Supreme Court Reopens Tomorrow: Key Hearings and Verdicts Anticipated

As the Supreme Court prepares to reopen on July 8 after its summer vacation, several significant verdicts and hearings are anticipated for the coming half of the year. Here’s a detailed look at the key pronouncements and important hearings that are awaited:

Constitutional Validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955, which allows foreign migrants of Indian origin to seek Indian citizenship. The section was challenged by indigenous groups of Assam, who argued that it legalizes illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Surya Kant, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, reserved its judgment on December 12, 2023.

Granting Minority Status to Aligarh Muslim University

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the issue of granting minority status to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Surya Kant, JB Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta, Manoj Misra, and SC Sharma, reserved its judgment in February. The main issues at stake are whether a university established and governed by a statute can claim minority status and the correctness of the 1976 decision in S. Azeez Basha vs. Union Of India.

CM Kejriwal’s Challenge to Arrest by ED in Liquor Policy Case

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on Chief Minister Kejriwal’s challenge to his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, reserved its judgment on May 17. The arrest was made in relation to the ongoing Liquor Policy Controversy, and Kejriwal was granted interim release by the Supreme Court on May 10.

Centre v. State Powers Over Taxing of Mineral Rights & Mining Leases

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the issue of whether royalties on mining leases can be considered as tax and whether the States have the power to levy royalty/tax on mineral rights. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Abhay Oka, BV Nagarathna, JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, SC Sharma, and AG Masih, reserved its judgment on March 14.

Interpretation of Article 39(b) of the Constitution

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the issue of whether private resources form part of the ‘material resource of the community’ under Article 39(b) of the Constitution. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Hrishikesh Roy, B.V. Nagarathna, Sudhanshu Dhulia, JB Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Rajesh Bindal, Satish Chandra Sharma, and Augustine George Masih, reserved its decision on May 1.

Validity of Subclassification Within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for Reservations

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the issue of the validity of subclassification within the reserved categories. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, reserved its decision on February 9.

Challenge to the Penal Provisions of CGST/SGST Act & Customs Act

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the challenge to the penal provisions of various laws, including the Customs Act, Excise Act, and GST Act. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela M Trivedi, reserved its decision on May 16.

Regulatory Powers Over the Subject of ‘Industrial Alcohol’ Under IDR Act 1951

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the issue of whether ‘denatured spirit or industrial alcohol’ can be brought within the meaning of ‘intoxicating liquor’ under State legislation’s law-making powers. The bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices Hima Kohli, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih, reserved its verdict on March 14.

Contempt Case against Patanjali Ayurved and Baba Ramdev

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna over publishing misleading medical advertisements. The bench, comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, reserved orders on May 14.

Important Hearings on Recent Legal Developments

Several important hearings are scheduled for the coming days, including:

• Challenge to the NEET-UG 2024 Examination: The Supreme Court will hear the batch of petitions challenging the alleged malpractices and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 Examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on July 8.
• Issue of Election Freebies Promised by Political Parties: The Supreme Court will hear the long-pending matter over the validity of political parties promising election freebies out of public funds on merits.
• Review of the ‘Marriage Equality Case’: The Supreme Court will review its earlier decision in Supriyo v. Union of India, where the Top Court refused to recognize same-sex marriages as valid in law, on July 10.
• Reconsideration of the PMLA Judgment: The Supreme Court will hear the pleas calling for reconsideration of the judgment in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India, which upheld the constitutional validity of various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), on July 23.
• Contempt Case against DDA Vice Chairman for Illegally Felling Trees in Delhi’s Ridge Forest: The Supreme Court will hear the suo motu contempt case initiated against DDA Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda for the felling of trees in violation of the orders of the Court.
• Plea for Expert Committee Assessment of Three New Criminal Laws: The Supreme Court will hear the petition seeking the issuance of specific directions to immediately constitute an expert committee for assessing and identifying the viability of the three new criminal laws, which came into effect on July 1.

Historical Context:

The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority in the country, and its verdicts and hearings have significant implications on the country’s laws, policies, and society. The Court’s summer vacation typically lasts from mid-May to mid-July, and its reopening on July 8 marks the beginning of a busy half-year with several important verdicts and hearings anticipated.

The Court’s judgments and orders are often influenced by the country’s constitutional framework, which was established in 1950. The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the powers and responsibilities of the government, the relationship between the central and state governments, and the fundamental rights of citizens. The Court’s interpretations of the Constitution have shaped the country’s legal landscape and have been instrumental in protecting individual rights and freedoms.

The Court’s decisions are also influenced by international law and treaties, as India is a signatory to several international human rights instruments. The Court has consistently emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and has taken steps to ensure that India complies with its international obligations.

Summary of the Article in Bullet Points:

• The Supreme Court will reopen on July 8 after its summer vacation and will deliver verdicts on several significant cases, including the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955, the granting of minority status to Aligarh Muslim University, and the challenge to Chief Minister Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

• The Court will also deliver verdicts on issues such as the powers of the Centre and states over taxing mineral rights and mining leases, the interpretation of Article 39(b) of the Constitution, and the validity of subclassification within reserved categories.

• Important hearings are scheduled for the coming days, including challenges to the NEET-UG 2024 Examination, the issue of election freebies promised by political parties, and the review of the ‘Marriage Equality Case’.

• The Court will also hear contempt cases against Patanjali Ayurved and Baba Ramdev, and the DDA Vice Chairman for illegally felling trees in Delhi’s Ridge Forest.

• A plea for the constitution of an expert committee to assess the viability of three new criminal laws will also be heard.

• The Court’s verdicts and hearings will have significant implications for the country’s laws, policies, and society, and will be closely watched by the public and the media.