Common Cause Annual Report 2024-25

The past year has been both eventful and impactful for Common Cause. The organisation continued to uphold its commitment to public causes, deepening its engagement with advocacy, research, and public policy interventions. Through sustained efforts in strategic public interest litigation and civic dialogue, the society sought to strengthen democratic accountability and promote transparency in governance. It collaborated with a wide spectrum of institutions, universities, and civil society organisations on issues ranging from the right to information and digital data protection to domestic workers’ rights, technology governance, and judicial reform.

Our participation in the India Justice Report 2025 and the Justice Definitions Project contributed to national conversations on justice delivery and institutional reform. The organisation’s outreach expanded through lectures, seminars, and dialogues at forums such as the National Human Rights Commission, Ashoka University, and others, where key issues, including media and human rights, judicial activism, and the role of PILs as tools for social change, were deliberated.

Parallelly, Common Cause invested in strengthening internal capacities through data analysis workshops, research training, and collaborative sessions on emerging themes such as the impact of plastics, cybersecurity, digital governance and people-centric policing. These initiatives reinforced our evidencebased approach to policy advocacy and public engagement.

The Common Cause Journal, our bridge to members and well-wishers, continued to focus on policyoriented themes of national importance, fostering debate and reflection on the pressing issues of our time. Guided by our enduring motto—A Romance with Public Causes—Common Cause remains dedicated to nurturing informed public discourse and promoting probity, fairness, and justice in India’s democratic life.

RESEARCH-LED ADVOCACY:

Police Reforms

Status of Policing in India Report 2025: Police Torture & (Un)Accountability

On March 26th, 2025, Common Cause, in collaboration with Lokniti, CSDS, launched the Status of Policing in India Report 2025: Police Torture & (Un)Accountability. The report was released by a distinguished panel of experts, including Justice S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the Odisha High Court, Ms Vrinda Grover, lawyer and activist, Dr Amar Jesani, public health expert and the Editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, and Mr Prakash Singh, IPS (Retd) and a former DGP of UP, Assam and BSF.

The report launch was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Police Torture and Accountability: Where are the Safeguards?’, with noted experts examining the role of legal frameworks, oversight institutions, and systemic reforms in addressing police torture and unlawful use of violence. The panel discussion was introduced by the panel’s moderator, Professor Suhas Palshikar, noted public intellectual, an advisor of SPIR, columnist and the Chief Editor, Studies in India Politics.

The Upcoming SPIR on “Cybercrimes and preparedness of the police”: Consultations & Discussions

Common Cause began preparations for the next edition of the Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR), which will focus on cybercrime and digital security. An online consultation session was held on June 24, 2025, featuring experts such as Mr Nandkumar Saravade, IPS (Retd.), Mr Sanjay Sahay, IPS (Retd.), Mr Ramanjit Singh (Access Now), Ms Namrata Maheshwari, and Ms Anushka Jain (Digital Futures Lab). On June 25, Mr Apar Gupta from the Internet Freedom Foundation guided the team on data sources and legal frameworks. Subsequent sessions on July 3 and 4 featured Ms Merrin Muhammad Ashraf (IT for Change) and Mr Mukul Singh (Jist), who discussed technology-enabled crimes and policing challenges. The sessions were led by Dr Vipul Mudgal and Ms Radhika Jha, with research support from Mr Mohd. Aasif and Mr. Vinson Prakash. The discussions brought out important insights on the types of cybercrimes prevalent in the country, the vulnerability of certain sections of society, steps that can be taken to prevent and control the proliferation of cybercrime, preparedness of the police force in tackling cybercrimes, and streamlining of the grievance redressal mechanisms.

The subsequent rounds of research will include a survey with the general public on their experiences with cybercrimes, the complaint mechanisms and the preparedness of the police. The research team has drafted the survey questionnaire after several rounds of brainstorming, and the translation of the questionnaires is underway. Data collection is expected to take place in November 2025. A purposive sample of victims of cybercrimes is also being prepared for in-depth interviews using the snowballing method. The interviews will be conducted in October and November 2025.

