Legislature

The Calcutta High Court strongly criticised the Election Commission’s restrictions on bike movement before Bengal polls, calling them excessive and potentially abusive of power. The court questioned the justification and asked for evidence, while EC will file an affidavit explaining its decision

The Supreme Court, under CJI Surya Kant, will launch “Samadhan Samaroh” to promote mediation-based settlement of pending cases. The initiative aims to reduce backlog by resolving over 45,000 identified cases through amicable dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation and Lok Adalats

The Supreme Court of India said it can review State actions restricting religious practices in the name of reform, despite limits on judicial review, during hearings in the Sabarimala temple case on balancing faith and fundamental rights

Income Tax Department told the Madras High Court of inconsistencies in Udhayanidhi Stalin’s 2021 and 2026 poll affidavits, citing mismatched investments, loans, and disclosures, while noting limited verification due to incomplete records and filings

The Supreme Court of India refused a “fishing inquiry” into alleged addition of 5–7 lakh voters in West Bengal electoral rolls, urging challenges through proper legal process while reviewing related Special Intensive Revision (SIR) petitions ahead of upcoming Assembly elections

Janata Dal (United) authorised Nitish Kumar to select its legislative party leader after his resignation as Bihar Chief Minister, deferring any immediate decision and fuelling speculation amid assertions of unity within the party

The Supreme Court of India issued sweeping directions to improve national highway safety, banning roadside parking and encroachments, mandating surveillance and emergency systems, and affirming safe travel as part of Article 21, after fatal accidents exposed serious infrastructure and enforcement failures

The Supreme Court of India disposed of a petition on adult learning disability assessments, noting that NIMHANS is developing adult testing tools expected within three years, while observing the petitioner had completed a PhD despite claimed disability

Shashi Tharoor shared remarks after Lok Sabha adjournment, quoting a discussion with Kiren Rijiju on women’s representation. He supported women’s reservation but warned against linking it to delimitation, which he said could harm democratic balance

The Supreme Court of India increased a woman’s monthly maintenance from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, ruling that a husband’s loan repayments cannot override his legal duty to support his spouse. The court stressed dignity, fairness, and adequate financial support

Rajya Sabha concluded its Budget Session with about 110% productivity, said Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan. Key bills were passed, extensive debates held, and Harivansh was re-elected Deputy Chairman

Siddaramaiah urged a Supreme Court bench in South India to improve access to justice, while highlighting AI’s benefits in reducing pendency. He cautioned against algorithmic bias, stressing judicial independence, human judgment, and balanced tech adoption

Bihar’s Vigilance Investigation Bureau intensified its anti-corruption drive, leading to surrender of 13 absconding accused across districts, while also arresting two officials in Purnea for bribery, signalling stricter enforcement and zero tolerance against graft

Amit Shah accused the Indian National Congress of historically opposing caste census and OBC reservations, citing Mandal Commission episodes, while asserting the current government prioritises backward class representation amid Lok Sabha debates on women’s quota and delimitation

The Delhi High Court ruled that EWS candidates cannot claim age or attempt relaxations equal to SC/ST/OBC groups, stating economic disadvantage differs from caste-based discrimination, and upheld existing UPSC policies and related government notifications

Bharat Rashtra Samithi Students Wing activists protested near Telangana Assembly over pending fee reimbursements and education neglect. Police detained several leaders after a scuffle, as students demanded dues clearance, job calendar implementation and better funding for welfare schemes

Tension erupted at Telangana Assembly as KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao led protests demanding MSP for maize and farmer relief. Legislators clashed with marshals, leaving Harish Rao slightly injured amid allegations of government negligence.

The Lok Sabha revoked the suspension of eight opposition MPs, including seven from Congress and one CPI(M) member, after Speaker Om Birla and Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized decorum and a “Laxman Rekha” for smooth proceedings

BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticised Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar for rejecting disqualification petitions against MLAs Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari, calling it an attack on democracy and warning the decision could encourage political defections

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar dismissed disqualification petitions against MLAs Kadiyam Srihari and Danam Nagender, citing lack of evidence. The decision closes all anti-defection cases filed by BRS against defecting legislators who joined the ruling Congress

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Chennai, in the presence of Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, marking a major political realignment ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections

Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget—first woman to do so in India. Backed by top bureaucrats, the Budget focuses on fiscal stability, growth, reforms, and Viksit Bharat 2047 goals

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed chairperson of the screening committee for Assam Assembly elections. The AICC formed committees for five poll-bound states as the party prepares candidate selection and alliance strategy ahead of the March–April polls

BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticized the Telangana government’s handling of river water projects, alleged stalling of Palamuru-Rangareddy scheme, and diversions like phone tapping probes. He defended BRS achievements and warned of political maneuvers ahead of municipal polls