| PROPERTY - Calcutta HC Stays Eastern Railway Eviction Drive Affecting Around 6,000 Slum Dwellers Near Station |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:51:50 IST |
| Calcutta High Court has stayed proceedings arising from the eviction notice concerning the Brace Bridge railway station area until 20 May 2026 or further orders, in a petition filed on behalf of nearly 6,000 slum dwellers living near the station. |
| CONTEMPT OF COURT - Delhi High Court: Silence Amid Sustained Vilification May Undermine Public Confidence In Judiciary |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:51:39 IST |
| While initiating criminal contempt proceedings against AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court said judicial silence cannot amount to surrender, and chose to act on its constitutional duty after noting a sustained campaign of alleged vilification against the judiciary. |
| SERVICE - J&K&L High Court: Seasonal Labourers Cannot Be Regularised Amid Government's Blanket Ban |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:51:30 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that courts exercising powers under Article 226 cannot direct regularisation of seasonal labourers where the government has imposed a blanket ban on such engagements, as doing so would encroach upon executive policy matters. |
| ARBITRATION - Supreme Court: Arbitration Clause Applies When Earlier Agreement is Imported "Body and Soul" |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:51:20 IST |
| Supreme Court held that when a later contract fully incorporates the terms of an earlier agreement containing an arbitration clause, arbitration can be invoked even if the later agreement does not separately mention the clause or expressly state an intention to refer disputes to arbitration. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Joint Disciplinary Proceedings Not Mandatory in Cases Involving Multiple Officers |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:51:10 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that under Regulation 10 of the Canara Bank Officer Employees' (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 1976, separate disciplinary proceedings can be initiated against a delinquent bank employee, as joint proceedings are not mandatory even when multiple officers are involved. |
| EDUCATION - Supreme Court: Transferred Students Cannot Claim Government Fees After College Loses Recognition |
| Fri, 15 May 2026 17:50:59 IST |
| Supreme Court held that students transferred from Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital, Odisha, to private medical colleges after SRMCH lost recognition cannot claim subsidised government college fees, and allowed recovery of outstanding dues at the fee rates applicable at SRMCH. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - SC: Public Service Vehicles Without Trackers, Panic Buttons Can't Get Fitness Certificates |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:44:33 IST |
| Supreme Court directed that no public service vehicle can get a fitness certificate or permit without installed and verified VLTDs and emergency panic buttons linked to the Vahan database, noting that under 1% of transport vehicles currently comply with Rule 125H of CMVR, 1989. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - SC: Compensation For Industrial Land Cannot be Based on Residential Plot Sale Deeds |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:44:23 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that residential sale deeds from adjoining villages cannot determine compensation for industrial land acquired for highway expansion, holding that Section 26(1)(b) of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act mandates strict compliance with the "similar type of land" requirement. |
| SERVICE - SC: Appointing Candidates on Contract Against Advertised Regular Posts is Patently Illegal |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:44:13 IST |
| SC held that contractual appointments against advertisements for regular posts are illegal and unconstitutional without recorded reasons for differential treatment. It directed IIIT Allahabad to grant regular appointment to an Assistant Professor within four weeks, with continuity of service. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Hostile Witness Testimony Can Support Acquittal as Well, Not Only Conviction |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:44:03 IST |
| Supreme Court held that testimony of hostile witnesses can be used not only for conviction but also to discredit the prosecution and support acquittal. It acquitted an accused in an SC/ST murder case, noting that prosecution witnesses failed to support the alleged place of occurrence. |
| NARCOTICS - Del HC: Arrest Memo Listing Only Reasons Cannot Substitute Person-Specific Grounds of Arrest |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:43:53 IST |
| Delhi High Court granted bail to an accused under the NDPS Act, holding that an arrest memo stating only reasons cannot replace specific grounds of arrest. It ruled that failure to provide written grounds within the constitutional timeline makes the arrest and remand illegal. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Repeated Arrests U/S 107 Crpc After UAPA Bail Can be Fresh PSA Detention Grounds |
| Thu, 14 May 2026 17:43:43 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that repeated preventive arrests under Sections 107 and 151 CrPC after bail in UAPA cases constitute fresh and proximate grounds for Public Safety Act detention, and cannot be treated as stale merely because the original UAPA cases are old. |
| SERVICE - J&K&L HC: Suspension Period Can be Excluded Only For Back Wages and Not For Seniority or Promotion |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:37:09 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that if suspension is treated as qualifying service for leave, increments and retirement benefits, it must also count as regular service, as excluding it would erase that period and amount to an unlawful second punishment. |
| SERVICE - J&K&L HC: Rejection of a Representation Does Not Create Fresh Cause of Action in Service Matters |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:59 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that repeated departmental representations cannot overcome delay and laches in filing a writ petition, and that rejection of such representation does not create a fresh cause of action or revive an otherwise time-barred or stale claim. |
| LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL - Delhi High Court: Labour Courts Cannot Decide Disputed TA/DA Claims under Section 33C(2) of ID Act |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:50 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that under Section 33C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act, Labour Courts can only compute or recover pre-existing service benefits and have no jurisdiction to decide disputed entitlements or adjudicate claims like TA/DA. |
| LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL - Delhi High Court: Employer's Delhi Head Office Alone Does Not Give Delhi Labour Courts Jurisdiction |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:39 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that the place of employment and where termination takes effect determine jurisdiction in industrial disputes, adding that an employer's head office in Delhi alone does not give Delhi labour authorities territorial jurisdiction. |
| CONSTITUTION - Supreme Court: Children Have a Fundamental Right to Receive Education in Their Mother Tongue |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:30 IST |
| Supreme Court, while directing Rajasthan to introduce Rajasthani in schools and enable its use as a medium of instruction, held that Article 19(1)(a) includes a child's right to receive primary education in a language of their choice. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Appeals Must Include Certified Copies of Orders, as E-Filing Alone is Insufficient |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:20 IST |
| Supreme Court held that filing an appeal before the NCLAT without a certified copy of the challenged order is not a curable procedural defect but a fundamentally invalid appeal, and merely e-filing it cannot satisfy the legal requirement. |
| FAMILY - Supreme Court: Wife Pursuing Her Career Cannot be Deemed Cruelty For Hurting Her Husband |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:36:07 IST |
| SC observed that "To brandish the effort of the wife to pursue her own career goals as acts of cruelty, as the same may have hurt the sentiments of the husband or the in-laws, is highly objectionable and deplorable in the era where the society proudly talks of women empowerment,". |
| DIRECT TAXATION - SC: Fixed Shares Paid to Association of Persons Members are Taxable as Income, Regardless of Profit |
| Wed, 13 May 2026 18:35:57 IST |
| Supreme Court held that fixed receipts paid to an AOP member, without sharing losses or expenses, cannot be treated as exempt "share of profit" under the Income Tax Act, clarifying that Section 86 relief applies only to genuine profit-sharing income to prevent double taxation. |
| CRIMINAL - Allahabad HC Blamed State and Police For Delays and Ordered Reforms to Tackle "Tarikh Pe Tarikh" |
| Tue, 12 May 2026 17:37:22 IST |
| Invoking the film Damini's "Tarikh pe Tarikh" dialogue, the Allahabad High Court observed that while it reflects public frustration over delayed justice, the heavy pendency of criminal cases is not solely due to judges, but largely the responsibility of the State Government and police. |
| ELECTION - Madras HC: Courts Cannot Remain Silent When Single Disputed Vote Could Determine Government's Fate |
| Tue, 12 May 2026 17:37:13 IST |
| Madras High Court, while restraining TVK MLA Seenivasa Sethupathi from participating in any floor test after his one-vote victory in Tiruppattur, observed that courts can intervene in the election process when a single disputed vote may determine the fate of the government. |
| CONSTITUTION - Delhi High Court: Eviction From Jhuggis With Rehabilitation Does Not Violate Article 21 |
| Tue, 12 May 2026 17:37:03 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that eviction of jhuggi dwellers with rehabilitation at an alternative site does not violate Article 21, provided authorities follow the safeguards laid down under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)Policy and Protocol. |
| CONTEMPT OF COURT - Supreme Court: Frictionless Relationship Between the Bar and the Bench Strengthens Justice Delivery |
| Tue, 12 May 2026 17:36:53 IST |
| Supreme Court, while closing contempt proceedings against senior advocate Yatin Oza, said the Bench and the Bar are "two wheels of the chariot of justice" and warned that friction between them could weaken public confidence in the justice delivery system. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: SC/ST Act Does Not Apply to Alleged Casteist Abuse Inside a Private House |
| Tue, 12 May 2026 17:36:40 IST |
| SC quashed SC/ST Act case against a man accused of caste-based abuse inside a private house, holding that the alleged incident did not occur in a place "within public view," a mandatory requirement to constitute an offence under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. |
| SERVICE - J&K&L High Court: Deputation Employee May Opt For Either Deputation Post Pay or Parent Cadre Pay |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:35:16 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that a deputationist may opt to draw either the pay of the deputation post or the basic pay of the parent cadre with personal pay, and directed that the borrowing agency must obtain such option within one month of joining the deputation post. |
| LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL - Delhi HC: Air India's Privatization Does Not Bar Article 226 Challenges to Labour Tribunal Awards |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:35:06 IST |
| Del HC held that writ petitions challenging Labour Court & Industrial Tribunal awards remain maintainable even after Air India's privatisation, while hearing petitions by former employees & unions against CGIT orders granting compensation instead of reinstatement after illegal termination findings. |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - Calcutta HC: Vodafone Idea Must Obtain Copyright Society Licence to Use Songs as Caller Tunes |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:56 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that Vodafone Idea cannot use songs as caller tunes or ringtones merely on the basis of agreements with sound recording companies, and ruled that it must obtain permission from the Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRS) for use of underlying music and lyrics. |
| ENVIRONMENT - Cal HC Upholds PILs on Great Nicobar Project, Noting Alleged FRA Violations and Tribal Vulnerability |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:46 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that a PIL on alleged Forest Rights Act violations in the Great Nicobar project is maintainable, rejecting objections on locus standi, and observed there is no fixed rule, allowing genuine public causes involving vulnerable communities to be raised by outsiders. |
| LIMITATION - Madhya Pradesh HC: Delay Can Be Condoned under Limitation Act Where Statute Has No Express Bar |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:36 IST |
| MP HC held that where a statute does not expressly bar condonation of delay, authorities may invoke the Limitation Act to condone delay in filing applications or appeals, and further noted that the petitioner's refund claim was wrongly dismissed solely on limitation grounds without examining merits. |
| CIVIL - Punjab & Haryana High Court: Raid on Rajinder Gupta's Factory Soon After He Joined BJP From AAP |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:26 IST |
| P&H High Court observed that the apprehension of political vendetta in the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) raid on Trident Limited appears reasonably palpable, noting its timing soon after MP Rajinder Gupta, the company's Chairman Emeritus, switched from AAP to BJP. |
| CIVIL - Bom HC: Genuine Residents Cannot be Denied Relief Due to Aadhaar Deactivation or Biometric Mismatch |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:16 IST |
| Bombay High Court, noting rising cases of Aadhaar deactivation or biometric mismatch forcing citizens to approach courts, issued guidelines directing authorities to adopt a citizen-centric approach and ensure such grievances are resolved within four weeks. |
| ELECTRICITY - SC: Railways is Treated as a Consumer under the Electricity Act, Not a Distribution Licensee |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:34:06 IST |
| Supreme Court held that Indian Railways is a consumer under the Electricity Act, 2003, and cannot claim deemed distribution licensee status to avoid paying cross-subsidy and additional surcharges to distribution companies. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: Delay in Deposit Does Not Automatically Cancel Contracts under Specific Relief Act |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:33:56 IST |
| Supreme Court held that courts can extend the time for payment in specific performance decrees even after the stipulated period expires, and that contracts are not automatically rescinded under Section 28 of the Specific Relief Act. |
| PROPERTY - Supreme Court: Murder Accused Cannot Inherit Property of the Person Allegedly Killed |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:33:46 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a person accused of murdering the deceased cannot inherit the deceased's property, invoking Section 25 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which bars anyone committing or abetting murder from claiming inheritance rights. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Non-Disclosure of Failed Candidates' Marks Does Not Imply They Passed Exams |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:33:36 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that if recruitment rules or advertisements do not require disclosure of marks, candidates excluded from the merit list cannot seek appointment merely because their marks were not published. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Banks Cannot Invoke IBC Against Debtors For Builder-Linked Loans |
| Mon, 11 May 2026 17:33:26 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, cannot be used as a debt recovery mechanism, especially in disputes that are primarily contractual in nature and involve competing claims over property transfer and related obligations. |
| CIVIL - Gujarat High Court: Separate Compensation is Payable For Stillborn Child in Railway Accident Case |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:36:21 IST |
| Gujarat High Court held that a 9-month foetus is to be treated as a child, allowing compensation under the Railways Act for a stillborn child. It ruled that the death of the unborn child amounts to a separate accident from the mother's death, granting compensation to the father for both losses. |
| CYBER LAWS - Raj HC: Cybercrime Cases Can't be Quashed Only on Compromise as They Impact Society at Large |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:36:11 IST |
| Rajasthan High Court held that cybercrimes are not private disputes but affect the wider digital ecosystem and public trust in online transactions. It ruled that quashing such offences solely on compromise would defeat the purpose of laws enacted to curb cybercrime. |
| CIVIL - J&K&L HC: Unregistered Agreement to Sell Can be Considered For Assessing Possession at Interim Stage |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:36:01 IST |
| J&K&L HC held that an unregistered agreement to sell, though not valid for proving title, can be considered for collateral purposes like assessing possession at the interim stage. It reiterated that temporary injunctions depend on prima facie case, balance of convenience, and irreparable injury. |
| BANKING - Calcutta HC: Bank Accounts Cannot Be Frozen Solely on Complaints Filed Via MHA Cybercrime Portal |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:35:51 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that bank accounts cannot be frozen solely on complaints filed through the MHA cybercrime portal without a competent court order under the BNSS. It ordered immediate defreezing of Xenixt Technologies Pvt Ltd's accounts as no judicial authorization was shown. |
| FAMILY - Delhi High Court: Husband Cannot Seek to Strike off Wife's Defence over Unpaid Litigation Costs |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:35:41 IST |
| Delhi HC ruled that a husband cannot seek to strike off his wife's defence in matrimonial proceedings for delay in filing a written statement when he himself failed to pay litigation expenses as directed. It upheld the Family Court order restoring the wife's right to respond in the divorce case. |
