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In re: Compensation for families of Indians deceased in Russia-Ukraine conflict

The Supreme Court is overseeing a petition concerning Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As reported on 15 October 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 267 Indians joined the forces, with 51 deaths, 77 missing, and 139 discharges, noting that some repatriated individuals have since rejoined the military. The Court has directed the government to issue a public notice assisting families with compensation claims and to clarify actions taken against illegal recruitment agents.

Victims of 1996 Thoothukudi Riots vs State of Tamil Nadu

The Supreme Court of India is presiding over a matter concerning the long-pending compensation for victims who suffered property and business losses during the 1996 communal riots in Thoothukudi. The apex court has criticized the Tamil Nadu government for repeated requests for adjournments and the significant delay in providing relief to the affected individuals.

Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Prashant Bhushan vs Union of India — Pellet gun ban petition

The Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Prashant Bhushan filed a petition in the Supreme Court to ban the use of metallic pellet guns by law enforcement during civilian protests. A Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Enquiry Committee has established an online portal to collect evidence regarding the use of these weapons and has scheduled evidentiary hearings for 29 October 2026 and 30 October 2026.

In re: Alleged illegal detention and police excess during Delhi CEC protests

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions alleging police excesses and illegal detention of protesters during recent demonstrations against the CEC in Delhi. While the Delhi Police Commissioner submitted an unconditional apology and an affidavit on 15 October 2026 defending the detentions, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on 16 October 2026 to file personal affidavits regarding internal decision-making processes.

In re: Regulation of all forms of 'talaq' under Muslim personal law

The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to the Union government and other relevant parties seeking their response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The petition requests the framing and implementation of uniform procedural safeguards and guidelines governing all forms of divorce under Muslim personal law.

Delhi Union of Journalists vs Union of India and Others — Petition regarding police conduct against journalists

The Delhi Union of Journalists has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India alleging police violence against independent reporters during Delhi protests. During proceedings on 15 October 2026, the Court granted interim protection to a woman journalist, discussed the challenges in defining journalists versus content creators, and considered forming a women-led committee to investigate sexual violence allegations. The matter is pending, with the next hearing scheduled for 3 November 2026.

State vs. Asaram — Prison caregiver engagement and parole suppression

The Supreme Court permitted Asaram to hire a trained caregiver for medical assistance while in prison on 06 August 2026. On 14 October 2026, the court allowed Asaram to withdraw his interim bail application in the Gujarat rape case and directed that his appeal against the Jodhpur conviction proceed after he surrenders following his parole.

State vs Chhattisgarh Police — Custodial Death Case (January 2024)

In January 2024, a 34-year-old man died while in the custody of Chhattisgarh Police. On 12 August 2026, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI investigation into the matter after noting a state-level cover-up and awarded Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the victim's family. On 13 October 2026, the Supreme Court granted the CBI an additional three months to complete the investigation into the custodial death.

State vs Unknown — Vejalpur Police Station custodial death case, Ahmedabad

In May 2026, 70-year-old Zahiruddin Shaikh died while in the custody of the Vejalpur Police Station in Ahmedabad. Following a Supreme Court order dated 23 July 2026, the Gujarat government registered an FIR and appointed a Special Investigation Team to probe the death after the Gujarat High Court previously dismissed the family's petition. As of 29 August 2026, the case is under investigation.

Rishi Malhotra vs Union of India — Challenge to hanging as a mode of execution

In this public interest litigation, Rishi Malhotra challenged the constitutional validity of execution by hanging under Section 354(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, arguing that it is not a dignified form of death. The Supreme Court dismissed the plea on 18 August 2026, declining to refer the earlier judgment in Deena v. Union of India.

Challenge to the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026 — self-identification

The Supreme Court is examining petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026, on the grounds that it restricts the right to self-identification. As reported on 17 August 2026, the Union Government defended the law before a three-judge bench, arguing that permitting self-perceived identity would make 169 statutory provisions unworkable. The court has directed the Union to further evaluate the impact of the 2026 amendment.

Supreme Court acquittal — Man exonerated after 22 years in jail for wrongful conviction

The Supreme Court of India acquitted Arjun Jani, an Odisha man who spent 22 years in prison following a wrongful conviction in a 2004 triple murder case. On 07 August 2026, the court set aside the previous judgments of the trial court and the high court due to weak evidence.

State vs Prajwala and others — Human trafficking case

A Supreme Court judgment delivered in May 2026 in the Prajwala case, described as a significant victory for anti-human trafficking advocates. The case relates to human trafficking and forced labour practices in India.

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

The Supreme Court of India issued a verdict on 13 November 2024 prohibiting authorities from demolishing properties solely because an individual is accused of a crime and established pan-India guidelines for such actions. In a subsequent development regarding the State of Uttar Pradesh vs Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others case, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani formally opposed a demolition order issued by the Rampur Development Authority concerning Jauhar University as reported on 18 July 2026.

Public Interest Litigation for guidelines against hate speech

The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation seeking the formulation of guidelines against hate speech on 28 April 2026. The Court ruled that no legislative vacuum exists, noting that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Indian Penal Code sufficiently cover the issue, which relates to the enforcement of existing laws. Consequently, the case is closed.

State vs Unknown — Dharavi custodial death case

A 29-year-old hawker died in police custody after his arrest for allegedly harassing his wife in Mumbai. While the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation as reported on 26 September 2019, the Supreme Court directed the preservation of CCTV footage and medical records related to the death on 23 October 2025.

State of Gujarat vs Sanjiv Bhatt — 1990 custodial death case

In June 2019, a Gujarat court sentenced former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to life imprisonment for his role in a 1990 custodial death case. On 29 April 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed his application for bail and refused to suspend his sentence. The court has since directed that his appeal against the conviction be heard on an expedited basis.

West Bengal Police vs CBI Officers (Bogtui custodial death case)

West Bengal police registered a case against seven CBI officers, including a DIG and an SP, regarding the custodial death of Lalan Sheikh, the prime accused in the Bogtui violence. As reported on 13 December 2023, the Supreme Court refused to quash the investigation, allowing the state police probe to continue despite the Calcutta High Court's earlier order restraining coercive action against the officers as reported on 14 December 2022.

Judicial inquiry into the Vikas Dubey encounter

The judicial commission investigated the 2020 encounter death of Vikas Dubey, concluding that while there was no evidence of foul play by the Uttar Pradesh police, there was clear evidence of collusion between Dubey and local officials. Following the submission of the panel's recommendations, the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to take action on 22 July 2022. The Supreme Court subsequently closed all petitions challenging the police action on 23 July 2022.

Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India — Section 377 challenge

In this litigation, the Supreme Court of India declared Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional to the extent that it criminalized private consensual sexual acts between adults. The five-judge Constitution Bench ruled on 6 September 2018 that the provision was irrational and arbitrary. As of 15 November 2018, the central government had yet to implement the court's directive to conduct public sensitization programs regarding the decriminalization.