SCO Team's Posts

Hearing Reports
Plea for Marriage Equality: Constitution Bench Day #2
The CJI D.Y. Chandrachud-led Constitution Bench continues hearing the plea for marriage equality for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
19th Apr 2023
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Analysis
The Five New Supreme Court Judges
Let’s meet the five Supreme Court Judges who were sworn in today!
6th Feb 2023
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Hearing Reports
EWS Reservations: Judgment Matrix
By a 3:2 majority, the SC upheld reservations for Economically Weaker Sections. SCO Breaks down the Judgment.
7th Nov 2022
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Analysis
Senior Advocates on CJI Lalit’s ‘Striking’ Tenure
On CJI U.U. Lalit's retirement, Senior Advocates who practiced with him or argued before him, shared their views on his 74-day tenure.
7th Nov 2022
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Channel
SCO Weekly Update: Hijab Ban, EWS Reservations, Constitution Benches, Siddique Kappan Bail
SCO's video recap of the last week discusses the major highlights of the week, and what to expect going forward.
9th Sep 2022
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Analysis
What Are the 25 Constitution Bench Cases SC Will Hear in September?
In an unprecedented move, the SC declared that it will hear 25 pending 5-Judge Bench cases on key constitutional issues
25th Aug 2022
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Analysis
The Pegasus Probe: Depositions Before the Technical Committee
Between Dec 10th 2021 and Feb 14th 2022, an SC Technical Committee heard 13 depositions to investigate snooping allegations
21st Jul 2022
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Analysis
Supreme Court Observer Workshop at the National School of Journalism and Public Discourse
The SCO Team conducted a workshop at NSoJ on the Supreme Court and its role in India’s constitutional democracy.
27th Jun 2022
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Analysis
Monthly Review: August 2021
In August nine judges were appointed to the Supreme Court. Hearings also began in the Pegasus case. Justices Nariman and Sinha retired.
4th Sep 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Court’s Functioning (29th August, 2021)
On August 29th 2021 it was announced that physical hearings would resume in the Supreme Court for a limited number of cases.
30th Aug 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes, August 26th 2021
The Court issued an order to the State Governments to complete the process of identification of children orphaned by the pandemic
26th Aug 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes, July 27th 2021
The Court took into account the suggestions and concerns of Amicus Gaurav Agarwal and made certain arrangements
27th Jul 2021
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Court Data
Only One High Court Has a Woman Chief Justice
Out of 25, only one High Court has a woman Chief Justice as of 1st June, 2021.
28th Jun 2021
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Court Data
Average Tenure of Judges elevated from the Bar is 6.04 years
The average tenure of a Supreme Court Judge elevated from the Bar is 6 years and 14 days.
26th Jun 2021
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Court Data
SC Pendency Between January to May Increased by 4.3%
In 2021 the Supreme Court saw an increase in the number of pending cases.
24th Jun 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – June 22nd
Certain petitions were filed challenging the cancellation of board examinations, all of which were dismissed by the Supreme Court.
22nd Jun 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: National Pandemic Policy
CJI Bobde noted the disparate approaches in High Courts towards the pandemic and sought to create a ‘national plan’.
7th Jun 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes: 7th June 2021
The Bench directed States to continue efforts to identify children orphaned due to COVID in order to provide them with basic needs.
7th Jun 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: National Pandemic Policy -June 7th
A change in the prevailing vaccine policy was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
7th Jun 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes
During the pandemic the Court took several measures to protect vulnerable stakeholders, particularly children in protection homes
7th Jun 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Contagion in Prisons – June 1st
The Supreme Court directed remission boards to continue hearings and release those entitled, with States submitting affidavits on compliance
1st Jun 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes – June 1st 2021
The Bench passed orders clarifying which children would be beneficiaries under PM Cares and appointed nodal officers to exchange information
1st Jun 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – May 31st – June 1st
CBSE and ICSE exams were cancelled subsequent to the representations made before the Supreme Court
1st Jun 2021
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Analysis
The Supreme Court’s Covid Interventions: Updates
During the pandemic the Supreme Court was compelled to take ad hoc measures to cope with the new issues posed by the spread of the virus.
