Supreme Court set to decide most crucial cases in 2024
There are hundreds of important cases pending before the Apex Court of the Country but there are eleven (11) cases in the Supreme Court that hold the potential to shape the trajectory of the country in 2024. The court is scheduled to conduct hearings and reach to decisions on these significant cases, each case capable of influencing the nation's current state. Let's delve into the details of these eleven cases:-
1- Electoral Bond Scheme: The Constitution bench of 5 judges of the Supreme Court has reserved the verdict on the petitions challenging the Electoral Bond scheme of donation to political parties. In this way, it has been demanded to cancel it based on non-transparency.
2- Powers of ED: The Supreme Court will give its decision in 2024 on a review petition against the decision related to the powers of ED given by the Supreme Court on July 27, 2022. In the decision of July 27, 2022, the Supreme Court said that the ED has the right to arrest, seize property as well as conduct searches under the Money Laundering Act.
3- Delhi government's rights over officials: After the Supreme Court decision, the Centre got the new law passed by the Parliament. The right to transfer-posting of Delhi officers will remain with the Centre. The Supreme Court will hear the challenge of the Delhi government in the new year.
4- Freebies promised by political parties: Advocate Ashwani Upadhyay has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against giving free gifts by political parties. It has been said that the taxpayers of the country are being hit by free election promises. He has demanded cancellation of recognition of the parties doing so. The Supreme Court will hear this petition in 2024.
5- Right of surrogacy to unmarried girls: In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, a demand has been made to give the right of surrogacy to unmarried girls. The Supreme Court has decided to hear this matter. The bench of Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna had sought a reply from the Center on this matter. This petition will be heard in 2024.
6- Constitutionality of Section 6A of CAA: On December 12, 2023, the Constitution Bench of 5 judges of the Supreme Court reserved its decision on 17 petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The court will give its verdict on this in the new year.
7- Gyanvapi dispute: On December 19, the Allahabad High Court rejected five petitions of the mosque side while giving the green signal to hear the case of the temple side in the lower court on the issue related to the ownership of the Gyanvapi complex. In this case, the temple side has approached the Supreme Court.
8- Challenge to the Places of Worship Act 1991: Many petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Places of Worship Act. Through these petitions, a demand has been made to repeal this Act. This Act talks about maintaining the status quo of religious places before August 15, 1947. Hearing is possible in the new year.
9- Lifetime ban on tainted leaders: The Supreme Court issued various guidelines while giving its verdict on 9 November 2023 in the hearing of the cases of MPs and MLAs accused in criminal cases. The Supreme Court had said that it would later consider the issue of imposing a lifetime ban on tainted leaders from contesting elections. Hearing possible on this.
10- Religious freedom of women: The Constitution Bench of 9 judges of the Supreme Court can hear the issue of religious freedom of women in 2024. This includes examining the decision to allow women's entry into the Sabarimala temple, the practice of circumcision among women of the Dawoodi Bohra community, the right of women to offer namaz in mosques, and the right of Parsi women. This includes matters such as property rights.
11- Powers of the Governor: In many other states, state governments have filed petitions before the Supreme Court regarding the Governor keeping the bills passed by the Assembly pending for a long time. The Supreme Court is hearing these cases regarding the powers of the Governor. The matter is to be heard in January.