Disaster Management Act, 2005

The petitioners sought mandatory ex gratia compensation for families of Covid‑19 victims under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, arguing that the word "shall" imposes a duty on the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to prescribe uniform guidelines. The Union of India contended that "shall" sho…

The Supreme Court, exercising suo motu jurisdiction under Article 32, examined the humanitarian crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and issued directions to the Union and State governments on the supply of oxygen, essential drugs, and vaccines, as well as on hospital admission policies and protection of individuals …

The Supreme Court examined a batch of writ petitions challenging the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines dated 06 July 2020, which required all Indian universities to complete final year examinations by 30 September 2020 amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Petitioners argued that the guidelines were ultra‑violet of A…

Gajendra Sharma, a home loan borrower, challenged the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) notification dated 27 March 2020 that allowed a six‑month moratorium on loan repayments but continued to levy interest, claiming it was ultra vires and violated his right to life under Article 21. The Union of India, invoking powers und…

The Union of India filed an interlocutory application seeking modification of the Supreme Court's earlier orders on ex‑gratia compensation for families of COVID‑19 victims, arguing that the absence of an outer time limit could lead to endless and fraudulent claims. Over 7,38,610 claims had been received, raising concer…

The petitioners, who had taken their last permissible attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, claimed that the Covid‑19 pandemic prevented them from effectively preparing and therefore sought a mandamus directing the Union of India to grant them an additional attempt. The Court examined whether…

The Small Scale Industrial Manufactures Association and several other industry groups filed writ petitions under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Union of India, the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to grant a total waiver of interest, extend the loan moratorium, provide sector‑wise re…

The Supreme Court, hearing a suo motu writ petition concerning the treatment of COVID-19 patients and the handling of dead bodies, took note of a fatal fire incident in a Gujarat COVID hospital and other fire incidents in similar facilities. The Court examined the adequacy of fire safety measures, the implementation of…

The Centre for Public Interest Litigation filed a writ petition seeking a fresh National Disaster Management Plan, specific minimum relief standards, and direction to use the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for COVID-19, as well as to channel all contributions to the NDRF instead of the PM CARES Fund. The Court …

An advocate filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court seeking a direction that the Ministry of AYUSH’s advisory dated 06‑03‑2020 be implemented, allowing homeopathic practitioners to treat COVID‑19 patients. The High Court held that any advertisement or claim of cure by AYUSH doctors, except those specified in the…

Swaraj Abhiyan filed a public‑interest writ petition seeking higher monetary relief for crop loss, effective management of fodder banks and loan restructuring for farmers affected by drought. The Union of India contended that the relief amounts and related schemes are governed by the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and e…

The petition, filed under Article 32 as a public‑interest litigation, challenged the nationwide closure of Anganwadi Centres during the COVID‑19 pandemic and sought their reopening and the provision of nutrition to pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls and children up to six years as mandated by Sections …

The Supreme Court examined challenges by private employers, including Ficus Pax Private Ltd., to central and state orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 that compelled private establishments to pay full wages to all workers during the COVID‑19 lockdown. The petitioners argued that the orders were ultra‑…

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ petition filed by Swaraaj Abhiyan seeking a declaration of drought in parts of Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana and relief for affected persons. The petition highlighted that the three states had either not declared drought or had delayed declaration despite evidence of ra…

The petitioners, led by Russell Joy, filed a writ under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Union Government to appoint an international agency to assess the lifespan of the 121‑year‑old Mullaperiyar Dam and to order its de‑commissioning, alleging that the dam, originally designed for a 50‑year life, now poses …

The petitioner filed a writ under Article 32 challenging the practice of affixing posters outside the homes of COVID‑19 positive persons under home isolation, alleging violations of privacy, dignity and other fundamental rights. The Union of India submitted the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's guidelines dated 2…

The Supreme Court, acting suo motu, examined the plight of migrant labourers stranded during the COVID-19 lockdown and the measures taken by the Central and State governments. While acknowledging the large number of Shramik trains and bus services already deployed, the Court noted lapses in registration, supervision, a…

The State of Andhra Pradesh, facing a sharp decline in revenue due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, issued Government Orders on 31 March and 26 April 2020 that deferred payment of salaries, wages, honoraria and pensions. A writ petition under Article 226 challenged the deferment, and the Andhra Pradesh High Court held that th…

The appellant, a managing director of a pharmaceutical firm, sought to execute an international Merchanting Trade Transaction (MTT) for PPE products, but the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) denied permission under Clause 2(iii) of the 2020 MTT Guidelines because the Indian government had banned PPE exports during the COVID…

The Supreme Court examined the legality of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) amid public opposition, focusing on whether the plant complied with environmental, coastal‑zone, and safety regulations. It held that the project was undertaken under the national nuclear policy reflected in the Atomic Energy Act, 1…

The petitioner filed a public‑interest writ under Article 32 seeking an immediate ban on the use of chemical or organic disinfectant tunnels and ultraviolet (UV) rays on human beings, alleging that such practices violate the right to health under Article 21. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had issued an advis…

The Supreme Court, hearing a petition by Gaurav Kumar Bansal seeking relief for families of Covid‑19 victims, examined the implementation of guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under Section 12(iii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The Court noted that the NDMA had recommended an…

Renowned journalist Vinod Dua was charged under sections 124A, 505(1)(b), 501, 268 of the IPC, sections 52 and 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and section 188 of the IPC for remarks made in a YouTube talk‑show about the COVID‑19 pandemic and alleged political use of the crisis. He filed a writ petition under Ar…

The Supreme Court examined challenges by private unaided schools in Rajasthan to the Rajasthan Schools (Regulation of Fee) Act, 2016 and its 2017 Rules, alleging violations of Articles 19(1)(g) and 13(2) of the Constitution. It also considered the State's order dated 28 October 2020, issued by the Director of Secondary…

R. Thiyagarajan, a constable in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), was sent to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in 2008 and sought deputation and special allowances after his tenure ended in 2011. The Union of India contended that he was never on deputation because his control and pay remained wit…

The Supreme Court examined a public‑interest writ petition challenging COVID‑19 vaccine mandates, the disclosure of segregated clinical trial data, the emergency approvals of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN, the adequacy of the adverse‑event‑following‑immunisation (AEFI) system, and the policy of vaccinating children. It held t…

The Gujarat Mazdoor Sabha and a national trade union challenged two Gujarat State notifications issued under Section 5 of the Factories Act, 1948 that exempted all factories from provisions on working hours, rest intervals and overtime pay during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The petitioners argued that the pandemic did not c…