The Orissa High Court held that the Odisha Information Commission acted unjustifiably by restricting a litigant to only 12 RTI applications per year. It ruled that the Commission cannot limit the number of RTIs a citizen can file in a year.
The Bombay High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking an investigation into Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Ajit Pawar over alleged illegal permissions for the Lavasa project. The court ruled that no case was made out against the leaders.
The Supreme Court questioned the Centre and States over huge vacancies and massive pendency in Information Commissions, calling for urgent action. Prashant Bhushan criticised repeated delays, warning that the Right to Information system is collapsing.
Today, On 8th September, The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a plea filed by the grandson of Gopal Patha seeking to stay the release of The Bengal Files movie. The court refused to interfere, clearing the way for its release.
The Delhi High Court has set aside the CIC’s 2017 order directing Delhi University to disclose PM Modi’s 1978 BA degree records. Justice Sachin Datta upheld DU’s appeal citing privacy over political interest.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who served on over 480 benches, delivered significant rulings on crucial legal and social issues, including the RTI, Waqf Amendment Act, and Article 370, shaping India’s judicial landscape.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to include political parties under the Right to Information (RTI) Act will be heard tomorrow. The petitioner argues that transparency in political funding is essential for democracy. The case aims to compel parties to disclose financial details and enhance accountability, potentially transforming Indian political practices.
Yesterday, On 22nd October, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, agreed to hear a petition for adopting hybrid mode hearings in family courts across India. The petition highlights delays in case resolutions affecting women and children, advocating for timely justice through a combination of virtual and physical appearances, addressing logistical challenges.
The State Bank of India (SBI) refused to disclose legal fees paid to Senior Advocate Harish Salve in the Electoral Bond Case, citing RTI Act sections 8(1)(e) and (j). The refusal led to concerns about transparency and accountability in financial transactions linked to significant legal matters. Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench instructed SBI to reveal all details related to Electoral Bonds, including purchasers’ names and purchase dates, due to concerns about transparency and accountability.
“If not for giving representation to Scheduled Castes, I would have been elevated maybe two years later,” : Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai emphasized the role of reservation and affirmative action in elevating marginalized individuals in India’s government. He credited his own advancement to these principles and highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in the judiciary. Justice Gavai also addressed challenges such as media manipulation and emphasized the CJI’s duty to provide equal leadership.
