Top 15 Legal Current Affairs: December 2024

Staying informed on legal developments is essential for those preparing for judicial services, CLAT, or any law-related exams.

December 2024 witnessed landmark rulings, key legislative moves, and significant debates shaping India's legal and governance framework. Here’s a curated list of the top legal news updates of the month, arranged in order of importance for your preparation.

1. Supreme Court holds the suits on Places of Worship Act, 1991

On December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court led by a special bench passed an interim order staying the registration of suits seeking surveys of places of worship. The case involved petitions challenging the validity of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which states that the religious character of a place of worship cannot be altered from its status as of August 15, 1947.

Background: The order followed an incident of fatal violence in Sambhal, triggered by a district court’s directive to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid. Petitioners claimed that the mosque was built on the site of an ancient Harihar temple dedicated to Kalki. Numerous other similar suits across North India allege that mosques and shrines were constructed after demolishing Hindu temples.

Key Cases Impacted:

• Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid dispute,

• Varanasi Gyanvapi Mosque dispute,

• Mathura Shahi Eidgah Mosque dispute, etc.

Court’s Directions:

• All ongoing suits seeking surveys of places of worship were stayed until the validity of the 1991 Act is determined.

• Lower courts were directed not to issue any orders in related cases.

• The Union government was instructed to file a counter-affidavit within four weeks.

• Nodal counsels were appointed for petitioners and intervenors to streamline case proceedings.

Future Action: The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on February 17, 2025. This interim order aims to uphold communal harmony and judicial consistency while examining the Act's validity.

2. Contempt Warnings Issued Over Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis

Throughout December 2024, the Supreme Court actively addressed the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR, issuing multiple contempt warnings to ensure compliance with pollution control measures.

• December 5: SC permitted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reduce Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), only to reinstate them after a week.

• December 12: The focus shifted to long-term solutions, including reducing vehicular emissions, curbing garbage fires, and improving industrial and solid waste management.

• December 16: The SC issued another contempt warning to the Delhi government for failing to submit data on compliance with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, and summoned the Chief Secretary of NCR to explain the lack of progress.

• December 19: The Court reprimanded the Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi for continued non-compliance with SWM Rules, issuing further contempt warnings. NCR states were also directed to ensure timely subsistence payments to daily-wage workers and establish monitoring teams to enforce GRAP measures under CAQM supervision.

Future Action: The Court will continue reviewing the efficacy of these measures through January 2025. In addition, the inconsistencies in rules for color-coded stickers on vehicles will be addressed in a hearing scheduled for January 15, 2025.

3. PIL on Reforming Dowry and Domestic Violence Laws

After the tragic suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash led to a PIL filed by an Advocate Vishal Tiwari in the Supreme Court demanding reforms to address the misuse of dowry and domestic violence laws.

Proposals in the PIL:

• Formation of an expert committee comprising retired judges and legal experts to review existing laws.

• Mandatory recording of gifts and articles exchanged during marriages to prevent false allegations.

Concerns over Section 498A IPC Misuse:
The Supreme Court has repeatedly cautioned against the misuse of Section 498A IPC, initially enacted to protect women from cruelty and dowry harassment.

What is Section 498A?

Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code punishes cruelty against a married woman by her husband or his relatives.

What is considered cruelty?

Cruelty includes any willful conduct that could: 

1. Drive the woman to commit suicide 

2. Cause grave injury or danger to the woman's life, limb, or health 

3. Harass the woman to meet unlawful demands for property or valuable security

Key Judgments Referenced:

• Preeti Gupta v. State of Jharkhand (2010): Misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, where husbands and their families were unfairly accused of domestic cruelty, and urged lawmakers to make changes.

• Achin Gupta v. State of Haryana (2024): Supreme Court recommended that Parliament amend the updated version of Section 498A in the new criminal code (Sections 85 and 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) to prevent such abuse.

The initiative seeks to balance protections for women while safeguarding men and families from false allegations.

4. SC Advocates for POSH Act Compliance in Political Parties

A PIL (Yogamaya MG vs. Union Of India) was filed to apply the POSH Act, 2013 to political parties, including the establishment of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in compliance with the Act.

