Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Supreme Court's Assertiveness Under NDA Rule Debated
A former judge, S. Muralidhar, spoke at an event and said that the Supreme Court seems to be more active when there's a coalition government but less so under a majority government.
He mentioned examples like the repeal of Article 370 and the electoral bonds case.
Some people think the court was stricter during the UPA government, like in the 2G spectrum and coal block scandals.
There's also talk about tensions between the NDA government and the Supreme Court, especially after the court struck down a law that might have let politicians influence judge appointments.
The court has recently canceled the electoral bonds scheme, saying it wasn't transparent.
People are discussing whether the court is really less independent now or if it's just a perception.
Former Chief Justice S. Muralidhar noted the Supreme Court's perceived reduced assertiveness under the NDA's majority government.
Key cases mentioned include the repeal of Article 370, the electoral bonds scheme, and the 2G spectrum and coal block scandals.
The Supreme Court recently quashed the electoral bonds scheme for lack of transparency.
Tensions between the NDA government and the Supreme Court are highlighted, particularly over judicial appointments.
The debate on the court's independence involves perceptions of its handling of cases like the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
- Who
- S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and senior advocate of the Supreme Court
- What
- A debate on the Supreme Court's assertiveness under the NDA rule
- When
- During the Sarat Chandra Bose Memorial Lecture this year
- Where
- At the Sarat Chandra Bose Memorial Lecture
- Why
- To discuss the perceived differences in the Supreme Court's proactive stance under different types of governments
- Speaker
- S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court
- Event
- Sarat Chandra Bose Memorial Lecture
- Key Cases Mentioned
- Repealing of Article 370, Electoral Bonds, 2G Spectrum, Coal Block Scandal, Aravalli Range Mining, National Judicial Appointments Commission, National Register of Citizens, Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Bhima Koregaon Case, Umar Khalid's Incarceration
- Supreme Court's Recent Action
- Quashed the electoral bonds scheme for lack of transparency
- Perceived Tensions
- Between NDA government and Supreme Court over judicial independence