Legal Bites March 2025: Monthly Legal Updates

Welcome to the Legal Bites Monthly Legal Updates for March 2025! This edition offers a comprehensive overview of the latest judgments, regulations, and key legal developments in India, along with a few significant international updates. Stay informed and up-to-date with the most significant legal changes of the month.

March 2025: Key Legal, National, and International Highlights

1. Manan Kumar Mishra Re-Elected as BCI Chairman for 7th Term:
   Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra has been re-elected unopposed as Chairman of the Bar Council of India for a record seventh consecutive term. He reaffirmed his commitment to advocate for welfare and maintain the legal profession's independence. (March 1, 2025)
2. India's GDP Grows by 6.2% in Q3 FY2025: India's economy grew by 6.2% in the third quarter of FY2025, driven by improved rural demand and increased government spending. Although this marks an uptick from the previous quarter's 5.6%, it remains below the 9.5% recorded in the same period last year.
   (March 1, 2025)
3. Virat Kohli Plays 300th ODI, Creates History: Virat Kohli marked his 300th ODI during the Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand in Dubai, becoming the first cricketer to play 300 ODIs, 100 Tests, and 100 T20Is—an unprecedented feat in international cricket. (March 2, 2025)
4. Laundry & Dry Cleaning under the Factories Act: The Supreme Court of India in State of Goa & Anr. v. Namita Tripathi (2025)
    examined whether the operation of a professional laundry service constituted a "manufacturing process" under Section 2(k) of the Factories Act, 1948, thereby bringing the premises under the purview of "factory" as defined in Section 2(m). (March 3, 2025)
5. Ajit Ratnakar Joshi Appointed RBI Executive Director: The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Dr. Ajit Ratnakar Joshi as Executive Director, effective March 3, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in statistics, IT, and risk management, Dr. Joshi will oversee the Department of Statistics and Information Management and the Financial Stability Department.
   (March 3, 2025)
6. Ministry Launches ‘Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan’: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the 'Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan' in New Delhi to enhance leadership skills of Women Elected Representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions. The initiative includes training modules and legal resources to support women's active role in grassroots governance. (March 4, 2025)
7. Doctrine of In Pari Delicto:
   The case Smt. Anupama Biswal v. State of Odisha & Another (2025) arises from an application under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) filed by the petitioner, Smt. Anupama Biswal before the High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, seeking the quashing of the criminal complaint filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (N.I. Act). The complaint registered as ICC Case No.208 of 2021 was initiated by the opposite party No. 2 for the alleged dishonour of two cheques issued by the petitioner.
   (March 4, 2025)
8. Table Tennis Legend Sharath Kamal Announces Retirement: Indian table tennis icon Achanta Sharath Kamal has announced his retirement from professional play. The 42-year-old will make his final appearance at the WTT Star Contender in Chennai where he began his international journey. (March 5, 2025)
9. Uttarakhand Launches Scheme to Support Single Women Entrepreneurs: Uttarakhand government has launched the 'Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana' to empower single women by offering a 50% subsidy on self-employment projects worth ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh, promoting financial independence and livelihood opportunities.
   (March 6, 2025)
10. Vividhta Ka Amrit Mahotsav Held at Rashtrapati Bhavan: The "Vividhta Ka Amrit Mahotsav" cultural festival was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, from March 6 to 9, 2025. Inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, the event celebrated South India's rich heritage with performances by over 400 artists, displays by 500 artisans and weavers, traditional cuisines, and interactive youth activities. The festival was open to the public with free entry.
    (March 6, 2025)
11. PhonePe Launches 'Insuring HEROES' Campaign: To mark International Women's Day 2025, PhonePe launched the 'Insuring HEROES' campaign, offering women up to 30% off on term life insurance and 15% off on health insurance. The campaign ran from March 6 to 9 via the PhonePe app, aiming to promote financial security for women. (March 6, 2025)
12. India Wins Asian Women's Kabaddi Championship 2025:
    India defeated Iran 32-25 in the final to win the 6th Asian Women's Kabaddi Championship held in Tehran. This marks India's fifth title in the tournament's history, reaffirming their dominance in the sport. (March 8, 2025)
13. Delhi Govt Approves Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: The Delhi government has approved the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, offering ₹2,500 monthly financial aid to women aged 21–60 from economically weaker sections with annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Announced on International Women’s Day 2025, the scheme has a ₹5,100 crore budget.
