Judgments of 2020

The appellant Dhanpat sought a declaration that he, his mother and sisters were entitled to equal shares in a suit land, challenging a Will dated 30‑April‑1980 that favored his brother’s sons. The trial court and first appellate court dismissed the suit, holding that the Will was duly executed and the property had been…

The appellants challenged High Court orders that allowed elected councillors, whose caste validity certificates were rejected by the Caste Scrutiny Committee, to retain their seats pending judicial review. Section 5B of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act provides that failure to submit a caste validity certificate wi…

The appellant, the idol of Sri Renganathaswamy, challenged a suit filed by the Anandhana Trust seeking civil‑court permission to sell a portion of a property that had been endowed for charitable activities associated with the deity. The central question was whether the 1901 Deed of Settlement created a ‘specific endowm…

The husband and wife filed a maintenance petition under Section 125 of the CrPC, which the Family Court disposed of by a settlement order directing monthly maintenance and a mutual consent divorce. The husband paid only four months' maintenance; the wife filed an execution petition which was rejected as the order was d…

Krishnaveni Rai, the appellant, obtained a decree of divorce from her first husband in 2005 and filed an appeal against that decree almost a year after the limitation period, which was later condoned. While the appeal was pending, she married Pankaj Rai in December 2014. The respondent sought a declaration that this se…

The Ananda Social and Educational Trust was formed on 30 May 2008 and applied for registration under section 12AA of the Income Tax Act on 10 July 2008, having not yet undertaken any charitable activities. The Commissioner of Income Tax rejected the application on the ground that, in the absence of actual activities, t…

The Supreme Court examined whether members of the subordinate judicial service who had previously practiced as advocates for seven years could compete for District Judge vacancies under the quota reserved for advocates as per Article 233(2) of the Constitution. It held that such judicial officers are ineligible for dir…

The appeal concerned a dispute over a courtyard shared by two brothers, Beni Prasad (BP) and Kirorilal, who were joint owners of the amenity. Kirorilal sold his share to Devicharan (DC), who also claimed a right of pre-emption under the Rajasthan Pre-emption Act, 1966. The central issue was whether BP's pre-emption rig…

The appellant, the heirs of the late Vithaldas Jagannath Khatri, challenged a declaration that 59 acres 35 guntas of their agricultural land were surplus under the Maharashtra Agricultural Lands (Ceiling on Holdings) Act, 1961. The dispute centred on a partition deed dated 31‑01‑1970, executed before the statutory cut‑…

The plaintiff, Agra Diocesan Trust Association, filed two suits for cancellation of a sale deed and permanent injunction. The defendants argued that the plaintiff had undervalued the suits and paid insufficient court fee under the Uttar Pradesh Court Fees Act, 1870. The trial court held the suits were undervalued and t…

The Supreme Court examined whether Section 14(1)(d) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 bars the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) from taking possession of land that was licensed to a corporate debtor under a Tripartite Joint Development Agreement during the moratorium period. The corp…

The Supreme Court examined the selection of police constables in Uttar Pradesh where two female candidates—one OBC and one SC—scored higher than the cut‑off for the General Female category but were denied selection. The dispute centered on whether the "second view" (adopted by the Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh High Cour…

The Bombay High Court entertained four writ petitions filed by members of the Gowari community seeking declaration that they belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) ‘Gond Gowari’ and quashed the ST certificates issued to them. The High Court held that the tribe ‘Gond Gowari’ was extinct before 1911 and that the caste ‘Gowar…

The Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone invited e‑tenders for supplying commercial vehicles. The appellant, Galaxy Transport, satisfied the technical criteria and was awarded the contract as the lowest bidder, while respondent JK Roadways was disqualified. JK Roadways challenged the award, arguing that the tender…

The Supreme Court, hearing a suo motu writ petition concerning the treatment of COVID-19 patients and the handling of dead bodies, took note of a fatal fire incident in a Gujarat COVID hospital and other fire incidents in similar facilities. The Court examined the adequacy of fire safety measures, the implementation of…

Suresh Shah, the landlord, sub‑leased a property to Hipad Technology India Private Limited. A dispute arose under the sub‑lease dated 14‑11‑2018, and the lease contained an arbitration clause. Shah issued a notice invoking the clause, nominated retired Justice Mukul Mudgal as sole arbitrator, and filed an arbitration p…

In the biennial Rajya Sabha election from Jharkhand, MLA Amit Kumar Mahto cast his vote at 9:15 a.m. on 23 March 2018, but was convicted later that afternoon. The petitioner, Pradeep Kumar Sonthalia, challenged the validity of that vote, arguing that the conviction rendered Mahto disqualified under Article 191(1)(e) of…

