In this blog, Legal Lab Banter will provide you a concise overview of the most significant legal developments that occurred in August 2024. Whether you're a practicing lawyer, a law student, or simply someone who follows the legal field, keeping up with these developments is essential for staying ahead in an ever-evolving legal environment.
Sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SC) is permissible
The Supreme Court ruled that sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SC) is permissible for the purpose of allocating separate quotas for those considered more backward within the SC categories. A seven-judge bench delivered the decision with a 6:1 majority, affirming that States have the authority to identify and sub-classify more backward groups within the SC community to allocate distinct quotas within the overall SC reservation. The majority held that the Scheduled Caste category under Article 341 is not a homogeneous group, as the castes within it experience varying levels of backwardness and discrimination. However, Justice Bela Trivedi dissented, arguing that the Scheduled Castes constitute a homogeneous group, and therefore, sub-classification should not be permitted.
SEBI’s lack of interest in Adani’s offshore shell entities
A report by Hindenburg Research uncovered significant conflicts of interest involving the Chairperson of SEBI, Madhabi Puri Buch, and her husband, Dhaval Buch. The report alleged that both had financial interests in entities linked to the Adani Group, raising concerns about SEBI's reluctance to take decisive action against allegations of accounting fraud, stock price manipulation, and fund siphoning associated with the group.
Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act (SB 1047)
California State Assembly and Senate passed the "Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act bill (SB 1047)", making it one of the most significant and early development in the regulation of Artificial Intelligence. The bill mandates that developers conduct risk assessments of their models before release, under the oversight of the Government Operations Agency.
Bail Granted by Supreme Court to Manish Sisodia and K. Kavitha thus changing the dynamics of Money Laundering Cases
The Supreme Court reaffirmed the well-established principle that “Bail is a rule and jail, the exception” even in PMLA cases. The Court emphasized that the fundamental right to liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, takes precedence over statutory limitations.
Supreme Court took Suo Moto Cognizance in Murder and Rape Case of a Doctor at RG Kar Medical College
Recognizing the seriousness of the nationwide protests by doctors, the Supreme Court took Suo Moto Cognizance. During the Suo Moto proceedings, the Supreme Court directed a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months. The Court also questioned the vandalism that occurred during the protests, highlighting the state's failure to maintain peace and order. Additionally, the Court expressed grave concern over the lack of institutional safety norms, emphasizing that the nation cannot afford to wait for another tragic incident to prompt necessary changes on the ground.
In line with the Suo Moto Cognizance taken by the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court also took cognizance of Badlapur Sexual Assault Case wherein two Kindergarten girls were sexually abused repeatedly over 15 days by a Male attendant in School.
State of Himachal Pradesh passed a bill to raise Women’s Age of Marriage to 21 years
The Passing of the Bill to raise the legal age for women to marry from 18 to 21 during the first day of its Monsoon Session in the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh on August 27th, 2024, has sparked significant debate. The remarkable bill, “Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2024” aims to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and has been widely supported in the assembly by the Women Representatives.
Stay tuned for more legal updates!
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