As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Bombay High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Maharashtra government's decision on the Dharavi slum redevelopment project in Mumbai. The court upheld the tender awarded to Adani Properties Private Limited, stating that the grounds raised in the petition lacked force. The Adani Group emerged as the highest bidder for the project in the 2022 tender process, after the previous tender in 2018 was cancelled.
A major controversy has erupted in Mumbai as the Powai police files an FIR against various officials for the demolition of Jai Bhim Nagar settlements. The demolition was recommended by the Bombay High Court and the accused face charges of criminal conspiracy, falsifying documents, and more. Locals, who have been living in the demolished settlement for decades, are now facing the threat of displacement to a remote and disputed settlement, sparking questions about the legality of the rehabilitation offer.
A Mumbai court has issued a contempt notice to Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, after the company failed to comply with a Bombay High Court order to remove a defamatory video targeting a spiritual leader. The video, titled "Pakhandi Baba ki Kartut," allegedly damaged the reputation of both the Dhyan Foundation and Yogi Ashwini. Despite the earlier court order, the video remains accessible outside of India, leading to concerns of delay tactics by Google. The court has rejected Google's claim of immunity under the IT Act and the matter is scheduled to be heard again in January.
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has acquitted a man, his mother, and his brother in a two-decade-old abetment to suicide case. The HC noted that every harassment does not amount to cruelty and that the term "cruelty" is relative, making it difficult to define. The court found no evidence of consistent or severe cruelty and stated that the essential ingredients for Section 306 were not met. This decision has raised questions about the definition of cruelty and its application in cases of abetment to suicide.
Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice RC Chavan has criticised outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud for prioritising public perception in his judgments. Speaking at a panel discussion to assess the CJI's tenure and judicial legacy, Justice Chavan stated that judges should not be swayed by extrajudicial concerns and voiced his disappointment in CJI Chandrachud for being preoccupied with how history will judge him. While Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran commended the CJI for his high standards in judgment writing, he also expressed disappointment in the Ayodhya Ram Temple case decision.
The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals by the Maharashtra Government, CBI, and Bureau of Immigration challenging the Bombay High Court's order to quash Look Out Circulars against actress Rhea Chakraborty and others in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan cautioned the petitioners that the plea was frivolous and motivated by the high-profile nature of one of the accused. The high court had previously suspended the LOCs against Chakraborty and her family, allowing them to travel abroad for specific reasons.
In a major relief for actor Rhea Chakraborty and her family, the Supreme Court has dismissed a "frivolous" petition filed by the CBI, State of Maharashtra, and Bureau of Immigration seeking to reinstate the lookout circular (LOC) against them in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case. The court warned the agencies that such petitions would be dismissed with exemplary costs, citing the right to travel as a fundamental right that cannot be curtailed without due procedure. The Bombay High Court had earlier quashed the LOCs against the Chakraborty family in February this year, raising questions about the delay in the investigation and the rationale behind issuing the LOCs.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has suggested 13 changes to be made to Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film 'Emergency', which has been surrounded by controversies. The actor-politician has stated that she will not make any cuts to the film, while the CBFC has deemed certain scenes unsuitable for children under 12. The film's co-producer Zee Entertainment Limited has accused the CBFC of illegally withholding certification, while the Bombay High Court has criticized the board for not taking a stance.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed L’Oréal India’s appeal against a previous decision not to cancel a rival mark, emphasizing the importance of timely opposition filings. In a separate case, the Bombay High Court ruled in favor of Bollywood celebrity Arijit Singh in an infringement dispute, highlighting the need to reconcile IP rights with technology advancements. Additionally, the Delhi High Court settled a 23-year dispute between Lacoste and Crocodile International, shedding light on the territoriality of trademark rights in international coexistence agreements.