story was based on tweets from Priyanka Gandhi.
One Nation, One Election | The Law Commission, led by Justice (retired) Ritu Raj Awasthi, is set to propose a constitutional amendment for ‘one nation, one election,’ aiming for simultaneous Lok Sabha, state assembly, and local body polls by mid-2029. The proposal includes synchronization of legislative terms and the formation of a “common electoral roll” for seamless integration of the polls.
PM Modi and leaders across India mourn the loss of eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman at 95. Recognized for his legal brilliance and integrity, Nariman’s legacy spans landmark cases, legal association leadership, and legislative membership. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the legal fraternity, though his inspiring contributions will endure for generations.
Prime Minister Modi criticized the Supreme Court, suggesting that even a revered figure like Lord Krishna could be accused of corruption in today’s world. This comes after the Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bonds scheme, citing violations of citizens’ right to information and potential quid pro quo arrangements. The Court mandated immediate disclosure of donation details and cessation of electoral bond issuance.
The Gujarat High Court dismissed a defamation case filed by Gujarat University against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh related to comments about PM Modi’s academic degrees. This ruling follows a series of legal battles involving privacy rights, freedom of speech, and the role of educational institutions in certifying leaders’ credentials, drawing public attention and scrutiny.
The Delhi High Court’s recent ruling declared that retweeting defamatory content constitutes an act of defamation. The decision in the case involving Arvind Kejriwal and Dhruv Rathee sets a precedent for online behavior and accountability of public figures, emphasizing the need for caution and responsibility in social media interactions.