The Supreme Court examined challenges to the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to fix minimum qualifying marks of 65% for General and 60% for reserved candidates in the 2019 Assistant Teacher Recruitment Examination (ATRE-2019) after the exam had been conducted, and to allow B.Ed. candidates to participate in the sel…

The case concerned an appeal by SEBI against an order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal that set aside an ex‑parte interim order passed by SEBI’s Whole Time Member directing the respondent, the CEO and MD of Dynamatic Technologies Ltd, to deposit Rs 3.83 crore in an escrow account. SEBI alleged that the respondent h…

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals filed by the vendor, upholding the lower courts' decree that the vendee was entitled to specific performance of the sale agreement for the remaining 200 square yards of land after the vendor had already conveyed 100 square yards to a third party. The court found that the vendee h…

The appellants, shareholders of Upper Assam Plywood Products Pvt. Ltd., sought winding up of the company before the NCLT, which dismissed their petition on 25 October 2019. They applied for a certified copy of the order, received it on 19 December 2019, and filed an appeal before the NCLAT on 20 July 2020 together with…

The Centre for Public Interest Litigation filed a writ petition seeking a fresh National Disaster Management Plan, specific minimum relief standards, and direction to use the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for COVID-19, as well as to channel all contributions to the NDRF instead of the PM CARES Fund. The Court …

The appellant, Mustak @ Kanio Ahmed Shaikh, was convicted for attempting to murder Dr. Jaydeep Patel by shooting him from a motorcycle he was driving, with his accomplice as the pillion rider. The prosecution proved the case through eye‑witness identification (the victim and his driver), a test identification parade, f…

The appellant, a senior police officer, filed a petition under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. to quash a private complaint (PCR No.17214 of 2013) that alleged police excesses while the respondent was in custody during an investigation. The magistrate had taken cognizance of the complaint without obtaining prior sanction un…

The deceased, a housewife and her minor daughter, were passengers in a horse‑cart that was struck by a bus, resulting in their deaths. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded compensation but deducted 50% on the ground of contributory negligence, a deduction the High Court upheld. On appeal, the Supreme Court held t…

A Muslim couple divorced; the wife filed a petition under Section 125 of the CrPC for maintenance, which the Family Court converted into an application under Section 3 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 and ordered maintenance. The High Court set aside the conversion, holding the Family Cou…

The appellant, Surendra Kumar Bhilawe, owned an Ashok Leyland truck that was insured by New India Assurance. The truck was involved in a serious accident in November 2011, and the appellant filed a claim for the loss. The insurer denied the claim, alleging that the vehicle had been sold in 2008 to Mohammad Iliyas Ansar…

The appellant, Jeetendra, was arrested in 2019 for alleged forgery of property documents that had earlier been used as a personal bond for his bail in a matrimonial dispute. Two police closure reports—one in 2013 and another in September 2019—concluded that no offence was committed. Despite these reports, the High Cour…

During his son’s wedding in Uttarakhand, the appellant fired a licensed gun towards the roof, causing pellets to strike five guests, two of whom died. The trial court convicted him under Sections 302 and 307 IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonment and five years’ rigorous imprisonment, respectively. On appeal, the S…

Ex‑Gunner Virender Prasad was convicted by a Summary General Court Martial under Section 69 of the Army Act for murdering a fellow gunner while allegedly acting in a delusional state of a terrorist attack. The conviction and life sentence were affirmed by the Armed Forces Tribunal, and the appellant appealed to the Sup…

Ved Priya, a probationary civil judge, was not confirmed after a two‑year probation and his services were terminated by the State Government on the recommendation of the Rajasthan High Court. He challenged the termination, alleging it was punitive, based on corruption allegations and violated his right to a hearing und…

The West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (the Corporation), a government undertaking, purchased a factory complex and subdivided it into plots, leasing three bare‑land plots to M/s Sona Promoters Pvt. Ltd. (respondent). The lease was terminated for failure to commence construction, and the Corporat…

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) issued an online reverse auction for hiring heavy equipment. Due to connectivity problems, the auction automatically closed at 1:03 pm after AMR‑Dev Prabha’s (Respondent 1) bid remained unresponded for 30 minutes. BCCL, through its facilitator C1‑India, restarted the auction at 2:30 pm aft…

