Breaking Views: 2 SC Verdicts, A Cabinet Call & Chaos at Infosys

From SC verdicts on triple talaq and right to privacy to chaos at Infosys – a look at the top news of the week.

The Quint’s Sanjay Pugalia decodes recent Supreme Court verdicts 

(Photo:The Quint)

Two Supreme Court verdicts, one cabinet decision and one major change at the top at Infosys – here’s a look at the major headlines of the week on ‘Breaking Views’ with The Quint’s Editorial Director, Sanjay Pugalia.

Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right: SC

In a landmark decision on 24 August, the Supreme Court unanimously declared the right to privacy a fundamental right under the Constitution. Here are some key takeaways:

• Privacy is a fundamental right: Supreme Court
• The Supreme Court overrules its 1954 and 1962 verdict
• The verdict will have an impact on the Aadhaar card

Historic Verdict on Triple Talaq

The Supreme Court on 22 August struck down the validity of Triple Talaq with a 3:2 majority. A bench comprising five judges, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, had reserved its verdict on 18 May, six days after the hearing began on 11 May. Some highlights of the verdict are as follows:

• The Supreme Court declared the practice of Triple Talaq “unconstitutional” and “un-Islamic”
• The decision was reached with a 3:2 split in a five judge-bench of the Supreme Court.
• The three judges against the practice also concluded that the issue need not be referred to the Parliament.

‘Ghar Wapasi’ of Nandan Nilekani

Vishal Sikka resigned as the chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys Ltd on 18 August. The board of the country’s second-largest software services company accepted the resignation of Sikka with immediate effect. Here is a quick round-up of the chaos:

• Chaos ensued at Infosys in the form of a dispute over the successor.
• It was followed by Nandan Nilekani resuming control of the company.
• As Infosys still battles several challenges, could Nilekani be the messiah it needs?

Commission to Look Into Status of the OBCs

The Indian Cabinet decided to appoint a commission to look into sub-categorisation of the OBCs on 23 August.

• Once constituted, the Commission is expected to give its recommendation in 12 weeks.
• National Commission for Backward Classes has recommended three categories for the OBCs – backward classes, more backward classes and extremely backward classes.
• The panel will look into the level of "inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation" among the OBCs.

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