Supreme Court Daily Round-Up: November 26, 2025

What’s happening

The Supreme Court of India had a busy day on November 26, 2025, with several important hearings, orders, and observations across key matters involving governance, public rights, criminal law, appointments, and constitutional issues. Here’s a simple and clear round-up of the major developments from the day.

Appointment of Tribunal Members: Court Seeks Compliance Report

The Supreme Court directed the Centre to submit a detailed compliance report on the appointment of tribunal members and chairpersons.

The bench expressed concern over delays and said that vacancies were affecting the functioning of several important tribunals. The Court reminded the government that timely appointments were necessary to ensure justice delivery and administrative efficiency.

Observation on Judicial Criticism: “Freedom Exists, But Within Limits”

During another matter, the Supreme Court observed that criticism of the judiciary is welcome in a democracy, but it must be expressed in a respectful and constructive manner.
The Court said harsh, abusive or misleading remarks could damage public trust in the justice system.

Hearing on Air Quality: Court Questions Implementation of Measures

With pollution levels remaining high in Delhi-NCR, the Court reviewed the progress of anti-pollution measures under the GRAP framework.
The bench asked for clearer updates from state governments and pollution control boards, saying that policy announcements are not enough—effective enforcement on the ground is essential.

Women Reservation Case: Notice Issued

The Supreme Court issued fresh notices in a petition seeking early implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.
The petitioners argued that the delay in finalising processes under the new law was denying women their rightful representation.

Bail Granted in Long-Pending Criminal Case

In a significant relief for a man who had spent over eight years in custody without conviction, the Supreme Court granted him bail.
The bench noted that the trial had barely progressed and said that long incarceration without adjudication violated the person’s right to liberty.

Corporate Fraud Hearing: Court Wants Clearer Investigation Update

In a case related to alleged corporate fraud involving a major financial company, the Supreme Court asked the Enforcement Directorate and CBI to file separate progress reports.
The Court said transparency was essential, especially in cases involving public money.

Land Acquisition Petitions Clubbed

The Supreme Court decided to club multiple land acquisition petitions from different states that raised similar legal questions.
The bench said the matter would now be heard collectively to avoid conflicting rulings.

Constitutional Bench Schedules Key Hearings

A five-judge Constitutional Bench announced that it would begin hearing a set of important constitutional matters in January 2026.
These cases involve questions related to federal powers, electoral reforms and interpretation of key constitutional provisions.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s proceedings on November 26, 2025 reflected a wide range of issues—from air quality and tribunal reforms to women’s reservation and criminal justice. Each of these matters carries significant implications for governance, rights, and public life in India. More clarity is expected in the coming weeks as the Court continues to examine these concerns in detail.