Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has emphasized that the shift towards online hearings should remain a voluntary exercise for both the Bar and the Bench.

The CJI stated that he has requested Chief Justices of all High Courts to conduct virtual hearings, particularly on Mondays and Fridays, to reduce avoidable expenditure amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

He also noted that most High Courts have already implemented the arrangement. The observations came during a hearing seeking directions for online functioning of Delhi courts.

The Supreme Court had earlier resolved to conduct hearings through video conferencing on designated days.

The Delhi High Court refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to de-register the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and disqualify Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak from contesting elections.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia termed the petition “highly misconceived” and rejected the contention that contempt proceedings against the leaders reflected lack of allegiance to the Constitution.

The Court observed that the Election Commission can de-register a political party only in limited exceptional circumstances and found no material to show that AAP had expressed lack of faith in the Constitution.

The Supreme Court formally approved a comprehensive, three-tier framework establishing minimum mandatory standards for Intensive Care Units across India.

Observing that the country is in a "dreadful position" where population growth vastly outpaces quality healthcare infrastructure, a Bench issued a series of sweeping directions.

The Court mandated all states to complete a thorough ICU gap assessment within two months.

It also directed the Central government to design a nationwide, GPS-based tracking system to map available critical care facilities, develop a tele-ICU telemedicine grid, and strictly reconsider guidelines that currently allow commercial nursing colleges to operate far from actual ICU-equipped hospitals.

[Asit Baran Mondal & Anr. v. Dr. Rita Sinha & Ors.]

Kerala High Court held that a registered medical practitioner cannot be admitted to the Bar unless their registration with the medical council is formally cancelled.

The Court upheld the Bar Council of Kerala's decision to deny enrolment to a homeopathic doctor, stating that the legal profession demands undivided commitment.

The Court observed that the legal profession is a "jealous mistress" and a professional cannot divide allegiance between two distinct fields.

Clarifying that merely closing a clinic or submitting an undertaking not to practice medicine is insufficient as long as the applicant legally retains the statutory right to practice under the medical register.

[TM Manju v. Bar Council of Kerala & Ors.]

The Supreme Court has clarified that a High Court Registrar General has no independent authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a judicial officer.

The Court held that such action can only be commenced with approval from the Chief Justice of the High Court or a committee of judges constituted by the Chief Justice under Article 235 of the Constitution.

The ruling came while upholding reinstatement of a Uttarakhand judicial officer whose dismissal was challenged on procedural grounds.

The Bench observed that disciplinary proceedings initiated without proper authorization suffer from a jurisdictional defect and would be void in law.

The Uttarakhand High Court quashed the suspension of a government servant who had remained under suspension for nearly five years during a disciplinary enquiry involving allegations of unauthorized absence and use of a forged Scheduled Tribe certificate.

Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari observed that a government servant cannot be kept under suspension for an indefinite period, especially when the enquiry is unlikely to conclude soon.

While setting aside the suspension order dated July 17, 2021, the Court permitted the disciplinary proceedings regarding the caste certificate allegations to continue and directed the competent authority to pass a fresh posting order for the petitioner.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday stated that the Supreme Court will soon constitute 7-judge benches to hear long-pending constitutional references awaiting consideration by larger benches.

The statement was made during proceedings before the Supreme Court, where the CJI indicated that efforts are underway to revive hearings in important constitutional matters pending before larger benches.

The move is expected to address several unresolved questions of law requiring authoritative determination by expanded Constitution Benches.

The Supreme Court has recently also increased its sanctioned judicial strength, amid continuing concerns regarding pendency and backlog of cases.

The Central Information Commission held that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is not a public authority under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Reversing its 2018 ruling, the Commission noted that the board operates as a private autonomous entity registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, rather than a statutory body created by Parliament.

Observing that the government exercises no deep or pervasive control over the board’s management or finances.

The Commission clarified that performing public functions or receiving general tax concessions does not equate to substantial state financing. 

[Geeta Rani v. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports & Anr.]

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has mandated a two-day weekly work-from-home (WFH) schedule for all state government employees.

This initiative, part of the "Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan" campaign, follows a nationwide appeal for fuel conservation to mitigate global energy volatility. The policy aims to drastically reduce petrol and diesel usage by limiting vehicular movement.

Beyond WFH, the government has slashed official fuel quotas by 20% and introduced "Metro Mondays," requiring ministers to use public transit.

Private firms have also been advised to adopt similar hybrid models to support sustainability.