Hearing Reports

Hearing Reports
Court’s power to modify an arbitral award | Arguments Matrix
The first Constitution Bench hearing of 2025 was on the interpretation of S 34 of the Arbitration Act, 1996. We break down the key arguments

Hearing Reports
Court’s power to modify an arbitral award | Day 3: Five-judge bench reserves judgement
Petitioners argued modification and setting aside were distinct; respondents suggested court can modify as long as it isn’t reopening merits

Hearing Reports
Challenges to Places of Worship Act, 1991 | Day 3: SC says “enough is enough” amidst flood of new pleas
The Court defers hearing the challenge to the Places of Worship Act, citing an overload of petitions and the need for a three judge bench

Hearing Reports
Court’s power to modify an arbitral award | Day 2: Respondents and intervenors argue that the power is inherent under Section 34
Counsel argued that the provision to remit to the tribunal under Section 34(4) does not preclude the court from curing defects in the order
SCO Channel


Analysis
Justice Varma cash inquiry: The story so far
Following a fire, a large amount of unaccounted cash was found in Justice Varma’s official residence on 14 March

Analysis
‘SC orders to increase funding for district judiciary read like royal firmans’
In a new book on the district judiciary, the authors argue that SC orders on lower courts often fail to articulate constitutional basis
Mar 26, 2025
Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 | Day 4
Mar 25, 2025
Kerala Governor’s Withholding of Bills | Day 3
Mar 25, 2025
Discrimination in prisons | Day 2
View allTribunals Reforms Act, 2021
Pending
Madras Bar Association v Union of India
The Court will decide whether the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 is unconstitutional for re-enacting provisions that were struck down in Madras Bar Association v Union of India (2021) for violating the independence of the judiciary.
Pendency of bills before the Governor of Kerala
Pending
State of Kerala v Governor for State of Kerala
The Supreme Court will hear petitions from the Kerala government against the Governor of Kerala withholding assent on pending bills. This case concerns the obligations of the Governor under Article 200, which deals with the Governor's power to assent to Bills.
Discrimination in Prisons
Pending
In re: Discrimination inside prisons in India
The Court is monitoring steps taken by the Union and state governments to address caste, gender and disability-based discrimination in Indian prisons.
Featured

Chief-in-waiting: New door opened by Collegium in its Justice Bagchi recommendation
If ‘in-line-to-be-CJI’ is now a relevant consideration for SC elevation, we examine how the Collegium might have picked Justice Bagchi
Spotlight

More than 65 percent pending Supreme Court cases stuck at admission stage
90% of filed cases are disposed after admission hearings, raising questions about whether the Court can be selective about what it hears
Trending

Analysis
Can the CJI direct withholding of work before completion of an in-house inquiry?
The answer lies in a 2014 Supreme Court case where the complainant challenged a two-judge probe committee set up by the CJ of the MP HC

Analysis
‘Total insensitivity’: Supreme Court stays Allahabad HC judgement on attempt to rape
A Single Judge of the Allahabad HC had observed that ‘grabbing of breasts and loosening of pyjama string’ did not amount to attempt to rape

Analysis
NJAC or JSAB?
The conversation after the cash discovery at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence seems focussed on appointment, not accountability

Analysis
Justice Varma cash inquiry: The story so far
Following a fire, a large amount of unaccounted cash was found in Justice Varma’s official residence on 14 March