Top 7 Legal Current Affairs: September 2025

September 2025 was a significant month for law in India, with several important developments across different areas. People in Ladakh pushed for statehood and special protections under the Sixth Schedule, while the government updated GST rules to make tax processes smoother. The Supreme Court also gave directions to speed up cheque bounce cases and improve police accountability through CCTV monitoring.

At the same time, courts took steps to protect the envirenment by buling that the firecrackers should be banned pan-india. We also saw admist all the debates going related to Waqf Amendment Act, SC puts hold on certain provisions of the Act.

Here’s a summary of the Top 7 Legal Current Affairs of September 2025 that every law student, legal professional, and curious citizen should know.

#1 Ladakh’s Sixth Schedule & Statehood Demand

People in Ladakh (through bodies like the Leh Apex Body [LAB], Kargil Democratic Alliance [KDA], and activists such as Sonam Wangchuk) are calling for:

• Statehood for Ladakh (i.e. Ladakh becoming a full state, not just a Union Territory)

• Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants constitutional protections and autonomy to tribal areas.

Why Sixth Schedule matters to them?

• Most of Ladakh’s population is from Scheduled Tribes; they want safeguards over land, culture, customary laws, forest rights etc.

• Sixth Schedule gives Autonomous District Councils powers over local governance, control of resources, legislation on local issues — stronger than what LT/Governor-led UT administration currently allows. 

What’s currently in place/already done?

• The Union Territory status (without legislature) remains. Ladakh has no statehood yet.

• Some regulations have been introduced: domicile-based job reservation, rule-making over languages, reservation in Hill Council seats for women, etc. 

In September 2025, protests escalated in Leh over these demands. There were reports of violence: clashes with police, arrests, and injuries. Four protesters died; mobile internet was suspended; curfews were imposed.

What was Sonam Wangchuk’s role and why was he arrested?

• He undertook a hunger strike (35 days) demanding statehood + Sixth Schedule.

• He was arrested (September 26) following protests in Leh.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has called for talks: Ladakh leaders were invited for discussions on October 6. The High-Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh (which includes MHA officials + local leaders) is part of that process.

Key demands beyond statehood & schedule, Alongside Schedule 6 and statehood, protesters also want:

• Preservation of local languages, culture, and customary land rights.

• Greater reservation for local jobs, protections against non-locals buying land.

• Stronger local governance via more empowered bodies like the Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) or similar. 

Legal/constitutional challenges & opposition:

• Sixth Schedule doesn’t currently apply outside the northeastern tribal areas. Extending it to Ladakh would require constitutional/legislative changes.

• There are concerns that certain protections in Ladakh are already regulated under Article 240 of the Constitution, which gives more discretionary power to the Centre (less secure than Schedule 6 protections).

• Some fear that implementing Schedule 6 or statehood could slow infrastructure, complicate administration given Ladakh’s strategic location, high terrain, security sensitivities. 

Current status of negotiations:

• Deadlock had persisted, but Ladakh leaders accepted centre’s invitation for talks on October 6, 2025.

• Until then, protests, strikes, curfews etc. have been ongoing. LAB has said it will not engage until detainees from recent protests are released and charges dropped.

Want to dive deeper into the constitutional and political context behind the protests? Read the full breakdown of the Ladakh Statehood Demand and why the Sixth Schedule debate is central to the region’s future.

#2 CGST Third Amendment Rules 2025

The amendments to the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Rules, 2017, were notified on 17th September 2025 and came into effect on 22nd September 2025.

Key Changes:

1. Refund Processing Overhaul: Rule 91 has been amended to mandate that refund applications be processed based on a system-driven risk evaluation. The proper officer is required to issue a provisional refund order in FORM GST RFD-04 within seven days of acknowledgement.

2. Input Tax Credit (ITC) Distribution Expanded: Under Rule 39(1A), the scope of ITC distribution by Input Service Distributors (ISDs) has been broadened to include supplies under reverse charge as per Sections 5(3) and 5(4) of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act.

