The Yearly Reports: The Supreme Court of India in 2017

Meera Emmanuel and Chandan Goswami.Another eventful year at the Supreme Court of India has come to a close. Like the previous year, 2017 had its fair share of highs and lows, as the apex court grappled with the Executive over judicial appointments, and faced allegations of impropriety against two Chief Justices..With the retirement of former Chief Justice of India, TS Thakur and the appointment of Justice JS Khehar as the new CJI, the equation between the Central government and the Supreme Court seemed to undergo a sea change..The tussle between the Judiciary and the Executive, which was pronounced during the time of Thakur J, mellowed down. This, however, led to allegations of Supreme Court going soft on the Executive, an allegation that received a boost when the Court refused to entertain the case relating to the Sahara-Birla diaries, which contained allegations against many politicians both the from the ruling party, as well as the opposition..The controversy surrounding Kalikho Pul’s suicide note and the handling of the same by JS Khehar J added fuel to the fire..More criticism followed as CJI Khehar constituted a seven-judge Bench to hear a suo motu contempt case against sitting High Court judge Justice CS Karnan, and subsequently sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment. The manner in which the whole episode was handled left much to be desired..After Justice Khehar’s retirement, Justice Dipak Misra took over as CJI. Controversy once again cropped up, this time regarding the listing of Medical College Bribery case. Once again, the manner in which the case was withdrawn from one Bench and listed before another caused an uproar. The response of the Supreme Court Bar Association also came under scrutiny by other sections of the Bar..The year also witnessed some landmark judgments being pronounced by the apex court..The judgment striking down the practice of Triple Talaq and the judgment upholding the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right were foremost among them..The Supreme Court also got five new judges this year – Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Navin Sinha, M Shantanagoudar, Deepak Gupta and S Abdul Nazeer..Below is a comprehensive timeline of the events that transpired at the Supreme Court in 2017..January.January 2: Court orders removal of Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke from the BCCI, for failing to meet the recommendations of the Lodha Committee..Court holds that an electoral candidate cannot seek votes in the name of religion. By a thin majority, the Court held that Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 must be given a liberal interpretation so that its provisions apply to both an electoral candidate as well as prospective voters..Court holds that High Courts do not have the power to punish for Contempt of the Supreme Court, being a superior Court..Seven-judge bench orders that a nine-judge Bench will decide the scope of definition of ‘industry’ under Section 2(j) of the Act..Senior Advocates Yatin Oza and Ram Jethmalani make scathing submissions in the case relating to the delayed transfer of Justice MR Shah of the Gujarat High Court..January 3: CJI TS Thakur retires..January 4: India gets its first Sikh Chief Justice of India with the appointment of Justice JS Khehar..Court holds that re-promulgation of ordinances is a “fraud” on the Constitution.January 5: Court asks Ministry of Women and Child Development to file its response to a challenge to conflicting provisions in the POCSO and IPC qua the statutory definition of rape..January 6: Aadhaar notified as mandatory for MNREGA and EPS schemes. Court declines an early hearing for a challenge to this linkage..Court accepts unconditional apology tendered by Justice (Retd.) Markandey Katju after contempt proceedings were initiated against him for posting offensive Facebook posts against Supreme Court judges..January 9: Court issues notice to Central Government in challenge to the Bar Council of India (Certificate of Practice) Verification Rules qua Universities’ demand of fees from Bar Councils..Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves appointed Amicus Curiae in a PIL seeking a standalone legislation for curbing instances of custodial torture and violence against prisoners..January 10: Court directs audit of 32 lakh+ NGOs and urges formulation of guidelines for their regulation..January 11: Court dismisses interim application filed by NGO Common Cause seeking SIT investigation into the Sahara-Birla Pay-offs, citing dearth of cogent, admissible evidence..Court asks Kerala Government to disburse Rs 500 crore compensation for over 5,000 persons injured due to use of Endosulfan pesticides in the state..January 13: A bench headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar observes that pre-broadcast or pre-publication censorship is not the business of the court and that all grievances against objectionable content will be dealt with in accordance with the law of the land after its publication.January 16: Court issues notice in a petition seeking guidelines for protection of user data on WhatsApp..Court issues notice in appeal against Madras High Court’s decision to quash Tamil Nadu’s ban on establishment of private law colleges..January 19: Court dismisses petition seeking recognition of divorce decrees of Ecclesiastical Courts..January 20: A fresh Bench of Justices Dipak Misra, AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud begins hearing the case relating to administration of BCCI..January 23: Court orders a probe into the allegations that former CBI director Ranjit Sinha was trying to scuttle the Coalgate investigation..Court asks Centre to explore Article 224A of the Constitution to solve dilemma faced by Tripura High Court regarding inability of judges to recuse themselves in the face of conflicts of interests, given the shortage of judges..Court grants leave in petition filed against the imposition of service tax on lawyers..Court issues notice in petition challenging the inaction of the Central government in filling up vacancies in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)..January 24: Justice Madan B Lokur re-appointed as judge-in-charge of E-committee of Supreme Court..Supreme is informed by the Central