LEGAL NEWS

Supreme Court Issues Directions to Curb Digital Arrest Scams

• On 4 August 2026, the Supreme Court issued nationwide directions to strengthen action against digital arrest scams in the suo motu case In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents.

• Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating police, enforcement agencies, or court officials to threaten victims with fake arrests and extort money or sensitive financial information.

• The Court directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for mule accounts and cyber fraud, including grievance redressal, money restoration, and public awareness measures.

• A mule account is a bank account used to receive, transfer, or conceal proceeds of cybercrime on behalf of fraudsters.

• States and Union Territories were directed to operationalise the Grievance Redressal Module, Money Restoration Module, and notify State Cyber Crime Coordination Centres within four weeks.

• The Court also asked for the adoption of the e-Zero FIR mechanism in consultation with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

• Key Institutions: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal is the central platform for reporting cyber offences.

• Case Data: Digital arrest complaints declined from 1,23,672 (2024) to 58,249 (2025) and 16,377 (up to 30 June 2026). Around ₹18.05 crore has been restored to victims in 36,290 cases. The next hearing is scheduled for 16 September 2026.

Supreme Court Extends Domestic Cruelty Protection to Live-in Relationships

• The Supreme Court held that the offence of domestic cruelty under Sections 85 and 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 extends to live-in relationships that resemble marriage.

• Sections 85 and 86 of the BNS, 2023 replace Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and deal with cruelty by a husband or his relatives.

• The Court ruled that women in relationships in the nature of marriage are entitled to the same legal protection against domestic cruelty.

• Protection is available only to genuine live-in relationships showing characteristics of marriage, such as shared domestic life and a demonstrable intention to marry.

• The judgment recognised live-in relationships as a social reality, especially in urban India, and stated that the law must evolve with changing social norms.

• The ruling strengthens the legal rights of women by focusing on the substance of the relationship rather than its formal legal status.

• The judgment reinforces the constitutional values of equality, dignity, and protection of women.

• Key Significance: The decision broadens the scope of legal protection against domestic cruelty to eligible women in live-in relationships under the BNS, 2023.

Supreme Court Extends Mandatory Third-Party Insurance Period

• On 4 August 2026, the Supreme Court directed the extension of the mandatory third-party insurance period for new private cars and two-wheelers under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

• The mandatory insurance period for new private cars has been increased from 3 years to 4 years, and for new two-wheelers from 5 years to 6 years.

• Third-party motor insurance is compulsory and provides legal cover for death, injury, or property damage caused to third parties by the insured vehicle.

• The Court directed the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to issue immediate implementation guidelines and sought compliance affidavits by 14 August 2026.

• It also proposed a uniform four-layer motor insurance policy structure, including mandatory third-party cover and standardised customer options.

• To curb uninsured vehicles, the Court suggested a “No Insurance, No Fuel” pilot project and integration of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems with the VAHAN and Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) databases.

• IRDAI, established under the IRDAI Act, 1999, is the statutory regulator of India's insurance sector, while VAHAN is the national vehicle registration database.

• The Court observed that a significant number of vehicles remain uninsured, making stricter enforcement necessary to improve compliance and road safety.

Lok Sabha Passes Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026

• The Lok Sabha passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 by voice vote on 4 August 2026. The Bill authorises excess expenditure incurred during the financial year 2022–23 from the Consolidated Fund of India.

• Introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Bill is pending consideration in the Rajya Sabha.

• An Appropriation Bill is a Money Bill under Article 114 of the Constitution and provides legal authority to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India.

• The Consolidated Fund of India, under Article 266, contains all government revenues, loans raised, and loan recoveries, and no expenditure can be incurred from it without parliamentary approval.

• Article 110 defines a Money Bill, which can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.

• The Rajya Sabha cannot amend a Money Bill; it may only recommend changes within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha is free to accept or reject.

• The Appropriation Bill is an essential part of the Union Budget process, enabling the Government to spend funds approved by Parliament.

• Key Facts: India’s financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March; the Lok Sabha is the lower House, while the Rajya Sabha is the upper House of Parliament.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan to build a drug-free India through youth participation and community awareness.

• It is a youth-led initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through the MY Bharat platform, aligned with the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

• Objective: Eliminate substance abuse among youth as a key step towards achieving the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

• The campaign follows a 100-week Jan Bhagidari action plan featuring sports, cultural programmes, meditation, and awareness activities every Sunday across the country.

• Higher education institutions are encouraged to include anti-drug awareness modules in their academic curriculum.

• The campaign is guided by the Kashi Declaration, adopted at the Youth Spiritual Summit, Varanasi (July 2025), which treats substance abuse as a public health challenge.

• It also aims to destigmatise recovery by recognising recovered individuals as “Real Warriors” and promoting their social reintegration.

• Key Focus: Youth participation, community engagement, awareness, prevention, rehabilitation, and a drug-free India under the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Organ Donation Day 2026 (3 August)

• Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) is observed every year on 3 August to promote organ and tissue donation and commemorate India’s first successful heart transplant (3 August 1994).

• NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), began observing the day in 2010 (earlier on 27 November); it was shifted to 3 August in 2023.

• 2026 marked the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day.

• On the occasion, Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel launched the 'Jug Jug Jiyo' year-long awareness campaign, 'e-Pratyaropan' platform, and the NOTTO Mobile App.

• She also released the National Brain Stem Death Certification Guidelines and National Guidelines on Swap Transplantation.

• NOTTO is the national apex body responsible for organ donation, transplantation, and maintaining the national transplant registry in India.

• The observance aims to increase awareness, encourage voluntary organ donation, and improve access to life-saving transplants.

• Key Fact: The 'Jug Jug Jiyo' campaign is designed to promote organ donation awareness throughout the year.

STATE NEWS

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion 2026

• On 3 August 2026, 19 MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the first Cabinet expansion of the Karnataka government led by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.

• The Governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot, administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru.

• After the expansion, the Karnataka Council of Ministers reached 33 members, with one vacancy remaining against the maximum sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Minister.

• Under Article 164 of the Constitution, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other ministers, who hold office during the Governor’s pleasure.

• The expansion reflected social representation, including 7 Lingayat, 6 Vokkaliga, 7 Scheduled Caste, 3 Scheduled Tribe, and 4 Muslim ministers.

• D. K. Shivakumar became Chief Minister on 3 June 2026, succeeding Siddaramaiah, under a Congress power-sharing arrangement.

• Under the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, the size of a State Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly.

• Key Facts: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has 224 elected members, and the Council of Ministers forms the executive under the parliamentary system of government.