Manupatra Academy

Explore. Learn. Upskill. All Things Law

Courses, Cases, Research, and Resources in One Place

New

Internships

Opportunities : Playbook : Videos

Learn More

Law Notes (1^st - 5^th Year)

Structured notes with flashcards to help law students grasp core subjects quickly.

Know More

Manupatra Certified Legal Research Program

Module-based learning : Legal research skills : Certification test

Learn More

Courses

Structured learning : Practice-oriented modules : Different stages of legal practice

Learn More

News and Recent Judgment Gist

News
Gist

1. Andhra Pradesh SEC halts election process for 100 urban local bodies after Supreme Court directions

Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has ordered that the election process for all 100 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for which notification was issued on October 14 be stopped f

2. Article proposes hybrid appellate model for domestic arbitration amid integrity and jurisprudence concerns

Article proposes hybrid appellate model for domestic arbitration amid integrity and jurisprudence concerns

Domestic arbitration in India is at a crossroads, according to the article. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was enacted to provide a modern, efficient and commercially responsive dispute resolution framework, but recent developments suggest public confidence in the regime faces serious challenges. Governmental bodies are reducing reliance on arbitration and arbitration jurisprudence remains uncertain. The article says these developments do not establish that arbitration has failed, but warrant examining whether the framework delivers certainty, efficiency and integrity. It argues the response should not be retreat, because arbitration retains advantages over litigation such as specialised adjudication, procedural flexibility and cost and time efficiency. The article proposes a hybrid appellate model founded on party autonomy: parties would choose at the outset between the existing limited-intervention framework and an alternative route providing a single appeal on procedure and merits, consolidating existing post-award challenge and appeal mechanisms rather than adding another layer of proceedings. On integrity concerns, the article notes that in June 2024 the Ministry of Finance issued an Office Memorandum describing arbitration as time-consuming and a drain on the exchequer’s money and restricting arbitration to disputes under INR 10 crore. The Public Works Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi issued a circular dated 21 April 2025 mandating deletion of arbitration clauses from the General Clauses of Contract, effectively making litigation the preferred mode of dispute resolution. The article describes the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways circular dated 12 January 2026 as the most significant development. Applying to BOT (Toll), HAM and EPC contracts for national highway projects and NHAI standard procurement contracts, it mandates administrative settlement as the primary mechanism and disfavours arbitration where the aggregate claim exceeds INR 10 crore. It applies to contracts executed after 12 January 2026, and existing contracts are to be amended by supplementary agreements. MoRTH is described as one of the largest participants in India’s infrastructure ecosystem and the strongest indicator of the trend. The article states that no single circular proves arbitration is failing and that the MoRTH direction is merely administrative, but when multiple government stakeholders across sectors independently move away from arbitration, signalling concerns about the arbitral process and arbitrators, the pattern is difficult to dismiss. On inconsistent arbitration jurisprudence, the article cites the GHAC Arbitration Week 2026, held from 4 to 6 September 2026 at the GIFT City Club in Gandhinagar, where Justice R.F. Nariman in his keynote address identified inconsistency in Indian arbitration jurisprudence as a significant concern. He observed that several Supreme Court decisions arose because uncertain questions of law required reconsideration by larger Benches, a pattern particularly problematic for a system meant to be efficient and predictable; if legal principles repeatedly change, parties face uncertainty about both the conduct and outcome of proceedings. The most striking illustration given is whether an unstamped instrument containing an arbitration agreement can be enforced. SMS Tea Estates v. Chandmari Tea Co. held that it cannot be acted upon, followed by Garware Wall Ropes v. Coastal Marine Constructions & Engg. Ltd. A three-judge bench in N.N. Global Mercantile v. Indo Unique Flame overruled SMS Tea Estates, holding the arbitration agreement independent through separability. A five-judge bench in N.N. Global Mercantile reversed course, holding that an unstamped instrument does not exist in law.

