#Separation of Powers

The Court held that legislative validation cannot cure a recruitment process vitiated by systemic corruption and nepotism once a constitutional court has annulled it, as this would violate separation of powers. The 2022 Karnataka Act attempting to revive the 2011 Gazetted Probationers recruitment was struck down, with directions for fresh recruitment granting age relaxation to untainted candidates.

The court upheld appeals to the Chief Secretary but invalidated the proviso routing appeals to the Minister-in-Charge when the Chief Secretary doubles as State Election Commissioner, ruling that a constitutional authority exercising statutory powers cannot claim immunity from legislative oversight. This preserves the State Election Commission's quasi-judicial independence in municipal defection cases.

Allahabad High Court ruled that the methodology under Section 9(1)(c) of the Delimitation Act, 2002, for reserving SC/ST constituencies based on population proportion is constitutionally valid and not arbitrary. The judgment reinforces judicial deference to legislative policy in electoral reservation matters, impacting future delimitation exercises.

Supreme Court rules that courts cannot use bail proceedings under Section 483 BNSS to issue administrative directives to police or trial courts on summons execution or coercive measures. The judgment reinforces the separation of judicial and administrative functions, limiting bail jurisdiction to its statutory scope.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed that courts cannot legislate criminal offences, holding that existing IPC and CrPC provisions suffice to address hate speech. The judgment directs mandatory FIR registration without prior sanction under Section 196 CrPC, rejecting continuing mandamus while emphasizing separation of powers.

The Bombay High Court upheld the 2021 amendment shifting adoption authority from courts to District Magistrates under the Juvenile Justice Act, finding that CARA’s 2022 Rules provide sufficient procedural safeguards to protect child welfare and maintain constitutional balance. This ruling reinforces the executive’s role in child adoption processes while affirming that delegation of quasi-judicial functions does not inherently breach separation of powers or fundamental rights.

Orissa High Court holds that mandatory filing of annual property declarations under Government Servants' Conduct Rules cannot be extended judicially, reinforcing probity in public service.

Madhya Pradesh High Court clarifies that only courts can impose fines under Section 339-C of the MP Municipalities Act; revenue officers lack authority to enforce penal action.

The Meghalaya High Court mandates separation of judicial and executive functions in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, upholding Sixth Schedule and 1953 Rules.

Supreme Court holds that quasi-judicial authorities cannot review final orders without express statutory power, invalidating executive-driven revival of vested land claims.