Keeping Pace with Legal Change
Mumbai’s local train network faces a critical safety issue due to open doors and overcrowding, causing frequent accidents. The Bombay High Court proposes mandatory automatic doors to enhance passenger safety, marking a potential shift in public transport. This aims to protect commuters’ lives and modernize the lifeline.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transitioned from science fiction into a tangible force shaping modern society. Its pervasive influence is evident across myriad sectors, revolutionizing industries, redefining human-computer interaction, and raising profound ethical and economic questions. This report explores its multifaceted impact.
The proposed Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025 would give district magistrates broad discretion to control or dissolve gatherings of more than 500 people, impose up to three years’ imprisonment and large fines on gathering organisers, require payment for deaths caused by a stampede, and call for official training and public education.
NLU Jodhpur maintains a 25% domicile quota for Rajasthan students for 2025 admissions, upheld by the High Court. This reservation, common among NLUs, aims to balance national excellence with local educational access, impacting CLAT cutoffs significantly for in-state and out-of-state candidates.
Recently, the Madhya Pradesh High Court discussed whether or not evidence that was collected unlawfully might be admitted into court in cases involving marital conflicts. It found that WhatsApp communications, even if they were purportedly obtained without authorization, are admissible in Family Courts if they are significant. This decision upheld Section 14 of the Family Courts Act, which relaxes rigorous evidentiary requirements for the sake of effective conflict settlement.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the primacy of free speech, striking down restrictive provisions. Led by Justice Chandrachud, the majority underscored constitutional protections, balancing individual liberties with public order, and setting a precedent for robust democratic discourse.
Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025 modernizes century-old regulations to tackle illegal wagering and sports corruption. It defines betting and gaming, imposes stringent penalties, enables robust enforcement with presumptions and forfeiture, aiming to safeguard public order and sporting integrity.
As part of its decision, which was handed down on June 12, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh High Court granted bail to Dr. Nasheem Bano, highlighting the fact that Article 21 safeguards the private liberty of individuals. In speech-related offenses, Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh enforced safeguards, striking a balance between the right to free speech and the need to maintain religious unity.
The Supreme Court’s amendment in 2025 establishes standard court and registry hours of 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. on weekdays, adds Saturday sessions from 10 A.M. – 1 P.M., and grants Chief Justice the authority to modify court hours for partial working days and holidays, beginning July 14.
A significant decision was made by the Rajasthan High Court, which confirmed that retired doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are considered to be “re-employed persons.” This decision mandated the implementation of the statutory “pay-minus-pension” formula for future compensation, while also prohibiting retrospective deductions prior to the date of judgment, which was May 15, 2025.
