Legal Bites August 2024: Monthly Legal Updates

Key Judgments and Developments in August 2024

1. Sub-classification of SC/ST Permissible
   On 1st August 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in

   State of Punjab & Ors. vs. Davinder Singh & Ors. that the sub-classification of SC/STs is constitutionally valid, overturning the previous EV Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh judgment.

2. New SEBI Securities Contract Regulations
   SEBI introduced the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) (Third Amendment) Regulations 2024, effective 1st August 2024, revising shareholding disclosures.

3. Decriminalization of IPR Laws
   The decriminalization of various intellectual property laws, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, came into effect on 1st August 2024 under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act 2023.

4. Amendments to SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations
   SEBI's Mutual Funds (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2024, introduced on 2nd August 2024, introduced a mechanism for identifying market abuse.

5. Electronic Adjudication for Corporate Penalties
   From 16th September 2024, corporate penalties will be adjudicated electronically under the Companies (Adjudication of Penalties) Amendment Rules 2024.

6. Government Introduces Millets Grading Rules
   On 5th August 2024, the Millets Grading and Marking Rules 2024 were implemented to regulate millet trade, packaging, and quality.

7. New SEBI Alternative Investment Fund Regulations
   SEBI introduced the (Alternative Investment Funds) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations 2024, revising the tenure for such funds, effective 5th August 2024.

8. SC Sets Date for Determining Forex Rate of Foreign Arbitral Award
   In a judgment on 8th August 2024, the Supreme Court in DLF Ltd. vs. Koncar Generators and Motors Ltd. ruled that the date of enforcement of a foreign arbitral award will determine the foreign exchange rate for converting the award into Indian Rupees.

9. Manish Sisodia Granted Bail in Money Laundering Case
   On 9th August 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case, emphasizing that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception.”

10. SEBI Issues Master Circular for Stockbrokers
    SEBI issued a new Master Circular for stockbrokers on 9th August 2024, addressing registration, client dealings, and investor grievance redressal.

11. Delhi High Court Reaffirms SC’s View on Live Streaming of Judicial Proceedings
    The Delhi High Court, on 9th August 2024, reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment, allowing live streaming of select cases for transparency.

12. SC Closes Contempt Proceedings Against Patanjali Ayurved
    On 13th August 2024, the Supreme Court closed contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved and its co-founders after accepting an unconditional apology.

13. RBI Introduces Sovereign Green Bonds Regulation
    On 13th August 2024, the RBI introduced regulations for Sovereign Green Bonds under the Foreign Exchange Management (Debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Regulations 2024.

14. SC Reaffirms Bail Principle in Jalaluddin Khan Case
    On 13th August 2024, the SC reiterated that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception” in Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India.

15. India-Israel Collaboration on Water Technology Centre
    On 13th August 2024, India and Israel agreed to establish a Water Technology Centre at IIT-Madras to address water scarcity.

16. Delhi's New Medical Termination of Pregnancy Medical Boards
    Four hospitals in Delhi were designated for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Boards on 14th August 2024, under a Directorate of Family Welfare notification.

17. Airport Projects Cleared in West Bengal and Bihar
    The Union Cabinet cleared airport projects in West Bengal and Bihar on 14th August 2024, with an estimated cost of ₹2,962 crores.

18. ISRO Launches EOS-08 Satellite
    On 16th August 2024, ISRO successfully launched EOS-08, an Earth Observation Satellite, featuring cutting-edge technology.

19. New Orchid Species Discovered in Sikkim
    A new orchid species, Gastrodia, was discovered in Sikkim at an altitude of 1950-2100 meters in the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary.

20. Amendments to Foreign Exchange Management Rules 2019
    The Department of Economic Affairs amended the Foreign Exchange (Non-debt Instruments) Rules 2019 in line with Union Budget 2024-25 goals.

21. FSSAI Tackles Microplastic Contamination in Food
    FSSAI launched a project on 18th August 2024 to detect and address microplastic contamination in food items.

22. SHe-Box Portal for Women Launched
    On 18th August 2024, the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the SHe-Box portal to register workplace sexual harassment complaints.

23. AI-Managed Pest Surveillance System Launched
    The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) was launched on 19th August 2024 to aid pest management using AI.

24. Maharashtra Launches First Solar Village
    On 19th August 2024, Maharashtra launched its first solar village, Manyachiwadi, aiming for 100% solar energy in 100 villages.

