Daily Current Affairs- 6th July 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 6th July 2025

SC Upholds Legislative Authority of State

In the News: The Supreme Court of India, in Nandini Sundar & Ors. vs. State of Chhattisgarh (2012), held that the state legislature has full authority to enact new laws—even if they are passed in response to a court judgment—so long as those laws are constitutional and within legislative competence. The contempt petition filed against Chhattisgarh for authorizing auxiliary armed forces was dismissed.

Key Points:

• Case Background: After the 2011 order banning Special Police Officers (SPOs) in anti-Maoist operations, Chhattisgarh passed the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Forces Act (akin to Salwa Judum). Petitioners alleged it amounted to contempt.
• Court’s Decision: The SC rejected the contempt plea, confirming the State legislature had complied with prior directions and was entitled to enact laws—even to validate or modify affected practices—provided they are not unconstitutional or beyond its powers.
• Doctrine of Separation of Powers: The ruling reinforced that legislative bodies may override judicial interpretations by passing fresh laws; such laws are open to constitutional challenge, not contempt charges.
• Precedents Referenced: The Court cited Indian Aluminium Co. vs. Kerala (1996), which upheld legislative power to enact retrospective laws to nullify judicial decisions, thereby clarifying the permissible scope of legislative authority.
• Legal Implications: Legislatures can legislate on matters previously judicially addressed, even modifying judgments' effects, subject to constitutional review.
• Judicial restraint is reaffirmed: courts cannot penalize legislatures for passing valid laws. The decision strengthens federal legislative autonomy, underscoring that state parliaments have independent authority bounded only by constitutionality. 

Setback for Saif Ali Khan as MP High Court Sets Aside Order on Inheritance

In the News: On June 30, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, led by Justice Sanjay Dwivedi, overturned a February 2000 district court decree that had affirmed actor Saif Ali Khan, his mother Sharmila Tagore, and sisters Soha and Saba as sole heirs to the Bhopal Nawab’s private estate (worth approx. ₹15,000 crore). The MP High Court has ordered a fresh trial in the dispute over these royal properties.

Key Points:

• What the High Court Ruled: The trial court’s judgment was set aside because it relied on a 1997 Allahabad High Court ruling—later overruled by the Supreme Court—that private properties of a Nawab automatically form part of the royal “Gaddi” (throne). Now, the trial court must reassess the matter with updated legal interpretations, allowing new evidence if needed, and decide ideally within one year.
• Background of the Dispute: The original trial (initiated in 1999) rejected petitions by other heirs—descendants of Nawab Hamidullah Khan’s brother and daughter Rabia—seeking partition of his private estate under Muslim Personal Law. The trial court had favored the Pataudi line, holding that the merger agreement (1949) and succession laws vested the property with Nawab’s successor, Sajida Sultan (Saif’s grandmother).
  Legal Foundation Cited: The High Court referred to Supreme Court decisions overturning the precedent used by the trial court—specifically regarding Talat Fatima Hasan v. Nawab of Rampur—and invoked CPC Order 23A to remand for retrial.
• Scope of Fresh Trial: The trial court will now reconsider whether properties should be partitioned among all legal heirs under Muslim Personal Law or remain with Sajida Sultan’s lineage per merger and throne succession agreements. If partition is allowed, shares will be determined and formalized in a preliminary decree.
  Assets at Stake: Properties include historic Bhopal estates such as Flag Staff House, Noor‑Us‑Sabah Palace, Dar‑Us‑Salam, and Ahmedabad Palace—collectively valued at around ₹15,000 crore.
  Parallel Enemy Property Issue: Separately, some of these properties were previously declared “enemy property” under the Enemy Property Act after Nawab’s elder daughter migrated to Pakistan. That case remains distinct and requires separate legal redress 

Gini Index – India

In the News: According to the World Bank’s latest data released in July 2025, India’s Gini Index based on consumption is 25.5 for 2022–23. This places India in the “moderately low” inequality category, ranking 4th most equal globally—just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus.