India Justice Report 2025

India Justice Report Launch

On April 15, 2025, Common Cause participated in the launch of the India Justice Report 2025 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together legal experts, researchers, and civil society leaders to unveil the fourth edition of India’s only comprehensive assessment of state-level justice delivery. Justice (Retd.) Madan B. Lokur underscored the need to strengthen frontline justice institutions, while Ms Maja Daruwala, Chief Editor of the report, called for urgent reforms. The programme also featured an imaginative panel discussion on the portrayal of justice in Bollywood cinema led by the leading film reviewer and a former member of the film censor board of India, Ms Shubhra Gupta, and NLU Law Professor, Anup Surendranath. Common Cause Director Dr Vipul Mudgal, a steering committee member of the IJR, joined the discussions on the ‘police pillar’ of the justice system. Ms Radhika Jha, Project Lead (Rule of Law) at Common Cause, was one of the report’s key authors and contributed extensively to its research and advocacy.

The report brought out important findings on the state of the Indian justice system, such as that India’s 20.3 lakh-strong police force has less

than 1000 women officers in senior ranks like Superintendents and Director-Generals. In terms of the overall ranking, Karnataka ranked at the top, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala.

Work on the next issue of the report is ongoing, and the Common Cause team is making its contribution in the process.

KEY ENGAGEMENTS, COLLABORATIONS:

Edit-a-Thon at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore

On January 5, 2025, the Justice Definitions Project of Daksh hosted an Edit-a-Thon at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore. Ms Radhika Jha from Common Cause was among the resource persons for the event. Fifty-four law students participated in teams to draft precise and accessible legal definitions for fifteen key terms across diverse thematic areas, contributing to the Justice Definitions Wiki platform.

Campaign for the Right to Information Act

On February 20, 2025, Common Cause convened a meeting at its office in Vasant Kunj to discuss the Right to Information Act and the implications of the newly enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which significantly undermines the RTI framework. The meeting brought together representatives from around twenty civil society organisations and some of India’s leading RTI activists to deliberate on strategies to safeguard citizens’ right to information and raise public awareness about the issue.

Lecture at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

During the NHRC’s short-term internship programme held between January 27 and February 7, 2025, in New Delhi, Dr Vipul Mudgal, Director and Chief Executive of Common Cause, delivered a lecture on “Media and Human Rights.” His address examined the relationship between press freedom, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights.

Second Surjit Kishore Das Memorial Lecture at Doon Public Library and Research Centre, Dehradun

On February 8, 2025, the Doon Public Library and Research Centre organised the Second Surjit Kishore Das Memorial Lecture in memory of the former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and long-time mentor of the institution. Dr Vipul Mudgal delivered the memorial lecture on “Public Interest Litigation as a Tool of Social Change: The Civil Society Experience.” The lecture examined the transformative impact of PILs on shaping public life, highlighting landmark interventions such as the revocation of the Electoral Bonds Scheme, the 2G and Coal Block allocation verdicts, and the Living Will case on the right to die with dignity. Dr Mudgal emphasised that civil society efforts have been crucial in advancing transparency in governance and underlined the need to defend democratic institutions from erosion. The event, which also featured the release of a poetry collection by the late Surjit Das, included tributes from the leading citizens of Dehradun, including Prof. B.K. Joshi, Mr Nicholas Hofland, Ms Vibha Puri Das, IAS (Retd) and Ms Geeta Sehgal.

Lecture at Ashoka University

On March 28, 2025, the Ashoka Public Policy Society and Ashoka Law Society jointly hosted a dialogue with Dr Vipul Mudgal on public interest litigation, judicial activism, and the challenges of legal advocacy. Engaging with students across disciplines, Dr Mudgal discussed recent cases such as the Electoral Bonds Case (2024) and Misuse of Section 124A (Sedition, 2016), alongside insights from the Status of Policing in India Reports (SPIR), followed by a lively interactive session.

