The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to the Union government and the State of Uttar Pradesh on a PIL alleging that housing societies are obstructing the installation of private EV charging stations.

The Bench agreed to examine the plea filed by Rachit Katyal, a resident of Nirala Estate Phase-3 in Greater Noida (West).

The petitioner contended that despite the Ministry of Power’s 2024 EV Charging Infrastructure Guidelines recognising residents’ rights to install private chargers in allotted parking spaces (subject to safety norms), his housing society and facility manager failed to act on his request.

The Court has sought responses on ensuring uniform implementation of EV charging norms in group housing societies.

The Supreme Court dismissed a Special Leave Petition filed by JSW Steel Limited challenging a Karnataka High Court order that refused to restrain recovery of ₹127.66 crore and invocation of bank guarantees in relation to the Bomman Iron Ore Mining Lease.

The dispute arose over alleged non-compliance with minimum production requirements under a mining lease granted pursuant to auction under the Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015.

The High Court had held that unconditional bank guarantees cannot ordinarily be restrained except in cases of fraud or special equities, which were not made out.

It also observed that commercial difficulties do not excuse contractual obligations. The Supreme Court declined to interfere.

[JSW Steel Ltd. v. State of Karnataka]

The Delhi High Court has dismissed Reliance Industries Ltd.’s objection to the maintainability of the Union government’s appeal in the Tapti–Panna Mukta dispute.

The Court held that an appeal under Section 50(1)(b) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act is maintainable against an order refusing enforcement of a foreign arbitral award under Section 48.

It ruled that the single judge’s 2023 order, though termed “premature,” effectively refused enforcement on public policy grounds.

Consequently, the Centre’s appeal against non-enforcement of the 2016 partial arbitral award will now be heard on merits.

[UOI v. Reliance Industries Ltd.]

The Ministry of Power has indicated that the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is likely to be introduced in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament.

The proposed amendments seek to bring reforms in the power sector, particularly to improve the financial health of power distribution companies (discoms). The government has said the Bill aims to curb recurring losses by enforcing financial discipline and ensuring timely payments.

While power distribution utilities reported collective profits in FY25 after several loss-making years, many discoms remain financially stressed. The amendments are also intended to promote cooperative federalism, competition and efficiency.

However, power sector unions have opposed the proposals, citing concerns over possible privatisation.

The Delhi High Court ordered status quo on the Union government’s decision rejecting Vedanta Limited’s request to extend a production sharing contract for the Suvali offshore oil block in Gujarat and directing its takeover by ONGC.

The Court held that it could examine the fairness of the decision-making process under Article 14, despite the dispute arising from a contract.

Noting the absence of an alternative efficacious remedy, the Court restrained any transfer of possession or operational control of the block pending adjudication.

The Centre and ONGC were granted time to file responses, and the matter has been listed for further hearing.

[Vedanta Ltd. v. UOI]

The Supreme Court set aside the Gujarat High Court’s 2019 judgment, which had refused relief to Adani Power on customs duty imposed on electricity supplied from its Mundra SEZ unit to the Domestic Tariff Area. 

The High Court had held that the SEZ customs duty exemption applied only between June 2009 and September 2010, and Adani Power cannot claim extension of the same exemption for later years without directly challenging subsequent levy regimes.

The Supreme Court overturned this view and allowed the appeal against the 2019 decision.

A detailed copy of the order is awaited.

[Adani Power v. UOI]

The Telangana High Court dismissed a writ appeal filed by Sanghi Polymers Private Limited challenging a demand of over ₹4.21 crore raised by the state electricity board towards Grid Support Charges and interest for the period between 2002 and 2009.

The Court said electricity and water are vital public resources involving significant public investment and must be used responsibly.

It held that the company was bound by its 2020 agreement, undertaking to comply with government regulations and pay applicable tariffs. The Court also ruled that the demand was not time-barred, as the legality of such charges was settled by the Supreme Court only in 2019.

The company was directed to pay ₹1.03 crore as principal along with ₹3.17 crore as interest.

[Sanghi Polymers Pvt. Ltd. v. Telangana State Electricity Board]

The Government of India has amended the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, to streamline approvals for opening coal and lignite mines by removing procedural redundancies and expediting operationalisation.

Prior to the change, mine owners were required to obtain prior permission from the Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO) to open a mine or seam and to restart operations after 180 days of closure.

Under the amended Rule 9, the power to approve the opening of mines or seams has been delegated to the board of the concerned coal company, subject to obtaining all mandatory Central and State statutory clearances.

The move is aimed at removing procedural bottlenecks, cutting operational timelines by up to two months, and boosting domestic coal production.

The Supreme Court has accepted a set of expert-recommended measures aimed at protecting the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican.

The Court directed the Union government to implement key conservation steps, including undergrounding and rerouting overhead power transmission lines in identified habitats across Rajasthan and Gujarat within two years.

It also approved restrictions on new wind turbine installations in ecologically sensitive areas to prevent bird fatalities.

Noting that power infrastructure and habitat degradation pose serious threats, the Court stressed the need for urgent, coordinated action to avert the extinction of these species.

[MK Ranjitsinh v. UOI]

Parliament has passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, replacing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.

The law permits Indian private companies and joint ventures to undertake specified nuclear activities, while continuing to bar companies incorporated outside India.

It retains the no-fault liability principle for nuclear incidents and introduces a tiered liability structure ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore based on reactor capacity.

The legislation removes supplier liability except where contractually agreed or involving deliberate acts, grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and sets up an Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council to hear appeals.

The Delhi High Court has held that access to electricity is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution and cannot be denied merely because a landlord-tenant dispute is pending.

The Court was hearing a tenant’s plea seeking restoration of electricity supply without a No Objection Certificate from the landlord.

It noted that the petitioner was in lawful possession of the premises and that such possession cannot be termed unlawful until an eviction order is passed.

Directing the power distribution company to restore electricity from the existing meter without insisting on an NOC, the Court also asked the landlords to extend necessary cooperation.

[Maiki Jain v. BSES Rajdhani]

The Kerala High Court stayed the enforcement of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable Energy) Regulations, 2025, following allegations of regulatory capture by the Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd. (KSEB).

The petition, filed by the Domestic On-Grid Solar Power Prosumer Forum-Kerala, claimed that the rules were framed through a fraudulent and biased process against rooftop solar users.

Justice C. P. Mohammed Nias directed the KSERC to file a counter-affidavit and ordered that all actions under the November 5 notification remain stayed for one month.

[Domestic On-Grid Solar Power Prosumer Forum-Kerala and Anr v State of Kerala and Ors.]

The GST Council’s move to lower tax rates on renewable energy equipment and services is expected to save power distribution companies around ₹3,000 crore every year.

The reduction will cut costs of solar, wind, and other green energy projects, easing financial pressure on discoms while supporting India’s clean energy goals.

The renewable energy manufacturing sector is set to gain the most, as component costs will drop by 3–4%, making domestic production more competitive.

The decision is likely to boost manufacturing, expand project deployment, and generate new jobs in the sector.

The Supreme Court dismissed compensation claims by Nabha Power Limited and Talwandi Sabo Power Limited against Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.

The Court held that government press releases and decisions do not qualify as a “change in law” under Power Purchase Agreements. 

A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine Masih upheld the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity’s ruling that only statutes, rules, or official gazette notifications count.

The Court added that administrative announcements have no legal force. It noted that actual changes happened only through Customs Notifications issued after the bids, leading to dismissal of the appeals.

[Nabha Power Limited v Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and others]