government that it is withdrawing its 2016 notification allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu, in view of the fresh legislation passed by the state assembly..January 27: Uber approaches Supreme Court challenging the order of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT), which had ordered an investigation into charges of predatory pricing by the taxi aggregator..January 30: Court expresses its doubts about the feasibility of an All India Judicial Services (AIJS) in the existing federal setup..Court appoints a four-member Committee of Vinod Rai, Ramachandra Guha, Diana Edulji and Vikram Limaye, to run the affairs of the BCCI..January 31: Is a grant of monetary compensation sufficient remedy for depriving a student of admission to an MBBS course? Two judge Bench refers the question to a larger Bench..Court deliberates on the possibility of setting up a Committee to deliberate the amount of compensation to be granted to those who were displaced by Narmada Dam Project, but refuses to consider proposal to returning land to aggrieved persons..Court issues notice to Tamil Nadu in challenge to state law facilitating the conduct of Jallikattu; allows Centre to withdraw its 2016 notification which had allowed Jallikattu to take place in Tamil Nadu..February.February 3: Collegium recommends Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Navin Sinha, Dipak Gupta, Shantanagoudar and Abdul Nazeer for the Supreme Court judgeship; Justice Jasti Chelameswar writes dissenting note questioning why Justice KM Joseph of the Uttarakhand High Court was not considered for elevation..Court agrees to hear arguments on the sentencing of the convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case afresh..February 6: Central Government informs the Court that it will publish the Jammu & Kashmir State Bar Council Rules in the official gazette, thereby setting the foundation for the establishment of the Jammu & Kashmir State Bar Council..The age-restriction imposed by the BCI on eligibility to write CLAT faces yet another challenge as CLAT aspirant, Michael Sam moves the Court against it. Justice Dipak Misra recuses himself from the case..Court asks Amity Chairman for explanation on Sushant Rohilla’s “desperate” letter addressed to the college administration prior to his suicide..February 8: Marking a first in Indian legal history, a seven judge bench of the Court issues notice to Justice CS Karnan in a suo moto contempt case. The Court also withdraws all judicial and administrative work from the judge..February 9: Court sentences Gopal Ansal to one year’s imprisonment in the 1997 Uphaar Cinema fire case. Sushil Ansal is spared imprisonment, given his advanced age. A compensation amount of Rs 30 crore is ordered to be paid by each Ansal brother..Madras Bar Association asks Supreme Court collegium to recommend Justice Vasanthakumar for elevation..Madhya Pradesh High Court judge moves Supreme Court alleging procedural irregularities in Inquiry Committee set up by Vice President Hamid Ansari to probe sexual harassment charges against him..February 10: Court allows BCI to implead all the universities as parties to the challenge made to the BCI (Certificate of Practice) Verification Rules, 2015.February 11: Justice CS Karnan writes strongly worded letter to the Supreme Court Registrar General, alleging upper caste bias in issuing contempt notice against him..Law Ministry signs off on the elevation of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Navin Sinha, Dipak Gupta, Mohan Shantanagoudar and Abdul Nazeer to the Supreme Court..February 13: Justice CS Karnan fails to appear in contempt case against him..Court stays Madras High Court proceedings against Justice KS Radhakrishnan for having received an award (PETA’s recognition as “Man of the Year”), pursuant to his judgment holding Jallikattu as violative of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act..February 14: Court overturns the Karnataka High Court verdict in the Disproportionate Assets case against former Tamil Nadu Chief Minster Jayalalithaa and her then aide Sasikala, among others; directs Sasikala and other convicts to surrender before trial court..Court clarifies its interim National Anthem order to hold that spectators and viewers need not stand if the National Anthem is being played “as part of the storyline of a feature film, newsreel or documentary.”.February 15: Senior Advocate and former President of the Court Bar Association (SCBA), MN Krishnamani passes away..February 16: Court directs Google et al. to put in place in-house mechanism to remove search results on pre-natal sex determination..February 17: Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Navin Sinha, M Shantana Goudar, Deepak Gupta and S Abdul Nazeer sworn in as judges. ..Court issues notice in NEET age-limit challenge..February 19: Former Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir passes away..February 22: CJI Khehar responds to letter by wife of Kalikho Pul, seeking investigation into the suicide note left behind by her husband containing allegations of Court judges demanding bribes..February 23: Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave alleges judicial impropriety in listing of case regarding Kalikho Pul’s suicide..March.March 1: Court launches the Middle Income Group Scheme..Court directs Universities not to charge any fees for verification of lawyers..Court begins hearing Uber’s challenge to the order of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT), which had ordered an investigation into charges of predatory pricing by the taxi aggregator..March 2: Court issues notice in a challenge to the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurants and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working therein) Act, 2016..Court holds that State Bar Councils must dispose of complaints against lawyers within a year..March 3: Court stays notification issued by the Bar Council of India prescribing an age limit for admission to LL.B. courses..Reports surface that Justice HG Ramesh refuses transfer as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, in the context of growing dissent against the opaque functioning of the Collegium. Justice Jasti Chelameswar expresses dissent over non-elevation of Justice Manjula Chellur to Supreme Court..Court urges High Courts to