Strategic Dialogue on Judicial Data Collaborative

On April 25, 2025, the Judicial Data Collaborative project of the Bangalore-based civil society organisation, Daksh, hosted a strategy meeting to chart the initiative’s next phase. Ms Radhika Jha represented Common Cause in the deliberations, which focused on expanding access to the judicial data wiki platform and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Contributions to Justice Definitions Project

During May and June 2025, Common Cause interns Mr Abdul Samad and Mr Siddharth Gupta contributed to Daksh’s Justice Definitions Project. Mr Gupta developed the entry on “Statelessness,” examining its legal dimensions in India, while Mr Samad prepared the draft for “E-Sewa Kendra,” highlighting its role in expanding digital access to judicial services. Their work strengthened the project’s mission of creating a public repository of accessible legal knowledge.

Collaborative Legal Action for Domestic Workers’ Rights

On May 26, 2025, Common Cause met with the National Convenors of the National Platform of Domestic Workers (NPDW) to plan a joint petition seeking fair working conditions and protections for domestic workers. Common Cause is drafting the petition, which will soon be filed in the Supreme Court with NPDW and social activist Ms Aruna Roy as co-petitioners. An earlier PIL by the same petitioners had been disposed of recently, mainly because the court had failed to issue notices after the petition, allowing the petitioners to file another petition detailing all subsequent developments.

Another meeting was held on August 3, 2025. Ms. Radhika Jha, Mr. Rishikesh Kumar, Ms. Divya Chauhan, and Mr. Vinson Prakash from Common Cause met with Sr. Christin Mary, National Convenor of the National Platform for Domestic Workers (NPDW); National Coordinators of NPDW, including Fr. Varghese and Mr. Subash Bhatnagar; Ms. Nalini Nayak, Secretary of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Kerala; and about 25 delegates from the NPDW and various SEWA chapters, including domestic workers, to discuss an upcoming Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at addressing the plight of domestic workers in India. The discussion focused on key issues such as the lack of a comprehensive legal framework, the absence of fixed working hours, denial of paid leave, unregulated placement agencies, unfair working conditions, and inadequate protection of domestic workers’ fundamental rights.

Steering Committee Meeting on Global Tech Accountability

On May 28, 2025, the Global Coalition for Tech Justice convened a steering committee meeting to discuss global trends in technology accountability. Ms Radhika Jha represented Common Cause and participated in framing the coalition’s future course of action.

Another Steering Committee meeting of the Coalition was organised on 22nd October 2025, in which Radhika Jha from Common Cause participated and weighed in on the issues that the Coalition can focus on in the coming two years, such as mass surveillance, cyber security, social media’s influence on elections and digital threats to free and fair elections, impact of generative AI, etc.

Event on International Domestic Workers’ Day

On June 16, 2025, Common Cause collaborated with the National Platform for Domestic Workers (NPDW), Nari Shakti Manch, and Seva Bharat to mark International Domestic Workers’ Day with a large convention at Rajendra Bhawan, New Delhi. The event drew over 200 domestic workers from across the NCR and featured two lively panel discussions where workers shared their experiences and challenges. Dr Vipul Mudgal delivered the keynote address, emphasising the urgent need for legislation to guarantee fair wages, decent working conditions, and social security. The gathering concluded with folk-dance performances celebrating the resilience of domestic workers.

Consultation on DPDP and RTI Act

On July 29, 2025, members of the Common Cause team attended a day-long consultation at the Deputy Speaker Hall Annexe, Constitution Club, New Delhi, on the implications of the amendment to the RTI Act through the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA). Organised by the Roll Back RTI Amendments Campaign, the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), and the Press Club of India, the consultation brought together journalists, researchers, activists, and civil society representatives to discuss the Act’s potential to weaken the RTI framework and its impact on transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.