The State of Maharashtra appealed against the High Court’s order that the entertainment duty payable by Pan India Paryatan Ltd., an amusement park, for the fourth and fifth years of operation should be 3.75% of the ticket value, calculated as 50% of the duty under Section 3(2). The Supreme Court examined the definition…

Dr. Hira Lal, a former Touring Veterinary Officer of Bihar, was suspended in 2002 and retired in 2008 while criminal proceedings were pending against him. The State of Bihar, relying on circulars of 1974 and a 1980 government resolution, withheld 10% of his pension and the entire gratuity. The appellant challenged this…

The dispute concerned Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (the licensee) seeking to recover an additional electricity demand raised after discovering that earlier bills had been issued under a wrong tariff code. The consumer challenged the demand, arguing it was time‑barred under Section 56(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003. T…

The case concerned the promotion of seven teachers to the post of Principal in Chhattisgarh polytechnic colleges. Respondent No.1, a senior HOD, claimed that a Ph.D. was an essential qualification for the post under the 2010 AICTE Regulations and sought to quash the promotions, relying on a 2016 AICTE Notification that…

The appellant, a mother‑in‑law, sought anticipatory bail after an FIR was lodged under Section 498A IPC and the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 alleging that her son had pronounced triple talaq on his wife. The Kerala High Court denied the bail application, prompting an appeal to the Supreme C…

The respondents booked flats with the appellant‑builder but the flats were not delivered on time, prompting them to file consumer complaints before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) seeking a refund. Under Section 38(2)(a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the appellant had 30 days to file…

Dr. Naresh Kumar Mangla filed a criminal appeal challenging the Allahabad High Court's order granting anticipatory bail to his deceased daughter's in‑laws under Section 438 CrPC. The FIR alleged dowry harassment, assault in 2017, money demands and the unnatural death of the daughter within seven years of marriage, invo…

The case involved an international commercial arbitration under a Long‑Term Agreement for the supply of coking coal between Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd (appellant) and MMTC Ltd (respondent). The arbitral tribunal held that MMTC breached the contract by failing to lift 454,034 MT of coal at the agreed pric…

The Supreme Court examined whether an associate professor who had worked in an affiliated college could have his promotion under the University’s Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) backdated to the date he completed three years of service there. The petitioner argued that the term “College” in the CAS statute should inclu…

The case arose from a CBI investigation into alleged corruption involving Fertico Marketing and Investment Pvt. Ltd., its director, and two public servants of Uttar Pradesh. The CBI registered an FIR under IPC sections 120B and 420 and the Prevention of Corruption Act without obtaining prior consent from the State unde…

The H.C. Dhanda Trust executed a Deed of Assent to vest two immovable properties in its beneficiaries, paying only Rs.200 stamp duty. The Collector of Stamps treated the deed as a gift deed, levied a deficit duty of Rs.1.28 crore and imposed a ten‑times penalty of Rs.12.80 crore, which was upheld by the Board of Revenu…

The appellant, M/s. MSD Real Estate LLP, purchased the Lantern Hotel, a property that was earlier declared a gift deed and found to have a deficiency in stamp duty. The Collector of Stamps imposed a penalty of ten times the duty, which the Supreme Court later reduced to five times. While the stamp duty was paid, the pe…

The appellant, a 20‑year‑old data‑entry operator, lost his right hand in a motor‑vehicle accident and claimed compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal assessed his disability at 89% but reduced it to 45% and used a monthly income of Rs 8,000, omitting a 50% addition for future…

The appellant, convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, was released in 2019 under a Haryana Government policy granting special remission to elderly convicts who had served a minimum period. The policy was implemented by the Governor under Article 161 of the Constitution without placing the individual fa…

The Supreme Court examined whether Ultratech Cement Ltd. was entitled to a 75% capital investment subsidy under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme, 2003 (RIPS-2003) for its Kotputli cement plant. The Court held that the scheme’s sub‑clauses (vi) and (vii) granting 75% subsidy were deleted before the company’s ap…

The case involves a property dispute between the branch of Lakshmiah Naidu (respondents) and legatees under a Will (appellants) of Rangaswami Naidu, who died on 01.06.1955 before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The appellants claimed that Rangaswami Naidu had severed the joint family status through a newspaper notice a…

The landlord filed an eviction application under Section 13 of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949, alleging arrears of rent and house tax. The Rent Controller held that the rent note was not signed by both parties, was not a lease requiring compulsory registration, and ordered eviction. The Appellate Cour…

