The Supreme Court granted NewsClick a one-week protection from any coercive action over a tax demand. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, however, rejected a writ petition filed by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd. The petition was filed directly under Article 32 of the Constitution. The court’s decision provides temporary relief but does not settle the tax dispute.
Mumbai: Supreme Court Judge Abhay Oka has strongly criticized the Maharashtra government for not providing basic infrastructure to the judiciary. He pointed out that the situation in neighboring Karnataka is very different. Justice Oka, who was earlier a judge in the Bombay High Court and later the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court, made these remarks at the Ashok Desai Memorial Lecture.
Today, On 13rd February, The Supreme Court denied bail to the accused in the 2020 Bengaluru riots case, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court directed the Karnataka government to establish additional special UAPA courts to expedite trials and reduce judicial backlog. This move aims to ensure swift justice and address delays in handling cases related to public safety and national security.
The Delhi Police opposed bail pleas from Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, arguing trial delays stemmed from the accused, not the prosecution. The prosecution stressed that national security and the gravity of the case, involving 53 fatalities during riots, outweighed the right to a speedy trial. Further hearings are set for February 2025.
NEW DELHI: On February 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of India postponed the hearing on the bail pleas of advocate Surendra Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap, who were arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. The bench, consisting of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, also deferred the hearing on a petition filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut by the Bombay High Court.
Today, On 4th February, The Delhi High Court sought clarification from the Supreme Court on who will hear Engineer Rashid’s bail plea. Rashid, who was arrested in 2019, is currently in jail facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a terror funding case. The legal proceedings have raised jurisdictional questions regarding his bail application. The court’s decision will determine the next course of action in his case.
The Delhi High Court tribunal upheld the five-year extension of the ban on Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), citing its continued subversive activities. The group, founded by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued threats to top Indian officials and attempted to incite violence. Authorities highlighted SFJ’s use of social media to spread separatist propaganda. The extension aims to stop its influence and maintain national security.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated that high courts are capable of handling UAPA challenges initially. He emphasized that the Supreme Court should not be the first forum for such cases. The bench advised petitioners to approach the respective high courts before seeking intervention from the apex court. This decision reinforces the legal process and judicial hierarchy in handling UAPA cases.
Today, On 14th January, The Delhi High Court heard Tahir Hussain’s plea seeking interim bail to contest the upcoming assembly elections. The police opposed the plea, arguing that the right to contest elections is not a fundamental right. Hussain is accused of being the mastermind and funder of the Delhi riots. The High Court has reserved its decision on the matter.