1. SC: Peaceful Protest Can’t Justify Lathi-Charge
The Supreme Court reaffirmed that peaceful, lawful protest is constitutionally protected while hearing pleas alleging excessive police force during student protests over exam paper leaks. A Bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana held that mere agitation cannot justify lathi-charge or excessive force. The Court called for independent scrutiny of police-excess allegations, equal concern for injuries to protesters and police, uniform protocols nationwide, and adequate protective gear for deployed personnel.
2. SC May Seek States’ Response on Police Protective Gear
Hearing pleas on alleged police brutality during protests over NEET paper leak irregularities, the Supreme Court indicated it may seek explanations from States/UTs on inadequate protective gear for police at demonstrations. The Bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Bagchi, and Justice Mohana stressed equal concern for protester and police injuries, urged States to ensure safety equipment like helmets, and called for protocols balancing the right to peaceful protest with effective handling of unlawful activity. Listed for further hearing.
3. Centre Constitutes Nilekani Panel on Exam Reforms
The Centre informed the Supreme Court it has formed a high-level committee, chaired by Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms for conducting competitive exams in India. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe the government takes a serious view of recent paper leaks, including NEET. The panel also includes former ISRO chief S. Somanath, former IB director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras director V. Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
4. Karnataka HC: Muslim Father’s Duty to Maintain Minors Persists
The Karnataka High Court held that under Mohammedan law and Section 144 BNSS (formerly Section 125 CrPC), a Muslim father must maintain his minor children even while they reside with the divorced mother. The mother’s employment does not absolve this obligation. Citing Noor Saba Khatoon v. Mohd. Quasim (1997), the Court reiterated the duty exists under both personal and statutory law, remaining absolute until the children attain majority, or marry, for daughters. Mohammed Ashfaqulla v. Mohammed Junaid, 2026.
5. Allahabad HC Enhances Maintenance for Concealed-Marriage Second Wife
The Allahabad High Court reiterated that a woman induced into marriage through concealment of the husband’s subsisting marriage is entitled to maintenance, partly allowing her revision plea and enhancing the amount awarded. Justice Garima Prashad, relying on Kamala v. M.R. Mohan Kumar (2019) 11 SCC 491, held Section 144 BNSS (Section 125 CrPC) demands purposive interpretation to prevent exploitation. The husband’s plea that the void marriage barred maintenance was rejected. Criminal Revision No. 196/2024, July 16, 2026.
6. Delhi HC Denies ANI Injunction Against OpenAI in Copyright Suit
In ANI’s copyright suit over use of its news content to train ChatGPT, Justice Amit Bansal held, prima facie, that OpenAI’s storage of ANI’s works for LLM training falls under Section 52(1)(a), Copyright Act, 1957 as fair dealing for research, not infringement. Finding no memorisation or substantial reproduction in outputs, the Court denied interim injunction, holding balance of convenience and irreparable injury favoured OpenAI. ANI Media (P) Ltd. v. OpenAI OPCO LLC, CS(COMM) 1028/2024, 24-7-2026.
This article has been researched and prepared by Roshan Gupta, Legal Research Intern at LegalRath.
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Editorial Note: This article has been reviewed by the LegalRath Editorial Team to ensure legal accuracy, editorial quality, and clarity before publication.