3. CJI Surya Kant bench hears 46 petitions on CEC protests and SIR electoral roll revision

On the afternoon of October 15, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi rose in Court 1 after navigating 46 petitions related to protests against the Chief Election Commissioner

CJI Surya Kant bench hears 46 petitions on CEC protests and SIR electoral roll revision

On the afternoon of October 15, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi rose in Court 1 after navigating 46 petitions related to protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Bench issued notices, appointed nodal counsel, requested sealed covers and ordered law enforcement to preserve CCTV footage. The article argues that despite this administrative activity, the SIR exercise continued, Jantar Mantar remained de-notified as a protest site and the executive secured time. It says the writ petition challenging the validity of the SIR, filed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and ten INDIA bloc leaders, rightfully belongs before the CJI, but the remaining 40-odd petitions concerned time-sensitive civil liberties: lawyers allegedly battered while in police detention, journalists whose electronic equipment was confiscated and citizens detained under provisions like Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. By retaining every file, Court 1 created a bottleneck rather than preserving order, the article says, preventing three or four independent division benches from immediately interrogating police excesses or issuing protective orders and funneling every emergency into a single slow-moving queue. It adds that immediate constitutional protections were traded for a long-form evidentiary archiving exercise. The article recalls that in March 2023 a five-judge Constitution Bench in Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India ruled that free and fair elections cannot exist if Election Commissioners are handpicked exclusively by the ruling party, and created a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice of India, explicitly stating this was a temporary fix until Parliament enacted a law under Article 324(2). Parliament then passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, replacing the Chief Justice on the panel with a Union cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister. CEC Gyanesh Kumar was appointed under this contested law, which the article says gave statutory permanence to the monopoly the Court had condemned.

4. Kerala High Court Allows Withdrawal Of Plea Challenging Bar Council Committee Constitution

Kerala High Court Allows Withdrawal Of Plea Challenging Bar Council Committee Constitution

The Kerala High Court has permitted the withdrawal of a plea challenging the formation of statutory committees of the Bar Council of Kerala. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan dismissed the petition as it was withdrawn. The Court had previously issued notice to the Bar Council of Kerala in the plea. The plea was filed by advocate Yeshwant Shenoy, an elected member of the XXII Bar Council of Kerala. The petitioner alleged that the constitution of statutory committees of the council did not follow statutory procedures. He alleged that the Chairman read out a pre-prepared list of committees and members instead of conducting elections as required under the applicable rules. The petitioner had also alleged a discrepancy in the constitution of the Disciplinary Committee, which requires a non-member to be co-opted through an election by the Council. It was further contended that the chairman of a committee is required to be elected from among its members and that the rules do not provide for the Chairman of the Bar Council to nominate such a committee chairman. When the matter was taken for consideration, the petitioner informed the Court that a subsequent meeting agenda of the Council stated that the Committees will be reconstituted. In light of the same, the petitioner withdrew the petition with liberty to approach the Court if there is any fresh cause of action. Party-in-person Yeshwanth Shenoy appeared, and counsel for the respondent was P. Ramakrishnan.

5. Kerala High Court issues notice on PIL seeking guidelines for police associations

Kerala High Court issues notice on PIL seeking guidelines for police associations

The Kerala High Court has issued notice before admission to the respondents in a public interest litigation that seeks directions to the State government and police authorities to introduce comprehensive guidelines governing the recognition and functioning of police associations. The petitioner says the objective is to protect police discipline, political neutrality and the impartial administration of criminal justice. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V. M posted the matter for 28th October. The petitioner argues that the absence of clear, published and enforceable regulations has created uncertainty over the permissible activities of police associations and raises concerns about potential interference in criminal investigations, disciplinary proceedings, postings, transfers and anti-corruption measures. The petitioner emphasises that the challenge is not intended to deny police personnel a lawful forum for raising service-related grievances, but seeks to ensure that recognised associations function within the limits prescribed by law and do not engage in political activity, coercive pressure or interference with the police chain of command. The petitioner submits that the need for a lawful forum for service-related representation cannot justify political activity, pressure tactics or interference with the administration of the force. The petition relies on the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, the Rules framed under that Act and Section 109 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. According to the petitioner, Section 3 of the 1966 Act imposes statutory restrictions on police personnel's association with specified organisations and participation in political meetings or demonstrations, while Section 109 of the Kerala Police Act empowers the government to permit the formation of police associations subject to prescribed restrictions. The petitioner argues that these provisions must be implemented through clear regulatory guidelines and an enforceable code of conduct governing recognised associations in Kerala. The petition refers to a government order dated July 27, 2026, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), which sought to restructure police associations, dissolve the Kerala Police Officers' Association (KPOA), redistribute its members and assets between other associations, and constitute ad hoc committees. A Single Bench of the Court had quashed the government order, observing that it violates Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution, and the State has now filed an appeal against that decision. The petitioner cites the dispute as an illustration of the broader need for clearly defined rules governing the structure and functioning of police associations. The petitioner says the ongoing controversy over restructuring has exposed a deeper systemic concern: the absence of comprehensive, published and enforceable guidelines governing the functioning of police associations in Kerala, and that the resulting vacuum permits avoidable disputes and uncertainty.

