Law & Justice This Week: Big Wins, Court Orders & Legal Milestones [July 28- August 2]
(Udaipur Files clearance) The Delhi High Court on August 1, 2025, pulled up the Centre over its handling of the film Udaipur Files, questioning if it overstepped its powers by recommending extra cuts even after certification. However, the Centre informed the court that it has now withdrawn its earlier clearance and will reassess the film under the Cinematograph Act after hearing stakeholders on August 4. A fresh decision is expected by August 6, just two days before the film’s possible release.
Case Title: Mohammed Javed v. Union of India
Headline: "Cuts ordered without Power": Delhi HC Questions Centre’s Authority in Udaipur Files Clearance & Udaipur Files: Delhi HC Seeks Fresh Call from Centre After Withdrawal of Clearance
(National Herald) In one of India’s longest-running and most politically sensitive legal battles, revolving around allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and fraudulent acquisition of prime assets, the probe continues. A Delhi court on July 29 deferred its decision on taking cognisance of the ED’s chargesheet in the matter against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The matter is now listed for inspection of prosecution material on August 7 and 8, after which a date for the order will be fixed. This will be an essential step to determine if there’s enough ground to initiate a formal trial. In the case, the ED alleges that Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi used Young Indian Pvt Ltd to fraudulently acquire Associated Journals Ltd's assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore. It is alleged that funds were solicited in exchange for political favours like election tickets.
Case Title: Sonia & Rahul Gandhi v. ED / Young Indian
Headline: National Herald Case: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Await Court Decision on ED’s Money Laundering Complaint
(Prajwal Revanna Rape conviction) A Bengaluru special court on August 1, 2025, convicted former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna of raping a 47-year-old domestic worker and sentenced him to life imprisonment, marking a significant verdict in a high-profile case involving abuse of power. The incident took place in 2021 at a farm property, and the prosecution’s case was bolstered by video evidence that captured the assault. The judgment came in just 14 months.
Headline: Bengaluru Court Convicts Ex-JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna for Rape of Domestic Worker
(Justice Yashwant Varma cash recovery row) The Supreme Court on July 30, 2025, reserved its verdict on Justice Yashwant Varma’s plea challenging the findings of an in-house inquiry committee and the subsequent recommendation by the then Chief Justice of India for his removal over alleged misconduct linked to the discovery of burnt cash at his official residence. Court posed pointed questions to Justice Varma, observing that his conduct “does not inspire confidence” and asked why he had appeared before the in-house panel without contesting its jurisdiction or procedure at the outset.
Case Title: XXX v. Union of India along with Mathews J. Nedumpara v. Supreme Court of India
(Bihar Electoral Rolls – SIR) The Supreme Court on July 29, 2025, said it will closely monitor the ongoing Bihar Electoral Rolls' Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, provided the petitioners are able to produce even 15 persons who have been excluded from the rolls. The petitioners had flagged exclusion of 65 lakh voters before the top court in batch of petitions challenging the ECI’s June 24, 2025 order mandating SIR. Court has fixed the matter for final hearing on August 12 and 13. The Supreme Court has allowed the SIR for upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, but has insisted the ECI must ensure no eligible voter is excluded and closely monitor the process.
Case Title: Association for Democratic Reforms & Ors vs. Election Commission of India & Anr
Headline: Bihar SIR: Produce even 15 excluded living persons from rolls & we will step in, Supreme Court says
(Rohingya refugees) The Supreme Court on July 31, 2025, took up a batch of petitions seeking directions to detect and deport alleged Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators. Court agreed to examine key issues, including whether Rohingya refugees qualify as such and what protections apply if so. It will also decide if the government is obligated to deport them as illegal entrants, and whether such individuals can be detained indefinitely or must be granted bail. It will also consider whether Rohingyas in refugee camps provided with basic amenities like sanitation, drinking water, education, etc.?
Case Title: Jaffar Ullah & Anr Vs Union of India & Ors
Headline: Are Rohingyas illegal entrants or refugees? Supreme Court to decide
(Malegaon Blast Case) Seventeen years after the 2008 Malegaon blast that killed six and injured around 80, a Mumbai NIA court on July 31, 2025, acquitted all seven accused, including Pragya Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, citing lack of evidence. The case, initially probed by Maharashtra ATS and later taken over by NIA, failed to establish the charges. Following the verdict, a retired ATS officer alleged he was pressured to implicate RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during the UPA regime to push a “Bhagwa terror” narrative. A prosecution witness Milind Joshirao also told the court that he was detained and pressured by Maharashtra ATS to falsely implicate senior RSS functionaries and current Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath.
Headlines: NIA Court acquits all accused in Malegaon Blast case & Malegaon Probe Was Politicised, Ex-ATS Cop Alleges Pressure to Arrest RSS Chief to Bolster ‘Saffron Terror’ Plot & Witness Claims Pressure to Implicate Yogi Adityanath, RSS Leaders in 2008 Malegaon Blast Probe
(Nithari serial killings) The Supreme Court on July 30, 2025, upheld the acquittal of Surendra Koli in the 2006 case, dismissing 14 appeals filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Uttar Pradesh government. Court found "no perversity" in the Allahabad High Court’s 2023 judgment which had overturned Koli’s conviction. It stressed that held that the prosecution failed to legally establish crucial links in the chain of circumstantial evidence. Koli, along with his employer Moninder Singh Pandher, was accused in the serial murders of several children and young women in Noida's Nithari village in 2006.
Case Title: Pappu Lal v. Surendra Koli & Ors. and connected matters
Headline: "No Perversity in HC Order": Supreme Court upholds Surendra Koli’s Acquittal in Nithari Killings