Prashant Bhushan

The Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the 2023 law on appointing Election Commissioners, which replaced the CJI with a Union minister on the selection panel. Petitioners argued the law undermines the Election Commission's autonomy and was passed with minimal debate due to MP suspensions. The court questioned its power to direct Parliament on lawmaking.

The Supreme Court emphasized its reluctance to direct arrests, prioritizing evidence collection and witness protection. While monitoring investigations, the bench declined to comment on the merits of the Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) case, citing past collateral damage to reputations. The CBI has filed nine FIRs totaling Rs 27,337 crore against ADAG entities.

A PIL petitioner has informed the Supreme Court that while officials of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) companies are being arrested, the main perpetrator in the alleged Rs 40,000 crore loan siphoning case remains untouched. The Solicitor General cited new facts for probe delays.

Seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs have officially merged with the BJP, reducing Arvind Kejriwal's party to three members in the Upper House. Congress alleges AAP is a 'party of billionaires' and a BJP proxy, questioning the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats based on money rather than principles.

Raghav Chadha's defection from AAP to BJP, along with six other Rajya Sabha members, significantly weakens the party's parliamentary strength and national positioning. This move, which qualifies as a merger under anti-defection rules, erodes AAP's credibility and its ability to represent Punjab's interests nationally, potentially impacting upcoming elections.

Economist Parakala Prabhakar decried Bengal's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as 'bloodless political genocide,' alleging it disenfranchises citizens and creates two classes: voters and non-voters. Concerns were raised by legal experts and activists about targeted deletions, particularly of Muslim voters, due to 'logical discrepancies.' They urged the Supreme Court to intervene and restore voting rights.

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and states on a PIL demanding a higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers to cover production costs and prevent suicides. Petitioners argue that current MSPs are insufficient, citing the M S Swaminathan Commission's recommendations and the impact of free ration schemes on agricultural markets.

The Supreme Court has expressed strong disapproval of probe agencies' perceived hesitation in investigating Anil Ambani's ADAG group for alleged Rs 40,000 crore loan fraud. Directing CBI and ED to expedite a coordinated inquiry, the court emphasized transparency and fairness. Fresh status reports are mandated within four weeks, with the court urging action against all involved in irregular loan sanctions.

Ahead of the Supreme Court’s hearing on Tuesday to determine the quantum of sentence after finding Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt for “false and malicious” tweets, the activist-advocate on Monday again refused to apologise and told the apex court that his “contemptuous” remarks were meant to arrest the court’s drift from its role as protector of people’s rights.

The Supreme Court on Monday imposed a fine of Re 1 against activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan in the contempt case against him. He has been held guilty of tweets against the judiciary. The press conference by four SC Judges in January 2018 was wrong. "Judges are not supposed to hold a press conference," the SC said.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant recused himself from hearing petitions challenging the 2023 law on appointing election commissioners, citing a conflict of interest. The law removed the CJI from the selection panel, a change stemming from a previous Supreme Court ruling. The matter will now be heard by a bench without a prospective CJI.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Thursday questioned the "unseemly hurry" behind the execution of Yakub Memon saying no time was given to the 1993 Mumbai blasts convict to challenge the rejection of his mercy petition.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its decision on the quantum of punishment for Prashant Bhushan, convicted of contempt of court, after giving vent to its anguish over Bhushan's repeated contemptuous remarks even as attorney general KK Venugopal suggested letting him off with a warning while counsel Rajeev Dhawan asked if Bhushan is never supposed to criticize SC again.

"AAP has become a khap panchayat with one leader. There is a dictator in AAP and everybody has to follow him," Prashant Bhushan said.

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan's regret for his 2009 statement that half of 16 former CJIs were corrupt. The SC on Monday said further hearing was required in the 2009 criminal contempt case against activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan and journalist Tarun Tejpal.

Dissident Aam Aadmi Party leader Prashant Bhushan on Monday delivered a stinging reply to the show-cause notice issued to him by the party's national disciplinary committee.

Prashant Bhushan said the IB was a "hatchet'' organization being used by the government to push its "development agenda".

The Centre on Monday defended its stand to issue limited validity passport to advocate and Aam Aadmi Party member Prashant Bhushan, saying he has criminal cases pending against him.

From note-taker in the Emergency case to dogged crusader, TOI charts the career of the activist-lawyer against whom the SC today imposed a fine of Re 1 fine for committing contempt of court