Constitutional law cases

Judgment delivered2 months ago

Ramkrishna Chauhan v. State of UP — SC/ST Act offence quashed for lack of public utterance

The Supreme Court quashed an SC/ST Act offence against a school manager accused of assaulting and hurling caste-based abuses. The Court held that caste abuse in an enclosed space and without a specific caste-based utterance in public view does not constitute an offence under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Caste AtrocitiesConstitutional lawAssault+2

Uttar Pradesh8Court matter

On trial2 months ago

Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth Trust v. State of Karnataka & Ors. — Land encroachment allegation challenge

A writ petition challenging a government order constituting a Special Investigation Team to probe alleged land encroachment by a trust linked to the Art of Living Foundation in Bengaluru South Taluk. The Karnataka High Court granted an interim stay of the SIT probe.

Land GrabbingPublic Interest LitigationConstitutional law+3

Karnataka5Court matter

Judgment delivered3 months ago

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case — Citizenship and voter status

A Supreme Court case concerning the distinction between citizens and voters, with implications for India's understanding of citizenship. The matter involved challenges before Single Bench and Division Bench of a High Court, followed by a Supreme Court hearing that resulted in a split verdict. The case addresses whether actual prejudice was caused to writ petitioners and examines revisional proceedings before the Commissioner.

Constitutional lawCitizenshipElectoral law

Bihar9Court matter

On trial4 weeks ago

Shiv Sena Split Case

A constitutional matter concerning defections and the formation of government. The petitioners sought to preserve rights flowing from the 2019 law amid changes under the 2026 amendment. Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the claim regarding government formation depended on assumptions about the litigation outcome.

Constitutional lawDefection

12Court matter

On trial5 months ago

Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala — Sabarimala review case

A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is hearing a reference arising from the Sabarimala review case. During these proceedings, the court has discussed the maintainability of petitions filed by non-devotees and the broader evolution of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) jurisdiction.

Constitutional lawPublic Interest Litigation

Kerala4Court matter

Judgment delivered7 months ago

Harish Rana vs State — Passive Euthanasia Case

The Supreme Court of India permitted passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, who had been in a vegetative state for 13 years. This ruling marks the first instance of a court-ordered withdrawal of medical treatment in the country, clarifying guidelines for end-of-life care.

Constitutional lawMedical Law

4Court matter

Judgment delivered2 months ago

NALSA v. Union of India — Transgender rights and self-identification

A landmark judgment recognizing the right to self-identification for transgender persons and establishing their legal protections. A subsequent 2025 bench decision reaffirmed these principles by directing compensation for a transgender woman denied employment.

Constitutional lawCustodial / human rightsEmployment Law

5Court matter

Judgment delivered11 months ago

Presidential Reference on Timelines for Bill Assent

The Supreme Court is hearing a Presidential Reference regarding the constitutional timelines for Governors to grant assent to bills passed by state legislatures. The court is examining 14 questions framed by the President of India concerning the role of Governors in the legislative process.

Constitutional law

3Court matter

Judgment deliveredlast year

State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu — Legislative Bill Assent Case

The Supreme Court delivered a verdict regarding the constitutional powers of the Governor of Tamil Nadu concerning the assent of legislative bills. The ruling addressed the extent of the Governor's authority in withholding assent to bills passed by the state legislature.

Constitutional law

Tamil Nadu3Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs Union of India — Preamble Secularism case

The Supreme Court heard a petition challenging the inclusion of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble of the Constitution, which were added via the 42nd Amendment. The Court delivered its verdict on the matter.

Constitutional law

2Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

State of Uttar Pradesh vs Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others — Bulldozer Justice case

The Supreme Court issued a verdict prohibiting authorities from demolishing properties solely on the basis of an individual being accused of a crime. The Court established pan-India guidelines to regulate the process of property demolition by state authorities.

Constitutional lawCustodial / human rights

2Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

Aligarh Muslim University vs Naresh Agarwal and others — Minority Status case

A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a verdict regarding the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University. The Court overruled the 1967 judgment in S. Azeez Basha v. Union of India, which had previously determined the institution's status.

Constitutional lawEducation

2Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

ADM Jabalpur v. Shivakant Shukla — Emergency powers and fundamental rights

A constitutional case examining the extent of extraordinary powers granted to the Executive during a national Emergency and their impact on the protection of fundamental rights under the Constitution.

Constitutional lawFundamental rightsEmergency Powers

3Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

Property Owners Association vs State of Maharashtra — Interpretation of 'Material Resources of the Community'

The Supreme Court examined whether private property can be considered a 'material resource of the community' under Article 39(b) of the Constitution. The Court held that not all private property falls under this definition, limiting the state's power to acquire private assets for public distribution.

Constitutional lawProperty rights

Maharashtra3Court matter

Judgment delivered2 years ago

State of Punjab vs Davinder Singh — Sub-classification of Scheduled Castes

The Supreme Court of India delivered a verdict upholding the power of states to sub-classify Scheduled Castes for the purpose of reservation. The ruling emphasized the principle of substantive equality in the context of affirmative action.

Constitutional lawReservation

Punjab2Court matter

On trial2 years ago

State of West Bengal vs Union of India — Suit regarding CBI jurisdiction

The State of West Bengal filed an original suit before the Supreme Court challenging the CBI's authority to register cases and conduct investigations within the state without the state government's consent. The Union of India has raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the suit is not maintainable and that the CBI operates independently of the Union government.

Constitutional lawCBI JurisdictionFederalism+1

West Bengal4Court matter

Under investigation2 years ago

State of Kerala vs Union of India — Borrowing limits case

The State of Kerala challenged the Union of India's imposition of net borrowing ceilings on the state, citing constitutional provisions under Article 293.

Constitutional lawFinancial Dispute

Kerala2Court matter

Judgment deliveredlast year

Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India — Electoral Bonds Scheme Constitutionality Challenge

The Supreme Court of India delivered a unanimous judgment declaring the Electoral Bonds Scheme unconstitutional and manifestly arbitrary for violating voters' right to information by providing blanket anonymity to political donors. The Court directed the State Bank of India and Election Commission of India to ensure full disclosure of donor and recipient details in implementation of the judgment.

Constitutional lawElectoral lawRight to Information

4Court matter

Closed3 years ago

In Re: Article 370 of the Constitution

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court heard a series of petitions challenging the Union government's 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Court unanimously upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation, ruling that the state did not retain sovereignty after its accession to India.

Constitutional law

Jammu and Kashmir8Court matter

Closed3 years ago

C.R. Jaya Sukin vs Union of India — Inauguration of new Parliament building

A public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a direction that the new Parliament building be inaugurated by the President of India rather than the Prime Minister. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the petition.

Constitutional law

Delhi4Court matter