Important Legal Updates of 2024 - Legal Bites Year Update

Legal Bites brings you a roundup of Important Legal Updates of 2024, which played a significant role. Studying legal updates is essential not only for staying informed but also for ensuring compliance, minimizing risks, and navigating the complexities of the legal system effectively. It impacts various facets of life, from personal rights protection to professional practice and societal progress.

Important Legal Updates of 2024 - Legal Bites Year Update

1) Judicial Pay Commission Implementation

On 4th January 2024, the Hon’ble Supreme Court issued a widely publicized order directing all High Courts to establish committees. Emphasizing the need to ensure uniformity in the service conditions of judicial officers nationwide, the Supreme Court mandated forming a two-judge committee in each High Court. These committees will oversee the implementation of orders concerning pay, pensions, and other retirement benefits for judicial officers as the Second National Judicial Pay Commission recommends. 

2) Bilkis Bano Case: Allegations of Power Misuse by Gujarat Government

On 8th January 2024, the Supreme Court highlighted the discriminatory aspects of the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11 convicts serving life sentences for the gangrape in the Bilkis Bano case. The Supreme Court ruled that the Gujarat government was not the competent authority to grant remission to these 11 convicts.

The Court vehemently denounced the hostile policies of the state government, meanwhile asserting the significance of justice delivery to the survivors of sexual assault.

3) Admissibility of Evidence from Accused Outside Formal Police Custody

On 3rd January 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a widely discussed decision regarding the admissibility of evidence obtained from an accused person who is not—or is no longer—in 'formal' police custody. The Court observed that, in appropriate cases, such statements are admissible in legal proceedings.

4) Summoning Government Officials

On 3rd January 2024, the Supreme Court said that the frequent summoning of government officials by the High Court to exert pressure on the government under the threat of contempt is impermissible. Repeatedly summoning officials, rather than relying on government law officers or the submissions made by the government through affidavits, deviates from the constitutional framework.

5) Constitutional Validity of the Electoral Bond Scheme Under Challenge

On 15th February, the Supreme Court held that information regarding political party funding is crucial for voters to effectively exercise their right to vote. It ruled that the electoral bond scheme and related provisions, by anonymizing contributions, violate voters' right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

6) Notification concerning CAA Rules

On 11th  March 2024, the Indian government finally notified the rules for the granting of citizenship under the CAA, which is approved by the Indian parliament and provides a route to Indian citizenship to religious persecuted minorities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. 

7) Supreme Court Affirms Childcare Leave as a Constitutional Right for Women Employees

On 23rd April 2024, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment affirming that women employees are entitled to two years of childcare leave in addition to 180 days of maternity leave as a constitutional right. The ruling underscores the importance of supporting working mothers by recognizing their dual responsibilities in professional and personal spheres.

8) Sikkim High Court Introduces Menstrual Leave For Women

On 27th May 2024, the Sikkim High Court made history by introducing a menstrual leave policy for its women employees, the first of its kind among Indian High Courts. The policy grants women in the registry 2–3 days of menstrual leave each month.

9) India's New Era of Justice: Three Criminal Laws Effective from 1st July 

On 1st July 2024, three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam—came into effect, replacing colonial-era statutes. These laws aim to modernize India's criminal justice system, focusing on justice delivery and aligning with contemporary legal standards.

10) Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 

On 8th August 2024, the Lok Sabha introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, aiming to streamline Waqf Board operations and enhance Waqf property management. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, by addressing regulatory challenges.

11) Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 

On 9th August 2024, The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduced in the Lok Sabha proposed key reforms to improve governance, strengthen regulatory compliance, and provide better protection for depositors and investors in India’s banking sector.

12) Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024

On September 3, 2024, the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced as a significant legislative step to enhance the protection of women and children in West Bengal. The bill proposes stringent penalties, including capital punishment for heinous crimes, and aims to expedite investigations.

13) Validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955

On 17th October 2024, the Supreme Court, in a 4:1 majority decision, upheld the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Section 6A, added by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 1985, governs the citizenship status of individuals who migrated from Bangladesh to Assam.

14) Supreme Court Allows Blind Candidate in Civil Judge Interview

On 24th October 2024, The Court upheld horizontal reservation rights in the case of Siddharth Sharma v. High Court of Judicature at Rajasthan & Anr. (2024), permitting a blind candidate to attend the Rajasthan Civil Judge interview.

15) India's Initiative to Standardize Criminal Sentencing

On 5th November 2024, the Indian government consider standard sentencing norms in criminal cases due to unfair punishments. Measures that have been discussed also include the changes in the grading system so that the penalties correspond to the crime committed. 

16) Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as Chief Justice of India

On 11th November 2024, Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Khanna in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

17) Deletion of Panel Counsel Names for Rajasthan High Court

On December 14, 2024, the Department of Legal Affairs in India, in its order, removed the names of eight-panel counsels for the High Court of Rajasthan (covering both the Jodhpur and Jaipur benches). This is part of ongoing reforms in the legal system aimed at promoting rationalization and enhancing the accountability of legal personnel associated with state courts.

18) 'One Nation, One Election' Bill

On December 17, 2024, the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, proposing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State/UT Assemblies through the addition of Article 82(A). This reform aims to synchronize elections and fix the tenure of both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

References

[1] All India Judges Association v. Union of India & Ors, Writ Petition (Civil) No 643 of 2015: Available Here

[2] Bilkis Yakub Rasool v. Union of India & Others, Writ Petition (Crl.) No.491 of 2022: Available Here

[3] Perumal Raja @ Perumal vs. State, Represented by Inspector of Police, Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 863 of 2019: Available Here

[4] State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors v. Association of Retired Supreme Court and High Court Judges at Allahabad & Ors, Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos. 8575-8576 of 2023: Available Here

[5] Association for Democratic Reforms & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors., Writ Petition (C) No. 880 of 2017: Available Here

[6] First set of citizenship certificates after notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 issued, Available Here

[7] Two-year childcare leave, along with maternity, a constitutional right for women employees that can't be denied: SC, Available Here

[8] Sikkim High Court Notification, Available Here

[9] PM Modi to dedicate successful implementation of three New Criminal Laws to the Nation, Available Here

[10] Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, Available Here

[11] Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Available Here

[12] Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, Available Here

[13] In Re: Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955: Available Here

[14] Siddharth Sharma v. High Court of Judicature at Rajasthan & Anr., Writ Petition (Civil) No.710/2024

[15] India aims to curb judges' arbitrary sentences for criminals, Available Here

[16] Centre Notifies Appointment of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as India’s 51st Chief Justice, Available Here

[17] Deletion of Panel Counsel Names for Rajasthan High Court, Available Here

[18] One Nation, One Election, Available Here

Contributions from: Avlokit Yadav & Apurva Neel