Author: Anvita Dwivedi

The Supreme Court of India on Friday dismissed a petition challenging a Bombay High Court observation that criminal magistrates have no jurisdiction to order the removal or blocking of online content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the related Blocking Rules (2009). The unanimous bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi declined to interfere with the High Court’s position, reinforcing that only authorities empowered under the statute primarily the Central Government or designated officers can issue such orders. The dispute arose out of proceedings initiated by Dhyan Foundation,…

The debate over “freebies culture” in Indian politics has resurfaced sharply following recent remarks by the Supreme Court of India questioning the timing and intent behind pre-election cash transfer schemes. On 19 February 2026, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, delivered unusually forthright oral observations about the burgeoning practice of state governments announcing cash transfer schemes and other freebies just before elections. The remarks came while hearing a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. challenging Rule 23 of…