Chief Justice of India, Justice Chandrachud, has only five days remaining on the bench before the upcoming recess. During this time, he is expected to deliver five significant verdicts. The Supreme Court is currently closed for Diwali vacations. Upon its reopening on November 4, Chief Justice Chandrachud will have just five remaining working days before his retirement on November 10. Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud is set to retire on November 10, marking the conclusion of a dynamic and eventful two-year tenure as the head of the Indian judiciary.
During his time as CJI, Chandrachud spearheaded a comprehensive transformation of the Indian judiciary, leveraging information technology to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in courts at all levels. Notable accomplishments include the expansion and institutionalization of virtual courts, the introduction of E-Courts to reduce environmental impact and promote paperless proceedings, the implementation of E-Filing for cases, the establishment of E-Sewa Kendras to aid lawyers and litigants with online filing, E-Copying for expedited issuance of certified copies, and Su-Swagatham, an online portal for e-entry passes to the Supreme Court.
This period has been marked by groundbreaking initiatives that incorporate cutting-edge technology to enhance justice accessibility and efficiency, alongside the delivery of landmark rulings upholding personal liberty, women’s rights, gender equality, and the rights of differently-abled individuals.
Currently, the Supreme Court is closed for Diwali vacations. Following its reopening on November 4 (Monday), Chief Justice Chandrachud will have only five working days until Friday. Saturday, November 9th and Sunday, November 10th mark the dates of retirement for him, both falling on holidays for the Supreme Court. During the period between November 4 and November 8, the CJI Chandrachud-led bench is set to deliver 5 significant verdicts. The validity of Madrasa education is currently pending a judgment reserved on October 23. Appeals have been lodged by Madrasas and Muslim individuals contesting the repeal of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasa Education Act, 2004 by the Allahabad High Court.
Concluding the hearing, the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud reiterated that secularism entails coexistence and mutual respect. Emphasizing the significance of incorporating various religious teachings in education, the bench under his leadership underscored the value of accommodating religious diversity. The Bench emphasized that while the State has the authority to establish Rules for overseeing Madrasas, they cannot be disregarded. It was noted that these Rules must be viewed within the context of the nation as a whole.
Religious instructions are applicable to all individuals, not solely for those of the Muslim faith. India is a nation that caters to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and others. Chief Justice Chandrachud reiterated this point by stating that India is inherently a religiously diverse country. He stressed that the nation should serve as a harmonious amalgamation of various cultures, civilizations, and faiths. Let us strive to maintain that status quo. The solution to ghettoisation lies in facilitating individuals' integration into the mainstream and promoting community cohesion.
Failing to integrate the teams would result in maintaining them in isolation. The 7-judge Constitution Bench reserved judgment on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on February 1 following eight days of extensive hearings. A batch of petitions has been filed to reexamine the 1968 verdict by a five-judge bench that revoked the minority status of AMU. The AMU and the AMU Old Boy's Association played crucial roles as petitioners. In 1968, the Supreme Court case of Aziz Basha declared that AMU is not a minority institution, but rather a central university of national significance that is not tied to any specific community. It was founded not by Muslims, but by the British Parliament in 1920.
The Supreme Court has decided that once a constitution declares a university as of national importance, it cannot be deemed a minority institution. The stance taken by the government is that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) cannot be considered a minority institution due to its "national character" and cannot be affiliated with any specific religion. In the argument presented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, it is contended that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) cannot be categorized as a university affiliated with any specific religion or religious group. This assertion is based on the premise that any university designated as an institution of national significance cannot be classified as a minority institution. WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION: In the midst of a political dispute surrounding Congress's proposal for wealth redistribution, a nine-judge panel of the Supreme Court has commenced proceedings to interpret Article 39(b) of the Constitution.
This constitutional provision, classified under the directive principles of state policy, is currently being examined to assess its potential authorization for the government to redistribute privately owned properties in the pursuit of the collective well-being. The hearing occurred amidst a period of intense political conflict. Following remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the party has proposed conducting a comprehensive financial and institutional audit to determine the distribution of wealth among the population in the event they secure power. The controversy surrounding the illegal felling of trees in the ridge area of Delhi, in contravention of a Supreme Court restraining order, has brought attention to the role of the Delhi LG.
In the affidavit submitted as per the directions of the Chief Justice of India's Bench, LG V K Saxena stated that he was not aware that prior court approval was necessary before the felling of trees in the Ridge area. No mentions were made at the site regarding the legal requirements. The DDA Vice Chairman Subhasish Panda's actions, whether intentional or unintentional, are to be preserved. The Supreme Court has requested additional clarity through an affidavit regarding the precise moment when it was known that the trees had been cut down.
LMV license jurisdiction: A ruling is pending from August 21. The issue at hand is whether an individual with a driving license for a "light motor vehicle" (LMV) is authorized to operate a "transport vehicle of light motor vehicle class" with an unladen weight of 7500 kg or less. This legal query has resulted in several disputes regarding insurance claims in accidents where transport vehicles were driven by individuals holding LMV licenses.