Edit-a-Thon on Election Law
The Kautilya Society, National University of Study and Research in Law (NUSRL), Ranchi, in collaboration with the Judicial Data Collaborative (JDC) and the Justice Definitions Project of DAKSH, organised an Edita-thon for students on “Election Law”, from 11th to 16th October 2025. The event was organised amongst students to encourage researching and drafting wiki pages on topics related to election laws for the Justice Definitions Project. About 30 students, grouped in 10 teams, participated in the event. Radhika Jha from Common Cause joined the event as a Mentor.

SEMINARS, WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES:

Seminar Against Torture

On June 23, 2025, Ms Radhika Jha attended a seminar titled “Challenging Torture in India,” organised during the Global Week Against Torture. The discussion brought together survivors, legal experts, and members of the judiciary to examine the prevalence of custodial torture and the lack of effective accountability mechanisms in India.

Seminar on Cybersecurity Challenges in Governance and Industry

On July 5, 2025, Ms Radhika Jha attended a seminar on “Emerging Cybersecurity Challenges for India’s Governance, Trade and Industry,” organised by the Indian Police Foundation and Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO). The discussion addressed the increasing risks of cybercrime, data breaches, and financial fraud in India’s rapidly digitalising ecosystem.

Seminar on Organisational Maturity in the Development Sector

On July 12, 2025, Ms Radhika Jha participated in a dramatised seminar with Prof. Vijay Padaki titled “Exploring Maturity in Human Organisations.” Organised by Development Alternatives, the session used behavioural science insights to explore pathways for achieving organisational maturity in the development sector.

PUBLICATIONS AND FEATURES:

Book Review of Pratap: A Defiant Newspaper

On April 29, 2025, Dr Vipul Mudgal reviewed Pratap: A Defiant Newspaper for Business Standard. The book documents the story of the Urdu daily Pratap and its founder-journalist, Virendra Mohan, against the backdrop of India’s freedom movement and the evolving struggle for press independence. Dr Mudgal underscored the book’s significance as both a historical record and a reminder of the enduring relationship between journalism, democracy, and the constitutional promise of free expression.

Interview on Violence in Police Custody

On 16th April 2025, BBC News Marathi hosted a programme on the issue of “What the statistics say about violence and harassment in police custody”. The programme presented findings from SPIR 2025- Police Torture & (Un)Accountability and included an interview with Radhika Jha from Common Cause, lead researcher and author of the report, where she discussed some of the main findings. The full video can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRLUPvEhzzc.

Article Review Contribution to the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics

On May 2, 2025, Ms Radhika Jha reviewed an article by Mr Vernon Gonsalves and Mr Arun Ferreira for publication in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. The paper, titled “Where Constitutional Protections Need Protection: Much-Needed Light on First Production of Accused in Magistrates’ Courts,” analysed Project 39A’s 2024 study on first production and remand practices in Delhi courts.

Interview on the India Justice Report

In July 2025, the Lex Consilium Foundation invited Dr Vipul Mudgal, Director of Common Cause, to participate in a discussion with Major General Nilendra Kumar on the findings of the India Justice Report. During the conversation, Dr Mudgal explained the current state of police accountability and citizen-centric policing in India based on the findings of the earlier rounds of the Status of Policing in India Reports. The video of the discussion can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8h6CX3G04.

Book Review of The Hindi Heartland

On August 26, 2025, Dr Vipul Mudgal, Director of Common Cause, reviewed The Hindi Heartland: A Study for Business Standard. The book, authored by Ghazala Wahab, presents an expansive account of India’s Hindi-speaking region, tracing its socio-political evolution over the course of a millennium. In his review, Dr Mudgal highlighted the book’s nuanced engagement with historical transitions and contemporary politics, noting how it challenges prevailing populist narratives by grounding them in meticulous research and historical context.

