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Supreme Court Approves Environment Compensation Charge Hike For Commercial Vehicles Entering Delhi, Mandates 5% Annual Increase
The Supreme Court has approved a proposal to enhance the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) on commercial vehicles entering Delhi, while mandating a 5% annual increase to maintain its deterrent effect against pollution. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, by order passed on 12/03/2026, but uploaded today, approved the recommendations submitted by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to revise ECC rates with effect...
Clause Saying 'Can Be Settled By Arbitration' Does Not Create Mandate To Arbitrate : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Friday (April 17) held that an arbitration clause employing the word “can” does not constitute a binding arbitration agreement. A bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh dismissed an appeal filed against the Bombay High Court's decision, which held that Clause 25 of the Bill of Lading containing the arbitration agreement lacked the essential attributes of a valid arbitration agreement as it stated that the dispute 'can be settled by arbitration'. “…the...
Lok Sabha Rejects Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill 2026 To Increase Seats; Centre Withdraws Delimitation Bill
The Lok Sabha today rejected the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by the Union Government, which seeks to expand the strength of the House and revise the framework governing delimitation and implementation of women's reservation.While 298 members present out of 528 members present and voting approved the Bill, 230 members voted against it. Thus, the Bill failed to procure the 2/3rd majority required for the passing of a Constitution Amendment...
Reform Before Uniformity: Case For Repairing Personal Laws Rather Than Replacing Them
The recent proceedings before the Supreme Court of India, seeking the Union's response to a challenge against aspects of Muslim inheritance law as discriminatory to women, have predictably reignited the call for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The instinct is familiar: when confronted with inequity within a system, replace the system altogether. When the Court expressed a poignant concern: that merely striking down the 1937 Act might create a "legal vacuum," leaving Muslim women without the...
Allahabad High Court Orders FIR Against LoP Rahul Gandhi On Plea Alleging British Citizenship
In a significant order, the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) today directed the lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) and investigation against the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in connection with a BJP Worker's petition over his alleged British Citizenship.A bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi thus set aside an order of a Lucknow Court refusing to order an FIR against Gandhi. A detailed order of the High Court is awaited.It may be noted that in...
Landlord's Bona Fide Need To Be Assessed As On Date Of Eviction Petition Unless Subsequent Events Cause Material Change : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has reiterated that in eviction petitions, the adjudication of a landlord's bona fide need must ordinarily be assessed as on the date when the eviction suit was filed, unless a subsequent event materially changes the ground of relief. Applying this principle, the Court remanded a 31-year-old eviction dispute to the Trial Court for fresh consideration.A Bench of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar set aside the Bombay High Court's order dismissing the landlord's...
Supreme Court Issues Notice On CBI's Appeal Against Acquittal Of 4 Kerala Policemen In Udayakumar Custodial Death Case
The Supreme Court today issued notice on a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging a judgment of the Kerala High Court which set aside the convictions and acquitted all accused in the 2005 Udayakumar custodial death case.A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice returnable on 19th May on CBI's SLP against four former police personnel who were tried in the case – Jitha Kumar K, T Ajith Kumar, EK Sabu and TK Haridas.The case concerns the...
Supreme Court Declines Congress Leader Pawan Khera's Plea To Extend Transit Anticipatory Bail In Assam FIR
The Supreme Court on Friday (April 17) declined Congress leader Pawan Khera's plea to vacate the stay imposed by it on the transit anticipatory bail granted to him by the Telangana High Court in the forgery and criminal conspiracy case lodged by the Assam Police on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.The Court also turned down Khera's plea to extend the transit bail till next Tuesday so that he can approach the Assam Court on Monday. The bench comprising Justice JK...
Plaint Can't Be Rejected Under Order VII Rule 11 As Barred Under Order II Rule 2 CPC : Supreme Court
In a significant clarification regarding the Code of Civil Procedure, the Supreme Court has held that a plaint cannot be rejected under Order VII Rule 11 CPC on the ground that the suit is barred by Order II Rule 2 CPC. The Court observed that while deciding an application for rejection of plaint, the inquiry must be confined strictly to the averments made in the plaint. It is impermissible for courts at this stage to undertake a detailed comparison of pleadings or examine whether a subsequent...