31st Jan 2026 Legal Updates

1. Madhu Gottumukkala, an Indian-origin official serving as the acting head of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, is facing internal scrutiny after reports revealed that he uploaded internal government documents into a public version of ChatGPT. The uploads allegedly took place during the summer of 2025 and involved files marked “For Official Use Only”. The incident triggered automated security alerts, following which the US Department of Homeland Security initiated an internal review to assess possible data exposure. The issue has raised serious concerns regarding the use of public AI tools by senior government officials and the need for stricter AI governance protocols.

2. The Supreme Court of India has announced a series of administrative reforms aimed at using artificial intelligence to improve judicial efficiency and reduce the long-standing problem of case pendency. The reforms include AI-assisted case management, digitisation of records, better tracking of cases, and streamlined administrative processes. The initiative is intended to reduce manual workload, improve transparency, and enable judges to focus more on adjudication rather than administrative tasks.

3. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to provide free sanitary pads, functional toilets, and spare uniforms for school-going girls across the country. The Court held that menstrual hygiene is an essential part of the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. It observed that lack of basic menstrual facilities adversely affects girls’ health, education, and equality, and warned that non-compliance could attract strict action against defaulting schools.

4. Dr. C.J. Roy, founder and chairman of the Confident Group, was found dead at his office near Richmond Circle in Bengaluru in what police have described as an apparent case of suicide. The incident occurred while Income Tax authorities were conducting searches at the company’s premises. Police have stated that a detailed investigation is underway and that all aspects, including surrounding circumstances, are being examined pending post-mortem and forensic reports.