Supreme Court Weekly Digest April 16 - 24, 2026

Administrative Law — State Liability and Governance Failure — Supreme Court criticized the "lackadaisical approach" and "systemic failure" of the state machineries in preventing illegal mining - held that a State cannot plead helplessness due to inadequate equipment or weaponry to justify inaction against organized crime - Personal accountability was fixed on officials for any...

Sedition | Courts Can Proceed With Trials/Appeals Involving S.124A IPC If Accused Doesn't Object : Supreme Court Clarifies

The Supreme Court on Thursday clarified that Courts can proceed with trials or appeals relating to the offence of sedition (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code) if the accused has no objection to it.The Court clarified that its May 2022 order passed in the SG Vombatkere case, which, while keeping the erstwhile sedition law in abeyance, had also stayed all trials and proceedings relating...

'One HC Judge Had To Sit Till 7 PM To Hear SC-Expedited Case' : CJI Says Routine Directions Can't Be Issued To Fast-Track Hearing

Prioritizing one case comes at the cost of other matters, Chief Justice Surya Kant stated.

'Have Requested All HC Chief Justices To Allow Virtual Hearings; Issuing Judicial Directions Inappropriate': CJI Surya Kant

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed reluctance to entertain a petition seeking directions to allow virtual hearings in all Delhi Courts as a measure to cut fuel consumption.When a counsel orally mentioned the petition for urgent listing, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed that it was not a matter to be taken up on the judicial side. The CJI also revealed that he has already...

Crime Scene Re-Enactment Won't Violate Right Against Self Incrimination In All Situations: Supreme Court

Unless the accused is led to disclose incriminating acts, a crime scene re-enactment won't be hit by Article 20(3) or Sections 25, 26 of the Evidence Act.

'There Are Serious Issues' : Supreme Court Refuses To Modify Order Halting Vote-Counting Of Delhi Bar Council Elections

The Court allowed the parties to seek urgent hearing before the Delhi High Court for interim relief.

Supreme Court Acquits Sri Lankan National In UAPA Case As He Was Wrongly Identified As Absconding Accused Linked To LTTE

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 20) set aside the conviction of a Sri Lankan national in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, after finding that he had been wrongly identified as another prime accused person who continued to remain absconding in connection with the offence. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Justice Vijay Bishnoi set aside...

Supreme Court Questions 'Shocking' Rule Allowing Nursing Colleges 30 Km Away From ICU Hospitals; Issues Directions To Improve ICUs

The Court also suggested that States explore the option of getting CSR funds to upgrade ICU and ambulance facilities.

Bar Council Elections: BCI Seeks Supreme Court's Permission To Co-opt Women Candidates Who Were Eliminated At Last

The Bar Council of India has filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking approval for the proposal on 10% women's representation in State Bar Councils (beyond the 20% elected women members) through co-option of the highest-polling women candidates in the state bar council elections. The BCI has proposed that the women candidates who narrowly missed election in the State Bar Council polls...

Over 2 Lakh Dog Bite Cases In Tamil Nadu And Karnataka In 2026: Supreme Court Flags “Alarming” Dog Bite Statistics Across India

The Court criticised states and UTs, observing that prolonged inaction of authorities aggravated the problem to "deeply disturbing proportions".

Supreme Court Quarterly Digest 2026 - Negotiable Instruments Act

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Supreme Court Quarterly Digest Jan - Mar, 2026Section 138 and 142(1)(b) - The Supreme Court set aside an order of the Karnataka High Court that had treated the sequence of condoning delay and taking cognizance as interchangeable or a "curable irregularity" – Noted that under the proviso to Section 142(1)(b) of the NI Act, the power to take cognizance of...

'No New Dams In Uttarakhand's Upper River Ganga Basin; Only Ongoing 7 Hydel Projects Will Be Allowed': Union To Supreme Court

In a 2013 case pertaining to Hydro Electric Projects, the Union of India has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court suggesting that only 7 Hydel Electricity Projects (commissioned/ongoing) be permitted to proceed and no other new projects be undertaken in the upper reaches of the river basin in State of Uttarakhand.Of the 7 projects that are suggested to be allowed to proceed, 4 are...