– Online Speech and Article 19(1)(a) Background of the Case Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 criminalised the sending of “Grossly offensive”, “Menacing”, “Annoying” messages through Computers, Mobile phones, Other electronic communication devices The provision: The constitutionality of this section was challenged in Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme…
– Rights of Transgender Persons Background of the Case Transgender persons in India—including Hijras and Eunuchs—had historically faced:→ Social exclusion and stigma→ Lack of legal recognition of gender identity→ Systematic denial of education, employment, healthcare, and dignity The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) filed a petition seeking:→ Legal recognition of transgender identity→ Enforcement of Fundamental…
– Civil Service Reforms and Administrative Neutrality Background of the Case Senior civil servants, including T.S.R. Subramanian, approached the Supreme Court highlighting: Despite repeated committee recommendations (e.g., Hota Committee), meaningful reforms had not been implemented. Core Governance Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court issued mandatory directions to the Union, States, and Union Territories to…
– Immediate Disqualification of Convicted Legislators Background of the Case Under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, persons convicted of certain offences were disqualified from contesting elections. However, Section 8(4) created an exception: This preferential treatment was challenged in Lily Thomas vs. Union of India. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement…
– NOTA and Electoral Expression Background of the Case Under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961—particularly Rules 41(2), 41(3) and 49-O—a voter had the option: However, exercising this option: PUCL challenged these provisions as being: Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a democracy-enriching verdict. (a) Right Not to Vote Is a…
– Passive Euthanasia and Article 21 Background of the Case Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, was assaulted in 1973 and suffered severe brain damage, leaving her in a permanent vegetative state (PVS) for decades. A petition was filed seeking: This brought before the Court the deeply sensitive issue of euthanasia. Core Constitutional…
– Ninth Schedule and Basic Structure Background of the Case Article 31B and the Ninth Schedule were introduced to protect certain laws—initially land reform laws—from being invalidated for violating Fundamental Rights. Over time: Can Parliament place any law beyond judicial review merely by inserting it into the Ninth Schedule? The validity of such immunity, especially…
– Reservation in Promotion for SCs and STs Background of the Case After the Indra Sawhney Case (1992): These were: These amendments were challenged in M. Nagaraj vs. Union of India. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a doctrine-settling verdict. (a) Amendments Held Constitutionally Valid The Court upheld the constitutional validity…
– Police Reforms and Institutional Autonomy Background of the Case Prakash Singh, a former Director General of Police (DGP), filed a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the: The Court noted that: Core Constitutional Concern How can policing be reformed to ensure neutrality, professionalism, and accountability, consistent with democratic governance? Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court issued…
– Right to Fly the National Flag Background of the Case Naveen Jindal, an industrialist and parliamentarian, was prevented by local authorities from flying the National Flag at the factory premises of his company. At that time: Jindal challenged these restrictions before the Supreme Court. Core Constitutional Question Does a citizen have a Fundamental Right…
