Summary Case:   Laxman Siddappa Naik v. Kattimani Chaniappa Jamappanna & Ors. Citation:  1968 AIR 929; 1968 SCR (2) 805 Date of Judgment:  19 January 1968 Bench:  Hon'ble Justice M. Hidayatullah; Hon'ble Justice S.M. Sikri; Hon'ble Justice K.S. Hegde Advocates:  S. S. Javali and M. Veerappa for the appellant; R. Gopalakrishnan for respondent no.1 Statutory Provisions / Instruments:  Representation of the People Act, 1951 (s.116-A); Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950

The Supreme Court's recent ruling on Vantara, Reliance Foundation's ambitious animal project, brings a decisive close to a chapter of controversy. The court's acceptance of an independent investigation found no wrongdoing in the acquisition of animals, including elephants. This decision moves beyond a simple legal verdict, sparking a broader conversation about private philanthropy, animal welfare, and the balance between vigilance and trust in India.

In a landmark electoral law development, the Supreme Court has ruled that Aadhaar cards are valid for identity verification during Bihar's voter list revision. The bench clarified that while Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship, it qualifies as a standalone identity document under Section 23(4) of the R.P. Act. This ruling aims to enhance electoral participation, particularly for marginalized communities who often face hurdles with documentation.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Union Government and ECI regarding a PIL that seeks stricter rules for political parties. The court will examine if legislative action is required to “ensure transparency, curb criminal influence, and enforce secularism in politics”. This move addresses the increasing opacity in party financing and the criminalization of politics, pushing for greater accountability in democratic governance.

In a move with major implications for India’s digital economy, the Supreme Court has consolidated all High Court petitions challenging the Online Gaming Act, 2025. The Court cited the need for a "unified adjudication" to prevent inconsistent rulings and ensure regulatory certainty. This case will define how the government balances industry innovation, consumer protection, and addiction concerns within the rapidly expanding online gaming sector.

In a move that could reshape environmental governance, the Supreme Court, in a hearing on Delhi’s firecracker ban, raised concerns over its limited geographical enforcement. The bench emphasized that “clean air is a right” and questioned why the ban applied only to the Delhi-NCR and not uniformly across the country. This underscores that environmental safeguards cannot be selectively enforced, especially when pollution knows no political boundaries.