Podcast on Custodial Torture & Political Arrests

In October 2025, the Lex Consolium Foundation invited Radhika Jha from Common Cause to speak on the issue of police torture with the host, Major General Nilendra Kumar, for a series of videos. Four parts of the series have been released, while more videos will be uploaded in the coming weeks. The discussions were on a range of issues concerning police torture, such as the reasons for police torture, what the police have to say about due processes and where India stands in terms of custodial torture. The latest video from the series can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOba5CWwgWQ&t= 4s.

WORKSHOPS, VISITS AND STAFF TRAINING:

Workshop on Quantitative Analysis

On May 29–30, 2025, Ms Radhika Jha and Mr Vinson Prakash participated in a workshop on “Quantitative Analysis Using STATA,” organised by the Population Council of India. The intensive two-day training strengthened the team’s capacity to analyse and interpret quantitative data for research and advocacy.

Lokniti’s 17th Summer School on Survey Method

Mr Vinson Prakash attended Lokniti’s 17th Summer School on Survey Method for Understanding Indian Politics, held from June 22–29, 2025, at NITTE Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bengaluru. The programme enhanced participants’ proficiency in designing and analysing survey-based research using SPSS software.

Visit to Alwar for SMC Engagement and Capacity Building

On 26 July 2025, Dr Vipul Mudgal and Mr Rishikesh Kumar visited Alwar, Rajasthan, to engage with Sapna, a local NGO working in the education sector, along with school teachers and guardians, at the invitation of its Chairman and a former distinguished police officer, Mr Sudhir Pratap Singh. The focus was on strengthening School Management Committees (SMCs) to enhance community participation in school governance. The Common Cause team participated in the well-attended SMC meeting. Discussions highlighted ongoing initiatives, challenges in regular SMC meetings, and the importance of empowering parents and local representatives to contribute to school development. The Common Cause team also distributed its colourful SMC booklets, “Hamara School, Hamaree Rakhwali” for awareness and capacity building. The visit provided valuable insights into grassroots challenges and opportunities, paving the way for potential collaboration to train and strengthen SMC members.

Unpacking Plastics by Sambhaavnaa Institute

From October 8 - 12, 2025, Mr Vinson Prakash of Common Cause participated in a workshop held by the Sambhaavnaa Institute, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA). The five-day residential workshop equipped the participants with an in-depth and intersectional understanding of the petrochemical industry and the impact of plastics throughout its lifespan. The themes cut across various facets of the petrochemical industry, including the state-industry nexus which drives and enables oil extraction, refinement, and the plastics trade; the financial institutions funding the industry; the lifespan of plastics from production to waste management; and the socio-physical toll on communities living near extraction and production sites or engaged in informal recycling/waste-picking.

RIGHT TO INFORMATION APPLICATIONS

CAG Reports

On April 30, 2025, Common Cause met with Mr Govind Bhattacharjee to take his guidance and to explore the possibility of filing a PIL seeking a mandated timeframe for tabling CAG reports in Parliament and State Assemblies. Subsequently, RTIs were filed with the Governor’s Office and Legislative Assemblies of 16 major states seeking information on whether the CAG reports were discussed in the House. Only Odisha, Assam, Rajasthan, and Bihar provided responses; however, most replies did not address the questions raised, to the shock and dismay of the RTI seekers. States either denied information, citing format limitations and lack of available information or failed to respond altogether. Appeals have been filed, and further replies are currently awaited.

RTI on the Formation of the Expert Committee for Domestic Workers

As part of its ongoing labour rights advocacy, Common Cause filed RTIs with the Ministries of Women & Child Development, Labour and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Law and Justice to ascertain the formation, composition, and progress of the expert committee mandated by the Supreme Court in Ajay Malik v. State of Uttarakhand & Anr. The queries sought details of membership, interministerial communication, meeting minutes, and timelines for the committee’s report. In response to the RTI Application, the Ministry of Labour and Employment informed that, as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, an Expert Committee has been constituted to consider the desirability of recommending a legal framework for the benefit, protection, and regulation of the rights of domestic workers. The composition of the Committee and its terms of reference were also provided in the response.