The case concerned a suit land that was a Paragana watan property leased to a permanent Mirashi tenant, Ramchandra, who mortgaged the land in 1947. The Bombay Paragana and Kulkarni Watans (Abolition) Act, 1950 later resumed the land to the Government, but the tenant's lease subsisted under the proviso to Section 3(3) a…

The Himachal Pradesh government framed the Primary Assistant Teacher (PAT) Scheme (2003), the Para Teachers Policy (2003) and the Gram Vidya Upasak Yojna (2001) to fill vacant teaching posts in remote, tribal areas. Several teachers appointed under these schemes challenged the appointments, alleging that they violated …

The case concerned two sub‑plots (3/14 and 6/11) that were shown as open‑space/garden in a layout approved in 1967 for a 46,850‑sq‑yard parcel allotted to Anjuman E‑Shiate Ali Trust. The Trust later sought to construct on these plots, relying on a 1999 development plan prepared by MHADA for the larger 5,80,000‑sq‑yard …

The petitioners, officers of the Orissa Administrative Service‑II, were senior to SC/ST officers appointed to reserved vacancies and were later promoted to OAS‑I (JB). After the 85th Constitution Amendment amended Art.16(4A) to permit states to grant promotion with consequential seniority to SC/STs, the State of Orissa…

The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), a society under the Societies Registration Act, issued an advertisement on 16‑08‑2016 for the post of Director. Three writ petitions challenged the advertisement on grounds of lack of age‑relaxation, alleged non‑conformity of experience requirements with Medical Counci…

The case concerned women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers of the Indian Navy who, after completing fourteen years of service, were denied consideration for Permanent Commission (PC) despite policy letters and regulations indicating such a right. The petitioners challenged the 2008 policy letter that made PC gran…

The appellants, a partnership firm operating a sugar mill, challenged the compensation awarded for land acquired for the Hiwra Dam project, arguing that the market value of the land and the deductions for development costs were incorrectly determined by the High Court. The Supreme Court examined the reference court's v…

The cooperative bank (R‑2) obtained a decree for repayment of a loan from respondents R‑1 and R‑3 and obtained a court order to sell the mortgaged flats. The sale was conducted and the appellants were the highest bidders. R‑1 later filed a writ petition and, after its dismissal, filed an application under Order XXI Rul…

The appellant, the Joint Labour Commissioner and Registering Officer, challenged the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s order granting financial assistance to Kesar Lal, a construction worker registered as a beneficiary under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condi…

The employee, an Aviation Officer of Bharat Petroleum Limited (BPL), was charged with sand contamination in fuel tanks and later with absence from duty. Two charge‑sheets were issued, the first by the Deputy General Manager (Aviation) and the second for the absence, leading to a domestic inquiry that found him guilty o…

The Bank of Baroda sought to enforce a London decree against Kotak Mahindra Bank under Section 44A of the CPC, filing the execution petition 14 years after the decree. The trial court dismissed the petition as time‑barred, applying the 12‑year period of Article 136 of the Limitation Act. On appeal, the Supreme Court ex…

The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) sought an environmental clearance (EC) for its Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, which was later quashed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the ground that the primary data used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was over three years old and the Terms of…

The Council of Architecture challenged NOIDA's Promotion Policy 2005, which allowed promotion to the post of Associate Architect without requiring a degree recognised by the Council. The issue was whether Section 37 of the Architects Act, 1972 bars unregistered persons from practising architectural activities and wheth…

The case concerned women officers of the Indian Army who were commissioned on Short Service Commission (SSC) and sought Permanent Commission (PC) on the basis of equality guarantees under Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The Delhi High Court had directed that women SSC officers be granted PCs at par with the…

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) conducted the ninth round of bidding for city or local natural gas distribution networks (CGD) in 2018. After opening technical bids, the Board introduced an internal note on 23 July 2018 that suggested a 2%–100% range of total households (based on the 2011 Census)…

The Supreme Court examined whether Pawan Hans Ltd., a government‑owned company, was exempt from the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF Act) and whether its contractual employees were entitled to provident‑fund benefits. The trade union representing the contractual workers claimed tha…

The appellants, two brothers, had taken a loan of Rs.3 lakh from Bank of India in 2008 to purchase a tractor. They claimed a full debt waiver under clause 5 of the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, asserting that they were "small farmers". The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum and the State Comm…

Sangrur Sales Corporation insured its shop for Rs 18 lakhs under a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy. The shop collapsed on 29 March 2012 due to excavation work carried out in an adjacent plot. United India Insurance denied the claim invoking sub‑clause (e) of Clause VIII, which excludes loss caused by demolition…