29th May 2021
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Analysis
Covid Coverage: Children in Protection Homes – May 28th 2021
The order instructed that the authorities are obliged under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 to ensure that children are taken care of.
28th May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – May 28th 2021
Petition filed seeking cancellation of Class 12 CBSE and ICSE board examinations considering the concerns posed by the pandemic
28th May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Migrant Labourers- May 24th 2021
Supreme Court Bench highlights the importance of creation of a database to aid in the registration of migrant workers
24th May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Contagion in Prisons – May 7th 2021
High Powered Committees directed to release inmates who were released earlier vide order dated March 23rd 2020.
7th May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Court’s Functioning – April 13th to May 5th
The Court gradually reduced its functioning as the second wave of the pandemic led to rising cases. The Summer vacation was brought forward.
1st May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Court’s Functioning
The functioning of the Supreme Court has evolved to cope with the issues posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic
1st May 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: National Pandemic Policy – 27th April
The Bench provided a tentative framework of issues it would handle.
27th Apr 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: National Pandemic Policy – 23rd April
Mr. Harish Salve recused himself from the hearings, as the counsel for Vedanta, a party to the case.
23rd Apr 2021
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Analysis
Supreme Court During CJI Bobde: Judicial Appointments, Pendency & the Pandemic
We look at J. Bobde’s Chief Justiceship through judicial appointments, pendency, and the Court during the pandemic.
22nd Apr 2021
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Court Data
At What Age are Judges Appointed to the Supreme Court?
The average age of appointment for Supreme Court judges in the past twenty years is a little under 60 years old.
31st Mar 2021
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Court Data
Pendency in 2020 Increases by 10%
The average pendency at the Supreme Court increased in 2020.
5th Jan 2021
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment – August 5th to November 26th 2020
The Court considered the National Health Bill, 2009, and the lack of a public health plan, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
26th Nov 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment
The Supreme Court has taken significant measures to facilitate screening, testing and access to treatment during the pandemic
26th Nov 2020
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Analysis
Prashant Bhushan Sentencing: How Will the Court Rule?
Prashant Bhushan is due to be sentenced tomorrow. The Court has rarely ordered imprisonment
19th Aug 2020
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Analysis
Judgments in Plain Language
Dama Sheshadri J has highlighted the importance of employing plain language while drafting central legislations.
17th Aug 2020
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Analysis
Custodial Torture: Legislative Vacuum?
DESK BRIEF: Sr. Adv. Singhvi filed an application asking the Court to update DK Basu and take action to prevent custodial violence
31st Jul 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Migrant Labourers- July 31st 2020
Order issued by Court with respect to legislations that states must compulsorily register under to provide relief to migrant workers
31st Jul 2020
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Court Data
Institution of Cases in 2019
Institution refers to the total cases filed in the Court in a given period.
28th Jul 2020
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Court Data
How many Women Judges have been a part of the Collegium?
Out of the eight women who have been appointed to the Supreme Court, only two have ever been inducted into the Collegium.
21st Jul 2020
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Court Data
Since 1950 How Many Times has the Parliament Increased the Strength of the Bench?
This post outlines the process of increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court.
20th Jul 2020
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Court Data
Increase in Pendency in 2020 (January to June)
Pendency at the Court from January to June 2020.
17th Jul 2020
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Court Data
How many Constitution Bench cases are pending? [2020]
The post looks at the number of Constitution Bench cases pending in the Court.
17th Jul 2020
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Court Data
Who Authored the most Judgments?
An overview of the number of judgments given by Justices at the Supreme Court.
16th Jul 2020
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Court Data
Of Women Justices of the Supreme Court
Overview of women Justices at the Supreme Court
15th Jul 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment: July 14th 2020
Plea seeking regulation of cost of COVID treatment being offered by private hospitals
14th Jul 2020
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Court Data
Which foreign judgments does the SC cite?
