Aditya Dhar: The director who almost debuted with a Dharma rom-com

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear two key petitions challenging aspects of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A joint plea submitted by 13 opposition leaders alongside a petition filed by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission of India. The pleas seek an audit of the poll panel's files, review of digital portals, and details regarding deleted voter entries and Form 6 changes. Petitions also allege unilateral decision-making by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar rather than decisions by majority consensus. The development follows an earlier notice issued by the top court on October 5 directing the poll panel to respond to procedural allegations.

The row surrounding the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue has intensified, with legal challenges filed before the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. A plea before the apex court contends that the ban impacts citizens' rights to peaceful protest and dissent, while the Indian Youth Congress has also approached the Delhi High Court demanding accessible demonstration venues. Meanwhile, political tensions escalated following the arrest and five-day judicial remand of Cockroach Janta Party leaders for alleged trespassing at the site. Authorities have reiterated that demonstrations will no longer be permitted at Jantar Mantar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, warning that unlawful assembly, police obstruction, or defiance of lawful orders could attract detention, heavy penalties, and imprisonment. In place of Jantar Mantar, three alternative protest locations have been designated across the capital: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground, with differing participant capacities.

Women parliamentarians from the Bharatiya Janata Party are seeking a meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker to demand the termination of membership of a Congress Member of Parliament facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Jawaharlal Nehru University has suspended the former professor following complaints lodged by female students. The Delhi Police have issued summons and pasted a notice outside the parliamentarian's residence directing him to join the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, a delegation from the party's women wing met the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, submitting a memorandum demanding referral of the matter to the parliamentary ethics panel, suspension pending inquiry, dignity and protection for complainants, and swift legal proceedings. The commission affirmed that it will take cognizance and decide on an appropriate course of action within its mandate. The parliamentarian has denied all allegations, questioned the fairness of the university internal inquiry, and offered to resign if claims are substantiated in a court of law.

The Supreme Court has listed a petition moved by thirteen opposition leaders challenging the functioning and decision-making process of the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner. The plea questions unilateral decision-making and demands an audit of file notings alongside reviews of voter roll processes and digital election networks. Although originally assigned a later digital listing date, the matter appears before the Chief Justice's court, even as the registry flagged multiple flaws in the petition. Legal observers note that the court may issue notice and tag the matter with existing petitions.