Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear the Punjab government’s challenge to a High Court order directing the CBI to investigate corruption allegations linked to the office of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The state government has raised concerns over federalism and the involvement of a central investigative agency ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.

The Supreme Court has set aside municipal elections in 50 wards across Punjab's Patiala and Moga districts after a fact-finding commission reported widespread obstruction during the nomination process. The court has ordered fresh elections within six weeks, with judicial monitoring and videography to safeguard the electoral process.

The Punjab government has challenged in the Supreme Court a High Court order directing a CBI probe into allegations involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's OSD and others.

The central issue is the distinction between Form 6 itself and the separate declaration introduced alongside it during the Bihar SIR process. The Election Commission maintains that the statutory form was not modified, while the Supreme Court's proceedings have kept attention on the legal and procedural aspects of the electoral-roll revision. For voters and political parties, the larger issue is transparency in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. Clear documentation of the legal basis, supporting declarations and procedures followed during SIR will remain important for public understanding of the process.

The INDIA bloc has announced a nationwide campaign over concerns related to the Election Commission and electoral processes. The Opposition plans protests, a march to the Election Commission headquarters, and a legal challenge to provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023.

The INDIA bloc has announced a six-point action plan including “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8, an Opposition MPs’ march to the Election Commission on October 6, five major rallies and a November 1 mega rally in Delhi.

Odisha Assembly proceedings were disrupted on September 28 as BJD and Congress MLAs protested against the amended mining law, raising concerns over its potential impact on the state’s mining revenue and powers.

The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of deaths in Manipur relief camps places greater attention on the processes of relief, rehabilitation, investigation and accountability. The court’s directions also highlight the need for proper documentation, post-mortems and timely investigation in cases involving displaced people. As the 2027 Assembly election approaches, rehabilitation and governance issues are likely to remain important areas of public and political discussion.

Political tensions in West Bengal have intensified after the Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress name and symbol amid an internal party dispute, while Mamata Banerjee has challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has resumed final hearings in petitions concerning the Shiv Sena split and the disqualification of MLAs from the Eknath Shinde-led faction. The Shinde camp is defending the Election Commission’s decision recognising its organisational majority in the party dispute.

Maharashtra Politics has witnessed a fresh controversy ahead of Ganeshotsav, with disagreements emerging within the ruling Mahayuti alliance over the use of DJs and loudspeakers during celebrations. While some BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have supported restrictions on noise pollution, others have opposed a blanket ban, giving the opposition another issue to target the government.

Karnataka is considering a Supreme Court challenge against the direction to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, amid concerns over reservoir levels, rainfall and the state's own drinking-water and irrigation needs.