In a move to enhance transparency and accessibility, the Supreme Court of India, under the leadership of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, announced the integration of WhatsApp messaging services with its IT systems. From now on, advocates will receive automated messages regarding case filings and cause lists directly on their mobile phones. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards digitizing judicial operations, saving paper, and improving the right to access to justice.
India’s Supreme Court is delving into the interpretation of Article 39(b) of the Constitution, considering whether the government can seize and redistribute privately owned properties deemed ‘material resources of the community.’ The case, stemming from a challenge to Mumbai housing law, reignites a longstanding debate over the scope of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). The court will examine whether the state’s obligation to distribute material resources applies to private properties, a question previously considered but not definitively settled.
During a live news report on the Patanjali maafinama row in the Supreme Court, a reporter made a verbal slip-up, uttering an inappropriate word that was inadvertently broadcast. The channel swiftly apologized for the incident, while social media users expressed a range of reactions, some finding it comical and others expressing disapproval. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court continues to scrutinize the genuineness of Patanjali’s public apology in the context of misleading advertisements.
The Supreme Court of India is set to issue directions on Wednesday regarding petitions calling for complete cross-verification of votes cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). This comes after the court reserved its order on the matter on April 18. The NGO ‘Association for Democratic Reforms’ (ADR), a petitioner in the case, has requested the reversal of the poll panel’s 2017 decision to replace the transparent glass on VVPAT machines with opaque glass, which allows voters to view the slip for only seven seconds when the light is on.
The Supreme Court of India has expressed concern over the surge in misleading advertisements and unethical practices within the healthcare industry. The court urged the central and state authorities to take prompt action to protect the public from deceptive marketing strategies. The court also questioned the Indian Medical Association for alleged unethical practices among its members, such as prescribing expensive medicines for financial gain.
The Supreme Court intensified its scrutiny of deceptive advertising, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable groups such as children, babies, and women. The court expressed alarm at the Union government’s lax oversight and urged immediate action to safeguard these populations from misleading marketing practices. The ongoing case against Patanjali Ayurved has been expanded to include key government ministries and state licensing authorities to ensure comprehensive evaluation of advertising regulations.
