The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea challenging the Kerala High Court order that rejected a PIL against Arundhati Roy’s book Mother Mary Comes To Me, which shows the author smoking a bidi on the cover.

The Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi held that the book does not promote tobacco use and contains a publisher's disclaimer.

The Court observed that Roy is an eminent author, and the cover image alone does not require statutory warning under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2013.

The plea was dismissed, upholding freedom of literary expression.

The Delhi High Court refused to grant an interim injunction sought by Novo Nordisk, allowing Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to manufacture and export its version of the GLP-1 drug containing semaglutide.

The Court observed that Dr Reddy’s raised a credible challenge to Novo Nordisk’s patent claims, noting that the company had obtained two patents for minor variants of the same compound, amounting to “evergreening.”

The Court held that the species-specific patent was already claimed under a broader genus patent, and Novo Nordisk’s actions artificially extended its monopoly.

Dr Reddy’s is permitted to continue manufacturing the drug for export while the validity of the patent is examined.

[Novo Nordisk v. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories]

The Centre has amended the Patents Rules, 2003, through the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2025, effective November 25, 2025.

The overhaul replaces Chapter XIV A – Adjudication of Penalties and Appeals, introduced in 2024, and introduces procedural changes while retaining the overall structure.

A key change stipulates that the appeal period for patent penalty orders will now commence from the receipt of the order, rather than the date of the order, providing patentees adequate time to respond.

The amendments aim to streamline the penalty adjudication mechanism and enhance procedural clarity in patent enforcement and compliance matters.

The Supreme Court introduced new rules effective December 1, ending oral mentions before the Chief Justice of India (CJI), stating that urgent matters will now be listed automatically within two working days.

The Court said the new system aims to cut unnecessary mentions and speed up listings. Junior advocates may make oral mentions, while senior counsel cannot. The rules require parties to submit a detailed proforma and an urgency letter for advance listing.

The Court limited exceptions to anticipatory bail, death penalty, habeas corpus and urgent eviction or demolition matters. It also allowed adjournment requests only through written letters submitted within prescribed timelines.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to entertain the appeal of distributor Rajpal Kataria after authorities sealed his shop and suspended his licence following the deaths of children who consumed Coldrif cough syrup. 

The Court said the case involved one of the most shocking medical incidents, with over thirty deaths reported.

The Court held that Kataria has an effective remedy under Rule 66 of the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, and observed that he may approach the State Government in appeal, noting that Article 226 offers discretionary relief.

[Rajpal Kataria v. State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors.]

The Delhi High Court held that a Hindu customary divorce can be recognised only when supported by clear and convincing evidence.

The Court said that a party seeking recognition of a custom contrary to the Hindu Marriage Act must prove long and continuous usage through judgments, historical material, or community records.

It is observed that custom cannot be inferred by analogy or proved merely through a few witnesses.

The Court upheld a family court order declaring a woman’s second marriage void, noting that the family court had incorrectly accepted the existence of such a custom, and that she failed to show credible proof of a valid customary divorce, relying only on a photocopied deed.

[Smt. Sushma v. Sh Ratandeep & Ors.]

The Chief Justice of India appointed Justice J.K. Maheshwari as Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The appointment took effect from November 24, 2025. The Committee is responsible for providing free legal services and ensuring access to justice for eligible litigants in matters before the Supreme Court. Justice Maheshwari has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court since August 31, 2021.

His nomination reinforces the Court’s mandate to strengthen legal aid delivery and streamline case assistance mechanisms at the apex level.

The Supreme Court witnessed a significant constitutional moment as Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President administered the oath.

Justice Kant, who began his legal practice in 1984, previously served as Advocate General of Haryana before his elevation as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

He later became Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. The Court noted that his tenure as CJI will continue until February 9, 2027. 

The Supreme Court announced that the President of India nominated Justice Vikram Nath as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) under Section 3(2)(b) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The appointment takes effect from November 24, 2025. The Court noted that this nomination aligns with the established convention of appointing the second-senior judge of the Supreme Court to the post. NALSA, constituted to provide free legal aid and ensure access to justice, functions under the statutory framework of the 1987 Act.

With this nomination, Justice Nath will oversee the implementation and coordination of legal services across jurisdictions.

The Supreme Court published an official record of Collegium recommendations issued during the tenure of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, who assumed office on 14 May 2025.

The document shows that the Collegium recommended 129 candidates for High Court appointments, of which 93 received approval from the Union Government.

The Collegium also disclosed demographic details of the recommended candidates, noting that 11 belonged to the Other Backward Classes, 10 were from the Scheduled Caste, 13 were from minority communities, and 15 were women. The publication forms part of the Court’s initiative to promote transparency in judicial appointments and strengthen institutional accountability.

Students of MNLU Mumbai protested after faulty wiring at the temporary Kanjurmarg hostel caused appliances to catch fire, damaging laptops and raising safety concerns. 

Students also flagged overcrowded rooms, non-functional lifts, and a switch from packaged water to RO water that allegedly made several unwell. 

Promised facilities like a mess, reading room and library remain unavailable. 

Following the protest, the University ordered fire and electrical audits, initiated replacement of faulty equipment, and directed the private hostel operator to act urgently.

India has officially rolled out all four labour codes, replacing 29 central labour laws. 

The new framework introduces a national minimum wage, mandatory appointment letters for workers, simpler compliance architecture for businesses, and unified safety standards across workplaces.

It also brings gig and platform workers into the formal social-security net for the first time and eases portability of benefits. Women’s employment options receive a boost with provisions for safer night-shift work, while MSMEs get relief via reduced compliance burdens.

The reform aims to modernise labour governance and deliver a clearer legal regime for both workers and employers.

The Supreme Court has announced that it will launch an upgraded e-filing platform on a pilot basis.

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said the new system will bring several digital services onto a single interface, including an online advocate-appearance portal, virtual filing, and tools to support hybrid hearings.

The existing filing mechanism will continue to operate alongside the new platform during the transition.

The Court noted that the rollout will be gradual, allowing users to adapt before full implementation.

The Karnataka High Court has directed the State government to file a status report within six weeks on the measures taken for the effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act). 

The direction came while hearing a PIL highlighting serious lapses, including the non-functional statutory disability fund and the State’s failure to implement the mandatory 5% reservation in public employment for persons with disabilities.

The Bench noted that compliance with the RPwD Act cannot be delayed and requires coordinated administrative action. The matter will be heard next on February 4, 2026, after the court reviews the State’s compliance report.

[Y Karthik & Ors V State of Karnataka & Ors]