Legal Updates and Latest News Articles

Legal Updates

Telangana Assembly Passes Advocates Protection Bill, 2026

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has officially passed the Telangana Advocates Protection Bill, 2026, aimed at ensuring the professional safety and security of the legal community.

Following resolutions from the Bar Council of Telangana and extensive consultations with High Court bar associations, the new law addresses the rising instances of violence against practitioners.

Key features of the legislation include provisions for police protection, safeguards against false cases, and the establishment of a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism.

State Minister Sridhar Babu Duddilla emphasized that this move would bolster the confidence of advocates and protect them from professional hazards.

Read Details / 3 days ago

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Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026 Receives Presidential Assent

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 has received Presidential assent, officially enforcing a restrictive legal framework for gender recognition.

The Act narrows the definition of "transgender person," excluding self-identification as a standalone basis and requiring certification from a state-mandated medical board.

This shift from the NALSA (2014) principles has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and a Supreme Court-appointed committee. The law introduces stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for forced identity or exploitation.

Critics and the Rajasthan High Court warn it transforms an "inviolable aspect of personhood" into a State-mediated entitlement, potentially undermining the fundamental right to dignity and autonomy.

Read Details / 5 days ago

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Centre Introduces Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 to Decriminalise 717 Minor Offences Across 79 Laws

The Union government has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, proposing to amend 784 provisions across 79 Central laws.

The Bill seeks to decriminalize 717 minor offences, replacing criminal prosecution and potential imprisonment with monetary penalties and administrative enforcement.

This shift targets several colonial-era statutes, including the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871, and the Works of Defence Act, 1903, moving them toward an adjudication-based framework.

By removing the fear of imprisonment for non-violent violations, the government aims to bridge the trust deficit, reduce judicial burden, and foster a more robust business ecosystem while streamlining compliance in municipal and transport sectors.

Read Details / 6 days ago

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New CAPF Bill Introduced: Centre Can Override Court Judgments via Notifications

The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 has been introduced in Parliament to regulate recruitment and service conditions of officers in CAPFs.

The Bill gives the Central government the power to make service rules through notifications, even if they override existing laws or court judgments. This includes decisions related to recruitment, promotions, and deputation of officers.

The move comes after earlier court rulings on CAPF cadre structure and deputation policies.

The Bill aims to create a uniform legal framework for administration of CAPFs and gives significant control to the Centre over personnel-related matters.a

Read Details / 9 days ago

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Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Tabled in Lok Sabha

The Union Government has introduced the Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Companies Act, 2013, and the LLP Act, 2008.

The Bill proposes decriminalizing minor offences by replacing prison terms with monetary penalties and raising the CSR applicability threshold from a net profit of Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.

The Bill also enables hybrid AGMs and allows the conversion of specified trusts into LLPs to promote ease of doing business.

Following objections from the Opposition regarding excessive delegation of powers to the Centre and regulators like NFRA, the Bill has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Read Details / 10 days ago

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Centre Moves to Regulate Unused NGO Funds Through FCRA Amendment Bill

The Central Government has introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act Bill, 2026 to tighten regulation over foreign-funded NGOs, especially those whose licences have expired, been cancelled, or surrendered.

The Bill proposes a mechanism allowing the government to take control and manage unutilised foreign funds and assets created from such contributions.

It also aims to prescribe timelines for receiving and using foreign funds, ensuring stricter oversight and accountability.

Critics argue that the move may increase executive control and could affect the functioning and independence of NGOs, raising concerns about its impact on society.

Read Details / 10 days ago

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Lok Sabha Passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 Amid Opposition Walkout

The Lok Sabha has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, by voice vote following an Opposition walkout.

The Bill removes the right to self-determined gender identity, introduced by the 2014 NALSA judgment, and mandates a medical board examination instead.

Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar stated the move prevents "forced" gender presentation and protects the community from those misusing self-identification for benefits. Conversely, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, termed the Bill "regressive" and an attack on constitutional dignity.

While the NDA hailed the "scientific approach" to identity, rights groups condemned the legislation as a significant blow to transgender autonomy and privacy.

Read Details / 10 days ago

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Kerala Notifies Advocates’ Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, 2026; Changes Trustee Committee Structure

The Government of Kerala notified the Kerala Advocates' Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, 2026, which came into force on March 9, amending provisions of the Kerala Advocates' Welfare Fund Act, 1980.