COMMON CAUSE REPRESENTATIONS

Representation on the Draft Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules

On February 14, 2025, Common Cause submitted its recommendations for the Draft Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025. The recommendations highlighted the shortcomings in the Rules and sought clarity on them. A general comment on the crippling effect of the DPDP Act 2023, via the amendment made to Section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, was also included in the recommendations to voice the overwhelming concern shared by civil society organisations across the country of the Right to Information Act being transformed to the “Right to Denial of Information Act”.

Representation on Forest Department Alert Order

On February 28, 2025, Common Cause was a signatory to a letter addressed to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Bhopal, against an alert order issued by the Forest Department regarding the search and surveillance of ‘infamous hunting communities’ in forest circles. The letter, drafted by the Criminal Justice and Police Accountability Project, Bhopal, highlighted the unconstitutionality of the alert order, asserting that it discriminates against tribal communities, violates their right to privacy and vitiates the principles of forest governance and criminal justice.

Representation Against Discriminatory Recruitment Criteria for Legal Professionals

On April 21, 2025, Common Cause sent a representation to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) objecting to the recruitment notification dated March 19, 2025, for Young Professionals (Law), which restricted eligibility to graduates from National Law Universities (NLUs). The submission argued that such exclusion is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and contrary to the principle of equal opportunity. It urged the Ministry to extend eligibility to all law graduates from the Bar Council of India and UGC-recognised institutions, and to pause the recruitment process until the criteria are revised. The submission further highlighted the broader social impact of such exclusion, noting that only a small fraction of law graduates come from NLUs, thereby marginalising capable candidates from underprivileged and remote regions.

PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION (CASE UPDATES)

Petition Challenging the Electoral Irregularities and to Ensure Free and Fair Elections and the Rule of Law (W.P. (C) 1382/2019)

Common Cause, along with the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), filed this writ petition in 2019 seeking directions to ensure free and fair elections and to uphold the rule of law under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The petition highlighted lapses on the part of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in ensuring transparency and accuracy of election results declared through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The petitioners prayed that the ECI be directed not to announce any provisional or estimated results before accurate reconciliation of data and to establish a transparent, rational, and robust mechanism for data disclosure.

In the context of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Common Cause and ADR filed an interlocutory application (IA No. 115592/2024) on May 10, 2024, seeking directions to the ECI to upload scanned legible copies of Form 17C (Part-I) of all polling stations and to disclose voter turnout data both in absolute numbers and percentages. The matter was heard by the Bench led by the Chief Justice of India on May 17, 2024, when the ECI sought time to respond. On May 24, 2024, the Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma declined to grant immediate relief, noting the similarity of prayers with the main writ petition. On March 18, 2025, the Court recorded the ECI’s statement that the petitioners could submit detailed representations regarding their grievances and that the Commission would grant a hearing to consider them. The matter was directed to be listed in the week commencing July 28, 2025, but hasn’t been taken up. It is likely to be listed on November 18, 2025.

Petition Seeking Directions to Implement the Recommendations of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, 2020 (W.P. (C) 228/2019)

This writ petition was filed jointly by Common Cause, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), and Jindal Naturecure Institute seeking implementation of the recommendations contained in the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, 2020, promulgated in 2012 by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, and the “Zero Emission Vehicles: Towards a Policy Framework” report released by NITI Aayog in 2019. The petition aims to ensure policy-level action to curb climate change, reduce air pollution, and minimise India’s dependency on fossil fuel imports.

