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

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc, have challenged the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Supreme Court, alleging illegal voter deletions across several states. The Election Commission filed a 15-point counter-affidavit on 26 October 2026 defending the process as unanimous and rejecting the allegations. The Supreme Court has granted petitioners 10 days to file a rejoinder regarding the Bihar revision, with further hearings scheduled for 28 October 2026.

State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Petitioners in OBC Reservation Matter

On 17 October 2026, the Madhya Pradesh High Court struck down a 2019 amendment that increased the OBC reservation quota from 14% to 27%. Following this, the state government filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court on 17 October 2026, which as of 27 October 2026 has been stalled by the Supreme Court Registry due to 10 procedural defects. The state has paused recruitment for approximately 11,000 positions pending the resolution of these proceedings.

State of Uttar Pradesh vs. Undisclosed Respondent — Compensation for wrongful imprisonment

The Supreme Court of India directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 6 lakh as compensation to a man who spent six years in custody as an undertrial before being acquitted in a kidnapping and murder case. Criticizing the investigation as slipshod, the court ruled on 26 October 2026 that the payment must be made within one month. Failure to comply with this order will result in the amount attracting an annual interest of 18%, as ordered by the Supreme Court on 27 October 2026.

Union of India vs Radha Yadav

In the matter of Union of India vs Radha Yadav, the Supreme Court directed the Indian Railways to extend Rs 10 lakh mandatory travel insurance to passengers purchasing tickets at reservation counters. On 13 October 2026, the Court ordered this coverage to be implemented by 27 October 2026, which the Railways confirmed on 25 October 2026. Additionally, on 26 October 2026, the Court reprimanded the Railway Board regarding safety lapses and delays in track fencing, warning of strict action.

State vs Prabir Purkayastha and NewsClick

The Delhi High Court quashed the money laundering proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate against NewsClick and founder Prabir Purkayastha on 11 June 2026, describing the action as an abuse of process. As reported on 10 October 2026, the Enforcement Directorate has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging this decision to reinstate the investigation.

In re: Custody of minor daughter in US-India dispute

The Supreme Court of India directed a mother to return her seven-year-old daughter, a United States citizen, to the United States. The court set aside an earlier Karnataka High Court ruling, emphasizing that the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration over parental rights.

State of Karnataka vs Shubha Shankarnarayan and others — BV Girish murder case

Shubha Shankarnarayan and co-convict D Arun Verma were convicted for the 2003 murder of BV Girish in Bengaluru. Following the Supreme Court's suspension of their life sentences on 19 July 2025 to facilitate clemency proceedings, the Karnataka Cabinet formally rejected their mercy petitions as reported on 24 October 2026. The matter is pending a final decision by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot as reported on 24 October 2026.

State vs. Kuldeep Sengar — Unnao rape case

Former lawmaker Kuldeep Sengar is serving a life sentence for the rape of a teenager in the Unnao case, following the Supreme Court's stay of the suspension of his sentence on 29 December 2025. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh denied his pardon plea on 13 October 2026. Judicial proceedings related to the survivor's uncle continue, with his most recent court appearance reported on 24 October 2026.

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

On 17 October 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the Andhra Pradesh government's plea for a 34% Backward Class reservation in local body elections due to insufficient empirical data. Following allegations of candidate intimidation and violence, the Supreme Court ordered the State Election Commission to investigate specific complaints, defer the final candidate list, and facilitate nomination filing. As reported on 23 October 2026, the State Election Commission has since revised schedules and reopened the nomination window in compliance with these directives.

Chandigarh Administration vs Private Bidders — Property Auction Case

The Supreme Court of India ruled that public authorities are justified in revisiting or cancelling an auction process for the sale or lease of public property if the decision is intended to maximize revenue before a binding contract is concluded. The ruling upheld a decision by the Chandigarh Administration to recall an auction to secure a better price.