3. Appeals Process Streamlined: A new FORM GST APL-02A has been introduced, dividing the appeal process into Part A (acknowledgement) and Part B (submission). Additionally, Rule 110A empowers the Appellate Tribunal's President or Vice-President to assign appeals to a Single Member Bench if the matter does not involve a question of law.

4. Revised Valuation for Lotteries and Gambling: The valuation multiplier for actionable claims, such as lottery tickets, has been revised from 128% to 140% under Rule 31A(2), impacting the tax computation for businesses engaged in lottery, betting, and gambling activities.

5. Enhanced Annual Return Reporting: The annual return FORM GSTR-9 has been amended to include additional tables for reporting ITC availed in the next financial year, IGST credit on imports, consolidated ITC reversals, and differential tax paid due to adjustments.

6. Reconciliation Statement Updates: In FORM GSTR-9C, new rows have been added to account for supplies where tax is payable by e-commerce operators under Section 9(5), ensuring accurate reporting of liabilities.

7. Late Fee Reporting Formalised: Late fee reporting has been formalised under Section 47(2), and references to the electronic credit ledger have been incorporated to reflect modern digital practices.

8. Appeals Filing Deadline Established: A deadline has been set for filing appeals before the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), emphasising the importance of timely compliance.

9. GST 2.0 Rate Structure Introduced: The GST rate structure has been simplified to four standard rates: 0%, 5%, 18%, and 40%. This restructuring aims to make goods more affordable and stimulate consumer spending.

#3 CCTV Cameras in Police Stations

Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of a media report highlighting the lack of functional CCTV cameras in police stations across the country. The Court's action was prompted by a report from Dainik Bhaskar, which stated that 11 individuals had died in police custody in Rajasthan during the first eight months of 2025.

In December 2020 (Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh & Others, 2020), the SC had mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations to ensure transparency and accountability.

Despite the 2020 directive, many police stations have failed to install or maintain functional CCTV systems, leading to concerns over custodial deaths and human rights violations.

The court noted that the absence of CCTV footage in custodial death cases raises serious questions about police accountability and transparency. 

The Rajasthan government has been directed to submit a comprehensive compliance report detailing the installation and operational status of CCTV cameras in all police stations. 

The report must include information on the number of cameras, their placement, technical specifications (such as resolution and night vision capabilities), data storage mechanisms, and maintenance protocols. 

The Court has suggested the establishment of automated control rooms, potentially involving institutions like IITs, to monitor CCTV functionality in real-time without human intervention. 

Current Status: Next hearing is on 14th October 2025

#4 Cheque Bounce Trials Under Section 138 of NI Act

Case Name: Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S. Borcar & Anr. 2025

Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Aravind Kumar

Supreme Court ruled that magistrates need not issue summons to the accused before taking cognisance in cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (NI Act).

1. The Court emphasised that cheque dishonour cases are prevalent in metropolitan areas and contribute significantly to the criminal docket. Streamlining procedures is essential to reduce delays and ensure timely justice.

2. The Court issued comprehensive directions to expedite the resolution of Section 138 cases, focusing on efficiency, technology integration, and early settlement.

3. Summons should be served through traditional methods, dasti (hand delivery), and electronic means such as email and WhatsApp. Complainants must provide verified contact details of the accused along with the complaint.

4. District Courts are directed to establish online payment systems, including QR codes or UPI links, allowing accused individuals to pay the cheque amount directly. Upon payment, courts may proceed to compound the case or close proceedings 

5. Every Section 138 complaint must include a detailed synopsis covering parties involved, cheque particulars, dishonour memo, statutory notice, cause of action, and relief sought 

6. Magistrates may question the accused during the initial stage to determine if the cheque is admitted, liability is disputed, or if the matter can be compounded 

7. After serving summons, matters should be placed before physical courts to encourage direct interactions and early resolution. Digital hearings are permitted only at the pre-service stage.