| CIVIL - Bombay High Court: State Cannot Withhold Aid to Child Homes While Supporting Ladki Bahin Yojana |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:35:30 IST |
| Bombay High Court observed that the Maharashtra government cannot deny financial aid to institutions caring for vulnerable children while funding welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana, saying such unequal treatment would be constitutionally untenable. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Para-Teachers' Regularisation Depends On Educational Standards Set By States |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:35:20 IST |
| Supreme Court held that contractually employed teachers cannot claim regularisation as a right solely based on long service, as it would bypass statutory recruitment rules. The court added that states must assess candidates' suitability to ensure quality education standards. |
| ELECTRICITY - SC: Consumers Cannot Bear Power Plant Depreciation Costs When No Electricity Was Supplied |
| Fri, 08 May 2026 17:35:09 IST |
| In a major relief to electricity consumers, the Supreme Court held that consumers cannot be made to pay depreciation costs for a power plant that no longer supplies them electricity, even if the plant continues to have some remaining technical life. |
| ENVIRONMENT - Supreme Court Directs District Collectors to Strictly Implement Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:52:18 IST |
| Supreme Court has authorised District Collectors to enforce the 2026 Solid Waste Management Rules by granting powers under the Environment Protection Act, including action against bulk waste generators through measures like cutting water and electricity supply for non-compliance. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: No Separate Plea is Needed to Cancel Agreement to Sell For Buyer's Default |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:52:07 IST |
| Supreme Court held that if a decree-holder fails to pay the balance sale amount within the fixed time, the specific performance decree becomes unenforceable and the contract stands rescinded, even without a separate application by the judgment-debtor. |
| SERVICE - SC: Disciplinary Authority Cannot Punish Employee Without Fresh Show-Cause Notice on New Charges |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:55 IST |
| Supreme Court held that an employee cannot be punished on a new charge without an opportunity to defend it, while hearing a retired paediatrician's plea against disciplinary action over non-disclosure of previous faculty service during an inspection. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court Holds Revenue Records Alone Do Not Confer Title Over Land Ownership |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:45 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that revenue entries only indicate possession and do not prove ownership, and affirmed that title over land must be established through primary documents, as such entries alone are insufficient to claim ownership. |
| CIVIL - Patna HC Directs Smooth Lok Adalat For Traffic Challan Settlement, Ensuring Access to Justice |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:36 IST |
| Patna High Court directed smooth conduct of the National Lok Adalat for traffic challan settlement, stressing that access to justice must remain unhindered and adequate arrangements be made to manage the large expected turnout, while hearing a related writ petition in Bihar. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC: Organised Crime Groups Exploit Juveniles, Misuse Juvenile Justice Laws for Serious Crimes |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:26 IST |
| Delhi High Court observed that organised crime syndicates are increasingly using juveniles to commit serious offences, including NDPS Act and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act cases, and are misusing the Juvenile Justice Act's lenient bail provisions. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC: Hymen Rupture is Not Required to Prove Penetrative Sexual Assault under the POCSO Act |
| Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:16 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that hymen rupture is not necessary to prove penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act while upholding conviction of a man for assaulting a six-year-old, partly allowing appeal by reducing sentence from 20 to 14 years rigorous imprisonment. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Lifting Corporate Veil May Include Group Assets in Holding Company's CIRP |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:46 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that to protect homebuyers and enable completion of stalled real estate projects, the corporate veil may be lifted during Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process against a holding company, allowing inclusion of subsidiary companies' assets. |
| COMPANY - Supreme Court: Register Entry Not Required To Pursue Oppression/Mismanagement Claims |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:36 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a stakeholder can pursue oppression and mismanagement claims even without being entered in the register of members, recognizing that membership may arise otherwise and permitting proceedings under Sections 397 and 398 of the Companies Act, 1956. |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay High Court: Lilavati Trust FIR Against HDFC Bank CEO Driven by Personal Vendetta |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:25 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that the FIR by Lilavati Trust against Sashidhar Jagdishan arose from personal vendetta linked to recovery proceedings by HDFC Bank, and quashed the criminal case. |
| SERVICE - MP High Court: Penalty May Stand if Misconduct is Proven, Even if Inquiry is Vitiated |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:16 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld the compulsory retirement of a branch manager of MP Gramin Bank, noting that although procedural defects vitiated the inquiry, independent evidence of financial misconduct was sufficient to sustain the punishment. |
| FAMILY - Kerala HC: Embassy NOC Not Required For Indian-Foreigner Marriage under Special Marriage Act |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:07 IST |
| Kerala High Court directed the Mavelikkara Sub-Registrar to solemnize the marriage of an Indian man and a Sri Lankan woman under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 without insisting on Embassy NOC, relying on precedent that no legal bar exists for such marriages between an Indian and a foreigner. |
| CIVIL - Bombay HC: Courts Cannot Mandate Mediation under Mediation Act 2023 Without Mutual Consent |
| Wed, 06 May 2026 17:47:57 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that the Mediation Act, 2023 does not empower courts to compel parties to undergo mediation without mutual consent, clarifying that mediation under the statutory framework is inherently voluntary and cannot be imposed unilaterally on litigating parties. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Dowry Deaths Remain a Grave Social Issue, Especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:16:28 IST |
| Calling dowry deaths a serious social problem, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka, the Supreme Court cancelled a husband's bail and set aside the Allahabad High Court order while hearing a father's appeal in a case of alleged harassment and death within seven years of marriage. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Article 226 Cannot be Used to Seek FIR Registration Without Exhausting Remedies |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:16:15 IST |
| Supreme Court held that Article 226 writ jurisdiction cannot be invoked at the outset to seek FIR registration, and set aside the Bombay High Court's direction to police to record the complainant's statement and proceed with registering an FIR. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Bail Must Be Considered if Speedy Trial Rights are Violated, Regardless of Offence |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:16:04 IST |
| Supreme Court held that the right to a speedy trial cannot be violated regardless of the offence's gravity, and granted bail to a murder undertrial, citing his prolonged incarceration and the unlikelihood of the trial concluding in the near future. |
| CONSUMER - SC: Medical Negligence Claims Can be Filed Against Deceased Doctor's Legal Heirs Who Inherit Estate |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:54 IST |
| Supreme Court held that medical negligence compensation claims can be pursued against a deceased doctor's legal heirs from the estate, as financial liabilities survive death, though claims for personal injury or suffering do not continue after the person's demise. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Fence-Sitters Cannot Raise Seniority Disputes Once Third-Party Rights are Settled |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:45 IST |
| Supreme Court held that "fence-sitters," who do not intervene during litigation, cannot later challenge seniority or claim consequential promotions once the matter has concluded and third-party rights have been settled. |
| SERVICE - MP HC: Attachment & Auction are Quasi-Judicial Duties of Tehsildar; Action Invalid Without Mala Fide |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:35 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court held that a tehsildar's actions of property attachment and auction for recovery of dues are quasi-judicial in nature and cannot be subjected to disciplinary proceedings unless malafide intent is specifically alleged and proved. |
| SERVICE - Gauhati HC: Officer Resigning Without New Govt Appointment Cannot Claim Pension under Assam Service |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:26 IST |
| Gauhati High Court held that under Assam Service (Pension) Rules, voluntary resignation without joining another qualifying government post forfeits past service, barring pension benefits, though claims like leave encashment, salary arrears, and PRAN withdrawal may still be admissible. |
| CRIMINAL - Calcutta HC: Salary Withholding and Harassment Claims are Not Defamation Without Reputational Harm |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:16 IST |
| Calcutta High Court quashed a defamation case against a school headmaster, holding that allegations of salary withholding, harassment, or disciplinary action do not amount to defamation under Section 500 IPC unless they lower a person's reputation in the eyes of others. |
| CIVIL - Allahabad HC: MPs, Judges and Ministers May Use 'Hon'ble'; Civil Servants are Not Entitled to it |
| Tue, 05 May 2026 18:15:06 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that constitutional functionaries exercising sovereign powers must be addressed as "Hon'ble" in all official communications, and personal familiarity or grievance cannot justify omitting the honorific while referring to such authorities. |
| CONSTITUTION - Kar HC: Preventive Detention under Goonda Act Cannot Rest on Offences Committed During Juvenile Age |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:21:23 IST |
| Karnataka High Court held that a preventive detention order under the Karnataka Goonda Act, 1985 against a 19-year-old was vitiated, as most offences relied upon were committed when the detenu was a juvenile, rendering the basis of detention legally unsustainable. |
| SERVICE - Gauhati HC: Promotion Cannot be Withheld Merely Because Investigation is Pending Without Chargesheet |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:21:14 IST |
| Gauhati High Court directed Assam Police to reconsider a woman Sub-Inspector's confirmation and promotion to Inspector (UB), noting that despite a pending criminal case, no chargesheet had been filed against her. |
| NARCOTICS - J&K&L High Court: Post-Conviction NDPS Bail Cannot Rest on Long Incarceration Alone |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:21:05 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that in NDPS cases involving commercial quantity, post-conviction bail cannot be granted merely due to long incarceration, as Section 37's twin conditions are mandatory jurisdictional requirements that must be strictly satisfied. |
| CIVIL - SC Issues Guidelines on Summary Judgment in Commercial Suits under Order XIII-A CPC |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:20:55 IST |
| Supreme Court, interpreting Order XIII-A CPC, held that summary judgment in commercial suits promotes efficiency and avoids needless trials, and should be granted where the defence lacks real prospects of success, cautioning against proceeding on speculative or illusory claims. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Pawan Khera in an FIR Filed by Assam Police |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:20:46 IST |
| Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in an FIR by Assam Police, filed on a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, over allegations that she possessed multiple passports. |
| CONSTITUTION - Supreme Court Outlines Principles Governing Exercise of Jurisdiction under Article 227 |
| Mon, 04 May 2026 18:20:37 IST |
| Supreme Court reaffirmed that High Courts, under Article 227, cannot re-appreciate evidence or act as appellate courts; their role is limited to ensuring subordinate courts act within jurisdiction and that findings are not perverse or unreasonable. |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay HC: National Security Justifies Denial of Police Clearance Certificate |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:09:40 IST |
| Bombay High Court upheld denial of Police Clearance Certificate to a 26/11 acquitted accused, holding that national security concerns constitute a reasonable restriction on the right to earn a livelihood |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay HC: Comic Remarks Without Malicious Intent Not Religious Insult |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:09:30 IST |
| Bombay High Court quashed the FIR, holding that mere use of food items in a comic act, without malicious intent, cannot constitute an insult to religion, cautioning against casual invocation of criminal law against artists |
| SERVICE - P&H HC: Writ Petition Against Private Trust's Contractual Employment Dismissed |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:09:20 IST |
| Punjab and Haryana High Court held that service disputes arising from purely contractual employment with a private body, lacking any public law element, are not amenable to writ jurisdiction under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution |
| SERVICE - Gujarat HC: Customary Divorce Entitles Daughter to Family Pension |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:09:10 IST |
| Gujarat High Court overturned CAT's rejection and ruled that a deceased railway employee's daughter, who obtained a customary divorce and was dependent on her father, remains eligible for family pension |
| CRIMINAL - Del HC: There is No Absolute Bar on Granting Co-Convicts Parole/Furlough Together in Suitable Cases |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:08:59 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that there is no absolute bar on granting parole or furlough to co-convicts simultaneously, and such release may be allowed in appropriate cases with stricter scrutiny, while interpreting provisions stating it is ordinarily not permissible under the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018. |
| SERVICE - Del HC: Unexplained Money Received by Public Servant is Not Bribery Without Proof of Official Favour |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:08:47 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that mere unexplained receipt of money by a public servant cannot amount to bribery without proof of a nexus to unlawful official favour, and set aside the removal of a Central Warehousing Corporation officer, finding the corruption charge unsustainable on record. |
| SERVICE - SC: State Must Act as a Model Employer, Criticising the Union For Not Regularising ISRO Workers |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:08:37 IST |
| Supreme Court criticised the Union Government for failing to regularise daily wage workers in an ISRO subsidiary, noting it had ignored earlier directions to frame a scheme or create posts within six months to absorb them on a permanent basis. |
| ELECTION - Calcutta HC: ECI's Prerogative to Deploy Central Employees as Counting Supervisors Upheld |
| Fri, 01 May 2026 18:08:27 IST |
| Calcutta High Court dismissed AITC's plea, ruling that appointing only Central Government/PSU employees as counting supervisors is the Election Commission's prerogative, with no legal illegality or bias established |
| CRIMINAL - Del HC: There is No Absolute Bar on Granting Co-Convicts Parole/Furlough Together in Suitable Cases |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:54 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that there is no absolute bar on granting parole or furlough to co-convicts simultaneously, and such release may be allowed in appropriate cases with stricter scrutiny, while interpreting provisions stating it is ordinarily not permissible under the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018. |
| SERVICE - Del HC: Unexplained Money Received by Public Servant is Not Bribery Without Proof of Official Favour |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:44 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that mere unexplained receipt of money by a public servant cannot amount to bribery without proof of a nexus to unlawful official favour, and set aside the removal of a Central Warehousing Corporation officer, finding the corruption charge unsustainable on record. |
| MINES AND MINERALS - J&K&L High Court: Minor Minerals Have Major Environmental Impacts and Must be Regulated |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:34 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that extraction of sand, gravel, stones, and boulders from riverbeds and nallahs, though seemingly minor, has severe cumulative environmental impact, and ruled that such activities must be strictly regulated under a statutory and environmental framework. |
| SERVICE - SC: State Must Act as a Model Employer, Criticising the Union For Not Regularising ISRO Workers |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:23 IST |
| Supreme Court criticised the Union Government for failing to regularise daily wage workers in an ISRO subsidiary, noting it had ignored earlier directions to frame a scheme or create posts within six months to absorb them on a permanent basis. |
| CONSTITUTION - Supreme Court: Public Figures Must Exercise Caution as Their Words Have Consequences in Society |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:12 IST |