1. Nagendra Ray vs. State of Bihar and Ors. (16.10.2026 - SC)(MANU/SC/1196/2026)

The Supreme Court of India addressed the appeals by Nagendra Ray challenging the Patna High Court's orders granting bail to Kamakhya Singh, Ram Pratap Singh, and Ramakant Solanki, accused in a murder

2. Mahesh Chandra Joshi vs. State of Rajasthan (16.10.2026 - SC)(MANU/SC/1195/2026)

The Supreme Court of India addressed the appeals of Mahesh Chandra Joshi and Mukesh Pathak against the Rajasthan High Court's denial of bail in a case involving alleged tender irregularities under the

3. Satinder Pal Singh and Ors. vs. Bedi Hospital and Ors. (16.10.2026 - SC)(MANU/SC/1194/2026)

The Supreme Court of India addressed the dispute between Satinder Pal Singh and others versus Bedi Hospital and others, concerning the cancellation of a bid contract for a nursing home site by the Cha

4. Just Rights For Children Alliance and Ors. vs. S. Harish and Ors. (15.10.2026 - SC)(MANU/SC/1192/2026)

The Supreme Court of India addressed the issue of the circulation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on social media platforms, involving Just Rights For Children Alliance and oth

5. Tejaram vs. State of Rajasthan (16.10.2026 - SC)(MANU/SC/1191/2026)

The Supreme Court of India addressed the appeal by Tejaram against the State of Rajasthan, challenging the framing of charges under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, without prior a

View More Gist.. View More News..

Law Students Hub

Notes : Flashcards : Landmark Cases & more…

Learn More

New

Legal Glossary

Complex terms decoded : Easy explanations

Learn More

On-demand Courses

Recorded classes : Comprehensive reading material :Quiz

Learn More

Self-Paced Certification

Courses to upskill or reskill

Learn More

Webinars

Recordings of experts views :Diverse topics

Learn More

Law Teachers Hub

Readings : Resources for legal educators

Learn More

Legal Posts

Explainers : Blogs : Articles : Case Analysis

Learn More

Survey Reports

AI Adoption : Technology in law

Learn More

Illustrated Cases

Legal Design : Supreme Court Cases : Multilingual Exploration

Learn More

New

Case Infographics

Quickly understand key facts, court decisions, and legal principles through easy-to-follow infographics.

Know More

Our Partners

Why Join Manupatra Academy

Brought to you by Manupatra the leaders in legal tech domain.

Curated Resources: A vast repository of meticulously compiled resources tailored for educators and learners.
Diverse Courses: An array of courses designed to cater to various levels of expertise, from beginners to advanced.
User-Friendly Interface: Accessible on any device, our intuitive interface ensures seamless navigation.

What Our Learners Say

User-Friendly Interface: Accessible on any device, our intuitive interface ensures seamless navigation.

Certification Courses 3-Day Civil Drafting Workshop

It was extremely beneficial and practical… really helped me understand the nuances of civil drafting and boosted my confidence in preparing real pleadings.

Certification Courses 3-Day Civil Drafting Workshop

The sessions were so insightful and well-structured… the faculty explained every concept with patience and clarity, which made learning much easier.

Certification Courses 3-Day Civil Drafting Workshop

Honestly, it was a great learning experience… the course covered everything from plaints to petitions in such a smooth and engaging way.

Certification Courses 3-Day Civil Drafting Workshop

The workshop was very hands-on and practical… I really liked the live feedback and the real examples shared during drafting exercises.

Certification Courses 3-Day Civil Drafting Workshop

Very well conducted and informative… I just wish it could’ve been a bit longer because the sessions were that helpful.

Certification Courses Mastering Microsoft Word for Legal Work

The session was honestly eye-opening! I never realized how much time I was wasting on formatting until now.

Certification Courses Mastering Microsoft Word for Legal Work

Really practical and focused on what lawyers actually need… I can already see how it’ll save hours in my daily work.

Certification Courses Mastering Microsoft Word for Legal Work

The trainer made even the technical tools so easy to understand… and I loved how they used real pleading examples.

Certification Courses Mastering Microsoft Word for Legal Work

Very relevant for lawyers and interns alike… it bridges the tech gap we all face while working on documents.

Certification Courses Mastering Microsoft Word for Legal Work

A concise and super useful masterclass… I now feel confident managing citations, templates, and formatting with ease.