8. High Courts are advised to set realistic pecuniary limits for evening courts. The current limit of ₹25,000 in Delhi is deemed too low.

9. District and Sessions Judges in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are instructed to maintain dashboards tracking pendency, disposal rates, adjournments, and settlements in Section 138 cases. Quarterly reports should be submitted to the respective High Courts

#5 SC partial stay on Waqf (Amendment) Act

• The Supreme Court refused to stay the entire Waqf Amendment Act, but stayed key provisions on an interim basis.

• The clause requiring that a person must have practised Islam for 5 years to create a waqf is suspended until rules are framed to govern that condition.

• The Court capped non-Muslim membership in Waqf Boards: at most 3 non-Muslims in each State Waqf Board and 4 non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council.

• Other stayed parts include portions of Section 3C dealing with government property declaration and the role of the designated officer (Collector-level inquiry) in determining property status.

• The Court also directed that, as far as possible, a Muslim should be the CEO of the Waqf Board; but it did not entirely block the amendment permitting non-Muslims to become CEO.

#6 SC on Pan-India Firecracker ban

Case Name: MC Mehta v. Union of India

Bench: CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran

• The matter arises from the long-running MC Mehta v. Union of India (W.P. 13029/1985) case - where the Supreme Court monitors air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

• In earlier hearings, the Court had directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to impose a complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in NCR under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

• The purpose was to curb severe winter air pollution, which worsens due to Diwali firecrackers and stubble burning.

• The Court questioned why the right to clean air (a fundamental right under Article 21) should be confined to one region.

• It emphasised that pollution is not limited to Delhi — states like Punjab also suffer badly during winters.

• The bench directed the ASG to obtain a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on:

  • The current pollution levels in Delhi-NCR,

  • Possible nationwide policy implications.

• The case was adjourned for further hearing to September 22, 2025.

#7 Supreme Court on Day-to-Day Trial Practice

Case Name: CBI v. Mir Usman @ Ara @ Mir Usman Ali

Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan

• The Supreme Court expressed concern that the old practice of holding continuous, day-to-day trials (especially in sensitive or important cases) has vanished.
• The Court noted that piecemeal hearings - where witnesses are examined months apart - cause huge delays and harm both sides.

• Citing Article 21, it reaffirmed that a speedy trial is a fundamental right under the Constitution.

• All High Courts are to constitute Committees to discuss and revive the day-to-day trial system in district courts.

• Chief Justices should issue administrative circulars enforcing continuous trials.

• Suggested Guidelines for District Courts:
  (a) Trials and inquiries should be conducted expeditiously and continuously.
  (b) Once witness examination starts, it must continue daily till all witnesses in attendance are examined (unless special reasons are recorded).
  (c) No adjournments if witnesses are present, except for exceptional reasons (e.g., bereavement).
  (d) Advocates’ personal inconvenience is not a valid ground for adjournment under Section 309 CrPC (now Section 346 BNSS, 2023).
  (e) In case of non-cooperation by counsel/accused, courts may:

  • Cancel bail if the delay appears deliberate.

  • Appoint an amicus curiae to continue the trial.

  • Impose costs on the accused for witness inconvenience.

Conclusion

These updates show how India’s legal system keeps evolving, constantly balancing people’s rights, government rules, and practical challenges on the ground. From courts working to make justice faster and more transparent, to lawmakers introducing new rules and amendments, every development plays a role in shaping how law works in real life.

Following such legal news is important not just for students preparing for exams like CLAT PG or judiciary exams, but also for anyone who wants to understand how laws affect governance, society, and daily life. Each headline highlights a legal principle, a procedural change, or a constitutional debate, showing that law is living and constantly adapting to new challenges. Staying aware of these changes helps you understand the bigger picture and apply legal knowledge in practical situations.

Also Read:

• Top 9 Legal Current Affairs: August 2025
• Top 10 Legal Current Affairs: July 2025
• Top 7 Legal Current Affairs: June 2025
• Top 15 Legal Current Affairs: April 2025