The Bombay High Court criticized the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for granting a clean chit to government canteens while cracking down on private eateries. A court-appointed panel of four lawyers found three Mantralaya canteens to be unclean, with broken sewage, drainage issues, and cockroaches/flies, contradicting the FDA's report of 98% compliance. The Bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge, emphasized that the FDA must be "fair, impartial and uniform" in its actions, questioning why a private restaurant received a suspension notice for similar deficiencies while government canteens were declared compliant.
- Bombay High Court criticized Maharashtra FDA for biased action against private eateries versus government canteens.
- A court-appointed panel found Mantralaya canteens to have significant hygiene issues, including broken sewage and pests.
- FDA's report claimed 98% compliance for government canteens, contrasting with the panel's findings.
The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without debate on Friday. This occurred amidst loud protests by the Opposition regarding a police crackdown on student protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The Opposition demanded the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, but the Bill was passed by voice vote. The Bill aims to make delayed registration of births and deaths more stringent, requiring a judicial magistrate's order for registrations done after two years. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed regret over the manner of the Bill's passage.
- The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without debate.
- Opposition MPs protested against a police crackdown on student protesters and demanded the Home Minister's presence.
- The Bill makes delayed registration of births and deaths more stringent, requiring a judicial magistrate's order after two years.
This parley discusses the effectiveness of fast-track courts (FTSCs) in India, particularly in light of the Prime Minister's announcement to set up FTSCs for paper leak cases. Experts Bharat Chugh and Shruthi Naik highlight that FTSCs often redeploy existing judicial resources rather than expanding capacity, leading to backlogs being shifted elsewhere. They emphasize the need for structural reforms, adequate resources (investigators, forensic labs, prosecutors), and procedural fairness, cautioning against rigid timelines. The discussion also touches upon the burden of pending cases, the importance of a robust justice system, and the need for rational criteria for case selection to ensure equality.
- Fast-track courts often redeploy existing judicial resources without expanding overall judicial capacity, shifting backlogs.
- Structural reforms, including adequate resources for investigation, forensics, and prosecution, are crucial for FTSCs to be effective.
- Prescribing rigid timelines for criminal proceedings can compromise the right to a fair trial and procedural fairness.
The Allahabad High Court rebuked the Uttar Pradesh Police for investigating the marriage of consenting adults, stating police have 'no business to be nosy parkers' in such matters. A Division Bench quashed an FIR registered under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against a couple who married willingly after attaining majority. The court emphasized that investigating an adult's free choice of partner and marriage violates fundamental rights under Article 21. It imposed costs on the police and the complainant for siding with the woman's father, reiterating that police should investigate crime, not personal choices.
- The Allahabad High Court criticized Uttar Pradesh Police for investigating marriages of consenting adults.
- The court ruled that police have 'no business to be nosy parkers' in such personal matters.
- Investigating an adult's free choice of partner and marriage violates fundamental rights under Article 21.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid an Opposition walkout. The Bill seeks to amend the 1971 Act, extending punishment for disrespect towards national symbols to include acts causing obstruction in the singing of the National Song, Vande Mataram. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai accused the Congress of appeasement politics for opposing the Bill, emphasizing that Vande Mataram represents India's soul and cultural heritage. The Bill will now proceed to the Lok Sabha for consideration.
- The Rajya Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
- The Bill extends punishment for disrespect to national symbols to include obstruction of Vande Mataram.
- Minister Nityanand Rai stated Vande Mataram represents India's soul and cultural heritage.
The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, amidst Opposition protests concerning alleged police excesses during NEET-UG agitations. The Bill aims to tighten penalties, introduce time-bound investigations (within two months), and fast-track trials for paper leak cases. Union Minister Jitendra Singh denied allegations of firing at students during protests, stating 'utmost restraint' was exercised. The Minister emphasized that the legislation is crucial for safeguarding the integrity of public examinations and protecting students' futures, building on the 2024 anti-paper leak law which has seen a decline in suicides linked to paper leaks.
- The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
- The Bill introduces stricter penalties, time-bound investigations, and fast-track trials for paper leak cases.