On March 5, 2019, the Supreme Court directed the Union of India to apprise it of the progress made under the FAME-India Scheme. Upon hearing on July 22, 2024, the Court granted four weeks to the Union of India to file a counter affidavit detailing policy measures adopted to promote electric vehicles and directed that the Attorney General assist the Court. On April 22, 2025, the government sought more time to place on record its policy decisions. On May 14, 2025, the Attorney General submitted that inter-ministerial deliberations were ongoing and requested additional time to reach a consensus. The Court directed the petitioners and intervenors to submit suggestions to the Attorney General for transmission to the concerned Ministry. The matter is listed for further hearing on November 13, 2025.

Contempt Petition against Lawyers Strike (Contempt. Pet. (C) 550/2015 in W.P.(C) 821/1990)

This contempt petition was filed by Common Cause against the strike of lawyers in the Delhi High Court and district courts over the issue of pecuniary jurisdiction. Pursuant to directions of the Supreme Court, the Bar Council of India (BCI) submitted draft rules to regulate strikes and boycotts by lawyers. On January 24, 2024, counsel for the BCI submitted that the draft rules could be examined by the Court, and any suggestions made would be accepted unconditionally.

On February 9, 2024, the Court appointed Justice S. Muralidhar as Amicus Curiae to review the draft rules and submit a report in light of existing judgments and objections. The Amicus held a consultation with the BCI in a hybrid mode on April 29, 2024, and submitted written suggestions. However, as the BCI had not convened a meeting to consider these suggestions, the Court, on August 27, 2024, directed it to hold such a meeting within four weeks and submit its response. The Amicus was to file his final report thereafter. On April 2, 2025, the BCI sought an additional three weeks, informing the Court that a committee had been constituted and its report was awaited. The Court listed the matter for further consideration on May 7, 2025, and it is expected to be taken up next on November 18, 2025.

Writ for Supreme Court Directions on Police Reforms (W.P. (C) 310/1996)

The landmark petition for police reforms, filed in 1996 by Prakash Singh, Common Cause, and N.K. Singh led to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment of 2006 mandating structural changes in police administration to ensure autonomy, accountability, and efficiency. Despite clear directions, implementation across states has remained inconsistent, resulting in recurring contempt and compliance proceedings before the Court.

On March 25, 2025, after hearing counsel for the petitioners, the Bench directed that an advance copy of the contempt petitions be served on the standing counsel for the State of Jharkhand. Mr Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, informed the Court about the filing of interlocutory applications (I.A. Nos. 150155/2023 and 67359/2023) seeking compliance and modification of earlier orders. The Registry was instructed to list these applications along with other pending matters during the week commencing May 5, 2025. On August 18, 2025, the Court declined to entertain one of the contempt petitions, observing that the dispute appeared to arise from inter-personal rivalry between officers rather than a matter of public interest.

M.A. 18/2025 Registered on January 3, 2025, in the Writ petition on Illegal Mining in Odisha

In January 2025, Common Cause filed a Miscellaneous Application in its ongoing writ petition concerning illegal mining in Odisha, seeking directions to expedite recovery and attachment proceedings against defaulting lessees and to ensure compliance with earlier Supreme Court orders. On March 5, 2025, the Court examined the State of Odisha’s compliance affidavit, which identified 22 defaulting lessees and stated that recovery measures were being planned. The Court noted the absence of specific details on recovery steps and directed the State to pursue remedies before appropriate appellate forums to reverse stay orders issued by the Orissa High Court. Common Cause was asked to file a short affidavit enumerating such orders.

A fresh writ petition (No. 675 of 2025), filed on July 8, 2025, sought directions to the concerned authorities for the constitution of a committee of independent experts to recommend a limit on the extraction of iron and manganese ore in the State of Odisha, to ensure environmental sustainability and inter-generational equity, and for the imposition of such limits by the Respondents based on the recommendations of the said expert committee. The Court issued notice on July 28, 2025, and expressed displeasure at the State’s failure to file a counter affidavit. This writ petition was tagged with the miscellaneous application (M.A. 18/2025). Subsequent hearings on September 2 and September 17, 2025, addressed compliance issues, including extension of mining leases and joint inspection of mines. On October 14, 2025, the Court directed the filing of a status report on recovery proceedings and issued notice on IA Nos 167870/2024, 147147/2018 and 264258/2024 in M.A.No. 18/2025 in W.P. (C) No. 114/2014. The matter is listed on October 29, 2025.

