NEW DELHI: Today (9th April): The Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a liquor case, deeming it valid. The court found sufficient evidence of hawala transactions and statements, dismissing his claims of political motivation. The decision sets a precedent for accountability of public officials.
The Indian government approved printing Rs 10,000 crore worth of electoral bonds just before the Supreme Court scrapped the scheme as unconstitutional. The approval and subsequent printing, handled by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, sparked discussions on the transparency of political financing. Following the ruling, the Finance Ministry directed the State Bank of India to cease printing remaining electoral bonds. The scheme’s anonymity has divided opinions on political donation transparency in India.
“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.
Today (27th March): Former Finance Secretary Subhash Garg criticized the State Bank of India for compromising the anonymity of electoral bond purchases. He highlighted that the recording of alphanumeric codes goes against the scheme’s intent. The Supreme Court’s involvement revealed connections between bond buyers and political parties, leading to doubts about transparency. Garg urges the Election Commission of India to ensure complete transparency.
On Tuesday (26th March): Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai highlighted the integral relationship between the right to free speech and the right to information, especially in the context of elections and the Electoral Bonds case. Emphasizing the evolution from colonialism to democracy, he reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to upholding constitutional values and encouraging citizen participation.
The Supreme Court’s recent invalidation of the electoral bonds scheme highlights the balance between privacy and transparency in political funding. The decision emphasizes the crucial role of judicial review in safeguarding fundamental rights and underscores the significance of public access to information about political contributions. This ruling signifies the evolving nature of law and democracy.
Today (22nd March) The Supreme Court set guidelines for Lokayukta appointments, emphasizing the need for meaningful consultation with opposition leaders. This follows a plea contesting the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta’s appointment without Leader of the Opposition consultation. The court aims to ensure transparency and statutory compliance in such appointments nationwide. The plea challenges the appointment’s transparency and demands its annulment.
Today (20th March): The Allahabad High Court demanded explanations for withholding annuities for nine temples in Vrindavan, emphasizing the automatic transfer of funds to temple accounts at the start of each financial year. Concerned about bureaucratic delays, the court rebuked the need for legal intervention and summoned officials to ensure timely disbursement.
On 18th March: The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notices to the Central and Haryana governments following a petition challenging the appointment of Nayab Singh Saini as Chief Minister. The petition questions Saini’s eligibility and the legitimacy of other ministers. The court has scheduled a hearing for April 30 to address these concerns.
Today (18th March): During the hearing, advocate Mathews Nedumpara claimed that the citizens were unaware of the entire judgment in the Electoral Bond case. NEW DELHI: Today (March 18th): During the hearing concerning the Electoral Bond case, a heated verbal exchange between Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and advocate Mathews Nedumpara, creating waves on social media. […]