Allahabad High Court rules juvenile conviction cannot bar passport issuance
In a June 2026 ruling, the Allahabad High Court held that a conviction recorded during minority cannot automatically prevent a passport. The court stressed rehabilitation and reform as central to juvenile justice, noting that mistakes made in childhood should not create a lifelong stigma. Citing the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, the court indicated that records of a juvenile offence should not permanently bar travel, although ongoing proceedings may still be considered in passport decisions. The judgment safeguards the mobility rights of individuals who were convicted as juveniles and signals a shift toward a fresh-start approach in travel documentation for young offenders.
Ruling issued in June 2026 by Allahabad High Court
Juvenile conviction not an automatic passport bar
Emphasis on rehabilitation and fresh start
Reference to Juvenile Justice Act, 2000
Protects mobility rights of juveniles convicted earlier
May 28, 2026
Assam passes Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026
The Assam Assembly on 27 May 2026 passed The Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, establishing a single civil framework for all residents. The 126‑member House approved provisions governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and live‑in relationships, including a ban on polygamy and mandatory registration of marriages within 60 days and live‑in relationships within 30 days. Deliberate non‑compliance could attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000. The Bill reflects ongoing national debates on family law reforms and aims to harmonise personal laws within the state.
Date of passage: 27 May 2026
Polygamy banned; marriages must be registered within 60 days
Live‑in relationships must be registered within 30 days
Fine for non‑compliance up to Rs 10,000
Aims for a uniform civil code within Assam
May 26, 2026
Supreme Court strengthens bench with more judges
The Supreme Court of India will function with an increased sanctioned strength of 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. Excluding the CJI, the number of judges rises from 33 to 37. The expansion, enacted through the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, is aimed at reducing pendency and improving access to justice. Legal experts say more judges can help handle constitutional matters and complex appeals more efficiently. The move signals a strengthened judiciary capable of addressing rising caseloads and upholding constitutional governance. The change aligns with broader efforts to enhance judicial capacity and public confidence in the system.
Sanctioned strength increased to 38 judges including CJI.
Excluding CJI, judges rise from 33 to 37.
Aims to reduce pendency and improve access to justice.
Implemented under Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
Expected to aid constitutional matters and appeals.
Justice Anupinder Grewal appointed NCLT President
Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal has been appointed President of the National Company Law Tribunal, replacing the previous head. A former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Grewal will oversee matters involving company law, insolvency, and corporate disputes. The NCLT operates under the Companies Act, 2013 and also handles IBC-related matters. His appointment is significant for corporate governance and the speed and quality of tribunal decisions. The leadership change is expected to influence judicial processes and the resolution of complex corporate cases in India’s business environment.
Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal named NCLT President.
Former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
NCLT handles company law, insolvency, corporate disputes.
Appointment may affect tribunal efficiency and decisions.
Links to governance and corporate law administration.
May 12, 2026
CJI Surya Kant launches One Case, One Data initiative with Su Sahay
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant launched the One Case, One Data initiative on 11 May 2026 at the Supreme Court. The project connects judicial data from the Supreme Court, High Courts, district courts, and taluka courts into a unified digital system. It supports case management, online verification of case information, and automated data retrieval. The programme provides reciprocal access to case information for High Courts and required government departments to improve transparency. The accompanying AI chatbot, Su Sahay, was developed by the National Informatics Centre with the Supreme Court Registry to guide citizens seeking court services online.
One Case, One Data links court data across multiple levels.
Aims to improve case management and data retrieval.
Reciprocal access to information for High Courts and agencies.
Su Sahay chatbot assists citizens on court services.
Developed by NIC in collaboration with the Supreme Court.
May 06, 2026
Cabinet Approves Increase in Supreme Court Judge Strength
On 5 May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. Including the CJI, total judges would rise from 34 to 38. The change requires an amendment via The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Supreme Court currently handles vast caseloads, with more than 92,000 pending matters. The additional judges would enable more benches and faster hearings. Expenditure will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India. Last adjustment occurred in 2019, when sanctioned strength rose from 30 to 33.