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh denied police firing on student protesters, asserting 'utmost restraint.'
Legal experts state that the Centre's assurance regarding no punitive action against student protesters cannot override statutory processes for withdrawing FIRs. They clarified that once an FIR is registered, the investigating agency must either file a closure report if no material is found, or the public prosecutor must seek withdrawal from prosecution, both subject to judicial scrutiny. Former Supreme Court judge Abhay S. Oka emphasized that the Union government cannot give such an assurance on behalf of State governments, as police are under State control. The court's interim order allowed investigations to continue but restrained coercive action against 'protesting students' without criminal antecedents.
- Legal experts assert that the Centre's assurance on no punitive action for protesters cannot bypass statutory FIR withdrawal procedures.
- Once an FIR is registered, it requires either a closure report by the investigating agency or withdrawal by the public prosecutor, both subject to judicial review.
- The Union government cannot unilaterally assure FIR withdrawal for cases under State police jurisdiction.
The proposed FCRA Bill 2026 aims to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, introducing stricter regulations for NGOs and civil society organizations receiving foreign funding. The Bill mandates government approval for foreign contributions, even for non-political entities, and requires a certificate of registration for all recipients. It also proposes a 'deemed cancellation' clause for violations, allowing the government to cancel registration without a hearing. Critics argue that the Bill is overly broad, vague, and grants excessive power to the government, potentially stifling dissent and legitimate social work, especially for organisations working on human rights, health, and education.
- The FCRA Bill 2026 proposes significant amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
- It mandates government approval for all foreign contributions and requires a certificate of registration for recipients.
- The Bill includes a 'deemed cancellation' clause, allowing registration cancellation without a hearing for certain violations.
India abstained from voting on Convention No. 193, 'Decent Work in the Platform Economy', at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, a treaty designed to provide rights for gig workers globally. This convention extends core protections like minimum pay, on-time payment, occupational safety, and social security to platform workers, regardless of their classification. It also addresses algorithmic management, requiring platforms to disclose automated decisions and provide human oversight. India's abstention, despite its own States legislating on gig workers, is seen as a decision to maintain distance from a treaty that millions of workers awaited, potentially reinforcing the classification fiction for aggregators.
- India abstained from voting on ILO Convention No. 193, 'Decent Work in the Platform Economy', a global treaty for gig worker rights.
- The convention aims to provide core protections and address algorithmic management for platform workers.
- India's abstention is criticized for denying a floor of rights to its growing gig workforce, which is projected to reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30.
The Supreme Court quashed a 2021 Office Memorandum (OM) that granted ex post facto environmental clearances to infrastructure projects, stating that the Union government cannot alter protective environmental checks through administrative instructions. The court emphasized that an 'amnesty' measure should be a rare exception, finite in duration, and confined to its class, not a perpetual parallel route. It upheld the power for amnesty schemes but through proper notifications, not administrative orders, to avoid supplanting delegated legislation like the 2006 notification. The ruling has prospective effect, not affecting ongoing projects or past clearances unless individually challenged.
- The Supreme Court quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum (OM) that allowed ex post facto environmental clearances for infrastructure projects.
- The court ruled that the Union government cannot substantially alter environmental checks via administrative instructions, requiring proper notifications for such changes.
- An 'amnesty' measure for environmental clearance must be a rare exception, finite, and class-confined, not a perpetual parallel route.
The Delhi High Court has appointed Girikumar M. Nair, a former Chief General Manager (CGM) of SBI, as the liquidator for Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. This appointment follows the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) cancellation of the bank's banking licence three months prior. As per the court order, the Official Liquidator will exercise powers prescribed under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, to oversee the liquidation process.
- Delhi High Court appointed a liquidator for Paytm Payments Bank Ltd.
- Girikumar M. Nair, former SBI CGM, is the appointed liquidator.
- The appointment follows RBI's cancellation of Paytm Payments Bank's banking licence.
The Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (retd)-led commission, constituted in October 2022 to examine whether Scheduled Caste (SC) status can be accorded to Dalit converts, has yet to submit its report, more than a month after its deadline expired on June 10. Sources indicate that while the report was readied last month, "annexures" are still being compiled, and submission is expected "soon." The government has not issued any notification extending the panel's work deadline.
- Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (retd)-led commission has not yet submitted its report on SC status for Dalit converts.
- The commission's deadline expired on June 10, and no extension has been notified.
- The report examines the feasibility of granting Scheduled Caste status to Dalit converts.
The Bombay High Court will hear Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's plea against Meta, X, Google, and unknown persons on August 5. Gadkari alleges that defamatory deepfake content, falsely linking him to the Centre's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), has been circulated on social media, tarnishing his reputation. He is seeking ₹11 crore in damages. The court has directed Gadkari's advocate to serve copies of the civil suit to all respondents.
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari filed a plea against Meta, X, and Google over deepfake content.
- The deepfake content falsely links him to the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
- Gadkari is seeking ₹11 crore in damages for tarnished reputation.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was debated in the Lok Sabha, with the government hailing it as a "milestone" to protect children's future and the Opposition calling it a "cosmetic exercise." The Bill aims to strengthen the 2024 anti-paper leak law with stricter punishments, including up to 10 years imprisonment and a ₹50 lakh fine, and proposes Special Fast Track Courts for speedy justice. Opposition leaders questioned the need for amendments so soon after the 2024 law, criticized the government's handling of paper leaks, and raised concerns about police action against protesting students.
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was debated in Lok Sabha.
- The Bill proposes stricter punishments (up to 10 years imprisonment, ₹50 lakh fine) and Special Fast Track Courts.
- Government views it as a "milestone" to safeguard students' welfare.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against 13 arrested individuals in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, all currently in judicial custody. The chargesheet invokes provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence, and charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act. The CBI initiated the investigation based on a complaint from the Department of Higher Education regarding irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3.
- CBI filed a chargesheet against 13 accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
- Accused face charges under criminal conspiracy, cheating, and Prevention of Corruption Act, among others.
- The investigation was launched following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education.
The Supreme Court's hearing on petitions concerning police action during NEET-UG protests in Delhi has yet to clarify the extent of communication between the Delhi Police and the Union Home Ministry. A 2012 Supreme Court judgment in the Ramlila Maidan Incident case noted that Delhi Police typically keeps the Home Ministry informed on law and order situations in the capital. Petitioners allege "atrocities" by police, drawing parallels to Jallianwala Bagh. The case highlights concerns about political influence over the police, a recurring issue addressed in the 2006 Prakash Singh case, which cautioned against such influence undermining democracy and rights.
- The Supreme Court is examining police action during NEET-UG protests.
- The extent of communication between Delhi Police and Union Home Ministry during the protests is a key question.
- Previous judgments (Ramlila Maidan Incident, Prakash Singh case) highlighted concerns about political influence on police.
The Supreme Court's intervention regarding police excesses during student protests is crucial, especially its call for an independent probe and release of minors. The editorial highlights the recurring issue of disproportionate force by police during demonstrations, often leading to a breakdown of trust. It emphasizes the need for accountability, transparency, and adherence to constitutional principles guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest. The article also points out the historical context of police violence and the need for reforms to prevent such incidents, stressing that police actions must be proportionate and lawful, not politically motivated.
- The Supreme Court's call for an independent probe into police excesses is a welcome step.
- Disproportionate force by police during protests undermines democratic rights and public trust.
- Accountability and transparency are essential to prevent politically motivated actions by law enforcement.
The Delhi High Court directed the Election Commission (EC) to alleviate the "unbearable" burden of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on schoolteachers. A petition argued that the mass deployment of teachers for SIR duties adversely affected the education of lakhs of students in Delhi. The Bench reiterated that the EC's powers must be exercised in compliance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
- Delhi High Court directed EC to reduce SIR duty burden on schoolteachers.
- Mass deployment of teachers for electoral roll revision impacts student education.
- The court emphasized compliance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The Supreme Court indicated it would consider forming a high-powered investigation team to probe allegations of police excesses during recent student protests in Delhi and several States. While allowing State authorities to continue investigating FIRs, the court ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested in connection with the demonstrations. It also restrained police from taking coercive action against "protesting students" unless they had criminal antecedents. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which led the demonstrations, raised concerns about the order, citing contradiction with the Centre's assurance of no punitive action against protesters.