The petitioner, Seelan @ Jeyaseelan, was convicted for raping a six‑year‑old girl. He filed a Special Leave Petition contending that the charge was framed only under Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code, which does not carry the mandatory ten‑year minimum punishment prescribed in Section 376(2)(f). The Supreme Court…

The appellant, Sanjai Tiwari, was charged under several IPC offences and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. A third‑party advocate, calling himself a social activist, filed an application under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code seeking a High Court order directing the Special Judge to expedite the trial. …

The Supreme Court examined civil suits filed by Joginder Kaur (deceased) represented by Nirmal Gill, seeking to declare a 1990 General Power of Attorney (GPA) and related sale deeds as fraudulent and void. The lower courts had held the documents genuine, but the High Court reversed that finding, declaring them forged. …

The respondents filed a suit for permanent injunction claiming ownership of Khasra No. 238 in Village Basai Darapur, Delhi, while the appellant (Kirpa Ram) contended that the land was Khasra No. 79 in Village Shakarpur and that the dispute was a boundary issue barred under Section 28 of the Delhi Land Revenue Act, 1954…

The appeal arose from a corporate insolvency resolution process under the IBC where the appellant’s claim was listed in the Information Memorandum (IM) under “List of Other Creditors” rather than under “Claims of Operational Creditors”. The appellant contended that the classification was incorrect and that the claim sh…

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) awarded a recruitment contract to UMC Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (appellant). After a written exam, police seized documents that appeared to be leaked question papers, prompting FCI to issue a show‑cause notice on 10‑04‑2018 alleging breach of bid conditions. The appellant replied, but F…

The Uttar Pradesh State Warehousing Corporation repeatedly cancelled e‑tenders for handling and transport of foodgrains, eventually terminating the contract awarded to Sudhir Kumar Singh (Respondent No.1). Singh filed a writ petition under Art.226 challenging the cancellation, alleging a breach of the audi alteram part…

The appellants, professors at Kumaun University, challenged an office order that fixed their retirement dates as the last day of the month in which they turned 65, invoking Statute No. 16.24 which they argued allowed continuation of service until 30 June of the following year. The High Court had rejected this claim, in…

The Government of India appealed a Delhi High Court order that allowed Vedanta Ltd. and its affiliates to enforce a foreign arbitral award under Sections 47 and 49 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Court examined the applicable limitation period for filing an enforcement petition, the scheme of the 199…

Neetu Kumar Nagaich, the mother of a 21‑year‑old law student who died under suspicious circumstances, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a de novo investigation of the homicide after alleging serious deficiencies in the Rajasthan police investigation and the filing of a closure report. The Supreme Court not…

Balasore Alloys Ltd filed an arbitration petition under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 seeking appointment of a sole arbitrator based on Clause 7 of 37 purchase orders. Medima LLC contended that the parties were bound by an earlier ‘Umbrella’ (Pricing) Agreement dated 31‑03‑2018, which contain…

The appellant, Jugut Ram, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for murder after assaulting the deceased with a lathi during a land dispute, the victim dying a day later. He appealed, arguing that a lathi is a common village implement and that the prosecution failed to prove an intention to cause death, relying on relate…

The Union of India sought a direction that the minutes of the 40th meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) dated 23 April 2019 be placed on record so that the Supreme Court's embargo on the environmental clearance (EC) for the Mopa greenfield airport could be lifted. The Court examined whether the EAC had adequ…

Workmen filed a civil suit in 2005 seeking a declaration and permanent injunction against a fine imposed by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. The corporation moved an application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC to dismiss the suit and refer the matter to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The application a…

The appellant, Smt. S. Vanitha, sought to remain in a house that she claimed was her matrimonial home and a "shared household" under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDV Act). Her parents‑in‑law, invoking the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (Senior Citizens Act…

Samir Agrawal, an independent law practitioner, filed an information under Section 26(2) of the Competition Act, 2002 alleging that Ola and Uber engaged in price‑fixing and resale price maintenance through their algorithmic pricing. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed the complaint, finding no prima fac…

An advocate filed a writ petition in the Kerala High Court seeking a direction that the Ministry of AYUSH’s advisory dated 06‑03‑2020 be implemented, allowing homeopathic practitioners to treat COVID‑19 patients. The High Court held that any advertisement or claim of cure by AYUSH doctors, except those specified in the…

Action Ispat and Power Pvt. Ltd. filed a winding‑up petition against Shyam Metalics and Energy Ltd. for unpaid dues. The Company Judge admitted the petition, appointed an Official Liquidator and seized the appellant's premises. State Bank of India, a secured creditor, filed an IBC application and sought transfer of the…