Writ against State of Odisha (W.P.(C) No. 675/2025)

On May 7, 2025, the Supreme Court, in M.A. No. 18 of 2025, the Supreme Court disposed of an earlier interlocutory application, granting liberty to Common Cause to file an independent writ petition for similar reliefs. Pursuant to this liberty, Common Cause filed the writ petition on July 8, 2025, seeking the following directions: (a) Constitution of a committee of independent experts to recommend a limit to be imposed on the extraction of iron and manganese ore in the State of Odisha to ensure environmental sustainability and Inter-generational equity, and submit its report in a time-bound manner; and (b) Direction to the Respondents to impose a limit on the extraction of iron and manganese ore in Odisha based on the aforesaid expert committee report.

Notice was issued on July 28, 2025, and Common Cause was granted liberty to serve the same through the Standing Counsel for the State. The matter was tagged with the previous miscellaneous application (M.A. 18/2025) filed by Common Cause. On July 29, 2025, during the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the State of Odisha’s failure to file a counter affidavit, despite the learned counsel for the State, Mr Shibashish Mishra, being indisposed. The Court noted that the counsel’s medical condition did not justify non-compliance with its earlier orders dated May 7, 2025, and March 5, 2025, and directed the State to file the requisite affidavit within two weeks.

The matter was further taken up on September 2, 2025, when the Court directed the counsel for the State of Odisha to obtain instructions and file the counter affidavit within four weeks, while Common Cause was directed to file a rejoinder within two weeks thereafter. On September 17, 2025, the Supreme Court considered an interim application filed by a lessee, wherein the State’s counter affidavit disclosed that the validity of the mining lease in question had been extended up to April 16, 2036, subject to general conditions and statutory clearances.

The Court allowed the lessee to restart mining only after verification of all clearances by the competent officer. Additionally, a joint inspection involving the State’s Mining Department was ordered to determine the quantity and quality of iron ore. Following the inspection, the lessee was granted four months to sell the ore under the supervision of State officers, with proceeds adjusted against penalties from prior proceedings and deposited with the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The State was further directed to initiate auction proceedings in accordance with the law.

The counter affidavit filed by the State stated that, in relation to certain leases in Raikela, Bhanaba, and Tensa villages of Sundargarh District, the applicant had deposited the compensation amount under Section 21(5) of the MMDR Act, 1957, including interest for delayed payment, pursuant to the Supreme Court’s order dated August 2, 2017. Consequently, certificate proceedings before the Collector-cum-Certificate Officer were closed on November 12, 2018.

During the proceedings, Common Cause highlighted a lapse by the State in calculating the four-month period for the sale of ore from the first of three joint inspection dates, which the Court observed as noncompliance with its February 27, 2023, order. The Advocate General requested three weeks to provide improved instructions, which was granted. The Court also directed the State to submit a status report on the recovery process initiated, along with the outcomes of the proceedings, on the next hearing date. On October 14, 2025, the court granted one last opportunity to the State to file a counter-affidavit and the status report by 27th October, 2025. The matter is listed on October 29, 2025, along with M.A. 18/2025.

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS (2024-25)

The Audited Annual Accounts of Common Cause for the year ending March 31, 2025, have been received. The Governing Council has accorded its approval on 27-09-2025. Briefly, the non-grant expenditure during the year was Rs 124.88 lakh, against Rs 132.66 lakh recorded in the previous year. The non-grant income during the year was Rs 140.72 lakh compared to Rs 120.47 lakh during 2023-24. Thus, there was a surplus of Rs 15.84 lakh during the year as against a shortfall of Rs 12.19 lakh in the previous year.