| While declining directions on hate speech as beyond its remit, the Supreme Court urged citizens to uphold fraternity, cautioned against divisive remarks, and stressed that individuals and public figures share responsibility for preserving constitutional values, noting words have consequences. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Admission of a Claim by a Resolution Professional is Not Debt Acknowledgment |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:51:01 IST |
| Supreme Court set aside the NCLAT ruling that treated a resolution professional's admission of a creditor's claim as acknowledgment of debt, holding it does not extend limitation for filing a Section 7 application under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. |
| INSOLVENCY - Calling the Situation Grim, the Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Delays in NCLT Approvals |
| Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:50:51 IST |
| Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of systemic delays in approving resolution plans by the National Company Law Tribunal, especially at its Principal Bench in New Delhi, and also noted the shortage of judicial and technical members across its benches. |
| EDUCATION - Supreme Court: Schools Cannot Delay Admission of State-Allotted Student over an Eligibility Dispute |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:57:37 IST |
| Supreme Court has ruled that private neighbourhood schools must grant immediate admission to students allotted under the Right to Education Act, 2009, and cannot deny entry due to pending eligibility disputes, though they may seek clarification from authorities separately. |
| CRIMINAL - SC Mandates Trial Courts Seek Reports on Mitigating and Aggravating Factors Before Death Sentencing |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:57:27 IST |
| SC has held that trial courts must routinely call for reports on aggravating and mitigating factors right after conviction and before sentencing in potential death penalty cases, warning that delay in obtaining them undermines balanced sentencing and proper consideration of reformative aspects. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: No Right to Full Tenure Exists When Appointment is Made 'Until Further Orders' |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:57:16 IST |
| Supreme Court held that appointments subject to "until further orders" do not grant a right to complete the full tenure, upholding the curtailment of a five-year term as valid since it was expressly conditional on earlier termination by the authorities. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Corporate Guarantee Constitutes as Financial Debt under the IBC |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:54 IST |
| Supreme Court has held that a corporate guarantee given by a company to secure another company's borrowing, including arrangements backed by hypothecation, qualifies as "financial debt" under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. |
| ENVIRONMENT - Bombay HC: Restricting Compensation For Wild Animal Damage to Select Species Violates Article 14 |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:44 IST |
| Bombay High Court has ruled that limiting compensation for crop and tree damage caused by wild animals to only certain specified species, while excluding others like birds, violates Article 14, as the classification lacks a reasonable nexus with the objective of compensating farmers for losses. |
| CIVIL - J&K&L HC: Routine Challenges to Lok Adalat Awards Defeat Their Purpose of Quick Dispute Resolution |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:34 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has observed that frequent challenges to Lok Adalat awards lead to unnecessary writ petitions and waste judicial time, stressing that the purpose of Lok Adalats speedy, amicable, and cost-effective dispute resolution gets defeated by such routine challenges. |
| SERVICE - MP HC: Long-Serving Employees Cannot Be Denied Regularisation by Retrospective Statutory Amendments |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:23 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that statutory amendments cannot be applied retrospectively to deprive an employee of accrued rights, especially where the employee has been in continuous service for decades, and such retroactive application would unjustly defeat those established entitlements. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - Bom HC: LARR Authority Can Examine Limitation Issues in Land Acquisition References under 2013 Act |
| Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:56:13 IST |
| Bom HC has held that the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority under 2013 Act, functioning as a substitute for the reference court, has jurisdiction to decide limitation issues in land acquisition references, as it possesses all powers necessary to assess their maintainability. |
| CRIMINAL - SC to Ex-MLA in Money Laundering Case: Duped Homebuyer Must be Safeguarded First, then Consider Bail |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:29:16 IST |
| In a money laundering case linked to a housing project, the Supreme Court asked former MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker to show cause why his bail plea should be considered without first ensuring protection of homebuyers allegedly duped in the project, stressing their interests must be secured. |
| LAW OF EVIDENCE - Supreme Court: Joint Accused Statements are Admissible Only When They Result in Distinct Discoveries |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:29:06 IST |
| Supreme Court held that joint or simultaneous disclosure statements by accused persons are admissible under Section 27 of the Evidence Act only if they lead to the discovery of distinct and relevant facts linked to the crime. |
| PROPERTY - Bom HC: Developers' Profit Rights in Redevelopment Cannot Override Members' Right to Safe Housing |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:57 IST |
| Bombay High Court, refusing interim relief to a developer inactive for 13 years, held that in redevelopment projects, society members' right to safe and better housing prevails over a developer's right to earn profit from selling flats. |
| CRIMINAL - Gujarat HC: Firing in Air at a Wedding Without Intent to Harm Does Not Amount to Attempt to Murder |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:46 IST |
| Gujarat High Court held that firing in the air during a wedding without intent to injure does not constitute attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC. It quashed charges against six accused, finding no intention to cause harm or supporting circumstances indicating such intent. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Preventive Detention U/S 129 BNSS During Proceedings Must Satisfy Strict Legal Standards |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:36 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that preventive detention under the Public Safety Act can continue even during proceedings under Section 129 BNSS, 2023, but only if strict legal standards are met; otherwise, such detention would be unlawful. |
| ELECTION - Delhi HC Allows AITA Results For Interim Management and Directs Fresh Elections Under New Sports Law |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:26 IST |
| Delhi High Court allowed declaration of All India Tennis Association's September 2024 election results for interim management of day-to-day affairs, while directing that fresh elections be held in accordance with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 and Sports Governance Rules, 2026. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Delay in Executing Preventive Detention on Unsubstantiated Medical Ground Makes it Invalid |
| Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:15 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that a preventive detention order cannot stand if medical grounds for non-execution are unsubstantiated and there is unexplained delay in execution, as such lapses raise serious doubts about the detaining authority's subjective satisfaction. |
| ELECTION - Del HC: False Educational Qualification Declaration does not amount to Corrupt Practice U/S 123(4) |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:36:20 IST |
| Delhi HC held that a false declaration of one's educational qualification in a nomination affidavit does not constitute a corrupt practice u/s 123(4) of Representation of the People Act, 1951, while deciding a reference from an election petition concerning the 2020 Karol Bagh Assembly election. |
| CRIMINAL - Madras HC: Transgenders are Children of God, Tragedy Lies in Society's Blindness, Not Their Birth |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:36:10 IST |
| Madras High Court directed the State of Tamil Nadu to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for transgender persons at the taluk level, ensuring opportunities for self-employment, sustainable livelihoods, and their meaningful inclusion and integration into society. |
| CONTRACT - Guj HC: Plaintiff in Specific Performance Suit Must Prove Readiness &Willingness to Perform Contract |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:36:01 IST |
| Gujarat High Court reiterated that under the Specific Relief Act, in a suit for specific performance, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving continuous readiness and willingness to perform his contractual obligations, which may be inferred from the facts and surrounding circumstances of the case. |
| CRIMINAL - Karnataka High Court: Accused Cannot be Required to Share Live GPS Location as a Condition of Bail |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:52 IST |
| Karnataka High Court held that an accused cannot be subjected to continuous electronic surveillance as a bail condition by requiring him to keep his mobile phone live location switched on for the Investigating Officer, and accordingly quashed the sessions court's bail condition. |
| ARBITRATION - Supreme Court: Unsuccessful Party Can Invoke Section 9 of the Arbitration Act Even After an Award |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:41 IST |
| Supreme Court held that an unsuccessful party in arbitration may still invoke Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 even after an award is passed, but cautioned that courts must exercise care, caution, and circumspection while deciding such post-award applications. |
| TENANCY - Supreme Court: Landlord's Legal Heirs May Amend an Eviction Suit to Include Bona Fide Need |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:31 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that if a landlord dies during an eviction suit based on bona fide requirement for himself and family, his legal heirs can amend the pleadings to add further bona fide need grounds, as long as they do not contradict or change the original basis of the case. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Court Cannot Order an Accused to Surrender While Denying Anticipatory Bail |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:22 IST |
| Supreme Court "If the Court wants to reject the anticipatory bail, it may do so but the Court has no jurisdiction to say that the petitioner should now surrender" |
| TRUSTS AND SOCIETIES - Supreme Court: Service Inam Land Attached to a Mosque Constitutes Waqf Property and is Inalienable |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:12 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that "It is undisputed and settled that lands granted as service inam for religious or charitable purposes partake the character of endowed property and are impressed with a public or religious trust, thereby restricting their alienability." |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Relatives Cannot be Implicated in Bigamy Solely Based on Knowledge of a Second Marriage |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:03 IST |
| Supreme Court held that relatives cannot be held liable for bigamy merely for knowing about a second marriage, clarifying that liability arises only if they actively participated in, facilitated, or encouraged the solemnisation of the second marriage. |
| NARCOTICS - Supreme Court: Right to a Speedy Trial Cannot Override NDPS Act Bail Conditions |
| Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:34:50 IST |
| Supreme Court held that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 does not override strict bail conditions under the NDPS Act, setting aside Punjab and Haryana High Court orders granting bail to two accused in a commercial heroin case and directing them to surrender within a week. |
| CONSTITUTION - Madras HC: Woman's Dignity Linked to Right to Shelter; Orders Restoration of Demolished Home |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:49:35 IST |
| Madras High Court directed compensation and restoration of a woman's illegally demolished house, holding that her dignity is inseparably linked to the right to shelter, and noting Supreme Court rulings that Article 21's right to life includes the right to residence. |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay HC: Public Gathering Does Not Justify Handcuffing, Awarded ?50,000 Compensation |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:49:24 IST |
| Bombay High Court, citing the police motto "Sadrakshnaya Khalanighrahanaya," awarded ?50,000 compensation to an advocate and a retired military officer for being handcuffed, noting that such harassment by police undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system. |
| CIVIL - MP HC Directs ASI to Upload Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Survey Video on Secure Platform For Litigant |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:49:13 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India to upload videographic records of the site survey on a secure digital platform and grant access to the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society. |
| FAMILY - Allahabad HC Imposes Rs 15L Costs on Husband For Filing False Affidavits in Maintenance Proceedings |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:49:03 IST |
| Allahabad High Court imposed Rs 15 lakh costs on a husband who filed false affidavits in a Section 144 BNSS maintenance plea against his employed wife, noting he misrepresented himself as unemployed despite working as an advocate and had also compelled her to take loans for his benefit. |
| ARBITRATION - MP HC: HC Lacks Jurisdiction to Appoint an Arbitrator in International Commercial Disputes |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:48:53 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court held that it lacks jurisdiction to appoint an arbitrator in international commercial arbitration involving a foreign party, ruling that such power lies exclusively with the Chief Justice of India or his designate, not with any High Court. |
| BANKING - SC Orders Closure of School Over Loan Default, Directs Police-Assisted Takeover under SARFAESI Act |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:48:43 IST |
| Supreme Court ordered closure of a private school in Kolhapur from May 1, 2026, after repeated loan defaults and obstruction of SARFAESI proceedings, noting wilful disobedience of court orders and an extreme disregard for the rule of law. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: IBC Mechanism Cannot Replace Decree Execution or Recovery Proceedings |
| Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:48:33 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process cannot be used to execute a money decree, particularly against a solvent, operational company, while hearing an appeal by the corporate debtor challenging the NCLAT's decision admitting CIRP. |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay High Court: POSH Act Penalises False Complaints by Women But Not Those Who Instigate Them |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:49:12 IST |
| Bombay High Court at Goa held that under the POSH Act, 2013, punishment applies to a woman or complainant for filing a false and malicious complaint, but the Act does not provide for penal action against those who instigate her to lodge such a false complaint. |
| CONSTITUTION - J&K&L HC: Preventive Detention Invalid When Based on Speculative Fear of Election Disturbance |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:49:01 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that a preventive detention order based on speculative apprehension of disruption to Parliamentary elections, without any proximate or concrete material, lacks a live nexus and is therefore liable to be quashed. |
| CRIMINAL - Bom HC: Sprinkling Mustard Without Ill Intent Before a House is Not an Offence under Black Magic Act |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:48:50 IST |
| Bombay High Court at Aurangabad held that merely sprinkling white mustard outside someone's house does not amount to an offence under the Maharashtra Black Magic Act, 2013, unless it is shown to be done with an ill motive or intent to promote inhuman or superstitious practices. |
| CRIMINAL - Allahabad HC: Two Criminal Cases Insufficient to Label a Person as 'Goonda' and Harm Reputation |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:48:40 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that a person cannot be branded as a 'goonda' under the UP Control of Goondas Act, 1970 merely on the basis of one or two criminal cases, observing that such action by the State can cause serious and irreparable damage to the person's and their family's reputation. |
| CIVIL - SC: Civil Court Has No Jurisdiction in Boundary Dispute Between Maharashtra Panchayat & Municipality |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:48:29 IST |
| SC held that civil courts have no jurisdiction to decide disputes over determination of municipal limits, as such issues are governed by statute, upheld the Bombay High Court's ruling setting aside the District Court's decision in the dispute between a Municipal Corporation and a village panchayat. |
| TENANCY - SC Rules Government Grants Act Overrides Rent Law, Sets Aside Eviction Proceeding Against Union Govt |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:48:18 IST |
| Supreme Court held that premises held under the Government Grants Act, 1895 are governed solely by the grant's terms, not rent control laws, and set aside eviction proceedings against the Union of India initiated under the Delhi Rent Control Act. |
| CIVIL - SC: Plaint Cannot be Rejected For Valuation or Court Fee Defects Without Chance to Rectify |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:48:08 IST |
| Supreme Court said that "the rejection of a plaint under Order VII Rule 11(b) or (c) is not automatic upon a finding of undervaluation or deficit court fee; rather, it is conditional upon non-compliance with the opportunity so granted by the Court" |
| PROPERTY - Supreme Court: Probate Can be Revoked For Non-Impleadment of Parties and Suppression of Facts |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:47:58 IST |