This post looks at the foreign judgments cited by the Supreme Court in recent years.
13th Jul 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – June 28th
The Supreme Court held that intervening in the matter of cancellation of Board Exams was unnecessary.
28th Jun 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – June 26th
Following the order passed by the Supreme Court, CBSE issues a notification that all Class X and XII Board Exams are to be cancelled
26th Jun 2020
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Court Data
How many 9-judge bench judgments were delivered since 1950?
This posts looks at the number of judgments delivered by a nine-judge Bench.
25th Jun 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams: June 10th – June 25th 2020
Upon deliberation, the Court decided that the CBSE Board Exams must be cancelled given the public health situation
25th Jun 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Board Exams – June 17th
The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Karnataka High Court to conduct exams.
17th Jun 2020
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Court Data
Of Judicial Retirements and Elevations
This post looks at retirements and elevations in the Supreme Court for the past five years.
13th Jun 2020
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Court Data
How many Senior Advocates volunteer free Legal Aid?
As per the list published on 1 October 2019, 16% of all Supreme Court Senior Advocates volunteer to do legal services.
10th Jun 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Migrant Labourers- June 9th 2020
Directions regarding relief to migrant workers issued by the Court to Central and State Governments
9th Jun 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment: May 27th 2020
PIL filed seeking access to affordable treatment in private hospitals
27th May 2020
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Court Data
How regionally diverse is the Supreme Court (2020)
This post discusses regional diversity in the Supreme Court.
7th May 2020
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Court Data
Supreme Court Registry increasing in Size
There is no clear correlation between increase in the size of Supreme Court registry and decrease in the number of pendency.
30th Apr 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment: April 13th 2020
Court reverses its order and holds that free testing in private labs is restricted to those eligible under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme
13th Apr 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Prisons- April 13th 2020
Prisoners released on parole and interim bail upon the recommendation of the High Powered Committees.
13th Apr 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Screening and Treatment: April 8th 2020
The Court issued directions to ensure that diagnostic tests for COVID-19 are free of cost
8th Apr 2020
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Court Data
When does the Court reject RTI requests?
This post looks into the reasons for rejecting RTI requests by the Court.
3rd Apr 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Migrant Labourers- March 31st 2020
The Central Government filed a status report on March 31st to intimate the Court about the measures taken in aid of stranded migrant workers
31st Mar 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Migrant Labourers-March 30th 2020
Public Interest Litigations were filed before the Court seeking relief for migrant workers stranded across the country
30th Mar 2020
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Court Data
Which languages is the SC translating judgments into?
Out of the 232 translations published on the official website between 1 January 2019 and 29 February 2020, 114 of them were in Hindi.
27th Mar 2020
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Court Data
More frequent use of Suo Motu Petitions?
This post looks into more frequent use of Suo Motu petitions.
24th Mar 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Prisons- March 23rd 2020
The Court directed the States to take certain additional measures to mitigate the imminent threat of a COVID outbreak in prisons.
23rd Mar 2020
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Court Data
Did the Swine Flu Outbreak Affect Judicial Output?
Comparative Analysis of the measures taken by the Court during the COVID-19 pandemic with measures taken during the swine flu outbreak.
18th Mar 2020
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Analysis
COVID Coverage: Prisons- March 16th 2020
Court issued directions with regard to the quarantining and medical treatment of prisoners diagnosed with COVID.
16th Mar 2020
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Court Data
SC Vacations: Comparing India to other Countries
SCO takes a preliminary look at the calendars of the apex courts of Australia, Bangladesh, India, Singapore, the UK and US.
13th Mar 2020
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Court Data
28% decrease in pending Constitution Bench cases in 2019
Overall decrease in pendency of constitutional matters before Supreme Court during the year 2019.
