The Supreme Court has proposed that candidates in uncontested elections should secure a minimum vote share to be declared elected, calling it a “progressive step” to uphold democratic legitimacy.

The court proposed this while hearing a PIL by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, which questioned the constitutionality of declaring unopposed candidates elected without any vote under Section 53(2) of the RPA, 1951.

The Court suggested that even sole candidates must secure a minimum vote share such as 10-15% to reflect democratic legitimacy and urged the Centre and ECI to consider legal amendments, seeking a response in four weeks.

The Supreme Court has observed that interim bail should be an exception rather than a norm, cautioning against its routine and repeated use by courts.

A Bench of Justices remarked while hearing a bail plea of Asim Mallik, booked under the NDPS Act, expressing concern over the Odisha High Court’s pattern of recurring interim bail grants.

The Court emphasized that judicial discretion should be used to grant regular bail or deny bail outright, rather than relying on repeated interim relief.

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the Court granted bail to the petitioner, citing a three-year incarceration period and a lack of significant progress in the trial. (Asim Mallik vs. The State of Odisha)

The Delhi High Court has directed composer AR Rahman and Madras Talkies to deposit ₹2 crore in a copyright suit over the song Veera Raja Veera from the Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan 2.

Justice Prathiba M Singh noted that the composition was not merely inspired by but “identical” to Shiva Stuti, composed by Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Zahiruddin Dagar.

The suit, filed by Wasifuddin Dagar in 2023, claimed the song's beat and structure were lifted from the original Dhrupad composed by his father and uncle.

The Court also ordered the movie producer to add credit to the Dagar brothers on online platforms and imposed ₹2 lakh in litigation costs.

The Karnataka High Court has issued a series of directives to prevent the misuse of national emblems, flags, and symbols by unauthorized individuals. A Bench emphasized the need to preserve the honour and pride of these national icons.

The Court criticized ex-legislators and former officials for misusing symbols on letterheads and vehicles, calling such conduct “unfortunate and depreciable.” Authorities were directed to enforce laws like the Emblems and Names Act, 1950, and the State Emblem Act, 2005 strictly. 

The State was also ordered to issue public notices urging individuals to remove all unauthorised flags, emblems, names, symbols, logos etc, within four weeks and conduct awareness campaigns involving students and traffic police to prevent misuse.

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Government to consider publishing prison and police manuals online, stressing that everyone has the right to know what’s there in the police manual. 

A Bench of Justices noted the need for transparency, highlighting that even critical healthcare provisions remain inaccessible due to unpublished manuals.

The remarks came during a hearing on the lack of medical relief for terminally ill prisoners, referencing the case of Kanchan Nanaware, who died in custody despite needing urgent care.

The Court demanded data on prison healthcare infrastructure and listed the next hearing for April 28.

The Madras High Court upheld the conviction of a husband and his mother under Section 498A IPC, emphasizing that the provision covers all forms of cruelty inflicted upon a wife, not just dowry-related harassment.

The Court observed that forcing the wife to take abortion pills and denying her entry into the matrimonial home constituted cruelty. The accused had also threatened her with a machete.

Rejecting their revision plea, the Court confirmed simple one-year imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 1000 each and directed the police to execute the warrant.  (Ramasamy and Another v. State)

The Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) has urged the Supreme Court Collegium to reconsider its decision to transfer four Karnataka High Court judges.

In a letter to the Chief Justice of India, the KSBC highlighted concerns about judicial independence and institutional stability, warning that abrupt transfers may undermine public trust and hinder the judiciary’s efficiency.

The Advocates' Association, Bengaluru (AAB), abstained from work on April 23 to protest the transfer recommendation.

The decision was taken "to infuse inclusivity and diversity at the level of High Courts and to strengthen the quality of administration of justice."

TV Today Network, owner of Aaj Tak, has taken ABP News to the Delhi High Court, alleging that its show Maha Dangal is deceptively similar to Aaj Tak’s popular debate show Dangal.

TV Today’s counsel argued that the title and presence of former Aaj Tak anchor Priyanka Tripathi on ABP’s show causes viewer confusion. Justice Amit Bansal noted viewers usually recognize channels and remarked that Dangal isn't a trademarkable term, citing the Bollywood film Dangal.

The court issued notice and suggested possible mediation between the prominent news networks. The next hearing may be soon.

The Tamil Nadu government has banned the manufacture, storage, and sale of mayonnaise made from raw eggs for one year, effective April 8, 2025, citing serious food safety risks.

The order issued under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, aims to mitigate public health risks associated with bacterial contamination with pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria Monocytogenes, especially due to improper storage practices by food business operators.

The decision follows a precautionary approach amid scientific uncertainty, allowing provisional risk management to protect public health.

The ban applies to all food business operators across Tamil Nadu, including restaurants, catering services, and street vendors. 

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has reaffirmed that the right of two consenting adults to marry is protected under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, irrespective of family or societal approval.

The court said, while hearing a protection plea, emphasized that personal liberty, dignity, and the freedom to choose one’s life partner are constitutionally guaranteed.

The Court directed authorities to verify the couple’s age and marital status, and if confirmed, to ensure their safety without impeding their liberty.

The court clarified that the order doesn’t validate the marriage but protects constitutional rights pending verification. (Anamika Devi Vs UT Of J&K)

The Calcutta High Court has held that once liquidation is initiated under Section 33(5) of the IBC, proceedings under the FEMA cannot continue.

The ruling came in a case involving Shree Ganesh Jewellery House (I) Pvt. Ltd., where the Court quashed FEMA notices issued under Section 37A, citing the overriding effect of IBC through Section 238.

The court emphasized that post-liquidation, no proceedings can be initiated or continued without prior approval from the Adjudicating Authority, reaffirming IBC’s primacy over conflicting laws, including FEMA.

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Swiggy, Zepto, and the Central Government on a plea filed by NGO Mission Accessibility over the alleged inaccessibility of the platforms' mobile apps for visually impaired users.

The petition claims the apps are not screen-reader compatible, in violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and the prescribed digital accessibility standards, which were mandated in 2019.

The Bench directed the parties to file their responses within four weeks, emphasizing the importance of digital inclusivity in essential services.

The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28.

The Bombay High Court has refused to entertain a PIL filed by a Mumbai University law professor challenging the practice of law students skipping classes for permanent internships in law firms.

The PIL highlighted concerns over students' attendance falling below the mandatory 75% requirement. 

However, the Court noted that the petitioner failed to provide specific details of colleges or students violating the rule. The court also noted that the information concerning the compliance with attendance requirements is pending before the authorities under the RTI Act.

The Court disposed of the petition but granted liberty to file a fresh petition after obtaining particulars. (Sharmila Ghuge v. Mumbai University & Ors)

Businessman Raj Kundra has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him in connection with the 2021 pornography film racket case.

Kundra contends that the LOC, which has been in effect since 2021, infringes upon his fundamental rights, particularly affecting his ability to travel abroad.

He was previously arrested in July 2021 and later granted bail in September of the same year. The LOC remains active despite his release on bail. The Bombay High Court has directed the registry to list the matter before the appropriate bench as per the roster.