| Supreme Court held that probate obtained without impleading necessary parties or disclosing material facts is liable to be revoked, as in a case where a woman secured probate without including her siblings or subsequent purchasers, leading to its cancellation on their application. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - Supreme Court: Prosthetic Limb Costs Must Be Compensated To Restore Victims' Dignity |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:47:48 IST |
| Supreme Court held that compensation for motor accident victims must include prosthetic limb and maintenance costs, noting such devices are essential to restore mobility, confidence, and dignity, and to place the injured person as far as possible in their pre-accident position. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Absence of Independent Witnesses is Not Fatal if Injured Eyewitness Testimony is Sterling |
| Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:47:36 IST |
| Supreme Court upheld a murder conviction, holding that failure to examine an independent witness is not fatal where the injured eyewitness's sole testimony is reliable, credible, and consistent, and sufficiently proves the prosecution's case. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L High Court: IO Not Bound By FIR; Can Modify Offences in Final Chargesheet U/S 173 CrPC |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:26:35 IST |
| J&K&L High Court held that an Investigating Officer has wide powers to collect evidence and modify or add legal provisions in the final charge-sheet, and that FIR sections are not final. The Court was hearing a plea under Section 482 CrPC challenging framing of charges under Sections 302/341 IPC. |
| CONTEMPT OF COURT - Delhi High Court: Judges Cannot Respond Publicly; Criticism Must Be Responsible and Evidence-Based |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:26:22 IST |
| Delhi High Court observed that criticism of judges must be responsible and supported by cogent evidence, noting that judges cannot defend themselves publicly, particularly on social media, and therefore any allegations or criticism must be well-founded as they have no means to respond publicly. |
| COMMERCIAL - Delhi HC: Fresh Tenders Allowed Despite Existing Contracts; Anticipatory Grievances Not Entertained |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:26:12 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that the State can initiate a fresh tender process despite subsisting contracts for a future period, and ruled that a contractor's apprehension of possible overlap with existing agreements is not a valid ground to entertain a writ petition. |
| CIVIL - Delhi High Court: Judges Would Have to Recuse if Children as Central Govt Counsel is Treated as Bias |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:26:01 IST |
| Delhi High Court observed that accepting a litigant's plea of bias based on judges' children being empanelled as government counsel could lead to widespread recusal of judges, while rejecting Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's application seeking the judge's recusal in the liquor policy case. |
| CONSTITUTION - SC: Prison Must Not Dilute Rights of Disabled Inmates; Oversight Given to High-Powered Panel |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:25:51 IST |
| Supreme Court referred issues concerning prisoners with disabilities to the High Powered Committee in the Suhas Chakma case, emphasizing the need for an effective, structured, and uniform mechanism to address concerns such as assistive devices and support systems for disabled inmates. |
| FAMILY - Supreme Court: Man Not Liable For Maintenance if DNA Test Proves He is Not the Child's Father |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:25:41 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a man cannot be ordered to pay maintenance if a DNA test proves he is not the biological father, even if the child was born during marriage, and upheld the Delhi High Court's decision dismissing the mother's appeal seeking maintenance for her daughter. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: SDO Lacks Authority to Change Land Classification under UP Zamindari Abolition Act |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:25:30 IST |
| Supreme Court held that under the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, a Sub-Divisional Officer lacks the power to alter land recorded as public utility land to facilitate the grant of bhumidhari rights. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: High Court Cannot Decide Appeal Pending Before Statutory Authority Due to Delay |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:25:21 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that High Courts cannot act as statutory appellate authorities merely due to delays, setting aside the Andhra Pradesh High Court's decision for directly deciding a mutation dispute instead of allowing the statutory appellate process to be completed. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: Foreign Judgment Unenforceable in India Without Fair Opportunity to Defend |
| Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:25:11 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a foreign judgment delivered through summary proceedings, without granting a meaningful opportunity to defend despite triable issues, cannot be enforced in India under Section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. |
| CRIMINAL - Chhattisgarh HC: Valid Caste Certificate Required To Prove SC/ST Act Offences; Oral Claim Not Enough |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:22:05 IST |
| Chhattisgarh High Court held that for offences under Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act, the prosecution must prove the victim's SC/ST status and the accused's non-SC/ST status, making a valid caste certificate essential for establishing the offence. |
| CRIMINAL - Punjab & Haryana HC: Grounds of Arrest Need Not Be Reissued For a Second Arrest in the Same FIR |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:54 IST |
| Punjab & Haryana High Court held that once grounds of arrest are furnished in an FIR, they need not be re-supplied on a subsequent arrest in the same case, as there is no legal requirement to repeat the exercise after initial compliance. |
| FAMILY - Delhi High Court: CARA Must Obtain Foreign Clearances Before Issuing NOC For Inter-Country Adoption |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:43 IST |
| Delhi High Court ruled that CARA must obtain required foreign clearances in inter-country adoption cases and cannot substitute its obligation by issuing a support letter instead of a No Objection Certificate (NOC), as compliance with procedure is mandatory. |
| SERVICE - Delhi High Court: Bank's Guard Post Involves Handling Arms, Strict Background Disclosure is Essential |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:32 IST |
| The court observed that "The post in question is that of a guard, which involves handling of arms, and therefore strict and truthful disclosure of antecedents is essential for assessing suitability." |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Higher Qualifications Cannot Replace the Required Minimum Experience Criteria |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:21 IST |
| Supreme Court held that essential qualifications cannot be relaxed merely due to higher degrees, rejecting a candidate's claim for a Computer Hardware Engineer post as she lacked the mandatory five years' experience despite topping the selection and holding an M.Tech degree. |
| SERVICE - SC Stressed Caution in Uniformed Service Appointments and Restored Dismissal of an Unfit Constable |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:11 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a medically unfit candidate cannot retain a police post due to administrative lapses or parity claims, reiterating that eligibility criteria are fundamental to public employment and go to the root of a valid appointment. |
| ARBITRATION - SC: Arbitral Awards May Be Challenged By Legal Representatives Only U/S 34, Not Via Article 227 |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:21:02 IST |
| Supreme Court stated that "In the considered view of this Court, the appropriate relief for a legal representative to challenge an arbitral award is under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act and not under Article 227 of the Constitution/Section 115 of the CPC,". |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Brief Service Breaks Do Not Bar Ad Hoc Employees From Regularisation |
| Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:20:52 IST |
| Supreme Court held that short breaks in ad hoc service do not break continuity for regularisation, and set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court's ruling that denied Finance Department employees regular status solely due to service gaps of 5 to 187 days. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K &L HC: Husband's Girlfriend Not 'Relative' Under Sec 498A IPC, Cannot Be Prosecuted for Cruelty |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:21:11 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that a woman in an extra-marital relationship with a husband does not fall within the definition of "relative" under Section 498A IPC (Ranbir Penal Code). Hence, she cannot be prosecuted for cruelty or harassment under the said provision. |
| CIVIL - J&K& Ladakh HC: Executing Court Cannot Issue Levy Warrants While S.47 CPC Challenge is Pending |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:58 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that an Executing Court cannot issue coercive measures like levy warrants while a Section 47 CPC challenge to executability is pending. It ruled that such objections must be decided first, especially those questioning jurisdiction, to preserve the remedy. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - Raj HC: HRA and Allowances Part of Deceased's Income for Motor Accident Compensation Calculation |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:49 IST |
| Rajasthan HC held that allowances such as HRA, city compensatory allowance, higher duties allowance, washing allowance, etc., form part of the deceased's income and cannot be deducted while calculating motor accident compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, enhancing compensation awarded. |
| SERVICE - Rajasthan HC: Govt Department Cannot Terminate Outsourced Employee, Only Recommend Action |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:39 IST |
| Rajasthan High Court held that a government department cannot directly terminate an employee engaged through an outsourcing agency and must instead recommend action to the agency concerned. It made this ruling in a case involving termination of a State Coordinator under an e-governance scheme. |
| CRIMINAL - Punjab & Haryana High Court: Arrest Memo Alone Not Final Proof of Arrest Time |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:29 IST |
| Punjab and Haryana High Court held that an arrest memo is not conclusive proof of the exact time of arrest. It clarified that the 24-hour custody limit under Section 57 CrPC or Section 58 BNSS begins from the actual moment of physical arrest, not from entries in the arrest memo. |
| ARBITRATION - Delhi HC: Non-Disclosure of Conflict By Andre Yeap Vitiates Arbitral Award in MSA Global Dispute |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:19 IST |
| Delhi High Court refused to enforce a foreign arbitral award, holding that arbitrator and Senior Counsel Andre Yeap's failure to disclose his prior professional engagement with one of the parties violated fundamental principles of justice, thereby vitiating the arbitral proceedings. |
| SERVICE - SC: Employees Appointed Without Advertisement or Interview Cannot be Regularised |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:20:08 IST |
| Supreme Court held that contractual or ad hoc employees appointed without public advertisement or interview cannot be regularised under a State policy. It struck down Haryana's 2014 notifications that sought to regularise certain employees completing or nearing 10 years of service. |
| ARBITRATION - Supreme Court: Clause Saying 'Can Be Settled By Arbitration' Does Not Mandate Arbitration |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:19:59 IST |
| Supreme Court held that an arbitration clause using the word "can" does not create a binding arbitration agreement. It dismissed an appeal against a Bombay High Court ruling, which found Clause 25 of a Bill of Lading invalid as it lacked mandatory intent to arbitrate disputes. |
| CIVIL - SC: Courts Must Frame Points For Determination and Give Reasoned Judgments in Ex Parte Cases |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:19:49 IST |
| Supreme Court held that even in ex parte civil suits, courts must identify and decide key points for determination. While framing issues is not mandatory, failure to do so may vitiate the trial if it causes prejudice to the parties. |
| ENVIRONMENT - Supreme Court Directs Preventive Detention to Curb Illegal Mining in Chambal Sanctuary |
| Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:19:38 IST |
| In a suo motu case on illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary, the Supreme Court issued strict directions to MP, Rajasthan and UP to act. It warned that failure may invite a mining ban, penalties, and deployment of central forces. |
| SERVICE - Bombay HC: Child Care Leave Protects Motherhood and Denial Violates Rights of Mother and Child |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:53:22 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that the Child Care Leave policy recognises a woman's role in family stability and child upbringing, and directed that the Government must ensure its proper implementation to fulfil its intended objectives. |
| FAMILY - Bom HC: Family Courts Cannot Casually Order a Spouse's Medical Examination to Assess Mental Health |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:53:09 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that while Family Courts may direct medical examination of a spouse to assess mental disorder, such orders cannot be passed casually without proper application of mind, and quashed an order referring a woman for psychiatric evaluation. |
| CIVIL - Delhi HC: Lokpal May Form Prima Facie Opinion Before Show Cause Notice Without Prior Hearing |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:52:55 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that the Lokpal of India must consider the preliminary inquiry report and form a prima facie opinion on the existence of a case before issuing a show-cause notice to the accused. |
| MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION - Madras HC: Dhurandhar 2 Release Cannot be Stalled Due to Objections From a Small Section |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:52:41 IST |
| Madras High Court refused to restrain screening of Dhurandhar: The Revenge during the election period, holding that a Censor Board-certified film cannot be stalled merely due to objections, and dismissed the plea to ban its exhibition in Tamil Nadu. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Has Issued an SOP Prescribing Strict Timelines For Filing Legal Aid Appeals |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:52:22 IST |
| Supreme Court issued an Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) setting binding timelines for translation, transmission, and filing of records in legal aid appeals, and directed creation of a unified digital platform for real-time monitoring of the process. |
| CIVIL - SC: Plaint Cannot Be Rejected Under Order VII Rule 11 CPC on the Ground of Order II Rule 2 Bar |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:52:00 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a plaint cannot be rejected under Order VII Rule 11 CPC on the basis of Order II Rule 2 bar, stating that only plaint averments must be examined at this stage and such issues require evidence. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Wife and Her Family Cannot Be Prosecuted For Dowry-Giving Based On Her Complaint |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:50:43 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a woman and her family cannot be proceeded against under the Dowry Prohibition Act for allegedly giving dowry, when such allegations arise solely from their complaint against the dowry takers. |
| ARBITRATION - SC Clarified the Distinction Between Arbitration "Seat" And "Venue" While Summarising Key Principles |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:49:14 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that conducting arbitral proceedings at a place other than the designated seat does not grant jurisdiction to courts at that venue. |
| DEFENCE - SC: Disciplinary Proceedings Cannot Follow if an Officer is Discharged on the Same Charge |
| Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:48:59 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that when defence forces choose to pursue criminal proceedings instead of disciplinary action, an acquittal in the criminal case bars any later initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the same personnel. |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - Del HC Imposes ?10L Fine on Parle Agro For Non-Disclosure of Sales Revenue in Pepsico Trademark Case |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:55 IST |
| Delhi High Court imposed ?10 lakh costs on Parle Agro for failing to comply with its earlier order to periodically disclose sales figures during the pending trademark dispute with PepsiCo, following PepsiCo's plea alleging violation of the 2023 directions on use of "For The Bold" tagline. |
| ARBITRATION - Delhi HC: Emergency Arbitrator Awards are Not Binding on Indian Courts in Interim Relief Proceedings |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:44 IST |
| The Delhi High Court reiterated that while considering interim relief applications, Indian courts are not bound by emergency arbitrator orders and must independently evaluate such requests in accordance with Indian law, ensuring judicial discretion is exercised. |
| SERVICE - Karnataka High Court Orders Strict Statewide Implementation of Menstrual Leave Policy |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:35 IST |
| Karnataka High Court directed the State to ensure implementation of its December 2025 menstrual leave policy across organised and unorganised sectors, which provides one paid leave per month to women aged 18-52 working in covered establishments under the policy. |
| CONSUMER - SC Upholds Penalty on Bank For Delay in Cheque Presentation under Consumer Protection Act |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:25 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a bank's failure to present a cheque within its validity period, without reasonable explanation, constitutes deficiency in service under the Consumer Protection Act, making the bank liable for consequences arising from such delay. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Hostile Witness Deposition Admissible to the Extent it is Found Credible and Reliable |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:16 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that "…every court considering the deposition of a hostile witness has to look at the extent of the deposition, which is creditworthy to provide proof, of the case set up." |