In re: Cancellation of Ryotwari Patta over water bodies in Tiruvallur district

The Supreme Court upheld the cancellation of ryotwari pattas issued on land classified as government water bodies in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district. In a judgment delivered on 23 October 2026, the Court mandated that authorities must provide alternative land to twenty innocent flat owners before proceeding with the demolition of illegal structures. The court reiterated that statutory land classification remains unchanged by zoning rules.

Umesh Chand vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors

The Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad High Court order that had granted probation to two convicts in a 2003 attack case involving Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran criticized the lower court for showing misplaced sympathy in such a serious matter. Following the decision on 13 October 2026, the Supreme Court directed the convicts to surrender as reported on 22 October 2026.

State vs Rajpal Yadav — Cheque bounce case

The Delhi High Court upheld actor Rajpal Yadav's conviction and three-month prison sentence in a cheque bounce case on 10 July 2026. Following his deposit of Rs 2 crore on 15 October 2026, the Supreme Court permitted him to travel abroad and referred the dispute to mediation under Justice Najmi Waziri on 21 October 2026 to facilitate an amicable settlement.

In re: National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) payment default investigation

A Mumbai PMLA court has authorized the Enforcement Directorate to monetize assets worth 3,464 crore rupees to facilitate a 1,950 crore rupee settlement for investors affected by the National Spot Exchange Limited payment default. On 14 October 2026, the Supreme Court of India dismissed an appeal by MMTC regarding this scheme, enabling its implementation. Subsequently, on 20 October 2026, a special PMLA court rejected an Enforcement Directorate plea to confiscate additional assets linked to the investigation.

Centre for Public Interest Litigation vs Union of India — Challenge to Section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on 13 January 2026 regarding the constitutional validity of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which mandates prior approval for investigating public servants. Following this, the Court clarified on 20 October 2026 that the statutory protection under Section 17A does not apply to cases where a public servant is accused of demanding a bribe, noting that such protections are intended for official decision-making.

State vs 38 convicts — 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case

In February 2022, a special court sentenced 38 individuals to death and 11 to life imprisonment for the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts, a decision upheld by the Gujarat High Court on 7 July 2026. As of 19 October 2026, the Supreme Court of India has stayed the execution of certain death row convicts, including Mohammad Tanvir and Ahmed Bawa, pending the submission of prison, probation, and psychological evaluation reports.

In re: Regulation of social media access for minors

In the matter of In re: Regulation of social media access for minors, the Supreme Court of India ruled on 17 October 2026 that internet access is a fundamental right for children, rejecting a petition by Emerald Heights International School and Siddharth Singh for blanket age-based usage bans. The court instead ordered the Centre to implement safety measures, including a national database for child sexual abuse material, mandatory grievance officers, and the development of a 'child mode' for platforms.

In re: Online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) regulation

In the matter of regulating online Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on 17 October 2026. The Court directed the Union Government to establish a national database for child sexual exploitation material and prohibited online platforms from hosting, promoting, or monetizing such content via subscription services. While acknowledging internet access as a fundamental right on 17 October 2026, the Court noted on 18 October 2026 that the existing Sahyog Portal requires further functional expansion to meet its requirements.

Sri Rajkumar Madki vs Dr. Shailendra Beldal

The Supreme Court ruled that a private individual can file a criminal complaint under Section 200 of the CrPC for offences punishable under Section 125-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The court held that the bar under Section 195 of the CrPC, which typically requires a public servant to file a complaint for certain offences, does not apply to this specific provision.

Rajeev Suri vs Delhi Development Authority — Central Vista Project case

In a 2:1 verdict on 5 January 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the Central Vista project. Following this, the court initiated a suo motu case on 16 October 2026 regarding the relocation of the Central Secretariat Library. Additionally, on 17 October 2026, the court expressed dissatisfaction with authorities concerning the preservation of Delhi's heritage sites during a hearing of a petition filed by Rajeev Suri.