dispose of review petitions expeditiously..March 6: Court expresses its inclination to set up a pay commission to suggest guidelines for the review of pay scales and emoluments of judges of subordinate judiciary..Court transfers the case relating to the suicide of Amity Law school student, Sushant Rohilla to the Delhi High Court..Amity University Founder and Chairman Ashok Chauhan claims ‘no liability or responsibility’ in student Sushant Rohilla’s suicide..March 7: Court issues notice in a batch of petitions alleging that citizens are not being allowed to deposit demonetised Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes till March 31, as initially promised..A Victims’ Association seeks modification of Court order setting Sushil Ansal free in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case..Court holds that pressure tactics by cine artists and producers to prohibit dubbed serials would amount to an anti-competitive practice under Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2002..March 10: Court issues bailable warrant against Calcutta High Court judge, Justice CS Karnan for failing to appear in the contempt case against him..Justice CS Karnan calls for the resignation and prosecution of the seven judges who had issued a bailable warrant against him in the contempt case..Court Collegium rejects ‘national security’, permanent secretariat clauses in Memorandum of Procedure..March 14: Court refuses to stay swearing-in of Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of Goa..March 15: Reports surface that Collegium has finalised the Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of judges..March 20: Senior Advocate Anil Divan passes away..The Election Commission of India files affidavit in the Court, endorsing the setting up of special courts to try criminal cases against legislators and judges..March 21: Court urges parties to the Ram Mandir dispute to settle the matter outside the court..Court issues notice to the Central Government, seeking a response as to why the option of depositing old notes post the Demonetization drive was withdrawn in December 30, 2016..Gujarat High Court Bar Association writes letter to Collegium raising concerns of executive interference in judicial appointments and vacancies in High Courts..Court holds that nature of proceeding, not nomenclature, is the “litmus test” to determine maintainability of intra-court appeal..March 22: A Division Bench of the Court refers the challenge by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising to the system Senior Designations to a larger Bench..Video conference facility for jail inmates to interact with lawyers inaugurated in Supreme Court..March 24: Court issues notice to the Election Commission in a PIL calling for implementation of paper trails in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).March 26: Collegium agrees to have age-limit for lawyers to be elevated to the High courts..March 27: Court turns down a plea for urgent hearing in the challenge to the Aadhaar scheme, for the second time..Court reserves its verdict in the Nirbhaya gang rape case of 2012, on the aspect of sentencing..Court stays Bombay High Court judgment permitting stamp duty on advertisements..March 28: Senior Advocate TR Andhyarujina passes away..Court reserves its verdict in PIL regarding appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Lokpal under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013..Court directs installation of CCTV in courts in two districts per state..March 29: Court directs that vehicles not compliant with Bharat Stage IV emission standards should not be sold in India with effect from April 1..March 30: Notice issued to all High Courts and States seeking their response on suggestions made by Senior Advocate R Basant to address deficiencies in criminal trials..March 31: Justice CS Karnan appears before the Supreme Court in contempt case against him..Court scraps NEET Age limit; extends deadline for applications to April 5, 2017..Court sticks by Highway Liquor ban, but modifies its earlier order slightly..Justice CS Karnan passes a judgement restraining the seven Supreme Court judges hearing his contempt case from performing their judicial and administrative work..Court stays Uttarakhand High Court’s alcohol ban in three districts..Court takes up Allahabad High Court as “pilot project” with a view to addressing growing concern of pendency of cases in High Courts..April.April 3: Central Government informs the Court that appointments to the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal will be completed within three weeks..April 5: Challenge to the WhatsApp User Policy in the context of data privacy referred to a Constitution Bench..Can a Parliamentary Committee Report be relied upon to issue a writ of mandamus? Division Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Rohinton Nariman refers question to a Constitution Bench..April 6: Court reserves judgment in Babri Masjid case..Court holds that disciplinary proceedings transferred to BCI under S. 36B(1) of Advocates Act cannot be sent back to State Bar Council..April 7: Court pulls up Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Karnataka for cow vigilantism..April 8: Collegium clears names of Pratibha Singh, Rekha Palli, Naveen Chawla and Hari Shankar for appointment as judges of the Delhi High Court..April 10: Court holds that gender can be a mitigating factor for the purpose of sentencing in criminal cases..April 11: Court sets aside judgment of the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), which had allowed levy of compensatory tariff by power companies on the ground of rise in prices of raw materials..April 13: Court issues notice to Centre in petition by Bahujan Samaj Party to implement voter-identified paper trail in EVMs..Accepting submissions made by the Centre, Court directs NEET to be held in Urdu as well from the next year..April 13: Justice CS Karnan passes an “order” directing the seven judges deciding the contempt case against him to appear before him at his “Rosedale Residential Court”..April 15: BCI and High Court Bar associations call for new legislation to replace the Collegium system..April 17: Appeals to Court from CESTAT under S. 130E(b) of the Customs Act should involve substantial question of law, rules Supreme Court..April 18: Case regarding