The Supreme Court of India has postponed the hearing on PILs seeking RTI coverage for major political parties, aimed at enhancing transparency and limiting black money in elections. The case will now be reconsidered on May 15. Advocates argue this could reshape political accountability in India’s electoral system.
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.
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leaders have approached the Supreme Court. They have filed a petition requesting that the Election Commission of India (ECI) be directed to upload Form 17C on its official website immediately after polling concludes.Form 17C provides important details about the number of votes cast at each polling station. The public interest litigation (PIL) also seeks an urgent interim order from the Supreme Court, directing the Election Commission to upload Form 17C for the upcoming Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 and all future elections without delay.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna emphasized that an anti-corruption mediator, like the Lokpal, must work closely with agencies such as the Central Vigilance Commission. This coordination is essential to effectively address corruption and safeguard public systems. He stressed that collaboration strengthens accountability and enhances trust in institutions. Public faith, he noted, is crucial for the success of such efforts.
The Allahabad High Court, recognizing flaws in the 2022 UPPSC Judicial Services Examination, appointed a commission led by Justice Govind Mathur to reform the evaluation process. The commission will report by May 31, 2025, addressing issues like lack of standardized marking and procedural lapses that undermine the UPPSC’s credibility and public trust.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Narasimha emphasized the need to keep India’s constitutional institutions free from political influence. Speaking at the Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture at NLSIU, Bengaluru, he highlighted the importance of protecting the integrity of these institutions. He explained that staying neutral is crucial for these bodies to uphold the Constitution and serve the public fairly.
The Central Information Commission ordered the Supreme Court’s PIO to disclose the number of corruption complaints against Justice T Raja but denied requests for details on actions taken. This ruling balances the need for transparency with privacy concerns, as the information on actions was deemed personal and exempt under the RTI Act.
The Allahabad High Court is investigating a candidate’s claim of tampered answer sheets in the UP Civil Judge Exam. UPPSC assured the court of a thorough investigation and promised to present the papers with findings. The court scheduled the next hearing for July 1, directing all six subject answer sheets to be shown to the petitioner.
A recent RTI query revealed that 51.64% of candidates failed to pass India’s Bar Examination, highlighting challenges faced by law aspirants. The Bar Council of India cited exam frequency issues due to COVID-19. Critics suggest a need to enhance legal education to meet practical demands, sparking debate on maintaining rigorous standards while ensuring fair access to the legal profession.
Today (15th May): The Delhi High Court has asked a former CVO of AIIMS to respond to the CBI’s appeal on alleged corruption at the trauma center. The officer has four weeks to file a counter-affidavit. The court will hear the matter on July 29. The CBI argues that disclosing investigation details could jeopardize public interest and informants’ safety.
