Rasik Chandra Mandal, a 104-year-old man serving a life sentence for a 1988 murder, was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court after years of unsuccessful appeals. His case, prompted by his advanced age and health concerns, will continue to be reviewed by the trial court under specific conditions.
The Supreme Court emphasised that the State instrumentalities have the duty to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting, as effectively as it may, a social order, in which justice – social, economic, and political – shall inform all the institutions of national life and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities. The Bench observed, “An underlying current throughout the Constitution is the theme of “social justice”.
The Supreme Court criticized a petitioner for suppressing crucial information in her remission plea. The court highlighted the need for transparency, noting that the petitioner failed to disclose an order from the Delhi High Court. Stringent action, potentially under the Contempt of Courts Act, may be pursued for this conduct.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) penned a detailed letter on November 29 addressing the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna raising critical concerns regarding the current practices of issuing hearing sequences and granting passovers. This letter sheds light on the operational challenges faced by advocates, clerks, and other stakeholders in the Supreme Court.
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Srishti Tuli, a 25-year-old Air India pilot, allegedly committed suicide in her Marol flat on November 25. Her boyfriend, Aditya Pandit, 27, was arrested the following day for abetment. The police are investigating deleted WhatsApp messages that may reveal critical insights, following accusations of harassment against Pandit.
The Supreme Court clarified that it does not have the authority to set speed limits on roads, leaving this task to government experts. It overturned a Madras High Court decision that reduced a speed limit and emphasized that courts cannot change speed regulations in response to accidents. Speed limits are defined by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and MoRTH guidelines.
The Supreme Court ruled that candidates cannot be denied experience marks for working as outsourced personnel if their duties match those of a sanctioned post. The decision upheld a High Court ruling favoring a respondent’s experience claims, emphasizing equality and relevance in the selection process, irrespective of employment status.
The Allahabad High Court has summoned Prayagraj Police Commissioner Tarun Gauba over a contempt petition concerning non-compliance with court orders related to a delayed FIR. The case involves allegations against police officials following a complaint of a fatal attack. Further proceedings are set for December 10 to discuss accountability measures.
Bapu Solanki was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau for attempting to bribe labour court judge HA Maka with Rs 35,000 during a hearing. He placed a sealed cover on the judge’s table, claiming ignorance of its contents. The investigation is ongoing. Separately, police inspector Dinesh Kubavat was also arrested for demanding a bribe.
On November 29, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, designated Raghavendra P Shankar as Senior Advocate. This recognition follows his appointment as Assistant Solicitor General in September 2024 and highlights his professional expertise and contributions to the legal field, marking a significant achievement in his career.