whether MLA/MP will be disqualified for defection if expelled from a party referred to Constitution Bench. ..Constitution Bench of the Court commences hearing in challenge to the WhatsApp User Policy in the context of data privacy..Court exempts disabled persons from the ambit of National Anthem order..April 19: Court allows CBI to try BJP leaders for criminal conspiracy in Babri Masjid demolition..April 20: Court gives the go-ahead to auction of Taj Mansingh hotel in Delhi..April 21: Court admits two petitions challenging Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, which makes Aadhaar mandatory for filing Income Tax Returns..April 24: Court directs reinstatement of former Kerala DGP TP Senkumar..Can a High Court designate a lawyer from another high court as Senior Advocate? Court seeks assistance of Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi to decide this question..Central Government suggests creation a Unique Identification for cows, to deal with the problem of illegal transportation of cattle..April 26: Court starts hearing arguments in petitions challenging compulsion to quote Aadhaar when filing income tax returns under Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act..April 27: Lokpal Act as it stands is a workable legislation, rules Supreme Court; Centre’s apprehensions that the same cannot be practically implemented without amendments dismissed..April 28: Court issues directions to resolve allocation of judges between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana..Justice CS Karnan passes another “order” demanding the appearance of the seven judges hearing contempt case against him, as well as Justice R Banumathi..Gujarat High Court Advocates Association moves Court seeking recall of directions to amend the Advocates Act..May.May 1: Court directs medical examination of Calcutta High Court judge, Justice CS Karnan..May 2: Supreme refuses to entertain plea made by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising to stay Senior Designations till challenge to the system is disposed of. Matter posted for July 20, 2017..Court holds that Vice-Chancellors of law schools would face contempt proceedings if lawyer verification is not completed in eight weeks..May 3: Justice CS Karnan issues non-bailable warrant against the seven judges sitting in judgment over contempt proceedings initiated against him..May 4: Justice Jasti Chelameswar recuses himself from the Patiala House violence case..Central Information Commission raises concerns regarding lack of transparency in the functioning of the judiciary, absence of redressal mechanisms to deal with complaints against judges..May 5: Court imposes costs of Rs 25,000 on Kerala government in TP Senkumar case..Court confirms death penalty for all four accused in Nirbhaya rape case..Court holds that the definition of ‘child in need of protection’ under the Juvenile Justice Act is not exhaustive, but should be read liberally to extend its benefit to all children requiring State care and protection..Court holds that in cheque bouncing cases, compensation is recoverable even after undergoing imprisonment..May 8: Court sets aside Jharkhand High Court order which had laid down that Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav cannot be tried separately for various offences relating to Fodder scam.Another petition in Court challenges mandatory Aadhaar for mid-day meals etc..Karnan J “sentences” seven SC judges to five years’ imprisonment under SC/ST Act..May 9: Court initiates suo-motu PIL on evolving a Central selection mechanism for subordinate judiciary..Court sentences Justice CS Karnan to six months imprisonment for contempt of court..May 9: Court directs States to respond in a suo motu petition for evolving a common agency to hold selections to the subordinate judiciary across the country..Court quashes Madras High Court order barring judges of lower courts from writing their judgments in English..Court observes in a judgement that it is the bounden duty of the Court to consider the economic impact of its decisions..May 10: Court launches its Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) to better enable litigants to access and retrieve information online..Supreme Court of India launches its new website..May 11: Court commences hearing the Constitutional challenge to the practice of Triple Talaq..Justice CS Karnan files a writ petition in the Court challenging the Constitutional validity of the Contempt of Courts Act..May 12: Court allows plea to hear the Aadhaar case on interim prayers and posts the matter for May 17..May 18: Court reserves its judgement in the Triple Talaq case after six days of hearing..May 27: Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose retires..June.June 4: Centre approves forty-four names recommended for elevation by the Collegium..June 9: Court partially reads down Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, which makes Aadhaar mandatory for filing Income Tax Returns..June 12: Court orders that results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Text 2017 (NEET 2017) be declared by June 26. It also overrules a stay imposed in the matter by the Madras High Court and directs that no High Court should entertain petition relating to NEET 2017..Justice CS Karnan, who had gone missing after the Supreme Court ordered his arrest for Contempt of Court, retires whilst in hiding..June 15: Court issues notice in a petition filed challenging certain provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, which ban the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets..June 20: Justice CS Karnan arrested from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu..June 21: Court denies Justice CS Karnan bail or suspension of sentence..June 30: Senior Advocate KK Venugopal appointed 15th Attorney General for India..July.July 4: Court observes that it cannot continue monitoring the administration of the Padmanabhaswamy temple indefinitely; expresses inclination to dispose of the 2011 case..July 5: Court reserves judgment in Teesta Setalvad’s case..Court publishes judgment in Justice Karnan’s contempt case, in which it expresses concerns regarding the system of selecting judges, lack of procedures to deal with erring judges etc..Husband of Hadiya moves Supreme Court against judgment of Kerala High Court which had