Reliefs Sought by the Petitioner:

• Direct political parties to form ICCs as per the POSH Act.

• Include individuals working in political parties under the definition of "employees" in the Act.

• Mandate compliance with the POSH Act as a condition for party registration under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Court’s Directions:

The Court disposed of the PIL by asking the petitioner to first approach the Election Commission of India (ECI), as it is the competent authority for matters related to political parties.

This decision emphasizes that the Election Commission is the appropriate forum to address such matters concerning political parties.

5. Justice Manmohan’s Elevation to the Supreme Court

On December 5, 2024, Justice Manmohan, former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, was elevated to the Supreme Court. As the second-highest-ranked judge in the all-India seniority list at the time, his elevation increased the representation of the Delhi High Court in the apex court.

Significance: Justice Manmohan’s three-year tenure, ending in December 2027, is expected to enrich the judiciary with his extensive experience.

6. The Manipur Files: Ethnic Conflict and Rehabilitation

On December 9, 2024, the Supreme Court in the case of - Dinganglung Gangmei Vs. Mutum Churamani Meetei, directed the Manipur government to provide details on properties destroyed, looted, or encroached upon during the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-zo communities. The Court also tasked a Committee led by Justice Gita Mittal to submit separate reports addressing rehabilitative measures.

Background:

• The conflict, which began in May 2023, has resulted in 258 deaths as of November 2024.

Court’s Directions:

• Submit details of properties impacted.

• Ensure timely rehabilitative measures.

This case underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing humanitarian crises.

7. Debate on "One Nation, One Election" Intensifies

The government introduced two bills—the Constitution 129th Amendment Bill 2024 and Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2024—to aim to implement "One Nation, One Election".

What do these bills say?

These aim to align simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Union Territory Assemblies. These bills propose changes to synchronize election schedules and reduce the frequency and costs of separate elections.

Arguments For:

• Reduces electoral costs and minimizes governance disruptions.

• Streamlines the election process.

Arguments Against:

• Potential threat to federalism and state autonomy.

• May conflict with the Constitution’s Basic Structure doctrine.

These bills have been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further scrutiny.

8. SC’s View on Alimony: Misuse of Maintenance Claims

The Supreme Court ruled that Alimony ensures a basic standard of living for the wife, not to equalize wealth with her ex-husband.

Case Background: In Rinku Baheti v. Sandesh Sharda (2024), the wife sought significant alimony; the Court rejected wealth equalization and emphasized maintenance reflecting the marital standard of living.

Key Takeaways:

• Maintenance considers the wife’s needs, lifestyle during marriage, and her financial resources.

• Husband’s income, liabilities, and standard of living are factored but not the sole basis for deciding alimony.

This judgment discourages misuse of maintenance laws and promotes fairness in matrimonial disputes.

9. Tenancy Rights: Orissa HC’s Landmark Ruling

The Orissa High Court in the case of Sanatan Bardhan (since dead) through her LRs v. Ranu Sen and others reaffirmed tenants’ rights, a 15-day notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act is mandatory before evicting a 'tenant holding over' (a tenant continuing possession with the landlord's consent).

What is Section 106?

It deals with the duration of leases in the absence of a written contract or local usage.

Tenant Categories:

• Tenant Holding Over: Tenant remains with the landlord's consent after lease expiry.

• Tenant at Sufferance: Tenant remains without consent, but not a trespasser.

Case Details:

• The appellant's lease ended in 1988, but they continued paying rent with the landlord's consent, making them a 'tenant holding over'.

• The first appellate court wrongly ruled that no notice was required under Section 106.

High Court's Decision: The suit was dismissed as no valid notice was served, upholding the trial court’s decision.

This judgment reinforces the importance of tenant protections.

10. SC Clarifies Scope of Section 306 IPC (Abetment of Suicide)

In Prakash and Ors v. The State of Maharashtra and Anr, and Jaydeepsinh Pravinsinh Chavda and others v. State of Gujarat, the Supreme Court clarified that harassment alone does not constitute abetment of suicide under Section 306 IPC.

What does Section 306 of IPC say?

