India: Supreme Court reviews CEC appointments and child safety measures

The Supreme Court of India is addressing several significant legal and administrative matters. During hearings regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Justice Dipankar Datta challenged the government's argument regarding the Collegium system, dismissing the notion that 'judges appoint judges' as a 'myth' promoted by 'motivated narratives.' The dispute centers on a 2023 law that replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister on the selection panel.

In a separate matter, the Supreme Court granted the central government a 'final opportunity' to report on measures to curb online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). The court expressed concern over the delay in responses from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Law and Justice regarding the implementation of previous judgments.

Additionally, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has advised the government to reinstate the practice of publishing paper-wise marks for candidates who pass the Civil Services Examination (CSE). The Commission noted that this practice was discontinued after 2018 without a formal policy decision and stated that such transparency is essential for building faith in the Union Public Service Commission.

In Delhi, Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) has increased security and initiated dialogues with students following an alleged rape of a minor at a nearby park. Measures include enhanced police patrolling, street lighting audits, and the creation of a dedicated communication group between college administration and law enforcement.