Supreme Court Tackles Varied Cases: From Healthcare Security to Controversial Sentences

On Tuesday, Aug 20, the Supreme Court handled critical cases including forming a task force for healthcare safety, addressing a vegetative state plea, child custody, and mayoral election bias. It permitted activist Teesta Setalvad's travel, dismissed a caste system petition, and questioned the Delhi High Court on Congress's tax issue.

The Supreme Court of India addressed several important cases on Tuesday, August 20, highlighting its role in pivotal societal issues. Notably, amid rising nationwide protests following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the court formed a 10-member National Task Force aimed at ensuring the safety and security of healthcare professionals.

Further, in a touching case, the Supreme Court sought the Centre's response concerning a couple's plea for their 30-year-old son, who has been in a vegetative state since 2013 following severe head injuries.

In a relief to a father entangled in a custody battle, the court directed two sisters-in-law to hand over the man's three-year-old daughter. In another significant move, the SC stayed the election for the mayor post of Solan, Himachal Pradesh, terming the disqualification of the incumbent, Usha Sharma, as a bias case against women.

The court approved activist Teesta Setalvad's travel to Malaysia, dismissed a petition challenging the caste system, and questioned the Delhi High Court's directive for the Congress party regarding an Income Tax dispute. Additionally, it called for the Odisha government's response on the remission plea of Dara Singh and acknowledged West Bengal’s appeal against the Calcutta High Court's decision to revoke OBC status from several castes, mostly Muslim, intended for reservations in public sector jobs and state-run educational institutions.