annulled their marriage..July 6: Court observes that seeking Reservations through Fake Certificates is a Fraud on the Constitution..July 7: Court stays IIT JEE counselling, admissions after errors were cited in question papers..July 9: Court stays Uttarakhand High Court’s decision to declare rivers Ganga and Yamuna as living entities..July 10: Court vacates the stay imposed on IIT JEE counselling..High Courts of Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh express reservations on Central Selection Mechanism for Subordinate Judiciary..July 11: Centre informs Court that it will consider representations by stakeholders and make amendments to the Cattle Slaughter Rules..Court refuses to modify order banning liquor along National and State highways; also refuses to interfere with de-notification of highways by Chandigarh..July 12: Registrar of the Court issues formal order to list case regarding entry of foreign firms into India for final hearing..July 13: Court allows Central government to serve status report of case to the petitioner through email..July 14: Court orders CBI probe into Manipur Encounter Killings..Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Amit Sibal and CS Vaidyanathan appear for Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in case against his proprietorship concern; Justice DY Chandrachud recuses himself from the case..July 17: Corruption probe against Orissa High Court judges stalled as senior judge’s name crops up..Court refers petition challenging the Constitutional validity of Article 35A to a 3-judge Bench..July 18: Court decides on composition of a 9-judge Bench to consider whether the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India..Court constitutes new oversight committee to oversee functioning of Medical Council of India..July 19: Government moves early hearing application in the Foreign Law Firms case..Court commences hearing in the Right to Privacy case..July 21: Court asks Central government and States to work together to effectively implement the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS Act); reminds Centre to exercise its powers under Article 256 of the Constitution..Collegium relents to the Centre’s proposal to reconsider the decision to transfer Justice Valmiki Mehta out of Delhi High Court..July 24: Court declines PIL filed seeking investigation into persecution of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir on grounds of delay and likelihood of evidence being unavailable..Court allows recording consent terms after case is admitted under Insolvency Code..Court issues notice to Abhishek Manu Singhvi and his proprietorship concern, Rishabh Enterprises..July 25: Court holds that weightage to Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) marks is merely a guideline and not a mandatory requirement to be followed by states while recruiting teachers..CJI JS Khehar recommends appointment of Justice Dipak Misra as the 45th Chief Justice of India..Law Ministry clears files for appointment of five new judges after Calcutta High Court’s scathing order..July 26: Court issues notice in plea for CBI probe in Bhopal Encounter case..July 27: Court holds that Article 194 of the Constitution and Entry 39 of List II does not empower State Legislatures to create new offices like Parliamentary Secretary..In what would turn out to be a controversial decision, Court issues directions to prevent misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code..July 28: Court issues notice to decide whether toddy is liquor for the purpose of the Highway liquor ban..July 29: Court issues notice in petition challenging the Constitutionality of Article 35A of the Indian Constitution read with Section 6 of the Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir..August.August 1: Centre informs Court that a Committee has been formed to suggest a Draft Data Protection Bill during the course of hearing the Right to Privacy case..August 2: Court delivers judgment in Odisha mining case..Court reserves judgment in Right to Privacy case after six days of hearing..August 4: Court commences hearing in Hadiya case..Court seeks report from Delhi High Court on timely disposal of IPR cases..Court issues notice in challenge to the vires of the Finance Act by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh..August 8: Court issues notice in challenge to validity of Article 370 of the Constitution..Court dismisses PIL to make Yoga compulsory in schools..Court issues notice to the Kerala High Court in a petition challenging the selection process of appointment of District Judges for 2015..Centre clears appointment of Justice Dipak Misra as the 45th Chief Justice of India..Court recognises Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration as an appointing institution..August 10: NIA files interim application in Hadiya case, praying for an order to investigate the matter..Court directs Kerala Police to share details of Hadiya case investigation with NIA..Court directs CBSE to frame identical questions in all languages for NEET..Court commences final hearing in challenge to process of senior designation of lawyers..August 11: Court constitutes committee to study report on Vrindavan widows; suggests that widow remarriage should be encouraged..August 16: Court orders NIA to probe the Hadiya case under the supervision of Justice (Retd.) RV Raveendran..Former Advocate General of Kerala, MK Damodaran passes away..Court constitutes Supervisory Committee to verify the correctness of the decision taken by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to close 241 cases relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots..Court holds that personal liberty plays a role when it comes to interpreting the law related to default bail under Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure..August 21: Court issues notice in challenge to NGT order upholding plastic ban in Karnataka..Senior Advocate Yatin Oza writes letter to CJI JS Khehar alleging that Gujarat High Court judge, Justice MR Shah converted unaccounted, de-monetised currency worth Rs 1 crore..August 22: In a historic judgment, Supreme Court strikes down Triple Talaq as unconstitutional..Court holds that Prasar Bharati cannot re-transmit live signals to private cable and DTH Operators..August 23: Court gives 15 days to lawyers to submit