Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's intervention in India's Ethanol Blending Policy goes beyond a contractual dispute, raising critical questions about regulatory certainty, energy security, judicial oversight, and the future of the country's clean fuel transition.

The Supreme Court clarifies arbitration clause finality and judicial review, holding that contractual clauses cannot exclude legal remedies or make one party the final judge of its own dispute.

The Dinesh Kumar Supreme Court judgment clarifies that welfare societies operating on government land can face Article 226 scrutiny. The Court set aside allotments tainted by favouritism and reaffirmed fiduciary duties of ex officio public officials.

The SC dismissed a PIL on contaminated cough syrups, emphasizing judicial restraint and refusing to act as a parallel investigator. The ruling distinguishes the role of Judicial Review (legality) from impermissible Judicial Substitution (executive functions).

The Supreme Court in State Bank of India v. Ramadhar Sao (2025) reaffirmed that judicial review in disciplinary proceedings is limited to correcting legal or procedural errors, not re-evaluating evidence. Setting aside Patna High Court’s orders, the Court restored SBI’s penalty of removal with superannuation benefits, stressing that corruption cannot be excused even at lower levels of employment.

Experts urge review: Ordinary laws that violate Constitution’s Basic Structure escape scrutiny, risking erosion of core values.

Supreme Court backs SEBI’s discretion, ruling courts can’t override expert regulators in policy decisions.

Supreme Court rules legislative expulsion must be proportionate, reinforcing judicial oversight and democratic accountability.

Summary of the Judgment Case Name : Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited & Anr. vs. M/S Sanman Rice Mills & Ors. Date of...