On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central government regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) that calls for strict regulations or a complete ban on online and offline betting and gambling applications.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh requested the Centre’s response and instructed the petitioner to provide a copy of the plea to Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The PIL, filed by Dr. K A Paul, an evangelist who appeared before the court, urged the government to create uniform central legislation that would either ban or rigorously regulate all forms of betting platforms.

Dr. Paul expressed deep concern about the growing prevalence of betting apps among the youth, stating, “I represent countless parents who have lost children in recent years. In Telangana alone, over 1,023 individuals have tragically taken their lives due to gambling-related issues.”

He noted that prominent cricketers, Bollywood actors, and social media influencers promote betting apps, leading young people into addiction and financial devastation. “The aggressive marketing strategies used by these celebrities mislead youth into gambling, rendering them financially vulnerable and addicted,” he argued. He also called for a ban on celebrity endorsements of such platforms.

In response, Justice Surya Kant remarked that societal issues cannot be fully resolved through legislation alone. “Just as we cannot prevent all acts of violence, a law cannot entirely deter individuals from engaging in betting or gambling,” the bench stated.

The petition highlights that unregulated betting platforms often serve as fronts for money laundering and black money transactions, breaching provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Dr. Paul presented alarming figures, noting that over 24 suicides in Telangana in the last 18 months are reportedly linked to gambling-related debts, with many similar cases occurring nationwide.

The petition urged the court to compel the government to take swift action, warning that thousands of families continue to suffer irreversible financial and emotional harm due to the unchecked rise of betting apps.

After boycotting the NITI Aayog General Council meetings for three years due to allegations of financial discrimination against Tamil Nadu by the Modi government, Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin arrived in Delhi on Friday to attend the scheduled meeting on Saturday and advocate for the state’s rightful demands.

Taking advantage of this visit, Stalin met with senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the evening. With the DMK as a crucial component of the INDIA coalition, this meeting underscores the party’s strong alliance with Congress.

The Chief Minister is also seeking support from states not governed by the Congress and from parties that oppose the BJP, particularly regarding the issues of delimitation and Governors allegedly obstructing elected state governments.

Sources reveal that during their meeting, Stalin inquired about Sonia Gandhi’s health, while she reciprocated by asking about the health of Stalin’s mother, Dayalu Ammal. While they did touch on the upcoming assembly elections, they did not delve into details.

DMK sources indicate that Stalin may also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he has requested an appointment to present a memorandum outlining various demands for Tamil Nadu. This comes as the state has moved the Supreme Court seeking direction for the Union Government to release pending dues of ₹2,192 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). These funds have been withheld because Tamil Nadu has not complied with the Hindi instruction under the three-language formula of the New Education Policy, a policy that the state has opposed in favor of its longstanding two-language practice of Tamil and English since 1968.

Stalin’s decision to attend the NITI Aayog meeting has drawn criticism from the main opposition party, the AIADMK. Party General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami suggested that family interests were behind this change in stance, especially in light of the Enforcement Directorate’s intensified investigation into a purported ₹1,000 crore liquor scam linked to TASMAC, the state-run liquor retailer.

The ED recently conducted raids on TASMAC’s headquarters, private distilleries, and bottling units, and summoned TASMAC MD S. Visakan earlier this week. However, the Supreme Court has temporarily halted further ED investigations, criticizing the agency for breaching federal principles.

On his last day at the Supreme Court, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka shared a poignant farewell message, emphasizing that a judge’s responsibility is to uphold liberty and constitutional values unwaveringly, even at the risk of disapproval.

Seated on the ceremonial bench with Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, Justice Oka reflected on his judicial journey, expressing gratitude and a steadfast commitment to the Constitution and the principle of liberty that it embodies.

“My honest endeavor has always been to uphold the Constitution. In that pursuit, I might have upset some lawyers, but I firmly believe a judge must be resolute and unafraid to offend others in the name of justice,” stated Justice Oka.

Despite the recent personal loss of his mother, Justice Oka traveled to Mumbai for her final rites and returned to the Supreme Court the following morning, where he delivered an impressive 11 judgments on his final day on the bench.

He recalled a senior judge’s wisdom: “A great judge advised me, ‘You aren’t becoming a judge to become popular.’ I took this to heart. My firmness was always to uphold the Constitution.”

“I believe this Supreme Court can protect constitutional liberties, and that has been my humble goal. I trust it will continue to champion liberty, as that was the aspiration of the Constitution’s framers,” he remarked during his farewell speech.

Known for his secular principles, Justice Oka has previously expressed his disapproval of judges participating in ceremonial lamp-lighting and public expressions of religious affiliation, reaffirming his dedication to judicial impartiality.

During what became the longest ceremonial farewell in recent history, lasting over an hour and a half, Justice Oka was visibly moved by the tributes to his judicial career. “I am truly speechless. I thank you all from the depths of my heart and will cherish the memories made in this court,” he said, emotionally.

Speakers at the ceremony included Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and several senior advocates, all of whom praised Justice Oka’s impact on the judiciary.

Justice Oka, who officially retires on May 24, was born on May 25, 1960. A law graduate from Bombay University, he began his career in June 1983 at the Thane District Court with his father and later trained under former Bombay High Court Judge VP Tipnis.

Elevated to Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in August 2003 and made a Permanent Judge in November 2005, he served as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court from May 10, 2019, before ascending to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021.

At a farewell organized by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), Justice Oka expressed his dislike for the tradition of retiring judges abstaining from work on their final day, stating, “I hate the word retirement.” He resolved to address as many cases as possible before concluding his tenure.

Leaving behind a legacy founded on courage, integrity, discipline, and constitutional vigilance, Justice Oka’s career features landmark decisions on civil liberties, rule of law, and executive accountability. His belief in taking unpopular stances for the Constitution serves as a lasting reminder of the judiciary’s role as a protector of fundamental rights.

Justice Oka departs not merely with judgments but with an enduring ethos—a commitment to courage, independence, and fidelity to the constitutional vision—and he has declared he will not accept any post-retirement positions from the government.

Known for his unique ability to blend “legal acumen with human empathy,” Justice Oka remarked at a farewell function organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, “Unlike a lawyer, whose performance may be constrained by various factors, when a judge presides over a court, the only influences are the Constitution, the law, and one’s own conscience.”