complete application forms for lawyer verification..SCBA President RS Suri responds to Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan’s article criticising CJI JS Khehar..August 24: In another major judgment, a 9-judge Bench of the Supreme Court holds that Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right under Article 21..August 25: Court issues notice in Major Navdeep Singh’s petition to curb tribunalisation..August 28: Justice Dipak Misra sworn in as 45th Chief Justice of India..Reports surface that Justice Jasti Chelameswar had written to CJI JS Khehar criticising the random manner in which the Collegium functions..August 29: Justice PC Pant retires..Court reserves verdict in Senior Designations case..Reports surface that Justice Jasti Chelameswar alluded to “unwarranted intimacy” between Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, M Naidu and Supreme Court judge, Justice NV Justice Ramana..August 30: Justice Raveendran turns down request to oversee NIA probe in Hadiya case..Court holds that offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is person-specific and that the scheme of prosecution is different from CrPC..Video conferencing in matrimonial disputes – Division Bench of Court refers question to larger Bench..September.September 1: Supreme Court agrees to hear a petition on the Rohingya Deportation issue after the mentioning by Advocate Prashant Bhushan..Supreme Court overturns MCI’s decisions and allows Saraswati Educational and Charitable trust to admit students..September 4: SC stays NCLT Allahabad order initiating insolvency proceedings against Jaypee Infratech..Supreme Court issues notice to Enforcement Directorate in bail peal by Delhi lawyer Rohit Tandon..Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply Rohingya Deportation..September 5: Judges of subordinate judiciary work in most trying conditions, observes Justice AK Sikri..September 6: SC issues notice in the cow vigilantism matter and directs that a nodal officer take cognizance of the law and order situation..Maharashtra government’s amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) challenged in the Supreme Court..Court issues notice in a petition seeking data localization by companies like Facebook and Twitter in India..September 7: Court reserves judgment in petition challenging the appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and Vigilance Commissioner.September 8: Court partly sets aside the order passed by the Allahabad High Court summoning the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh in the matter related to the failure of state Advocate General Raghvendra Singh to appear in cases..Court reserves verdict in the issue relating to the use of video conferencing in matrimonial proceedings..September 9: SC stays criminal proceedings against Krrish 3 director Rakesh Roshan.September 10: Veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani quits the legal profession..SC issues notice in a case relating to Delhi Judicial Service Exam..September 11: Jaypee Insolvency: Supreme Court modifies the earlier order..CJI writes a letter to Chief Justices of High Courts urging them to constitute special benches on Saturdays to hear criminal appeals..SC issues notice in a petition seeking guidelines to ensure safety of students in schools.September 12: SC tags challenge to Meghalaya HC Senior Designation Rules with Indira Jaising’s petition..Court bats for special courts to try disproportionate assets cases.Court holds that a cooling off period of six months stipulated under Section 13B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Act) is not mandatory and can be waived by courts depending on the facts and circumstances of the case..Court lifts the ban on the sale of fireworks by modifying its earlier order..September 13: KTS Tulsi seeks transfer of Ryan International School murder trial from Haryana to Delhi or any other state..September 14: Supreme Court reserves judgement in Meghalaya HC Senior Designation Rules case..September 15: Home Ministry cancels Supreme Court Bar Association FCRA registration for their failure to file returns..Court issues notice to Centre on a PIL seeking a ban on Blue Whale challenge.Court issues reform-oriented directions to address custodial deaths.Court directs Delhi High Court to decide whether a retweet can form the basis of defamation..September 18: Fali S Nariman appears in Rohingya deportation matter.SC directs Gurgaon Bar Association not to hinder Ryan International murder trial after hearing a transfer petition seeking transfer of the case to Delhi from Haryana..Court agrees to hold an in-camera hearing in Prajwala case..September 19: Court issues notice in petitions challenging provisions of Finance Act, 2017..September 20: Court directs that only AoRs will mention matters..PIL filed in the Supreme Court challenging the method of execution of death sentence in India..Court orders Uttar Pradesh government to honour outstanding bills of former AAG, Ranjit Rao.September 22: SC holds that NGT does not have jurisdiction to interfere with appointments to State Pollution Control Boards and cannot lay down specific rules and guidelines for recruitment of the Chairperson and members..September 23: Petition filed by British citizen iterating that India has no law in governing treatment of foreign passport..September 26: Gujarat High Court Advocates Association (GHCAA) passes a resolution to file a petition in Supreme Court challenging the transfer of Justice Jayant Patel from the Karnataka High Court to the Allahabad High Court..September 28: BCI issues show cause notice to Dushyant Dave for remarks against CJI Dipak Misra..SCBA issues a press release and expresses concern over the lack of transparency in matters of elevation and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary..October.October 3: 13 executive members of the SCBA members SCBA express shock at the statement issued by SCBA Dushyant Dave over Jayant Patel’s resignation,.