Joseph Shine vs Union of India

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) vs Union of India — Challenge to immunity for Election Commissioners

The Supreme Court is hearing consolidated petitions, including those from ADR, Manoj Kumar Jha, and Arun Kumar Agrawal, challenging the constitutionality of Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. Petitioners argue that the provision granting lifelong legal immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners constitutes a fraud on the Constitution. As of 4 November 2026, the Supreme Court has issued notice to the Union Government and the Election Commission of India while restricting further filings in this matter.

In re: Challenge to Delimitation of Ambedkar Nagar and Alapur SC seat reservation

The Supreme Court dismissed a special leave petition on 4 November 2026, upholding the Allahabad High Court's decision to reject a challenge to the delimitation of Ambedkar Nagar and the reservation of the Alapur assembly seat for Scheduled Castes. The High Court had originally dismissed the petition on 15 October 2026, noting that the challenge was filed two decades late and lacked constitutional merit.

In re: Challenges to Backward Class reservations in Andhra Pradesh local body elections

The Supreme Court dismissed the Andhra Pradesh government's plea for 34% Backward Class reservation in local body elections on 17 October 2026 due to insufficient empirical data. Following allegations of candidate intimidation, the Court ordered a review of nomination filing and deferred the final candidate list. As of 3 November 2026, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has permitted vote counting to proceed for urban local body elections, with operations underway across 138 centers.