25. Amul Declared World’s Strongest Food Brand
    Amul was named the world’s strongest food brand by Brand Finance on 19th August 2024, surpassing Hershey’s.

26. India-Japan Agreement on Green Ammonia Export
    India and Japan signed a deal on 20th August 2024 to establish a supply chain for exporting green ammonia.

27. India Permits Nepal to Export Additional Power
    On 21st August 2024, India allowed Nepal to export an additional 251 MW of electricity, facilitating its power needs.

28. SC Awards Child Custody to Natural Guardian
    On 20th August 2024, the SC awarded child custody to the father, emphasizing his status as the natural guardian.

29. SC Takes Suo Moto Cognizance of RG Kar Hospital Case
    The SC took cognizance of the RG Kar Hospital Rape and Murder case on 20th August 2024, forming a National Task Force for medical safety.

30. SC Upholds Adolescents' Right to Privacy
    On 20th August 2024, the SC set aside remarks from the Calcutta High Court regarding adolescent sexual behaviour, reinforcing privacy rights.

31. Tata Power Solar Systems and ICICI Bank Partnership
    On 20th August 2024, Tata Power Solar Systems partnered with ICICI Bank to offer collateral-free solar energy loans up to ₹9 million.

32. India Hosts 3rd Voice of Global South Summit
    India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit in virtual format on 20th August 2024, focusing on sustainability.

33. Indian Navy Signs MoU with BEML for Marine Equipment
    The Indian Navy and BEML Ltd. signed an MoU on 20th August 2024 to indigenize critical marine engineering equipment.

34. Kerala Launches KITE GNU Linux 22.04 for Schools
    Kerala introduced KITE GNU Linux 22.04 on 21st August 2024 to enhance digital education in public schools.

35. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Wins Best Airport Award
    On 21st August 2024, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport won the Best Airport Award for the third consecutive time.

36. SEBI Bans Anil Ambani and 24 Others from the Securities Market
    SEBI banned Anil Ambani and 24 others from the securities market on 22nd August 2024 due to fund diversion allegations.

37. GST Bhawan Inaugurated in Udaipur
    On 23rd August 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the new GST Bhawan in Udaipur.

38. Unified Pension Scheme Approved
    The Central Government approved the Unified Pension Scheme on 24th August 2024, providing a minimum pension of 50% of the average basic pay.

39. Government Urges Use of Digital Crop Survey Tools
    On 26th August 2024, the Union government recommended states use digital tools to improve agricultural data collection.

40. Himachal Pradesh Approves Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana
    On 27th August 2024, Himachal Pradesh’s government approved the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana, allocating ₹53.21 crore for supporting vulnerable women and disabled children.

41. NGT Imposes ₹1,000 Crore Penalty on Punjab Government
    On 27th August 2024, the NGT imposed a ₹1,000 crore penalty on the Punjab Government for failing to dispose of waste efficiently.

42. SC Grants Bail to K Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Scam
    On 27th August 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to K Kavitha in the Delhi Liquor Policy case.

43. Retrospective Bail Granted to Undertrials under BNSS
    On 29th August 2024, the SC applied Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) retrospectively, releasing undertrials who had served half their maximum imprisonment.

44. SC Upholds Job Protections for De-scheduled Government Employees
    On 29th August 2024, the SC ruled to protect government jobs for employees whose castes/tribes were de-scheduled.

45. UP Introduces Digital Media Policy for Influencers
    The Uttar Pradesh government introduced a new social media policy on 29th August 2024, incentivizing influencers while warning against anti-national content.

46. SC to Set Up 5-Judge Bench for Kerala's Borrowing Plea
    On 30th August 2024, the SC agreed to form a 5-judge bench to hear Kerala's plea on increasing its borrowing limits beyond the Centre’s cap.

47. Joint Bank Accounts for LGBTQIA+ Couples
    On 30th August 2024, LGBTQIA+ couples were allowed to open joint bank accounts, following an RBI directive.

48. Vistara and Air India Merger Announced
    The merger of Vistara and Air India will be effective from 12th November 2024, as announced on 30th August 2024.

49. Cyclone Asna Intensifies Over Kutch
    Cyclone Asna, which formed over the Arabian Sea, intensified over Kutch on 30th August 2024, becoming the first such August storm since 1976.

50. Electric Microcar ‘Robin’ to be Launched in 2025
    On 30th August 2024, Wings EV announced the launch of Robin, an electric microcar, set for release in April 2025, emphasizing India’s shift toward eco-friendly vehicles.