SC Dismisses Doctor's Plea, Upholds PCPNDT Act Enforcement Amidst Skewed Child Sex Ratio of 919 (2011 Census)

SC Upholds ₹8.09 Lakh Back Wages for MSRTC Worker, Criticizes 'Unequal Bargaining Power' Doctrine

The Supreme Court set aside a Bombay High Court order, restoring an Industrial Court directive for the MSRTC to pay ₹8.09 lakh in back wages to a daily wager. The judgment is a critical precedent on 'unequal bargaining power,' preventing employers from imposing unfair conditions on employees during regularisation.

Supreme Court Directs Strict Enforcement of PCPNDT Act 1994 Amid Persistent Sex Ratio Decline

The Supreme Court has highlighted the need for strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act 1994 to combat deep-seated patriarchal bias for male children, citing Census data showing a decline in child sex ratio from 945 (1991) to 919 (2011). This judgment reinforces the legal framework against sex-selection and provides critical data for social justice and governance questions in exams.

SC Dismisses AIIMS Review, Upholds Minor's Right to MTP Under Article 21, Citing Reproductive Autonomy

The Supreme Court dismissed AIIMS's review petition, upholding its order to medically terminate a minor's 7-month pregnancy. The landmark ruling reinforces reproductive autonomy and privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution, establishing that a woman's choice outweighs fetal viability in cases of unwanted pregnancy.

SC Dismisses AIIMS Contempt Case, Upholds Minor’s Right Under Article 21, Highlights MTP Act Gap for 30-Week Pregnancies

The Supreme Court has dropped contempt proceedings against AIIMS after it performed an MTP on a 15-year-old rape survivor at 30 weeks of pregnancy, emphasizing the minor’s fundamental right to reproductive autonomy under Article 21. The judgment highlights a critical legal and medical lacuna regarding late-term terminations for minors, with the CJI calling for an amendment to the MTP Act to exclude statutory time limits for minor rape victims.

Chhattisgarh HC Dismisses Married Daughters' Compassionate Appointment Plea, Upholds 2023 Bank Policy as 'Privilege, Not Right'

The Chhattisgarh High Court has clarified that compassionate appointment is a 'privilege, not a right', and upheld a bank's 2023 policy that excludes 'married daughters' from its definition of 'dependent family members'. This ruling reinforces that such appointments are a narrowly drawn exception to prevent financial distress, not a source of inherited employment, and must be strictly governed by the prevailing policy.

Allahabad HC Upholds Life Sentence Under POCSO Act; Reaffirms Sole Testimony of Child Victim as Sufficient for Conviction

The Allahabad High Court's ruling reinforces a critical legal principle under the POCSO Act: the sole testimony of a child victim is sufficient for conviction if it is credible and reliable. This judgment is vital for understanding evidentiary standards in child sexual abuse cases and aligns with Supreme Court precedents, making it crucial for polity and law-focused exam questions.

SC Prioritizes Reproductive Autonomy Under Article 21, Allows MTP Beyond 24 Weeks for Minor Rape Survivors

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed reproductive autonomy as a fundamental right under Article 21, allowing a minor rape survivor to terminate a 30-week pregnancy. This highlights the legal and ethical complexities surrounding late-term abortions under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, pitting a woman's rights against fetal viability.

ART & Surrogacy Acts (2022): Age Limits (21-55), 33 HC Petitions Challenge 'Parent' Definition, SC to Rule on Validity

The 2022 Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Acts are facing legal challenges over their restrictive definitions of parenthood and eligibility criteria. At least 33 petitions across High Courts question age limits, rights of single/divorced persons, OCI status, and embryo disposition. The Supreme Court is set to adjudicate the constitutional validity, making this a crucial contemporary issue for rights and bioethics.