- The Supreme Court is considering an independent probe into alleged police excesses during student protests.
- The court ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested in connection with the protests.
- Police are restrained from taking coercive action against protesting students without criminal antecedents.
Bank of Baroda (BOB) has initiated a forensic investigation into a breach where critical data, reportedly one terabyte (TB) worth, was leaked onto the dark web. The bank stated that the incident involved the compromise of an employee's email account, leading to unauthorized access to certain data. Immediate containment measures were implemented upon identification. BOB assured that its core banking systems were not accessed and remain secure, despite social media reports claiming personal Aadhaar details of customers were exposed. The incident highlights growing cybersecurity risks for financial institutions storing vast amounts of customer and business data.
- Bank of Baroda initiated a forensic investigation into a critical data leak on the dark web.
- The breach reportedly involved one terabyte (TB) of data, stemming from the compromise of an employee's email account.
- The bank confirmed immediate containment measures were implemented upon identifying the incident.
The Supreme Court sought the Union government's response on a petition challenging the interpretation of the "merger" exception under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law). Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, the petitioner, argued that the current interpretation allows a legislature party to effect a "deemed merger" without formal party approval, potentially turning an electoral majority into a minority. He contended that this has "huge repercussions" for the polity and can alter electoral verdicts. While the Bench acknowledged the concerns, it initially expressed disinclination to intervene, suggesting it was a matter for Parliament or political parties, but ultimately issued notice on the plea.
- The Supreme Court sought the Union government's response on a plea challenging the interpretation of the anti-defection law's "merger" exception.
- Petitioner Kapil Sibal argued that the current interpretation of Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule allows for "deemed mergers" without formal party approval.
- Sibal contended that this interpretation has significant repercussions for the polity, potentially altering electoral verdicts and turning majorities into minorities.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has removed public access to its website's "cut list," which details changes ordered in films, displaying "under maintenance" for days. This move prevents public scrutiny of film censorship, particularly regarding politicization of content and suppression of anti-establishment themes. The Hindu previously reported how CBFC's cuts reflected these trends. While cut lists are accessible via QR codes on film certificates through the e-Cinepramaan portal, their removal from the main website raises transparency concerns and indicates a weakening of CBFC's institutional norms, especially after recent accusations of delaying certification for several films.
- The CBFC website's "cut list," detailing changes ordered in films, has been inaccessible for days, showing "under maintenance."
- This removal hinders public scrutiny of film censorship, especially concerning politicization and suppression of certain themes.
- The inaccessibility raises transparency concerns and suggests a weakening of CBFC's institutional norms.
The Bombay High Court allowed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to initiate legal proceedings against Meta, Google, X, and other unnamed entities over social media content falsely linking him to the Centre's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). Justice Abhay Ahuja granted leave for Gadkari to file a substantive civil suit seeking removal of the defamatory content and ₹11 crore in damages. Gadkari clarified that he had no role in the EBP's policy decisions, despite serving as Union Minister for Road Transport since 2014. He identified at least 24 defamatory posts and intends to approach the Supreme Court on the matter.
- The Bombay High Court permitted Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to sue Meta, Google, and X over defamatory social media posts.
- The posts falsely link Gadkari to the Centre's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) policy decisions.
- Gadkari seeks the removal of the content and ₹11 crore in damages.
The Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to include an independent forensic auditor in the reconstituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged donation theft at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Calling for a "qualitative and impartial" investigation, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also ordered the SIT to submit a status report within two weeks. The court emphasized the need for first-hand experience in the investigation, referring to a previous three-member committee that had uncovered prima facie evidence of fraud. The State government agreed to the inclusion of an auditor with expertise in forensic auditing.
- The Supreme Court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to include an independent forensic auditor in the SIT investigating alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple.
- The court emphasized the need for a "qualitative and impartial" investigation into the misappropriation of trust funds.
- The SIT is directed to submit a status report on the probe's progress within two weeks.