27th Feb 2020
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Analysis
SCO Workshop at IIJNM
The SC Observer held a workshop at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM).
5th Jan 2020
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Analysis
SC in Review 2019 – Panel 1 Long Brief
2019 saw a number of decisions from the Supreme Court with substantial implications for the Indian democracy.
18th Dec 2019
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Analysis
SC in Review 2019 – Panel 2 Long Brief
The Court was confronted with multiple challenges to its institutional practices in 2019.
18th Dec 2019
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Analysis
SC in Review 2019 – Panel 3 Long Brief
In 2019 the Supreme Court of India confronted longstanding questions pertaining to the role of religion and faith in a secular democracy.
18th Dec 2019
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Analysis
The Supreme Court in Review, 2019
"The Supreme Court in Review" brings together academics, students and lawyers across the country to discuss landmark judgments of the Court.
11th Dec 2019
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Court Data
6% increase in pendency under CJI Gogoi
After Ranjan Gogoi was appointed as Chief Justice there was a statistical increase in pendency of matters before the Court.
22nd Nov 2019
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Analysis
Supreme Court in the Classroom: St. John’s Medical College
Students were asked to locate the right to privacy in the Indian Constitution and apply it to case scenarios
30th Oct 2019
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Court Data
Do increases in court congestion decrease future institution?
Whether there is a correlation between time lag in the disposal of pending cases and number of new cases filed.
17th Jul 2019
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Court Data
Pendency in the Supreme Court, 2019
Steady increase in pendency of cases before the Supreme Court.
9th Jul 2019
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Court Data
Low number of summer vacation judgments
Variation in the yearly number of judgments delivered during the summer vacation of the Supreme Court.
18th Jun 2019
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Court Data
Pendency: Civil/Criminal Breakdown
Comparative ratio of criminal and civil cases pending before the Supreme Court.
7th Jun 2019
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Court Data
No relation between number of judges and disposal rates
The increase in the number of SC judges has not had an impact on the efficiency of the court.
29th May 2019
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Court Data
Since 2018, how many times have SC elevations been withdrawn?
Deferral and withdrawal of Supreme Court elevations in light of overall conversion rate.
13th May 2019
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Court Data
22.9% of pending SC case cannot be heard
22.9% of the total pending cases before the Supreme Court are non-hearable.
30th Mar 2019
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Court Data
Sabarimala: Uses of the word “Untouchable” in Judgment
Differential standing points of the Sabarimala Bench with respect to questions of untouchability.
22nd Feb 2019
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Court Data
3% increase in SC pendency in 2018
The number of pending cases in 2018 increased by more than 3%.
1st Feb 2019
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Court Data
40% Decrease in Non-Hearable Pending SC Cases in 2018
Efforts by Court to reduce number of pending incomplete admission matters.
8th Jan 2019
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Analysis
#3 Section 377
Court strikes down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to the extent that it criminalizes consensual acts within same-sex relationships.
27th Dec 2018
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Court Data
# of Judgments Authored: Lokur (L) vs. Average (A)
Comparative assessment of the number of judgments authored by Justice Lokur, upon his retirement.
14th Dec 2018
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Court Data
Justice K Joseph: Authored Judgements v. Judgements Cited In
Justice Kurian Joseph: A comparative analysis of number of judgments authored and number of times cited.
4th Dec 2018
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Analysis
10 Cases that Shaped India in 2018
There were several important cases heard by the Court in 2018 ranging from the constitutionality of Section 377 to Sabarimala Temple Entry.
1st Dec 2018
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Court Data
K Joseph Authored More Judgments than Any Sitting Justice
Upon his retirement, data indicates that Justice Kurian has authored more judgments than any currently sitting Supreme Court Judge.
28th Nov 2018
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Analysis
#2 Sabarimala Temple Entry
Sabarimala temple practice excluding women from entering the temple challenged as unconstitutional.
28th Nov 2018
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Court Data
# of SC Judge Appointments over Time
Analysis of annual trend in appointment of judges to Supreme Court.
