Nagarathna

Constitutional courts should be extremely reluctant to alter religious practices, a nine-judge Supreme Court bench cautioned. Only the will of the people, expressed through elected representatives in Parliament and assemblies, can bring about reforms in religious customs. The court emphasized that it's impossible to scrutinize every religious practice.

While hearing allegations of custodial torture, the bench clarified that it was not willing to accept a video conference appearance despite the state counsel’s offer to do so

SC Asks Police To Produce Aditya Anand, Rupesh Roy After Plea Claims Custodial Torture

A rationalist group presented a novel argument in the Supreme Court. They stated Article 25 of the Constitution permits individuals to change their religious affiliation throughout the day. This interpretation sparked debate among the judges. The court considered the implications of such freedom on religious practices and traditions. The discussion highlighted the balance between individual conscience and established religious customs.

The Centre argued before the Supreme Court that Article 25(1) on religious freedom doesn't mandate gender equality, as Articles 15 and 16 already prohibit sex discrimination. It urged courts to avoid interfering in religious practices, stating only the legislature can enact social reforms through broad discussions. The bench reserved its verdict.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court underscored the primacy of bail, regardless of UAPA constraints, asserting that personal freedom must not be persistently restricted. By referencing the KA Najeeb case, the justices highlighted that extended detention without trial contravenes constitutional principles, challenging previous judgments that had sidestepped this fundamental right.

Advocating a hands-off approach for courts in religious matters, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that social reform can only be undertaken by the legislature

A Supreme Court bench has said that a woman’s choice needs to put first in all cases where she is seeking an abortion beyond the limit specified by law

Actor-politician Vijay's TVK party emerged as the single-largest force in Tamil Nadu, winning 108 seats. Despite this, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has paused an invitation to form the government, citing an "unestablished majority." This has triggered a constitutional showdown, with legal experts debating the governor's discretionary powers and the necessity of a floor test before an invitation.

The Supreme Court refused to postpone hearings on petitions challenging the 2023 law for appointing election commissioners, deeming the matter "more important than any other matter." The court allowed petitioners to begin arguments, emphasizing the significance of the case over other ongoing constitutional benches.

The Supreme Court urged the Centre to consider amending laws to allow rape survivors to terminate pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, emphasizing no time limit in such cases. The bench highlighted the lifelong trauma for a child survivor and the need for the decision to rest with the survivor and her parents, with AIIMS offering counsel.