“Our Constitution is based on Individual Rights, not Group Rights” submits Fali Nariman while arguing for Rohingyas..No holds barred conversation between Dushyant Dave and the Bench in the Hadiya matter..Collegium’s decision to transfer Jayant Patel J was unanimous, taken after considering inputs on record, Supreme Court clarifies..SC constitutes Constitution Bench to hear cases on Euthanasia, Centre v. Delhi power tussle and determination of compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988..October 4: SC takes exception to an affidavit filed by Jammu & Kashmir HC Bar Association questioning state’s accession to India in a case concerning the use of pellet guns by security forces..Court culls out broad principles from various precedents for quashing First Information Reports (FIRs)..October 5: Justice Chandrachud takes strong exception to senior Bar member’s comments on “pro-govt judges” during the hearing of the Bulandshahr gang rape case..Court holds that courts have the discretion to close punitive proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which deals with cheque bouncing..October 6: Petition filed in the Supreme Court to re-investigate Mahatma Gandhi murder..Supreme Court transfers Haryana Judicial Service Exam matter to itself..In a historic move, Court decides to reveal Collegium Resolutions on the website..Court issues notice to Centre in a petition challenging the method of capital punishment of hanging by the neck..SC Collegium recommends the appointment of six judges to Madras High Court..October 9: Constitution Bench of SC to hear case on deemed conversion of woman to husband’s religion under the Special Marriage Act.SC holds that video conferencing cannot be mandated in transfer petitions..Dave alleges attempt by Amit Shah, Centre to vitiate peaceful atmosphere in Kerala, during the Hadyia case hearing..Supreme Court suspends lifting of firecracker ban, reinforces November 2016 order..Contempt petition filed in Supreme Court against Karnataka State Bar Council for violating of the Supreme Court order relating to lawyers’ verification..October 11: Supreme Court hears the case relating to Euthanasia and Living Wills..Court rules that Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with child marital rape is arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21, and not in consonance with the POCSO Act..October 12: Supreme Court reserves judgment in the case relating to Euthanasia and living wills..Supreme Court lays down uniform criteria for Senior Designations which will be applicable to all High Courts and the Supreme Court..October 13: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with the order to terminate Tis Hazari judge commenting “You practice law, don’t decide law”,.Court decides to revisit its judgment on misuse of Section 498A IPC..SC dismisses a petition seeking a ban on the book Samajika Smugglurlu Komatollu observing that “Every author has a fundamental right to speak out ideas freely.”.October 14: CBI apprises the Court of its keenness to tender unconditional apology to Justice CR Dash of Orissa High Court, for mistakenly raiding his house..Petition filed in Supreme Court challenging linking Aadhaar with bank account, mobile phones..October 17: A group of law students and young lawyers write a letter to Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, urging him to ensure that the mic system installed in all courts be mandatorily used..Protest outside Supreme Court against ban on sale of crackers..October 22: Petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Central government’s mandate to conduct verification of new and existing mobile phone connections using Aadhaar..October 23: Court asks the Centre to take a call on the issue in the case relating to the playing of the National Anthem in cinema halls. Justice Chandrachud asks “Should we wear patriotism on our sleeves?”.Centre agrees to bring Finance Act & Appointments to Tribunals “in consonance” with SC judgments..Court urges Centre to implement slew of recommendations made by the court-appointed committee to ensure that videos depicting rape, gang rape and child pornography are not available for circulation on internet..October 24: Petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines and other regulations for the Gujarat Assembly polls..October 25: Centre approaches the Supreme Court against Calcutta High Court’s order putting a stay on the withdrawal of Central Forces from Darjeeling..Attorney General for India KK Venugopal mentions the stance of Centre to extend the deadline for linking Aadhaar with various services till March 31, 2018..October 26: Gripping exchange between Chandrachud J and AG KK Venugopal in SC during the hearing of the case on whether courts can rely on reports of Parliamentary Standing Committees while deciding cases under Article 32 or 136..Collegium resolves that a committee of two Supreme Court judges shall evaluate the judgments of additional judges of High Courts for purpose of determining their suitability for appointment as permanent judges..October 27: SC directs private channels to telecast educational programme produced by Doordarshan to create awareness of the Blue Whale Challenge..Court issues notice to Centre for delay in finalising MoP for appointment of judges to the higher judiciary..Arun Mishra J tells physically challenged litigant to walk to the podium..October 29: Court asks High Courts to set up special centres for vulnerable witnesses..October 30: SC takes strong objection to the petition filed by the West Bengal state government challenging the Aadhaar Act under Article 32..Court orders production of Hadiya in Court on November 27..Supreme Court agrees to hear the Aadhaar matter in the last week of November..October 31: Supreme Court delivers judgment on fixation of future prospects for calculation of Motor Accident claims..Court invites online applications from Senior Advocates, Advocates-on-Record and lawyers who are members of the SCBA for allotment of lawyers’ chambers..November.November 1: Supreme Court asks Centre to frame scheme to set up Special Courts to try criminal legislators..November 3: Supreme Court asks Kerala HC to decide on the Constitutional validity of Kerala Grants and Leases (Modification of Rights) Act, 1980..SC directs mobile companies and banks to specify the last date for linkage with Aadhaar..SC restrains Deemed Universities from offering distance education courses..Court resolves to hear twenty-five miscellaneous matters on Tuesdays..Court holds that legal heirs of the deceased complainants can continue prosecuting the complaint..SC scraps educational qualification requirement for Forester exam in the state of Maharashtra..November 6: Court issues notice in a petition by a transgender person who was denied a job in the cabin crew by Air India..SC stays bail granted to former Jindal students in a rape case..November 8: AIFF moves Supreme Court for holding elections to bid for Under-20 World Cup.Delay in MoP: 3-judge Bench disposes of case after DB took serious note.SC pulls up Jharkhand HC for contradictory orders, asks ACJ to conduct an inquiry..November 9: Persons taking bribes in the name of SC judges: Dave mentions Kamini Jaiswal’s petition. SC places the matter before the Constitution Bench..November 10: Supreme Court rejects Rohit Tandon’s appeal for bail..Supreme Court dismisses a petition seeking a ban on the release of the Hindi feature film Padmavati..Prashant Bhushan storms out of CJI’s Court during the hearing of CJAR petition..