The Supreme Court addressed gender discrimination faced by elected women representatives, particularly regarding the arbitrary removal of a female Sarpanch in rural areas. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted entrenched biases and systemic prejudice against women, calling for urgent reform and emphasizing the need for empowering female leadership in governance.
The Kerala High Court ruled that religious sites cannot be obstructed solely due to opposition from another community, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom in a democratic society. The court annulled a previous denial for a Muslim prayer hall, stating that minor objections do not justify restricting constitutional rights under Articles 25 and 26.
The Supreme Court on Friday (Oct 18) sought the response of the Punjab government and the State’s Election Commission to a plea alleging irregularities in the recent panchayat polls in the State. Bench directed that the replies be filed in four weeks.The panchayat polls in the State were held on October 15. Earlier on October 15, the top court had declined to stay the polls after noting that the polling had already commenced.
The Supreme Court reiterated that judgments by Constitution Benches are binding on smaller benches, ensuring consistent judicial rulings. A recent ruling emphasized the need to follow precedents, annulling a decision that contradicted a previous Constitution bench judgment. This upholds the hierarchical structure of the judiciary and ensures uniform application of constitutional principles.