2nd Nov 2018
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Court Data
23% of District/Subordinate Court Posts Vacant
Vacancy of posts in District and Subordinate Judiciary.
25th Oct 2018
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Court Data
Criminal Defamation in the HCs: Convictions vs Dismissals
#MeToo movement reignites debate surrounding whether defamation should be a criminal offence.
19th Oct 2018
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Court Data
% of Constitution Bench Judgments: Monsoon Session v. Year
Comparative Analysis of the number of constitutional bench judgments between the monsoon session and the rest of the year.
17th Oct 2018
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Court Data
Comparing Misra & Gogoi: Avg. Length of Last 10 Judgments
A comparative analysis of the length of judgments authored by Ranjan Gogoi and Dipak Misra JJ.
9th Oct 2018
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Court Data
Aadhaar Hearings: % of Time Allocated to Each Counsel
The percentage of time granted to each counsel in the Aadhar Act hearing.
4th Oct 2018
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Court Data
Number of pending cases, last 5 CJIs
There has been a reduction in the number of pending cases over the terms of the preceding five Chief Justices.
14th Sep 2018
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Court Data
Cases decided by the last 4 CJIs in the month before retirement
Analysis of number of cases decided in the month before retirement of Chief Justice.
5th Sep 2018
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Court Data
Number of all women Benches in the history of the Supreme Court
Until date, only two all women benches in the Supreme Court.
4th Sep 2018
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Court Data
Inconsistency of Supreme Court Data Releases
Lack of consistency in the release of pendency data by Supreme Court.
11th May 2018
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Court Data
Number of times a Statute/Provision was struck down as unconstitutional (2017)
The number of times a statute has been held to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2017.
20th Apr 2018
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Court Data
Number of reported Supreme Court Review Petitions
57 reported review petitions under Article 137 of the Constitution.
6th Apr 2018
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Court Data
Number of opinions authored in the first quarter of 2018
Number of opinions authored in the first quarter of 2018.
1st Apr 2018
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Court Data
Number of Times Impeachment Proceedings were Initiated against a SC or HC Judge
Impeachment proceedings against SC or HC judges initiated a total of 4 times in Indian history.
28th Mar 2018
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Court Data
Number of Women Chief Justices in High Courts currently
As it currently stands, there are 4 Women Chief Justices in the High Courts of India.
10th Mar 2018
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Court Data
Number of times the senior most judge was not appointed the CJI
The most senior judge has been surpassed for appointment as the CJI three times in Indian history.
10th Mar 2018
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Court Data
Number of Constitution Bench decisions
Till date there have been 2187 constitution bench decisions rendered by the Supreme Court.
5th Mar 2018
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Court Data
Number of Women Supreme Court Judges from 1950
Since 1989, eight women appointed as judges of the Supreme Court.
5th Mar 2018
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Analysis
Right To Information (Court in Review)
The Right to Information (RTI) was recognised as a constitutionally protected right even prior to the RTI Act, 2005.
4th Sep 2017
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Analysis
Right to Die: Court in Review
Tracing the history of the Supreme Court's stance on the right to die with dignity.
4th Sep 2017
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Analysis
Reservation in Promotion: Court in Review
The jurisprudence around Article 16(4) governs reservations granted for promotions in public employment.
4th Sep 2017
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Analysis
Essential Religious Practices: Court in Review
The essential religious practices (ERP) doctrine governs which religious practices are protected under Arts. 25 & 26 of the Constitution
4th Sep 2017
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Analysis
Criminalisation of Politics
Election candidates can only be disqualified upon conviction and not upon the framing of criminal charges.
4th Sep 2017
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Analysis
Right to Privacy: Court in Review
An analysis of the history of right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
4th Jul 2017
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Court Data
Total financial requirement (for 5 years) for the Justice Sector
According to the Department of justice, total financial requirement for justice sector is 9749 crores for the next 5 years.
18th Nov 2015
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