Year Ender 2023: From same-sex marriage to demonetisation scheme, major judgments of Supreme Court in 2023

Supreme Court verdicts in 2023 : The Supreme Court of India in 2023 delivered many landmark verdicts on issues ranging from Article 370, to the recognition of same-sex marriages and verdict on Demonitisation Scheme. 
 

A look at landmark verdicts of Supreme Court 

Demonitisation Scheme 

In the month of January this year, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court affirmed the validity of the November 2016 demonetisation scheme of the Centre. Supreme Court by a 4:1 majority judgement upheld the November 2016 decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.
 

Nod to Jallikattu, bull-taming sports

In the month of May, the top court upheld the amendments made by the legislatures of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. These amendments allow for bull-taming sports such as Jallikattu, kambala, and bullock-cart races.

 
Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in defamation case 

This year has been the year of ups and downs for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Supreme Court stayed the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case over 'Modi surname' remark during a political rally in 2019. As Gandhi's conviction was stayed, his Lok Sabha Sabha MP status was reinstated. Gandhi was sentenced to two years' imprisonment which disqualified him as an MP under the rigours of the Representation of People Act.

 
Rights of child born of void marriage 

This year also marked the great significance in the rights of children born out of invalid marriages in their parents' share in Hindu joint family property as the Supreme Court recognised the same and said children born out of void/voidable marriages are entitled to inherit a share in the property of their deceased parents -- whether self-acquired or ancestral.
 

Same-Sex Marriage 

In the month of October, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court refused to recognise the right of same-sex couples to enter into marriages or have civil unions and left it to the Parliament to decide the issue. The Supreme Court unanimously said it cannot strike down the provisions of the Special Marriage Act (SMA) or read words differently to include non-heterosexual couples within its fold.

 
Manual scavenging eradication 

In the month of October, the Supreme Court highlighted concerns over deaths during manual scavenging and termed it a "deplorable practice". Supreme Court increased compensation upto Rs 30 for the kin of individuals who die while cleaning sewers. Asking the Centre and State government to take measures to completely eradicate manual scavenging, the Supreme Court further ordered that those who suffer permanent disabilities while engaged in this work will receive a minimum compensation of Rs 20 lakh.
 

SC upholds abrogation of Article 370

A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on December 11 unanimously upheld the Union government's 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution which conferred the special status of Jammu and Kashmir while pointing out that Article 370 is a "temporary provision". Supreme Court took the Solicitor General's assurance into note that the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored, except for the Union Territory of Ladakh. It asked the Centre to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024. 

-    With inputs from ANI 

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