Abetment of Suicide - If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Judgment Highlights:

• The Court clarified that harassment alone does not constitute abetment of suicide under Section 306 IPC.

• To prove abetment, there must be evidence of clear instigation or active involvement leading to the act of suicide.

• The Court discharged the appellants, finding the evidence insufficient to establish abetment.

This judgment sets a crucial precedent for interpreting abetment laws.

11. Task Force for Doctor Safety

On December 10, 2024, SC received updates from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Key Developments: The trial in this case is complete, and the verdict is expected to be pronounced by the Trial Court in Sealdah on January 18, 2025.

Court’s Directions:

• The Court directed the governments of states and Union Territories and other stakeholders to provide feedback on a report prepared by a National Task Force (NTF).

• This Court-appointed task force was established to draft comprehensive guidelines for improving doctor safety.

Future Action:

• The Court reiterated that all suggestions should be submitted directly to the NTF.

• The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on March 17, 2025.

This case highlights the judiciary’s focus on ensuring accountability and improving workplace safety for healthcare professionals.

12. Relief for Coconut Oil Manufacturers

The Supreme Court in the case of Commissioner of Central Excise, Salem v. M/s Madhan Agro Industries (Pvt) Ltd resolved a 15-year taxation dispute by ruling that small coconut oil bottles marketed as edible oil should be taxed as food products, not hair oil, provided they comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Tax Implications:

• Edible oil taxed at 5% under GST.

• Hair oil taxed at 18% GST.

Legal Clarity: The Court ruled that the classification should depend on the oil's intended use and packaging, not promotional materials or trademarks.

The decision prevents price hikes, ensures access to essential products, and offers relief to manufacturers facing high excise duties.

13. Bail Hearing for DMK Leader V. Senthil Balaji

On December 20, 2024, the Supreme Court issued notice to the State of Tamil Nadu in a plea seeking to recall the judgment granting bail to DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji. Balaji, in the case of - V. Senthil Balaji v. The Deputy Director, was accused of money laundering in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam, had his reinstatement as a Cabinet Minister questioned for potentially influencing witnesses.

Key Developments: On December 13, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed an affidavit claiming that Balaji’s reinstatement could influence witnesses and highlighted deliberate delays in proceedings through adjournments, requests for cloned evidence, and changes in legal counsel.

Future Action: The Court has set the matter for further hearing on January 15, 2025.

This case emphasizes the judiciary’s role in curbing misuse of political influence in ongoing investigations.

14. Interim Bail for Allu Arjun in Stampede Case

Actor Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024, for a stampede at Sandhya 70 MM theatre during the benefit show of Pushpa 2 on December 4, which resulted in a woman’s death and left her child critically injured.

In the case Allu Arjun v State of Telangana and Anr., culpable homicide not amounting to murder was filed against him. The Telangana High Court granted interim bail, on the following Conditions:

• Granted conditional bail on January 3, 2025.

• Directed to submit two sureties of ₹50,000 each.

• Must report to the Chikkadpally SHO every Sunday for two months or until the chargesheet is filed.

This case highlights the balance courts must maintain between public accountability and protecting individual freedoms.

15. CLAT Answer Key Controversy

In Anam Khan v. Consortium of National Law Universities (2024), petitioners claim errors in 12 questions of the provisional answer key for CLAT PG-2025, released on December 2, 2024.

Petitioners objected to the ₹12,000 fee (₹1,000 per objection) after already paying an examination fee of ₹4,000.

Relief Sought by the Supreme Court:

• Stay the publication of results (scheduled for December 10).

• Halt counselling for admissions based on these results.

This case raises important questions about fairness and transparency in competitive exams.

Conclusion

December 2024 brought pivotal developments, from the Supreme Court’s reinforcement of secularism through the Places of Worship Act to clarifications on dowry laws and election reforms. These updates highlight the dynamic nature of India’s legal landscape.

Staying informed about these changes not only aids exam preparation but also fosters a deeper understanding of evolving legal principles. As these cases progress, they will undoubtedly influence public discourse, governance, and justice in the coming years.

Also Read: Legal Current Affairs 2024 for key legal updates.