    (March 8, 2025)
14. Belgium Economic Mission Strengthens Trade Ties with India: A Belgium Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid visited India from March 1-8, 2025, with over 325 delegates, including top officials and business leaders. The mission focused on boosting trade and investment in technology, renewable energy, infrastructure, and defense.(March 8, 2025)
15. Earth’s Oldest Impact Crater Discovered in Australia:
    Scientists have discovered the world’s oldest known impact crater—North Pole Crater—near Marble Bar in Western Australia. Estimated to be 3.47 billion years old, the crater offers new insights into Earth’s early history. Its identification was confirmed by the presence of shatter cones, indicating a massive meteorite impact during the Archaean eon. (March 9, 2025)
16. International Day of Women Judges:
    Observed annually on March 10, the International Day of Women Judges celebrates the contributions of women in the judiciary and promotes gender equality in legal systems. It was first recognized by the United Nations in 2022. (March 10, 2025)
17. Assam Govt to Launch Its Own Satellite 'ASSAMSAT': The Assam government plans to launch its own satellite, 'ASSAMSAT', in collaboration with ISRO and IN-SPACe. Aimed at improving data for agriculture, disaster management, border security, and development projects, the satellite is expected to cost around ₹450–500 crore.
    (March 11, 2025)
18. Former President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested by ICC: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila airport following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his war on drugs. He was transferred to ICC custody in The Hague, where a pretrial hearing is set for September 2025. The arrest has sparked both mass support rallies and protests across the Philippines, while Duterte's legal team challenges the court’s jurisdiction.
    (March 11, 2025)
19. NASA Launches SPHEREx Telescope to Map the Universe: NASA has launched the SPHEREx space telescope aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to study the origins and evolution of the universe. Orbiting at 650 km, SPHEREx will map the entire sky in infrared, investigating galaxy formation, cosmic inflation, and life-sustaining molecules. The two-year mission will complement data from Hubble and Webb telescopes.
    (March 12, 2025)
20. Water Sustainability Conference 2025: The Water Sustainability Conference 2025 was held at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi to promote industrial water use efficiency. Organized by the Bureau of Water Use Efficiency under the Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with TERI, the event was inaugurated by Union Minister C.R. Patil. The conference emphasized the 5R approach—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recharge, and Respect—and featured discussions on innovative water conservation strategies and successful industry models.
    (March 12, 2025)
21. RBI Wins Digital Transformation Award 2025: The Reserve Bank of India received the Digital Transformation Award 2025 from Central Banking, London, for its in-house digital platforms, Pravaah and Sarthi, which streamlined operations and reduced paperwork. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the achievement as a boost to India’s financial ecosystem. (March 14, 2025)
22. Mark Carney Becomes Canada's 24th Prime Minister:
    Mark Carney has been sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau. The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor takes office amid rising trade tensions with the U.S. under Donald Trump. (March 14, 2025)
23. World Consumer Rights Day 2025: Observed on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day 2025 focuses on "A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles", promoting accessible and eco-friendly consumer choices. Established in 1983 by Consumers International, the day highlights the need for stronger consumer protection and rights globally.
    (March 15, 2025)
24. Scope of Magistrate's Power to Transfer Cases: The case, Sudesh Chhikara v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr (2025), involves a petition filed under Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), challenging the order dated 07.06.2024 passed by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM), West Delhi in Case M-17/2024 titled Baljeet Singh v. Sudesh Chhikara. The impugned order directed the transfer of a complaint case from the court of MM-07, West, Tis Hazari Court, to the court of MM-02 (Mahila Court), Tis Hazari Court, Delhi, where another connected matter was pending adjudication between the same parties.