| DIRECT TAXATION - Supreme Court: Amalgamating Company Loss Cannot be Set Off Against Amalgamated Income |
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:06 IST |
| Supreme Court held that losses of an amalgamating company cannot be set off against the income of the amalgamated company unless a statute permits it, dismissing appeals challenging the Kerala High Court ruling. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - Kar HC Orders CBI Probe into 53-Acre Land Acquisition, Citing Alleged Monumental Fraud & Conspiracy |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:33:04 IST |
| Karnataka High Court termed the acquisition of 53 acres of land near Bengaluru's Hebbal flyover in favour of a non-existent private entity as a "monumental fraud" and ordered a CBI probe into irregularities in the transaction conducted over two decades ago. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Bank Officials Not Entitled to Section 197 CrPC Protection Despite Public Servant Status |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:54 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that bank officials, though "public servants" under Section 21 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), cannot claim Section 197 CrPC protection as they are not removable only with government sanction, and thus cannot use it as a shield against prosecution. |
| LAW OF EVIDENCE - Delhi High Court: No Adverse Inference if Handwriting Sample Refused Without Section 73 Disclosure |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:45 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that no adverse inference can be drawn against a party for refusing to give a handwriting sample if the court has not clearly disclosed that the sample is sought for comparison under Section 73 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Magistrate's Probe Order Can't be Quashed on Accused's Defence |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:35 IST |
| Supreme Court of India held that High Courts cannot quash a Magistrate-ordered probe if a complaint prima facie shows a cognizable offence, and must assess only the complaint's material without considering the accused's defence at that stage. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Suspends PC Act Sentence of Former Minister Anosh Ekka, Flags Overlapping CBI Cases |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:24 IST |
| Supreme Court granted bail to former Jharkhand Minister Anosh Ekka in a disproportionate assets case during his appeal, noting concerns over dual CBI prosecutions based on the same set of allegations. |
| FAMILY - Supreme Court: Spouse Cannot Withdraw Consent for Mutual Divorce After Settlement Agreement |
| Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:32:15 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that although a spouse has the legal right to withdraw consent for a mutual divorce, such withdrawal is not permissible when both parties had previously agreed to dissolve the marriage as part of a full and final settlement of all disputes. |
| CRIMINAL - MP HC Grants Bail to Two Muslim Men Arrested over Instagram Reel Allegedly Supporting Iran |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:33:42 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to Wasim Khan and Yousuf Mehafooz, arrested last month over an Instagram reel expressing support for Iran amid the West Asia conflict, on a complaint by Brajesh Chavariya, booked under Section 196(1)(a) BNS for allegedly promoting enmity between groups. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC Directs Strict Compliance With SC Orders For Release of Undertrials After 1/3rd Sentence |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:33:33 IST |
| Delhi High Court directed strict compliance with Supreme Court guidelines mandating the release of undertrial prisoners who have completed one-third or one-half of their maximum sentence. |
| COMMERCIAL - Patna HC: Tender Lapses if Not Extended on Time & Delay Cannot be Cured by Repeated Representations |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:33:23 IST |
| Patna High Court held that repeated representations cannot cure delay or extend limitation, and once a tender period lapses without timely extension, the contract automatically stands terminated, enabling the State to float a fresh tender in public interest. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court Grants Promotion Relief to Employee Denied Relaxation, Calling it Discrimination |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:33:12 IST |
| SC set aside a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that denied promotion to a cooperative society employee, holding that refusal to grant relaxation in educational qualification, when similarly placed employees were given it, was discriminatory and violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. |
| CIVIL - SC Disposes Plea on Allied Health Course Moratorium After NCAHP Issues 2026-27 Guideline |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:33:02 IST |
| Supreme Court disposed of SLPs challenging a moratorium on granting permission to start additional allied and healthcare courses, after noting the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) new framework to facilitate approvals for the 2026-27 academic year. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Grants Probation to Convicts; Rules Fine-Only Cases Also Eligible |
| Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:32:53 IST |
| Supreme Court held that benefit under the Probation of Offenders Act applies even where only fine is imposed. It granted probation to three convicts and admonition to one, stressing reform over punishment and ruling such relief removes service disqualification. |
| SERVICE - Calcutta High Court: Brother Not Entitled to Family Pension When Eligible Mother Had Not Claimed it |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:06:42 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that the brother of a deceased government teacher is not covered as "family" under Clause 5(s)(2) of the Pension Scheme, 1981, and cannot claim family pension arrears, particularly when the eligible mother, the primary beneficiary, never availed the benefit. |
| SERVICE - Punjab & Haryana HC: Denial of Inter-Utility Transfers Without Policy Nexus Violates Article 14 |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:06:31 IST |
| Punjab & Haryana High Court held that denying inter-utility transfers only to lower-ranking officials without any rational nexus to the policy objective is arbitrary and violates Article 14, as such classification between employees lacks justification and serves no stated purpose. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - J&K&L HC: Non-Publication of Sec 4(1) Notice in Gazette and Local Newspapers Vitiates Acquisition |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:06:21 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that failure to publish a Section 4(1) land acquisition notification in the Government Gazette and in locally circulated newspapers vitiates the acquisition proceedings, as it deprives affected persons of proper notice. |
| CRIMINAL - Allahabad High Court: Gram Nyayalaya Has Jurisdiction to Decide Maintenance and Execution Petitions |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:06:11 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that Gram Nyayalayas have jurisdiction to hear and decide maintenance applications and cases under Sections 125 to 128 CrPC and the corresponding Sections 144 to 147 of the BNSS. |
| SERVICE - Delhi HC: Loss of Confidence in Employees Entrusted With Funds is Valid Ground For Termination |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:06:02 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that the doctrine of "loss of confidence" is especially important for employees handling financial duties, and once trust is shaken due to proven misconduct, the employer cannot be forced to continue the employment relationship. |
| CRIMINAL - Bombay HC: Staring at Co-Worker's Chest is Morally Wrong But Does Not Amount to Voyeurism under IPC |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:52 IST |
| The court said that "Unwanted staring, even if accepted as true, is not the same thing as voyeurism within the meaning of Section 354C. The statute cannot be stretched beyond its plain words,". |
| CRIMINAL - Chhattisgarh High Court: Minor's Voluntary Elopement With a Lover Does Not Constitute Kidnapping |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:42 IST |
| Chhattisgarh High Court held that a person cannot be convicted for kidnapping where a minor girl voluntarily elopes, and acquitted a man sentenced under the POCSO Act, finding no evidence that he induced or persuaded the 15-year-old to leave her home. |
| CONSTITUTION - Supreme Court Clarifies that the Right to Vote is Not a Fundamental Right But a Statutory Right |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:31 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that "It is well settled that neither the right to vote nor the right to contest an election is a fundamental right… these rights are purely statutory in nature and exist only to the extent conferred by statute,". |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: NCLT Should Not Assess Merits of Pre-Existing Dispute in Section 9 Applications |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:22 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that under the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, the adjudicating authority cannot go into the merits of a dispute while deciding a Section 9 CIRP application by an operational creditor, and if a plausible pre-existing dispute exists, the application is not maintainable. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Lower Dearness Relief For Pensioners than Employees' DA is Arbitrary under Article 14 |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:11 IST |
| Supreme Court held that granting higher dearness allowance to employees than dearness relief to pensioners is arbitrary and violates Article 14, as both aim to offset inflation and must be treated equally. |
| TENANCY - Supreme Court: Partnership Veil May be Lifted to Detect Illegal Sub-Letting Arrangements |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:05:02 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a partnership cannot be used to conceal unlawful transfer of possession, and courts may lift the partnership veil to determine if it is merely a cover for unauthorised sub-letting. |
| ARBITRATION - SC: General Reference to a Tender's Arbitration Clause Does Not Incorporate it into a Contract |
| Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:04:53 IST |
| Supreme Court has reiterated that a general reference in a Letter of Intent to an arbitration clause in a tender document does not constitute a valid arbitration agreement for seeking the appointment of an arbitrator. |
| RIGHT TO INFORMATION - Delhi HC: Policy Number is Not Mandatory For LIC Details under RTI, But Basic Details are Required |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:34:00 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that while Life Insurance Corporation policy details can be sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act without providing a policy number, the applicant must furnish basic identifying particulars to enable the authority to trace and retrieve the requested information. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - J&K&L HC: Acquisition Lapses if 80% Compensation is Unpaid Before Possession under Section 17A |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:49 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that when the State invokes urgency under Section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1990 but fails to pay 80% compensation as required under Section 17-A before taking possession, the acquisition lapses by operation of Section 11-B of the Act. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi High Court: Marriage With the Victim Cannot Absolve an Accused of Rape under POCSO |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:41 IST |
| Delhi High Court observed that a rape accused cannot be absolved of repeated rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) by marrying the minor victim, and denied bail to the accused who married the victim after she filed a criminal case. |
| CIVIL - Chhattisgarh High Court: Innocent Litigants Should Not be Penalized For Lapses by Their Lawyers |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:32 IST |
| Chhattisgarh High Court held that litigants should not suffer due to their lawyer's negligence, observing this in a land dispute case where parties could not contest proceedings as their counsel failed to properly inform them about the trial court hearings. |
| INSOLVENCY - SC Clarifies Whether a Co-Operative Society Can Act as a Resolution Applicant under the IBC |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:23 IST |
| SC held that there is no blanket prohibition under Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 on co-operative societies acting as resolution applicants under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, but their participation in CIRP is subject to compliance with applicable statutory investment restrictions. |
| CIVIL - SC: Title Suit Hit by Constructive Res Judicata if Omitted in Prior Injunction Suit Disputing Title |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:14 IST |
| Supreme Court clarified that a subsequent suit for declaration of title is barred under Explanation IV to Section 11 CPC (constructive res judicata) if the claim was not raised in an earlier injunction suit where title was in dispute, as it ought to have been raised then. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Courts Cannot Replace an Authority's Discretion, and Sets Aside Direction to Governor |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:33:05 IST |
| Supreme Court held that granting an extraordinary pension under the Uttar Pradesh Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1981, falls within the Governor's discretion and cannot be mandated by courts. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: Stranger Affected by an Interim Order is Entitled to be Impleaded in Writ Proceedings |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:32:56 IST |
| Supreme Court has observed that even a non-party to original writ proceedings cannot be denied impleadment if an order passed therein directly affects their rights or interests, affirming that such a person is entitled to be heard in the matter. |
| SERVICE - SC: 'Abandonment of Service is Not Voluntary Retirement', Denying SBI Clerk Pension Benefits |
| Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:32:46 IST |
| Supreme Court has held that an employee who abandons service shortly before retirement cannot later claim pensionary benefits by treating such absence as voluntary retirement, clarifying that abandonment does not qualify for retirement benefits under service rules. |
| SERVICE - Gauhati HC: Challenge to Marks Barred by Constructive Res Judicata When Party Accepts Limited Remand |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:07:36 IST |
| Gauhati High Court held that if a party previously raised a challenge to marks in recruitment but accepted a remand on a limited issue, any subsequent challenge to those marks is barred by constructive res judicata, preventing re-litigation of the settled matter. |
| EDUCATION - Karnataka HC: Service Bonds Enforceable on Students With Subsidised Education, Not Bonded Labour |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:07:26 IST |
| Karnataka High Court ruled that service bonds for medical students availing subsidised education are enforceable and do not amount to "bonded labour." It allowed ESIC's appeal for mandatory service, overturning a 2020 order that had removed compulsory bonds for students. |
| LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL - Raj HC: Industrial Tribunal Allowing Workman Legal Representation But Denying Employer is Unequal |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:07:17 IST |
| Rajasthan High Court held that allowing a workman legal representation while denying it to the employer in an Industrial Disputes Tribunal creates "manifest inequality" and violates natural justice, stressing that both parties must have equal opportunity for legal representation. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Board Resolution Signature Alone Doesn't Prove Director's Knowledge of Company Affairs |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:07:08 IST |
| Supreme Court held that merely signing a board resolution does not prove a director managed day-to-day company affairs and cannot alone justify prosecution under Section 138 NI Act. It quashed proceedings against a director, noting no evidence of her active role in the company's business. |
| FAMILY - SC Dissolves 10-Year Estranged Marriage, Quashes 80+ Cases in 'Matrimonial Mahabharata' Dispute |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:58 IST |
| Supreme Court dissolved a 10-year estranged marriage, ending the "matrimonial battle of Mahabharata" as the couple had filed over 80 cases against each other, relatives, and lawyers. The court criticized the husband, a lawyer, for deliberately prolonging litigation and harassing the wife's counsel. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Fines Also Run Concurrently When Sentences For Multiple Offences Run Concurrently |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:49 IST |
| Supreme Court held that when sentences for multiple offences run concurrently, fines cannot be imposed separately for each. Any fine imposed as part of punishment for multiple offences must also run concurrently with the prison sentences, not individually. |
| LAW OF EVIDENCE - SC: Weapon Recovery Useless Without Proof Linking it to Crime under Section 27 Evidence Act |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:40 IST |
| Supreme Court set aside a murder conviction, citing flaws in recovery evidence under Section 27, including inconsistencies, hostile witnesses, and no forensic link. It held that mere recovery based on disclosure is insufficient unless proved reliable and legally sound. |
| SERVICE - SC: Gratuity May be Withheld While Criminal or Disciplinary Proceedings are Pending Against Employee |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:30 IST |
| Supreme Court held that employers may withhold gratuity if criminal or disciplinary proceedings are pending against an employee. It dismissed a plea by a former Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation clerk whose gratuity was withheld due to ongoing criminal proceedings. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Courts Must Curb Unlicensed Money Lenders; Probes Need Not Wait For New Law |
| Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:06:20 IST |
| Supreme Court clarified that closing suo motu proceedings on unauthorised money lending does not mean laws are absent or enforcement must await new legislation. It affirmed that existing State laws and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita can be used against unlicensed lenders. |
| FAMILY - Cal HC Upholds Divorce, Rules False Cases by Wife And 17-Year Separation Constitute Mental Cruelty |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:39:16 IST |
| Calcutta High Court upheld a husband's divorce, dismissing the wife's appeal, citing her false cases, prolonged 17-year separation, and cruelty, affirming the Trial Court's finding of irretrievable breakdown after reviewing evidence and her conduct. |
| CRIMINAL - Gauhati HC: Adult Son Pursuing Studies is Not Entitled to Maintenance under Section 125 CrPC |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:39:06 IST |
| Gauhati High Court held that a son who has reached majority is not entitled to maintenance under Section 125 CrPC solely for pursuing studies, as the law grants maintenance only until majority, except in cases covered under clause (c). |
| CIVIL - Delhi HC: FSSAI Has No Authority to Regulate Animal Feed |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:56 IST |
| Delhi High Court struck down Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's ban on meat and bone meal in feed for milk- and meat-producing animals, ruling that FSSAI lacks authority to set standards for animal food. |
| SERVICE - SC: PwD Post in Unreserved Category Can be Filled by SC/ST/OBC Candidates With Disabilities |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:46 IST |
| Supreme Court held that where horizontal reservation applies to an unreserved seat, all candidates with that attribute can compete, regardless of whether they belong to SC, ST, OBC, or the general category. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court Faults UCO Bank For Attempt to Stall Employee's VRS Through Show Cause Notice |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:35 IST |
| Supreme Court held that an employer cannot block an employee's voluntary retirement by merely issuing a show-cause notice; it must initiate disciplinary proceedings and refuse permission within the prescribed notice period. |
| BANKING - SC: Personal Hearing Not Required Before Banks Declare Account 'Fraud' |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:26 IST |
| Supreme Court held borrowers have no right to a personal hearing before banks classify accounts as fraud under RBI norms, but must be given the full forensic audit report to enable an effective response. |
| BANKING - SC: Cheque Dishonour Complaint Can't be Quashed Pre-Trial if Sec 138 NI Act Conditions Met |
| Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:38:14 IST |
| Supreme Court held that once Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 ingredients are met, a cheque dishonour case cannot be quashed at the pre-trial stage; whether the cheque was issued for a legally enforceable debt is a matter for trial and cannot be decided earlier. |
| ELECTION - Meghalaya HC: Petitioner Must Personally Present Election Petitions Before the HC |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:13:46 IST |
| Meghalaya HC held that u/s 81(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an election petition must be personally presented by the petitioner to the HC's authorized officer, ruling that non-compliance is a fatal defect affecting maintainability and can lead to dismissal under Section 86(1). |
| SERVICE - MP HC: Only Parents' Income Matters For Creamy Layer; Self or Non-Class-I Spouse Income Irrelevant |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:13:36 IST |
| The court observed that "while determining the status of creamy layer of a candidate, the income of his parents alone is required to be seen. The income of his husband (who is not Class-I Officer) and/or his own income is not relevant for the said purpose". |
| LAW OF EVIDENCE - J&K&L HC: Historical Books Cannot Establish Private Property Titles under Section 57 Evidence Act |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:13:26 IST |
| Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that while Section 57 of the Evidence Act allows reference to books on public history, historical works cannot establish private property titles, as ownership questions are private or local, not matters of public history. |
| DEFENCE - Allahabad HC: Challenges to Tribunal Orders Must be Filed in the HC With Territorial Jurisdiction |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:13:17 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that it lacks territorial jurisdiction to hear writ petitions challenging orders of the Principal Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal in New Delhi, emphasizing that such challenges must be filed before the High Court with proper territorial authority. |
| CIVIL - Delhi HC: Promises by CM at Press Conferences are Not Legally Enforceable Without Policy Support |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:13:08 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a Chief Minister's promise made during a press conference is not legally enforceable without formal policy or statutory backing and cannot be enforced through a writ of mandamus in the absence of any legal liability. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Criminal Proceedings Can be Quashed if Reliable Evidence Disproves Allegations |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:58 IST |
| Supreme Court held that if credible, unimpeachable material undermines the complaint and the prosecution fails to rebut it, the Court is justified in exercising its power to quash the criminal proceedings. |
| TRUSTS AND SOCIETIES - Supreme Court: Sajjadanashin of a Dargah and Mutawalli of a Waqf are Distinct Roles |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:49 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that a Sajjadanashin of a dargah and a Mutawalli of a waqf hold distinct roles, clarifying that the Sajjadanashin performs primarily spiritual functions, whereas the Mutawalli is responsible for secular administration and management of waqf property. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Quashes Medical Negligence Case, Says Surgeon Best Placed To Choose Procedure |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:40 IST |
| Supreme Court quashed criminal proceedings against a paediatric surgeon who performed an orchidectomy on a 1.5-year-old, holding that the surgeon's judgment prevails and that allegations of lack of parental consent did not justify a medical negligence case. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court Upholds Lease Cancellation, Denies Relief for Failure to Develop Allotted Land |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:30 IST |
| Supreme Court upheld forfeiture of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.'s lease, holding that its failure to construct or develop the allotted industrial plot within the stipulated time disentitled it from claiming any equitable relief. |
| CONSTITUTION - Supreme Court: Even a Single Tainted Public Work Award Violates Article 14 |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:21 IST |
| Court held that awarding public contracts must comply with Article 14, requiring fairness, transparency, and non-arbitrariness; it stressed competitive tendering as a safeguard and ruled that even a small share of tainted awards involving conflict of interest cannot be justified. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Calling Someone 'Bastard' In Heated Exchange Isn't Obscenity under IPC Section 294 |
| Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:12:12 IST |
| Supreme Court held that merely using abusive words like "bastard" in a heated argument does not constitute obscenity under Section 294 IPC, clarifying that the offence requires a sexual or prurient element, and mere verbal abuse is insufficient. |
| ELECTION - SC Expresses Disappointment as WB Chief Secretary was Unreachable During Judges' Gherao |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:44:11 IST |
| Supreme Court strongly criticized West Bengal's administrative response, saying it was extremely disappointed that the Chief Secretary was unreachable to the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice during the judges' gherao, noting he had not shared a WhatsApp-enabled mobile number. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: Pay Commission Benefits Cannot Be Denied By Imposing Extra Conditions |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:44:01 IST |
| Supreme Court held that Central Pay Commission recommendations cannot be interpreted in a way that denies employees benefits by imposing additional conditions not originally prescribed. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Dowry Harassment and Domestic Abuse Persist, Showing Patriarchy Still Prevails |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:52 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that crimes against women remain widespread despite decades of reforms, schemes and judicial efforts, noting that continued domestic violence and gender-based crimes reflect a deeply entrenched patriarchal social order. |
| NARCOTICS - SC Grants Bail to Doctors as Were Not Provided in Writing, Citing 'Mihir Shah' Verdict |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:41 IST |
| Supreme Court recently granted bail to two doctors in a narcotics case, noting that they had not been provided the grounds of their arrest in writing before being produced before the Magistrate, a requirement emphasized in the 'Mihir Shah' verdict. |
| SERVICE - SC: Candidate Missing Physical Test Gets No Second Chance; Compassion Has No Place in Public Jobs |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:31 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a candidate who missed a scheduled physical test in police recruitment cannot demand rescheduling just because his requests for postponement were unanswered, stressing that compassion and discretion are limited in public employment matters. |
| SERVICE - Tripura HC: Divorced Daughter Cannot Claim Family Pension if Divorce Happens After Parent's Death |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:21 IST |
| Tripura High Court ruled that a daughter divorced after her pensioner father's death is not entitled to family pension, stating that eligibility must exist at the time of the pensioner's death under Rule 8 of the Tripura State Civil Services (Revised Pension) Rules, 2017. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Mere Abuse or Mentioning Caste Name Does Not Constitute an Offence under SC/ST Act |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:10 IST |
| J&K & Ladakh High Court held that under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, merely abusing someone or mentioning their caste does not constitute an offence; the abuse must be caste-based and made in public for the law to apply. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC: POCSO Charges Stay Even If Minors Remain Unidentified In Child Sexual Exploitation Cases |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:43:00 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that accused cannot be discharged under the POCSO Act merely because child victims in CSEM cases are unidentified or their ages unproven, noting that in most cases children remain untraceable, making age verification through documents or tests practically impossible. |
| LIMITATION - Delhi HC: Lawyer's Inability to Understand Lower Court Order Cannot Justify Delay in Filing Appeal |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:42:50 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a lawyer or litigant cannot justify delay in filing an appeal by claiming inability to understand a court order, rejecting such a plea by a practicing advocate who challenged a Sessions Court order after over a year, terming the explanation unsatisfactory. |
| CRIMINAL - Karnataka HC: Caste Slurs at Factory Dispatch Area Accessible to Workers Amount to Public View |
| Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:42:39 IST |
| Karnataka High Court held that a factory dispatch door, though not a public place, can qualify as "public view" under Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, since it is accessible to workers within the premises. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L High Court: Second FIR Valid if it Reveals a Broader Conspiracy; 'Test of Sameness' is Key |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:41:02 IST |
| J&K and Ladakh High Court held that a second FIR is valid if it involves a distinct, wider conspiracy, even if linked to an earlier case, emphasizing the "test of sameness," while hearing petitions challenging trial court charges based on claims of impermissibility of the second FIR. |
| CIVIL - Kerala High Court: Entrepreneurs Must Be Protected From Baseless Protests to Boost Industrial Growth |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:52 IST |
| Ahead of Assembly elections, the Kerala High Court urged parties to assure that entrepreneurs with all legal clearances cannot have their businesses shut or licenses denied due to baseless public protests, emphasizing protection of industrial growth in the State. |
| CONSTITUTION - Madras HC: Governor Must Follow Cabinet's Advice on Remission Decisions, Regardless of Personal View |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:42 IST |
| Madras High Court held that under Article 161, the Governor must follow the State Cabinet's advice on remission and early release of prisoners and cannot independently reject such recommendations. |
| SERVICE - SC: Senior Employee Cannot Claim Same Lesser Penalty As Subordinate; Bank Manager's Dismissal Upheld |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:30 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a senior officer cannot claim the same lesser punishment as lower-ranking employees and upheld the dismissal of a Punjab & Sind Bank manager who, with a subordinate and a gunman, misappropriated customer funds for personal gain. |
| CRIMINAL - Grand Venice Fraud Case: Supreme Court Cancels Bail of Satinder Singh Bhasin |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:21 IST |
| Supreme Court cancelled businessman Satinder Singh Bhasin's bail in the Grand Venice fraud case in Greater Noida, ordering him to surrender within a week, noting he failed to comply with the bail condition to settle the dispute with aggrieved investors. |
| CONTRACT - SC: Blacklisting After Contract Termination is Not Automatic and Needs Independent Review |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:11 IST |
| Supreme Court held that contract termination does not justify blacklisting without a show cause notice and due application of mind, and set aside the Jharkhand High Court order upholding such action over alleged construction defects. |
| FEMA - Supreme Court: Non-Confirmation of Seizure under Section 37A Impacts Adjudication Proceedings |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:40:02 IST |
| Supreme Court held that if seizure under Section 37A of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 is not confirmed, it affects later adjudication, and authorities cannot act in a way that undermines or prejudges a pending statutory appeal. |
| BANKING - Supreme Court: Borrowers Retain Redemption Rights if Balance is Paid After Auction Deadline |
| Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:39:52 IST |
| Under the SARFAESI Act, 2002, the Supreme Court held that if an auction buyer fails to pay the balance on time, the sale is incomplete and not final; thus, the borrower retains the property upon full repayment of the outstanding debt to the creditor. |
| LABOUR AND INDUSTRIAL - Calcutta HC: Employers May Deduct Penal Rent From Gratuity of Employees Refusing to Vacate Quarters |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:34:45 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that employers can deduct penal rent and other dues from the gratuity of retired employees unlawfully occupying company quarters, noting that allowing such conduct would encourage illegal retention and deprive serving employees of essential housing. |
| NARCOTICS - Kerala HC: Repeated Possession of Even Small Quantities of Narcotic Drugs Can Invoke KAAPA |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:34:35 IST |
| Kerala High Court Full Bench ruled that repeated possession of even small quantities of narcotic drugs can classify a person as a "drug offender" or "goonda" under KAAPA, emphasizing the need for a zero-tolerance approach toward drug abuse in society. |
| SERVICE - Patna HC: Blanket Approach of Denying Public Employment to Individuals Named in an FIR is Unfair |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:34:24 IST |
| Patna High Court held that the sealed cover procedure cannot be used solely due to a pending FIR, emphasizing that denying appointment based on untested allegations violates constitutional principles of equality and fairness under Articles 14 and 16. |
| LIMITATION - MP HC: Financial Hardship or Mere Allegations of Lawyer's Negligence Cannot Excuse Delayed Appeal |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:34:15 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed a driver's plea to condone 581-day delay in filing his Motor Vehicles Act appeal, holding that mere financial difficulty and unsupported claims of prior counsel's negligence do not justify delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. |
| SERVICE - Delhi HC: MHA Has Authority to Initiate Disciplinary Proceedings Against AGMUT IAS Officers |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:34:05 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that the Ministry of Home Affairs, as delegatee of the Joint Cadre Authority, is legally competent to initiate disciplinary proceedings and impose penalties on IAS officers of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) cadre. |
| SERVICE - SC: Documents Not Admitted by an Employee in an Enquiry Must be Proved Through Witnesses |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:33:55 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that if an employee denies the charges, dismissal cannot be based on unproven documents, and employers must prove such evidence through witnesses to allow the employee an opportunity for cross-examination. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Later Sanction Requirement Won't Invalidate Cognizance Taken When No Prior Bar Existed |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:33:45 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that a later extension of sanction protection under Section 197 CrPC cannot be used to invalidate proceedings initiated at a time when no such requirement or legal bar existed. |