The amendment changes the composition of the Welfare Fund Trustee Committee by increasing government-nominated members from one to two and providing that the Secretary of the Committee will be appointed by the government instead of the Bar Council.

It also expands the investment options for the Welfare Fund, allowing funds to be invested in government bonds, pension schemes, and insurance schemes for advocates, with prior government approval.

Read Details / 24 days ago

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Sr Adv Menaka Guruswamy Elected to Rajya Sabha, First Openly LGBTQ MP

Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has been elected to the Rajya Sabha on a ticket from the All India Trinamool Congress, becoming India’s first openly LGBTQ Member of Parliament.

A prominent constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Guruswamy played a key role in the landmark case that led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality under Section 377.

Her election marks a historic milestone for LGBTQ representation in Indian politics. Along with her, other TMC candidates including Babul Supriyo, Rajeev Kumar and Koel Mallick were also elected to the Upper House.

Read Details / 24 days ago

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Supreme Court Passes Landmark Order Allowing First Passive Euthanasia for Man in Vegetative State

The Supreme Court permitted the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for 32-year-old Harish Rana, who has remained in a permanent vegetative state for over 12 years.

A bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan applied the 2018 Common Cause guidelines, marking the first time the Court has judicially authorized passive euthanasia.

The bench ruled that Clinically Administered Nutrition (CAN) constitutes medical treatment that can be withheld if there is no hope of recovery.

Following unanimous recommendations from primary and secondary medical boards, the Court directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Rana to its palliative care center to ensure the process is carried out with dignity.

[Harish Rana v. UOI]

Read Details / 25 days ago

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Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari Sworn in as Chief Justice of Madras High Court

Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court following a notification by the Union Government based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium.

He took oath on 6th March 2026, with the oath administered by Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi. Prior to this elevation, Justice Dharmadhikari was serving as a judge of the Kerala High Court, and his parent High Court is the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

He began his legal career in 1992 and was appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2016 before becoming a permanent judge in 2018.

He succeeds Chief Justice M. M. Shrivastava, who recently retired.

Read Details / 29 days ago

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TMC Nominates Sr Adv Menaka Guruswamy for Rajya Sabha

The All India Trinamool Congress has nominated Senior Advocate Dr. Menaka Guruswamy as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

If elected, she will become the first openly LGBTQ member of the community to serve in Parliament.

Alongside Guruswamy, the party has also announced the candidature of Rajeev Kumar, Babul Supriyo and Koel Mallick.

A noted constitutional expert, Guruswamy has represented the State of West Bengal and the party in several significant matters, including the SIR and IPAC-ED raid cases.

Read Details / a month ago

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Supreme Court of India Adopts Policy for Early Transfer of Incoming High Court Chief Justices

The Supreme Court Collegium has introduced a new policy enabling judges who are in line to become Chief Justices of High Courts to be transferred approximately two months before the anticipated vacancy arises.

The objective is to allow the incoming Chief Justice to familiarise themselves with the court’s administrative structure and functioning, ensuring a smooth transition without disruption to judicial work.

As per the policy, the judge will initially serve as a puisne judge in the transferee High Court and assume charge as Chief Justice once the incumbent retires.

Pursuant to this approach, the Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Lisa Gill from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Read Details / a month ago

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CJI Surya Kant Launches Jupitice Digital Mediation and Lok Adalat Platforms

The Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority inaugurated the e-Samadhan Digital Mediation Platform and Digital Lok Adalat Platform developed by Jupitice Justice Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

The launch took place at the National Cyber Security Conference in the presence of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. The platforms enable end-to-end online mediation workflows and structured digital Lok Adalat settlement drives.

The initiative aims to integrate technology into dispute resolution, improve accessibility, and support faster settlements.

Legal observers said such institutional adoption of online dispute resolution tools could help reduce pendency and strengthen pre-litigation frameworks.

a month ago

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Ministry of Corporate Affairs Notifies Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced the Companies Compliance Facilitation Scheme, 2026 (CCFS-2026), offering defaulting companies a one-time opportunity to regularise delayed annual returns and financial statements. The Scheme will operate from April 15 to July 15, 2026.

Under the Scheme, companies can complete pending filings by paying only 10% of the additional fees otherwise payable.

Inactive companies may apply for dormant status on payment of 50% of normal filing fees, while companies seeking strike-off can do so by paying 25% of the applicable fee.

The initiative aims to ease compliance burdens and ensure updated corporate records.

Read Details / a month ago

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