Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) And Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Monthly Digest: January 2026

SUPREME COURT Supreme Court To Examine If UP Gangsters Act Is Repugnant To Section 111 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Case Details: SIRAJ AHMAD KHAN & ANR. v. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.|Writ Petition (Criminal) No.452/2024 The Supreme Court recently asked the State of Uttar Pradesh to respond to the issue of repugnancy between various provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters...

“Widen Law, Make It More Intelligible”: CJI Urges Young Graduates To Keep Law Accessible

At the Eighteenth Convocation Ceremony of National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur on February 21, 2026, the Chief Justice of India urged graduating law students to ensure that the legal system becomes more accessible and understandable, cautioning against allowing law to become an exclusive domain guarded by complexity and jargon.Delivering the convocation address titled “From Fortress to...

Supreme Court Dismisses Uttarakhand Forest Officer's Plea Against Prosecution Sanction In Corbett Park Tree Felling Case

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a writ petition filed by an Indian Forest Officer serving in Uttarakhand, named Rahul, challenging the sanction granted for prosecuting him in the case related to illegal razing of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The case is being investigated by the CBI under the Court's monitoring.The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and...

After Supreme Court's Criticism, UP Police Agree To Add Hate Crime Offences In Case Of Attack On Muslim Cleric

After Supreme Court's critical observations in the case, the Uttar Pradesh Police has agreed to investigate hate crime offenses in the matter of Kazeem Ahmad Sherwani, a Noida-based Muslim cleric, stated to have been attacked in 2021 by a group over his religious identity.A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was recently informed of the development by Additional Solicitor General...

Amicus Urges Supreme Court To Revise Draft Criminal Practice Rules In Light Of BNSS, BSA Changes

In the long-pending suo motu matter concerning deficiencies in criminal trials, the Supreme Court is set to consider a comprehensive compilation filed by Amicus Curiae Sidharth Luthra, seeking adoption of revised Draft Rules of Criminal Practice, 2026, in supersession of the 2021 framework.The suo motu case, titled In Re: To Issue Certain Guidelines Regarding Inadequacies and Deficiencies...

Supreme Court Asks Madhya Pradesh High Court To Decide Challenge To 27% OBC Quota In 3 Months

The Supreme Court recently remanded a batch of appeals challenging the Madhya Pradesh Government's 27% reservation for the Other Backwards Classes(OBC) to the Madhya Pradesh High Court.The petitions challenge the 2019 Act which raised the reservation for OBCs in services to 27% from 14%.Since Scheduled Castes have 16% and Scheduled Tribes have 20% reservation in MP, raising the OBC reservation...

Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Against Bombay HC View That Magistrate Can't Order Takedown Of Online Content Under S. 69 IT Act

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea against the Bombay High Court's prima facie observation that a Magistrate has no jurisdiction to direct removal or blocking of online content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.The High Court had made this...

Offences Under Chapter IV Of Drugs And Cosmetics Act Triable Only By Sessions Court, Not Magistrate: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that offences relating to manufacture and sale of drugs under Chapter IV of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 cannot be tried by a Magistrate and must be tried by a Court not inferior to a Sessions Court.A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi observed –“Now, Section 32(2) specifically provides that no Court inferior to that of a Court...

From Being Forgotten To Being Found: Balancing Digital Reputation With Right To Information & Freedom Of Press

The Right to be Forgotten has rapidly gained currency with the advent of technology and personal data protection. Rooted in individual privacy and dignity, it allows individuals to seek removal or de-indexing of personal information that is outdated, or perhaps disproportionately harmful.India, following the recognition of right to privacy as a fundamental right by a 9-judge bench of the...

Supreme Court Issues Directions For Proper Enforcement Of Solid Waste Management Rules 2026

The Supreme Court recently issued a comprehensive set of directions across the country for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules(SWM Rules), 2026, which is set to come into force from April 1, 2026. It flagged the lack of compliance with the 2016 rules, particularly segregation of waste into wet, dry, and hazardous waste, in urban and rural areas and active massive...

Cooperation With Investigation Doesn't Mean Self Incrimination: Supreme Court Grants Bail Despite Refusal To Surrender Mobile

The Supreme Court recently granted anticipatory bail to one Vinay Kumar Gupta in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, despite not surrendering his mobile phone to police.A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K Vinod Chandran observed that cooperation with investigation does not extend to violation of the constitutional right...

Sabarimala Gold Theft: Kerala Court Grants Statutory Bail To Former Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar In Doorframe Case

The Court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Kollam on Friday (20 February) granted bail to 8th accused and former Travancore Devaswom Board President, A. Padmakumar, in the case relating to the misappropriation of gold from the doorframes of the Sreekovil of Sabarimala temple.Dr. Mohit C S, Special Judge, passed the order granting him statutory bail since the Special...