    (March 17, 2025)
25. Meghalaya Launches First Scientific Coal Mine After NGT Ban: Meghalaya inaugurated its first scientific coal mine at Saryngkham-A block in East Jaintia Hills on March 17, 2025, after a decade-long ban by the NGT. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led the launch, ensuring environmentally safe and regulated mining practices. (March 17, 2025)
26. 50% Minimum Marks Rule for District Judiciary:
    In the case of  Rajesh Gupta v. Punjab and Haryana High Court and Others (2025), the Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Hon’ble Justice Sumeet Goel, dismissed the writ petition filed by Rajesh Gupta. The court upheld the validity of the 50% minimum qualifying mark requirement, stating that it was a reasonable and lawful measure aimed at ensuring the recruitment of highly competent judicial officers.
    (March 18, 2025)
27. Saturn now has 274 Moons After a New Discovery: Astronomers have discovered 128 new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing its total to 274, making it the planet with the most moons. The discovery was made using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and the "shift and stack" technique, allowing scientists to detect faint objects. (March 18, 2025)
28. Indore Launches India's First PPP Green Waste Plant:
    Indore has inaugurated India's first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) green waste processing plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban. Located in Bicholi Hapsi, the facility, developed with Astronomical Industries, will convert 30 tons of daily green waste into eco-friendly fuel, biodegradable packaging, fertilizers, and more. (March 19, 2025)
29. France Discovers World’s Largest White Hydrogen Deposit:
    Scientists have found a massive 46-million-ton natural hydrogen reserve in Folschviller, France, valued at $92 billion. White hydrogen, a naturally occurring clean energy source, forms through geological processes without carbon emissions. (March 20, 2025)
30. McDonald's Opens Global Capability Centre in India: McDonald's is launching its largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) outside the U.S. in Hyderabad, India. Spanning 200,000 sq. ft., the facility will focus on business, technology, AI, and analytics, creating 2,000 jobs. Hyderabad was chosen for its talent pool and infrastructure.
    (March 20, 2025)
31. Delhi Police Launches ‘Shishtachar’ for Women’s Safety: Delhi Police have introduced Shishtachar, a program to curb eve-teasing and harassment in public spaces. Women officers in civilian clothes will patrol areas like markets and metro stations to identify and apprehend offenders, ensuring a safer environment for women. (March 21, 2025)
32. Kirsty Coventry Becomes First Female IOC President: Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe has been elected as the first female and African president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), succeeding Thomas Bach. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, her election marks a historic step toward greater diversity in the IOC. (March 21, 2025)
33. One-Horned Rhino Population Rises in WB: West Bengal’s one-horned rhino population has increased to 392 in 2025, up from 347 in 2022. Jaldapara National Park hosts 331 rhinos, while Gorumara National Park has 61. The growth is due to strong conservation efforts and anti-poaching measures. (March 22, 2025)
34. Vinod Kumar Shukla Wins 59th Jnanpith Award: Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla has been honored with the 59th Jnanpith Award, becoming the first recipient from Chhattisgarh. Known for works like 'Naukar Ki Kameez' and 'Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi', his writing blends simplicity with deep themes. (March 22, 2025)
35. ISRO Develops Indigenous 32-Bit Microprocessors: ISRO, in collaboration with SCL Chandigarh, has developed two indigenous 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, for space applications. Vikram 3201, designed for launch vehicles, enhances computational performance, while Kalpana 3201, based on the SPARC V8 RISC architecture, supports open-source tools. (March 21, 2025)
36. World Water Day 2025: Glacier Preservation: Observed on March 22, World Water Day 2025 highlights glacier preservation and its role in global water security. Rapid glacier melting due to climate change threatens freshwater supplies, ecosystems, and disaster risks. (March 22, 2025)
37. India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Five Chinese Products: India imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese products—soft ferrite cores, vacuum insulated flasks, aluminum foil, trichloro isocyanuric acid, and PVC paste resin—to protect domestic industries. The duties, recommended by the DGTR, aim to curb unfair trade practices and ensure fair competition. (March 24, 2025)