Key Points:

• Definition & Interpretation: The Gini Index measures income/consumption inequality on a scale from 0 (complete equality) to 100 (complete inequality). A value of 25.5 indicates that India’s income distribution is comparatively equitable.
• Global Comparison: India’s Gini (~25.5) is significantly lower than China’s (~35.7) and the USA’s (~41.8), and is more equal than all G7 and G20 nations.
• Trend Over Time: India’s consumption‐based Gini has improved from 28.8 in 2011 to 25.5 in 2022–23, reflecting a steady reduction in inequality.
• Poverty Reduction Link: The decline in inequality coincides with the reduction of extreme poverty—around 171 million people have been lifted above the poverty line between 2011 and 2023.
• Data Limitations & Debate: Critics point out that the reported Gini refers to consumption, not income, and comparisons to other countries’ income-based Ginis may be misleading. World Inequality Database suggests India’s actual income Gini is much higher—possibly over 0.60, placing it among the most unequal countries worldwide.
  Wealth Concentration: Wealth inequality is even more extreme—with the richest 1% holding about 22.6% of total national income and over 40% of wealth. The top 0.1% have accrued as much income growth as the poorest half since 1980.
• Policy Responses: Dispatches from think tanks and economists, including Thomas Piketty, call for wealth taxes on the ultra-rich (e.g., 2% wealth tax, 33% inheritance tax) to fund social investment and curb inequality 

PM Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil

In the News: On July 6–7, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His visit included attending the inaugural plenary, joining bilateral meetings, and reinforcing India's stance on global reform, multilateral cooperation, and Global South empowerment.

Key Points:

• Summit Participation & Family Photo: PM Modi joined fellow leaders, including Brazil’s Lula da Silva and South Africa’s Ramaphosa, in the traditional group photo at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art, underscoring unity and cooperation among BRICS nations.
• Bilateral Engagements: Modi met the Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel on the sidelines and was warmly received by the Indian diaspora in Rio, featuring cultural performances such as the “Operation Sindoor” dance.
• Global Governance & Global South: In his inaugural address on “Reform of Global Governance and Peace and Security,” he called for greater representation for developing countries in institutions like the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank, warning that 21st-century challenges demand updated global frameworks—not “20th‑century type‑writers.”
• Double Standards Highlighted: Modi emphasized that the Global South is often sidelined by double standards in development, resource allocation, and security, reinforcing the need for equitable treatment and real reform.
• Tech, Finance & AI Advocacy: He addressed sessions on economic-financial affairs and artificial intelligence, stressing sustainable development, technology access, and climate finance for Global South nations.
  Support for COP33 Bid: BRICS leaders endorsed India’s bid to host UNFCCC’s COP33 in 2028, as mentioned in the summit’s joint declaration.
• BRICS Expansion Context: The summit saw the debut of Indonesia as a full member, expanding the bloc’s diversity and reinforcing calls for reform of major global institutions. Modi welcomed the expansion while highlighting the need to maintain core BRICS cohesion. 

23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities (Asia) under CWC

In the News: From July 1–3, 2025, India—the host nation—organized the 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia under the Chemical Weapons Convention at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was co‑hosted by the OPCW and India’s National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), with 38 delegates from 24 Asian countries, plus OPCW and UNRCPD representatives in attendance.

Key Points:

• Purpose & Participation: The three-day meeting aimed to bolster regional cooperation and capacity development for CWC implementation. Topics included legislative measures, chemical safety/security, industry collaboration, and AI integration.
• Attended by 38 delegates representing National Authorities from 24 Asian States Parties, including Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and more, alongside OPCW and UNRCPD officials.
• Core Themes Discussed: Strengthening legislative frameworks to ensure national laws align with CWC obligations. Enhancing chemical safety and security, featuring best practice exchange and industry protocols.
• Engaging chemical industry stakeholders; India’s Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was showcased for its outreach and awarded the OPCW-The Hague Award 2024. Exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence for monitoring and compliance, notably in threat detection and reporting. Discussing synergies between CWC and UNSC Resolution 1540 to prevent proliferation to non-state actors. Planning Mentorship/Partnership initiatives, following India’s mentorship of Kenya’s National Authority in 2024.
• Institutional Impact & Significance: These annual regional meetings—one of four global gatherings—serve as key platforms for experience-sharing, networking, capacity building, and bilateral cooperation.
• India’s hosting reflects its proactive leadership in CWC implementation, reinforced by NACWC’s role and ICC’s recognition as the first industry body to receive the OPCW Hague Award.