| ARBITRATION - SC: Order 23 Rule 1 CPC Applies to S. 11 Arbitration Act, Barring Fresh Arbiration After Abandonment |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:33:35 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that "A litigant cannot be permitted to abuse the process of Court to file a fresh proceeding again on the same cause of action. The bar contained in Order 23 Rule 1 of the Code which applies to proceeding under Section 11 of the Act is founded on Public Policy." |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court: Expecting a Minor to Respond to a Public Court Notice is 'Perverse' |
| Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:33:23 IST |
| Supreme Court held that expecting a minor to respond to a public notice is 'wholly erroneous and perverse', cancelled an ex-parte succession certificate issued without notifying a minor heir, and ruled that minors must be properly represented in proceedings affecting their rights. |
| COMMERCIAL - Delhi HC Upholds Bidder Disqualification in Sri Lanka Consular Services Tender For Lack of Experience |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:51 IST |
| Delhi High Court upheld a bidder's disqualification from the Sri Lanka CPV services tender, ruling the bidder failed to demonstrate the required independent contractual experience as specified in the tender conditions for outsourcing consular, passport, and visa services. |
| DIRECT TAXATION - Delhi High Court Grants Huawei Partial Relief in Ongoing Income Tax Proceedings |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:41 IST |
| The case stemmed from a 2022 IT Department search, after which tax authorities sought to reopen Huawei's 2013-14 and 2015-16 assessments and ordered special audits, alleging income escapement in receivables for 2013 and as an "asset" for 2015-16 under Section 142(2A) of the Income Tax Act. |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - Delhi HC Imposes ?5 Lakh Fine on Rakshit Shetty For Unauthorised Song Use in Bachelor Party Film |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:32 IST |
| Delhi High Court ordered Paramvah Studios, led by Rakshit Shetty, to pay ?25 lakh for unauthorised use of two songs in Bachelor Party, holding the studio liable for copyright infringement despite claims of minimal usage. |
| CONSTITUTION - J&K High Court Grants Relief to Lawyers Accused of Assault at Srinagar District Court Premises |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:21 IST |
| High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh granted interim protection to advocates fearing preventive detention under the Public Safety Act over a recent altercation inside the court complex in Srinagar. |
| SERVICE - Delhi High Court: Writ Petition Not Maintainable Before Final Order in Court Martial Proceedings |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:12 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a writ petition challenging disciplinary or court martial proceedings cannot be maintained until a final order has been passed in the case. |
| CIVIL - Delhi High Court: Driving Licence Not Fake Solely For Not Being Converted Into a Smart Card |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:03:03 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a booklet-format driving licence cannot be deemed fake for not being a smart card, and dismissed an insurer's appeal against a decree granted in favour of the insured. |
| CIVIL - Calcutta High Court: ECI Not Singling Out Bengal, More Transfers in Other Poll-Bound States |
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:02:53 IST |
| Calcutta High Court dismissed a PIL against ECI's mass transfer of IAS and IPS officers after the March 15 poll announcement, noting the plea was flawed as it did not dispute ECI's power to transfer officials to ensure free and fair elections. |
| HUMAN RIGHTS - Rajasthan HC: Transgender Bill May Make Gender Identity Rights Dependent on State Approval |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:17:06 IST |
| Rajasthan High Court observed that the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, recently passed by Parliament, risks converting an inviolable aspect of personhood into a State-mediated entitlement for transgender persons. |
| SERVICE - Kerala HC Rejects Plea Against Appointment of VS Achuthanandan's Son as IHRD Director-In-Charge |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:16:56 IST |
| Kerala High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the appointment of Dr. V.A. Arun Kumar, son of late former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, as Director-in-Charge of the Institute of Human Resources Development. |
| CRIMINAL - Chhattisgarh HC Refuses Bail to Aide of Former Congress Treasurer in ?540 Crore Coal Levy Case |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:16:45 IST |
| The court said that "Considering the FIR and other material placed on record which prima facie shows involvement of the applicant in the crime in question, I am of the view that it is not a fit case where the applicant should be granted regular bail,". |
| ELECTION - Kerala High Court: SHO Cannot Order Surrender of Firearms over Phone Calls Before Elections |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:16:35 IST |
| Kerala High Court has ruled that an SHO cannot mandate the surrender of licensed firearms via phone calls ahead of Assembly elections, emphasizing that each case must follow proper procedures and individual assessment before requiring firearm surrender. |
| CIVIL - Delhi High Court Directs Removal of Unauthorised Vendors, Declares Nehru Place a No-Vending Zone |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:16:25 IST |
| Delhi High Court recently reaffirmed that Nehru Place District Commercial Complex is a no-vending and no-hawking zone, directing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to take immediate action to remove unauthorised vendors operating in the area. |
| EDUCATION - Kerala High Court Sets Aside Order Transferring School Playground, Citing Inadequate Consideration |
| Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:16:15 IST |
| Kerala High Court has quashed a government order proposing to transfer a large portion of a Ramavarmapuram UP school playground for a music college, citing lack of proper consideration, with court questioning the legal sustainability of the State's decision. |
| CIVIL - SC: Dismissal For Default Isn't Res Judicata, But Relief May Be Denied For Prior Abandonment |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:12:20 IST |
| Supreme Court held that dismissal of a suit for default is not res judicata as there is no decision on merits, but a litigant who repeatedly lets proceedings be dismissed may still be denied relief on equitable grounds for abusing the court's process. |
| ELECTRICITY - Supreme Court: Regulatory Commission May Consider Government Grants in Tariff Determination |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:12:10 IST |
| Supreme Court held that while tariff setting is the exclusive domain of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, it must consider government incentives and subsidies, but cannot deduct them mechanically from tariffs in a way that undermines the purpose of such schemes. |
| LAND ACQUISITION - Supreme Court: Person Accepting a Section 28A Award May Seek Enhancement Via Appeals |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:12:01 IST |
| Supreme Court held that a second application under Section 28A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 is maintainable to seek higher compensation based on later High Court enhancements, and that accepting earlier compensation does not bar a landowner from claiming such re-determination. |
| SERVICE - Bombay High Court: Disabled Employee Shifted Cadre Can't Claim Past Service Seniority |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:51 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that a disabled employee shifted to a new cadre under Section 47 of the Disabilities Act cannot claim seniority based on past service, as the law protects pay and continuity but does not allow disturbance of existing seniority in the new cadre. |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - Madras HC: 'Geetham' Restaurants Did Not Infringe 'Sangeetha' Trademark But Liable For Passing Off |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:42 IST |
| Madras High Court held that "Geetham" restaurants did not infringe the trademark of "Sangeetha," but were liable for passing off for a limited period due to deceptive trade dress and conduct that could mislead customers. |
| PROPERTY - Delhi High Court: Earlier Buyer Can Seek Cancellation of a Later Sale; Prior Rights Prevail |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:32 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a buyer under an earlier transaction can seek cancellation of a later sale of the same property, as subsequent transactions cannot override the rights of the prior buyer. |
| FAMILY - Allahabad High Court: Muslims Can Use Guardians and Wards Act Provisions to Seek Minor's Custody |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:23 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that Muslims can seek custody of a minor under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, with personal law guiding the court, but the child's welfare remains the paramount consideration. |
| TENANCY - Delhi HC: Tenant Liable For Possession Through Family; Non-Residence Claim Doesn't Excuse Liability |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:13 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a tenant remains legally liable even if not personally residing, as occupation by family members constitutes the tenant's juridical possession of the rented premises. |
| CRIMINAL - Orissa HC: SC's Mihir Rajesh Shah Directive on Written Arrest Grounds Applies Prospectively |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:11:03 IST |
| Orissa High Court held that the Supreme Court's Mihir Rajesh Shah directive mandating written grounds of arrest applies prospectively, and non-compliance before the judgment date does not automatically render an arrest illegal. |
| SERVICE - MP High Court: Ex-Gratia Payments are Dependents' Last Hope and Rules Should be Applied Liberally |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:10:53 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court directed Central Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank to pay ?7 lakh to the deceased employee's wife, observing that ex-gratia payments are the dependent's last hope and must be interpreted liberally rather than strictly. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - Delhi HC: Expired Driving Licenses Do Not Enjoy Deemed Continuity After 2019 MV Act Amendment |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:10:44 IST |
| Delhi High Court clarified that under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, expired driving licences have no deemed continuity, and holders are legally disqualified from driving from the day after expiry unless the licence is renewed. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Bail is Not Absolute For Juveniles in Heinous Cases and Can be Denied to Serve Justice |
| Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:10:35 IST |
| J&K & Ladakh High Court held that a juvenile cannot claim bail as a right under Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and bail may be denied if release would defeat the ends of justice, considering the nature and gravity of the offence. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Failure to Sign Charge Sheet Doesn't Invalidate Trial if Charges Were Properly Read to Accused |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:21:10 IST |
| Supreme Court held that absence of a signature on the charge-framing order sheet is a curable procedural defect and does not invalidate the trial, especially when the accused was properly informed of, and clearly understood, the charges framed against them. |
| ARBITRATION - SC: Merits of Foreign Arbitral Awards Cannot be Re-Examined During Enforcement Proceedings |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:21:00 IST |
| Supreme Court reiterated that foreign arbitral awards may be resisted in India only on limited public policy grounds, and courts cannot reassess or re-examine the merits of such awards at the stage of their enforcement. |
| TENANCY - SC Says Respect For Higher Court Orders a Basic Principle, Rebukes Authority For Revisiting Order |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:20:50 IST |
| Supreme Court censured a Rent Control Authority in Uttar Pradesh for reopening a tenant eviction case already affirmed by the Court, stressing that respect for higher court orders is fundamental and proceedings that have attained finality cannot be reopened. |
| CRIMINAL - MP HC: Oral, Anal Sex Between Married Couples Not Punishable under Section 377 IPC |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:20:40 IST |
| Madhya Pradesh High Court held that sexual acts between husband and wife, including oral and anal sex, do not constitute an "unnatural offence" under Section 377 IPC, noting that such acts within a subsisting marriage cannot be prosecuted under the law governing sexual offences. |
| CRIMINAL - Bom HC Cancels Bail of Accused Supplying Fake Medicines, Says it Weakens Public Trust in Healthcare |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:20:30 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that supplying fake medicines to government hospitals poses a grave threat to public health and undermines trust in healthcare, emphasizing that such offences are serious and bail cannot be granted lightly. |
| CONSTITUTION - Calcutta HC Confirms KMC Can Revise Property Valuation to Levy Tax In ?11.24 Crore Dispute |
| Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:15:14 IST |
| Calcutta High Court upheld Section 3 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022, ruling that the amendment, which expanded and retrospectively validated KMC's power to revise property valuations, is constitutionally valid and does not impermissibly override judicial decisions. |
| ARBITRATION - SC: Participation In Arbitration Does Not Bar Challenging Arbitrator's Inherent Jurisdiction |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:36:49 IST |
| Supreme Court has held that where no valid arbitration agreement exists, a party's mere participation in unilaterally initiated arbitration proceedings does not create estoppel, and it may still challenge the arbitral award as being legally non-existent. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court Directs Strict Compliance With Mandate on Non-Disclosure of Rape Victims' Identity |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:36:34 IST |
| Supreme Court, noting disclosure of rape victims' identities in records, directed High Courts to strictly follow Section 228-A IPC in all pending cases, including pre-2018 matters, and stressed that this long-standing legal mandate must be consistently observed. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court: DSC Personnel Eligible For Second Pension; Allows Condonation of Shortfall |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:36:24 IST |
| Supreme Court held that Defence Security Corps personnel already receiving Army pension are entitled to a second pension for DSC service, and any shortfall up to one year may be condoned under Pension Regulations, as no legal bar exists on dual pensions. |
| EXCISE - SC: Excise Duty Exemptions Based on Intended Use Must be Construed Liberally For Assessee |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:36:14 IST |
| Supreme Court held that excise duty exemptions based on use or intended use must be liberally interpreted in favour of the assessee, and incidental or partial alternative use of goods does not disqualify a valid claim for such exemption. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court Rejects NHAI Review on Solatium Retrospectivity, Bars Reopening Settled Claims |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:59 IST |
| Supreme Court rejected NHAI's review petition seeking to limit the 2019 'Tarsem Singh' judgment on solatium and interest in National Highway land acquisitions to prospective cases, upholding its retrospective application while barring reopening of already settled claims. |
| SERVICE - Supreme Court Rejects Sameer Wankhede's Plea, Directs Timely Resolution of Disciplinary Proceedings |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:49 IST |
| Supreme Court refused to overturn the Delhi High Court's revival of disciplinary proceedings against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede, noting that the Inquiry and Presenting Officers were appointed without giving him adequate opportunity to respond to the chargesheet, and directed a time-bound decision. |
| FAMILY - Gujarat High Court: Forcing Toddler to Attend Court 6 Hours Weekly For Grandfather Visits is Unjust |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:41 IST |
| Gujarat High Court held that forcing a toddler to spend six hours in court weekly for grandparent visits is "uncalled for and unjust," allowing the mother's plea against a family court order mandating the child's presence every Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm. |
| SERVICE - Delhi HC: Illegal Termination Does Not Automatically Entitle Employee to Reinstatement or Back Wages |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:29 IST |
| Delhi High Court clarified that illegal termination does not automatically entitle an employee to reinstatement or back wages, and refused relief to workmen terminated by a proprietorship firm, noting delays in pursuing claims and that several had reached superannuation age. |
| CONSTITUTION - P&H HC: Habeas Plea in Child Custody Case Not Maintainable if Child is With Natural Guardian and Safe |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:20 IST |
| P&H HC held that a habeas corpus petition in a child custody dispute is not maintainable when the child is with a natural guardian and no imminent threat exists, noting that custody with a natural guardian cannot be deemed illegal without exceptional circumstances affecting the child's welfare. |
| TRUSTS AND SOCIETIES - Kerala HC: Temporary Use of Religious Land For Public Infrastructure is Not a 'Transfer' under Law |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:10 IST |
| Kerala High Court held that temporarily surrendering land of a religious institution for public infrastructure does not constitute a 'transfer' under Section 29 of the Madras HR & CE Act, 1951, and therefore does not require prior statutory sanction. |
| CONSTITUTION - Kerala HC: Excommunicating Knanaya Catholics For Marrying Outside the Community is Unconstitutional |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:35:00 IST |
| Kerala High Court ruled that requiring Knanaya Catholics to marry within the community and excommunicating those who marry outside is unconstitutional, as it violates fundamental rights and cannot be enforced through parish membership restrictions. |
| SERVICE - Delhi HC: Bipolar Disorder Alone Does Not Qualify as Medical Disability Without Benchmark Criteria |
| Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:34:50 IST |
| Delhi High Court upheld the transfer of a Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan teacher, ruling that bipolar disorder alone, without certification of benchmark disability, does not qualify as a medical disability under the relevant transfer policy. |
| DEFENCE - SC Flags Systemic Bias in Granting Permanent Commission to Women Officers in Armed Forces |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:53:02 IST |
| Supreme Court found that systemic bias in the Armed Forces has resulted in denial of permanent commission to many women officers, as career evaluations relied on presumptions that unfairly hindered their progression in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: CoC's Commercial Wisdom Does Not Shield All its Decisions From Judicial Scrutiny |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:50 IST |
| Supreme Court emphasized that while the commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors is paramount, it is not absolute and may be subject to judicial scrutiny in cases involving statutory illegality, procedural irregularity, or jurisdictional error. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Post-Moratorium, Creditors Cannot Adjust Pre-CIRP Dues From Prior Deposits |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:41 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that "The deposit made even if treated as a guarantee for the default in dues remains the property of the CD till it is adjusted towards the defaulted dues and if so adjusted after the moratorium kicks in towards pre-CIRP dues, the adjustment would be rendered illegal." |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: SC Status Applies Only to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, and is Lost on Conversion |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:31 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that "No person who professes a religion other than Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist shall be a member of Scheduled Caste. Conversion to any other religion results in loss of Scheduled Caste status,". |
| CRIMINAL - Allahabad HC: Civil Imprisonment For Default Does Not Absolve a Husband's Duty to Pay Maintenance |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:22 IST |
| Allahabad High Court held that sending a person to civil prison for default in maintenance payments does not extinguish his legal obligation, and he remains liable to continue paying monthly maintenance as well as clearing any outstanding arrears. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Accused Cannot Demand Charges under a Preferred Law When Acts Fall under Multiple Statutes |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:12 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that an accused cannot insist on framing charges under a specific law when the alleged acts violate multiple statutes, emphasizing that the choice of statute rests with investigating and prosecuting authorities, not the accused. |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Pardoned Approver under Section 343 BNSS Need Not Stay in Custody Till Trial Ends |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:52:02 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that a person pardoned under Section 343 BNSS and examined as an approver cannot be kept in custody until trial ends, as custody is meant to protect the approver and ensure truthful testimony, not to punish them. |
| FAMILY - Calcutta High Court: Procedural Delays Cannot Deny a Person's Right to Adopt |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:51:51 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that a prospective adoptive parent cannot be denied the right to adopt due to procedural delays, even if the child exceeds the statutory age during proceedings, emphasizing that delays caused by the judicial process should not defeat adoption rights. |
| SERVICE - J&K&L High Court: Transfer Guidelines are Not Binding and Cannot Limit an Employer's Transfer Powers |
| Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:51:40 IST |
| High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that employees cannot claim a right to a specific posting based on transfer guidelines, as these administrative instructions lack statutory force and cannot restrict the employer's authority to make transfers. |
| CIVIL - Supreme Court Restores Arbitral Award, Rules State Cannot Be Judge in its Own Dispute Case |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:41:00 IST |
| Supreme Court restored an arbitral award in a dispute between ABS Marine and Andaman Administration, holding that a State cannot decide its own breach. It ruled clauses barring legal remedies invalid, reaffirming arbitration rights and rule of law principles. |
| SERVICE - SC: No Vested Right to Appointment For Next Candidate if Selected One Doesn't Join |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:40:46 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that a candidate has no right to claim appointment from a select list merely because a selected candidate failed to join or complete formalities. Such vacancies must be filled strictly as per recruitment rules, not by extending the same select list. |
| SERVICE - SC: Reserved Candidates Can Claim General Seats on Merit with Relaxation if Rules Allow |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:40:36 IST |
| Supreme Court held that reserved category candidates who use relaxation in qualifying exams may still be considered for general category posts if they achieve higher merit in the final selection, provided the applicable recruitment rules allow such consideration. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - Supreme Court: Private Insurer Not Liable For Accident by Vehicle under State Requisition |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:40:26 IST |
| SC observed that "…where a vehicle is requisitioned for public functions and an incident occurs during the period of such requisition, liability ought properly to be borne by the requisitioning authority, and not by the insurer engaged by the owner for the vehicle's regular and voluntary use." |
| CIVIL - Madras HC: Senior Citizens Act Applies Only To Post-2007 Property Transfers, Not Retrospective |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:40:15 IST |
| Madras High Court held that the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 applies only to property transfers made after its commencement. It clarified the law is not retrospective, noting Section 23 covers only post-Act transfers by senior citizens. |
| SERVICE - Guj HC: No Prior Hearing Needed to Dismiss Cop After Corruption Conviction under Article 311(2)(A) |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:40:04 IST |
| Gujarat High Court upheld dismissal of a constable convicted in a corruption case, holding that under the second proviso to Article 311(2)(a), authorities may impose punishment without a prior hearing, as the provision excludes the requirement of such opportunity. |
| CIVIL - Allahabad HC: Preliminary Issues Barred if Raised 18 Years After Issues Were Framed in a Suit |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:39:55 IST |
| The court held that "Plea regarding maintainability of suit is required to be raised at the first instance in the pleading (written statement), then only such plea can be adjudicated by the trial court on its merit as preliminary issue under Order XIV Rule 2 CPC." |
| CRIMINAL - J&K&L HC: Sec 195 CrPC Bars Cognizance Without Public Servant's Complaint, Not FIR or Investigation |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:39:45 IST |
| J&K & Ladakh High Court held that Section 195 CrPC bars courts from taking cognizance of offences under Sections 172-188 IPC without a complaint by the public servant. It does not prevent FIR registration or investigation, and such objections arise only at charge or discharge stage. |
| INSOLVENCY - NCLAT Sets Aside Insolvency, Imposes ?10L Costs Following Recusal over Attempt to Influence Member |
| Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:39:35 IST |
| NCLAT set aside insolvency proceedings after a tribunal member recused, citing an alleged attempt to influence the outcome via a retired High Court judge. The tribunal also imposed costs of ?10 lakh in connection with the matter. |
| INSOLVENCY - Supreme Court: Set-Off Can be Used as Defence Despite Bar on Future Claims in Resolution Plan |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:35:10 IST |
| Supreme Court held that claims excluded from an approved IBC resolution plan are extinguished, but a limited plea of set-off may still be raised as a defence in arbitration, as long as it is not used to seek any affirmative recovery. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: HCs Can Go Beyond FIR to Quash Frivolous or Vexatious Criminal Cases |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:35:01 IST |
| Supreme Court, while quashing a copyright case against Sujoy Ghosh, held that High Courts, under Section 482 CrPC or Article 226, may look beyond the FIR and consider overall circumstances and records to quash frivolous or vexatious criminal proceedings. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Strict Procedure Must be Followed under UP Gangsters Act Due to Serious Consequences |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:51 IST |
| Supreme Court quashed proceedings against alleged gangster Gabbar Singh under the UP Gangsters Act, citing procedural lapses in forwarding the recommendation to prepare the gang chart that listed his name, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with the Act's procedures. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Confiscation Proceedings Can Continue Against Wife of Deceased Public Servant with Illicit Asset |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:42 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that even after the death of a public servant with disproportionate assets, confiscation proceedings under the Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009, can continue against his wife, who is not a public servant, to recover the illicitly amassed wealth. |
| ENVIRONMENT - SC: New Tree Growth on Land Approved For Development Does Not Qualify it as 'Deemed Forest' |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:33 IST |
| Supreme Court held that land approved for development under a notified Master Plan does not become a "deemed forest" due to later tree growth, and thus, prior Central Government approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is not needed to cut such trees. |
| MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION - Delhi High Court: Newslaundry Acted Maliciously and Showed Intolerance Toward TV Today |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:24 IST |
| Delhi High Court ruled that Newslaundry acted with malicious intent in its coverage of TV Today Network, stating its tone showed intolerance rather than fair criticism and that it repeatedly targeted the network and its journalists with disparaging commentary beyond legitimate critique. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC: Mediation Settlement Does Not Remove Criminal Liability But Can be Considered For Bail |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:14 IST |
| Delhi High Court granted anticipatory bail in a cheating case, noting that although a mediation settlement does not absolve criminal liability, it is a relevant factor for consideration when deciding bail. |
| TENANCY - Jharkhand HC: Pre-1947 Transfers Exempt from Section 46; 45-Year Delay Blocks Restoration |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:34:05 IST |
| Jharkhand HC quashed orders restoring land under the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, ruling that Section 46 does not apply to pre-1947 transfers, restoration after 45 years is barred under Section 71, and titles via registered patta, civil decree, or final record-of-rights cannot be challenged belatedly. |
| CIVIL - Delhi HC: Victim's Negligence Cannot Bar Compensation in Railway Accident Cases |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:33:56 IST |
| Delhi High Court held that a victim's negligence cannot deny compensation in railway accidents, emphasizing that once an "untoward incident" occurs, the Railways' liability is strict under the Railways Act, 1989, regardless of the victim's conduct. |
| CIVIL - Delhi HC: Street Vendors Must Maintain Cleanliness and Not Encroach on Public Spaces |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:33:46 IST |
| Delhi High Court observed that street vendors have a "bounden duty" to keep their vending areas clean and ensure they do not encroach on public spaces or obstruct pedestrian movement. |
| CRIMINAL - Delhi HC: Girl Being Friendly on Valentine's Day Does Not Justify Forced Sexual Activity under POCSO |
| Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:33:37 IST |
| Delhi High Court denied regular bail in a POCSO case, observing that a girl being friendly on Valentine's Day or giving consent for vermilion does not justify forced sexual relations, emphasizing that such acts cannot be excused even if not explicitly prohibited by law. |
| CONSUMER - Supreme Court: Earning Interest on a Bank Deposit Does Not Make it a Commercial Purpose |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:34:08 IST |
| Supreme Court held that earning interest on bank deposits does not by itself make a transaction "commercial" or exclude one from being a consumer; only deposits directly linked to profit-making, such as leveraging business or credit facilities, qualify as commercial use. |
| SERVICE - SC: Disciplinary Proceedings Started During Service May Continue After Retirement If Rules Allow |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:33:58 IST |
| Supreme Court observed that where service rules permit, disciplinary proceedings begun before retirement may continue after superannuation, and penalties, including pay reduction, can be enforced by adjusting or recalculating the employee's pensionary benefits accordingly. |
| CRIMINAL - SC: Dishonour of a Post-Dated Cheque Alone Does Not Establish Dishonest Intent For Cheating |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:33:48 IST |
| Supreme Court held that dishonour of a post-dated cheque alone does not prove cheating, stressing that criminal liability arises only if fraudulent intent existed at the outset of the transaction, and cannot be inferred merely from a later failure to honour a promise. |
| ARBITRATION - Delhi HC Granted Interim Relief to JioStar in a Dispute over Legends League Cricket Broadcast Rights |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:33:39 IST |
| Delhi High Court restrained transfer of Legends League Cricket Master T20 broadcast rights to third parties in a dispute between JioStar India and Absolute Legends Sports, noting their prior agreement for broadcasting and commercial exploitation of the tournament featuring retired global players. |
| NARCOTICS - Kerala HC: Arrest Grounds Need Not Be Shared With Foreigner's Family If FRRO Or Embassy is Informed |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:33:30 IST |
| Kerala High Court held that when a foreign national is arrested, informing the accused along with the FRRO or their embassy suffices, and it is not necessary to notify their family, as noted in a bail plea by a Tanzanian accused under the NDPS Act in Kunnamkulam Police jurisdiction. |
| CIVIL - Bom HC: Civil Court Can Invoke Sec 151 CPC to Dismiss a Suit as Infructuous if Cause of Action Ends |
| Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:33:20 IST |
| Bombay High Court held that civil court can use its inherent powers under Section 151 CPC to dismiss a suit as infructuous when events render the original cause of action non-existent, emphasizing that courts must end futile litigation rather than retain it for interim orders or speculative claims. |
| CRIMINAL - Supreme Court: Quashing FIR in Forgery Case Unjustified While Handwriting Expert's Report Pending |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:50 IST |
| Supreme Court overturned the Himachal Pradesh High Court's order that quashed an FIR on forgery, cheating, and property misappropriation, stating the High Court acted prematurely while the investigation, including forensic examination of disputed documents, was still in progress. |
| MOTOR VEHICLES - Supreme Court: Appellate Courts Should Not Easily Alter MACT Compensation Awards |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:40 IST |
| Supreme Court held that appellate courts cannot disturb Motor Accident Claims Tribunal -determined disability and compensation unless they thoroughly reappraise the evidence and give clear, convincing reasons for any alteration. |
| SERVICE - SC: SAIL Can Withhold Gratuity to Adjust Penal Rent if Ex-Employees Illegally Retain Quarters |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:30 IST |
| Supreme Court ruled that SAIL can withhold gratuity and adjust penal rent from retired employees who illegally retain company quarters, affirming its powers under Rule 3.2.1(c) of the Gratuity Rules and setting aside the Jharkhand High Court's contrary directions. |
| SERVICE - Calcutta High Court: Post-VRS Service Benefits Cannot be Denied; Ex-Employees Entitled to Arrears |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:21 IST |
| Calcutta High Court held that employees who opted for VRS cannot be denied retrospective pay revision benefits accrued during service, ruling such benefits are vested rights and must be paid, even if the pay revision took effect before retirement, in cases involving Burn Standard Company ex-employee |
| FAMILY - Madras HC: Habeas Corpus Petition Cannot Be Used if Wife Voluntarily Elopes with Another Man |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:31:11 IST |
| Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ruled in Murugan v. State that a habeas corpus petition cannot compel the return of a spouse who voluntarily leaves her matrimonial home, rejecting S. Murugan's plea for production of his wife and two children who had been missing since March 6, 2026. |
| TRUSTS AND SOCIETIES - Allahabad HC: State Must Protect Individuals Threatened for Conducting Prayers in Private Spaces |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:30:58 IST |
| The court said "Any objection taken by any person (individual or group) against prayers being conducted in a private space, should be taken cognizance of by the State and if need be, protection be accorded to the place of worship and the worshipers,". |
| MRTP/ COMPETITION LAWS - CCI Dismisses Complaint Against Rapido over Use of Private Vehicles in Bike Taxi Service |
| Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:30:48 IST |
| Competition Commission of India dismissed a complaint against Rapido, ruling that the allegations involved regulatory violations under transport law and did not raise competition issues within the CCI's jurisdiction. |