38. Daughters can Seek Compensation For Father's Death in Motor Vehicle Accident: In the case of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Karu Nukalamma & Others (2025), the Court undertook a nuanced examination of compensation claims under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, arising from the tragic death of a municipal worker in a road accident. The judgment highlighted the inclusive interpretation of the term "legal representative" under Section 166 of the Act, allowing both married daughters and second wives to rightfully claim compensation. (March 25, 2025)
39. Kerala Becomes First State to Establish Senior Citizens Commission: Kerala became the first Indian state to set up a Senior Citizens Commission to protect the rights and welfare of the elderly. The commission will address grievances, provide legal aid, and promote active participation of senior citizens in society. (March 25, 2025)
40. Right to Maternity Leave: In the case of B. Kavitha v. The Registrar General & Others (2025), the Madras High Court delivered a landmark judgment advancing the discourse on women’s reproductive rights, employment entitlements, and judicial sensitivity. By granting compensation for emotional distress and directing administrative reforms, the Court established a powerful precedent for promoting gender justice and fostering humane governance. (March 26, 2025)
41. Justice Harish Tandon Appointed Chief Justice of Orissa High Court: Justice Harish Tandon was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. Previously a judge at the Calcutta High Court, he succeeds Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh. Justice Tandon brings extensive judicial experience, having served as a permanent judge since 2010. (March 26, 2025)
42. India Remains World's Top Milk Producer: India continues to lead in global milk production, contributing 25% of the world's supply. With a 63.56% rise in production over the last decade, India’s dairy sector thrives due to government support and increasing demand. (March 26, 2025)
43. Indonesia Joins BRICS New Development Bank: Indonesia joined the New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS nations to fund infrastructure and sustainable projects. This move strengthens Indonesia’s global economic ties and boosts access to development financing. (March 26, 2025)
44. Ministry of Education Launches 'Baalpan ki Kavita' Initiative: The Ministry of Education introduced 'Baalpan ki Kavita', a program to revive Indian nursery rhymes and promote multilingual learning under NEP 2020. The initiative invites public contributions of traditional and new poems for children, with submissions open until April 22, 2025 (March 26, 2025)
45. National Maritime Games 2025: P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association and Member of Parliament, inaugurated the National Maritime Games 2025 at the Indian Maritime University in Navi Mumbai. The event features over 20 sports, including Athletics, Swimming, and Table Tennis, aiming to promote fitness and unity within the maritime community. (March 26, 2025)
46. Uttarakhand Plans Ganga & Sharda River Corridors: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the development of Ganga and Sharda river corridors to boost religious tourism and improve infrastructure for pilgrims. The project aims to enhance accessibility and preserve cultural heritage. (March 26, 2025)
47. Khelo India Para Games 2025 Concludes in New Delhi: The Khelo India Para Games 2025 ended on March 27 in New Delhi, with 1,200 para-athletes competing across six sports. Haryana topped the medal tally, followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The event saw 18 national records and showcased India's growing para-sports talent. (March 27, 2025)
48. Government to Launch 'Sahkar Taxi' Service: Indian government is set to introduce 'Sahkar Taxi', a cooperative-based ride-hailing service as an alternative to Ola and Uber. Announced by Amit Shah, the initiative aims to empower drivers, reduce commission costs, and ensure profit-sharing among members. (March 29, 2025)
49. IAF Joins INIOCHOS-25 in Greece: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-25, a multinational air drill in Greece from March 31 to April 11, 2025. The IAF has deployed Su-30 MKI, IL-78, and C-17 Globemaster aircraft to enhance combat readiness and interoperability with global air forces. (March 30, 2025)
50. MGNREGA Wage Hike for 2025-26: Indian government has increased MGNREGA wages for 2025-26, effective April 1, 2025. The hike ranges from ₹7 to ₹26 per day, with Haryana offering the highest wage at ₹400/day. The revision is based on the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) to align wages with inflation. (March 31, 2025)

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