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Breaking: SC Orders Seizure of NCERT Books Over “Judicial Corruption” Chapter New Delhi | February 26, 2026 In a dramatic legal confrontation that has shaken the Indian educational landscape, the Supreme Court of India has today ordered a nationwide blanket ban and immediate seizure of the new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook. The court’s fury is directed at a specific chapter titled "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," which includes a sub-section explicitly discussing "Corruption in the Judiciary." The Court’s Stance: "A Deep-Rooted Conspiracy" Presiding over a three-judge bench, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant did not mince words, describing the inclusion of the chapter as a "calculated move" and a "well-planned conspiracy" to malign the image of the courts in the eyes of "impressionable young minds." Key Remarks from the Bench: "The Judiciary is Bleeding": The CJI remarked that the publication...

Supreme Court Sweetens Deal for Rooh Afza, Citing Fruit Connection New Delhi: In a significant verdict that will likely bring a sigh of relief to beverage manufacturers and consumers alike, the Supreme Court has ruled that the iconic summer cooler, Rooh Afza , will attract a lower 4% Value Added Tax (VAT) under the Uttar Pradesh VAT Act , classifying it as a "fruit drink." The decision overturns previous higher tax assessments, potentially making the popular concentrate more affordable in the state. The apex court's judgment centered on a nuanced interpretation of what constitutes a fruit-based beverage for taxation purposes. While Rooh Afza is renowned for its unique blend of herbs, fruits, and floral extracts, its classification under various tax regimes has often been a point of contention. Manufacturers have long argued that the presence of fruit essences and extracts should qualify it for lower tax rates typically applied to fruit juices and fruit-based drinks, rath...

Front and Centre: The Supreme Court Takes  a Stand for the Right to Health The battle over what goes on the front of your food packets has reached the highest halls of justice. In a sharp and significant intervention on February 10, 2026, the Supreme Court of India effectively rebuked the slow pace of food regulation, placing the "Right to Health" of citizens squarely above the commercial interests of the ultra-processed food industry . As highlighted in The Hindu ’s editorial today, the Court has made it clear: simplified, mandatory labelling is no longer just a policy suggestion—it is a constitutional necessity to combat India's skyrocketing rates of diabetes and heart disease. The Judicial "Hammer": Why the SC Intervened The Bench, comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Despite years of discussions and expert committees, the Court noted that the e...

SC Questions Centre on Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention: "Rethink Necessary" Given Activist’s Failing Health By Rama Shankar Shukla | The News Streak February 9, 2026 NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court of India today took a stern view of the continued detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging the Central Government to "rethink" his incarceration under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk, who has been in a Jodhpur jail for nearly five months following protests in Ladakh, is reportedly facing deteriorating health. A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice P.B. Varale is currently hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo. "Preventive, Not Punitive" During the hearing, the Court highlighted the distinction between punishment and prevention. "The detention order was passed in September 2025; nearly five months have passed," the bench remarked. "Considering the health condition of the detainee—whi...