“CJI master of roster”, reaffirms Constitution Bench, while hearing the medical college bribery case..Court issues circular saying “Mentioning with respect to matters not assigned to any bench only before CJI”.Court stays Delhi HC’s order setting aside AIFF elections..November 13: Court hears Nirbhaya convicts’ review petition and adjourns it to Dec 12..SC reserves its order in the petition filed by advocate Kamini Jaiswal seeking an SIT probe into the medical college bribery matter..November 14: Petition filed in SC amidst burgeoning vacancies at Karnataka High Court..Court issues notice in a petition seeking regulation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in India..Court dismisses Kamini Jaiswal petition deprecating the conduct of lawyers involved..Justice Jasti Chelameswar recuses from the Telangana Judges Association case..November 15: Former Supreme Court judge, Justice V Khalid passes away..November 16: Freedom of Speech sacrosanct – SC while dismissing plea against An Insignificant Man..November 20: SC dismisses a petition challenging the vires of Rule 56(D)(2) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961..November 27: SC allows Hadiya to complete her education from Sivaraj Medical College, Salem..SC reserves its verdict in the petition filed by Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Judicial Reforms (CJAR) seeking an SIT probe into the controversial medical college matter..November 28: SC rebukes persons in public offices for making prejudicial comments while hearing a petition seeking Ban on Padmavati movie..Court deprecates Centre for relying on private books instead of official publications..Court upholds appointment of Rakesh Asthana as CBI Special Director..November 30: Supreme Court passes 25 directions for ensuring Road Safety in India. The Court directed the Union Territories and States, which have not formed road safety policies to formulate the same by January 2018..December.December 1: Supreme Court dismisses CJAR petition and imposes costs of 25 lakh.Former Chief Justice of India Justice AS Anand passes away..SC issues notice in a challenge to “Jury System” under Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act..SC issues notice in plea seeking ban on convicts from forming political parties..Court directs wife to “behave herself properly” and “look after” her husband and the husband’s aged mother..December 4: Supreme Court Collegium meets to appoint High Court judges.SC issues notice in plea seeking that demonstrations be allowed in Central Delhi..SC issues notice in public interest litigation raising the issue of discrimination meted out to leprosy patients..SC Collegium clears five appointments to Calcutta HC, rejects one for not qualifying income criterion..CBI tenders unconditional apology to Orissa HC CJ and Justice CR Dash..December 5: SC hears Ayodhya land dispute matter after seven years and eventually adjourns it for February next year..SC holds that a claim for the fees made by an advocate based on the percentage of a decretal amount is an act against public policy and amounts to professional misconduct..December 6: Dushyant Dave, Vikas Singh, RS Suri, V Shekhar file nominations to contest for SCBA President post..SC holds that NDMC Act is not a special enactment and cannot override Delhi Rent Act..December 7: Supreme Court decides to hear Aadhaar case for interim relief..Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra takes strong objection to the conduct of certain Senior Counsel for raising their voices and browbeating judges..December 8: Supreme Court issues notice in PIL challenging adultery laws under Section 497 of IPC..December 11: Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan retires from legal profession.Court holds that retiring members of NCDRC and CAT can continue holding office till April 15..SC refuses to cancel anticipatory bail application of Ryan International owners..Court issues notice to Kerala in contempt petition by victims of the insecticide, Endosulfan..Centre files an affidavit proposing a Scheme by which twelve Special Courts will be set up to dispose of criminal cases pending against politicians within a period of one year..Court reiterates that there should be minimal interference from the judiciary when it comes to the conduct and evaluation of public examinations by statutory authorities..SC holds that the Bar Council cannot initiate disciplinary proceedings for transactions unrelated to Professional Conduct..December 12: SC observes that the manner in which order has been passed by NCLT in Unitech matter as very disturbing..PIL in Supreme Court on disproportionate assets of former CJI KG Balakrishnan withdrawn..SC reserves its verdict on the Jallikattu issue..Court holds that action cannot be taken against hotels and restaurants for charging prices in excess of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for mineral water in their establishments..December 13: Supreme Court stays NCLT order in Unitech case..Thomas Chandy requests change in Bench for hearing the matter..Senior Advocate Vikas Singh elected SCBA President..December 14: SC pulls up Delhi HC for failing to furnish details about pending civil suits in the High Court for more than ten years..Collegium recommends KC Sharma J of Rajasthan HC to be made permanent judge..December 15: SC accepts the Central government’s March 31, 2018 deadline for linkage of Aadhaar with various schemes..SC dismisses appeal by Teesta Setalvad to De-freeze Bank Accounts.