Satish Chander Ahuja, the father‑in‑law, owned a house in New Delhi and sued his daughter‑in‑law Sneha Ahuja for mandatory and permanent injunction to remove her from the first floor. Sneha had earlier filed an application under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, obtaining an interi…

The former minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, accused of offences under Sections 376D, 376, 511, 504, 506 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, was admitted to King George Medical University (KGMU) for treatment of multiple ailments and later shifted to the super‑specialty Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institu…

The appellant, Saravanan, was arrested for an offence under Section 420 IPC and remanded to judicial custody. He obtained regular bail under Section 437 CrPC on the condition that his wife would deposit Rs.7,00,000, a condition he failed to fulfil. After more than 101 days in jail without a charge‑sheet, he applied for…

The appellant, Abhilasha, a Hindu daughter, challenged a lower court order that limited her maintenance from her father, Parkash, to the period until she attained majority, arguing that under Section 20(3) of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 she could claim maintenance until she marries. The Supreme Court …

The appellant Jeet Ram was charged under Section 20 of the NDPS Act for possession of 13 kg of charas seized from a dhaba he managed. The trial court acquitted him, holding that the prosecution lacked independent witnesses, that Section 50 of the NDPS Act was not complied with, and that the evidence of possession was u…

The Supreme Court examined appeals filed by the Inspector General of Registration, Tamil Nadu and others against K. Baskaran concerning the valuation of stamp duty under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and the Tamil Nadu Stamp (Prevention of Undervaluation of Instruments) Rules, 1968. It held that Rule 11‑A authorises the a…

The case concerned agricultural land in Surat district that was held by Samubhai Budhiabhai, a tenant who became a deemed purchaser under the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948. Samubhai executed a will bequeathing the land to Vinodchandra Kapadia, who was not an agriculturist. The State challenged the dis…

The appellant, Sushilaben Gandhi, claimed compensation under a Motor Vehicles Act claim for the death of her husband, Dr. Alpesh I. Gandhi, who died in a bus accident owned by the Rotary Eye Institute. The insurer, New India Assurance, denied liability invoking a limitation of liability clause that excludes deaths occu…

Rajneesh Khajuria, a sales employee of Wockhardt Ltd., was transferred from Sagar to Mumbai and failed to report, after which his services were terminated. He filed a complaint under the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971 alleging that the transfer and terminatio…

The Supreme Court considered a batch of cases concerning whether persons with disabilities (PWD) are entitled to reservation in promotion under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. The petitioners argued that the 2005 Office Memorandum limiting reservation in promotion and the principle in Indra Sawhney v. Union of…

The appellants, who applied for direct recruitment to the posts of Administrative Officer/Assistant Assessor and Collector in the Delhi Municipal Corporations, challenged the advertisement of 30 vacancies on the ground that the recruitment rules required promotion or deputation quotas to be filled first. The Central Ad…

The State, represented by the Inspector of Police, appealed against a Madras High Court order that, after granting bail to M. Murugesan and another under Section 439 of the CrPC, retained the case file and directed the State to collect extensive data on criminal cases and submit reform recommendations. The Supreme Cour…

Shri Uttam Chand purchased a government‑owned property at a public auction in 1964 and obtained a sale certificate in 1965. He filed a suit for possession in 1979 against Nathu Ram and others, who claimed ancestral ownership and alleged that the Managing Officer had no authority to auction the land. The trial court rec…

The Supreme Court of India addressed two interconnected issues: whether landlord-tenant disputes governed by the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 are arbitrable, and the scope of judicial review under Sections 8 and 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The case arose from a tenancy agreement containing an ar…

The Hospitality Association of Mudumalai and other private land owners challenged the Tamil Nadu Government's notification of an elephant corridor on the Sigur Plateau, arguing that the corridor was not scientifically justified and that the State lacked statutory authority to create it. The High Court had upheld the no…

Ganesan was convicted under Section 7 read with Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 based solely on the testimony of a 13‑year‑old victim (PW‑3). The trial court sentenced him to three years’ rigorous imprisonment (the minimum under Section 8) and ordered Rs 1 lakh compensatio…

The Supreme Court revisited a writ petition filed in 1985 concerning environmental and land‑use violations in Delhi. The Court examined whether the Monitoring Committee, appointed in 2006 to curb the misuse of residential premises for commercial purposes, had the authority to seal residential properties on private land…

The corporate debtor Veer Gurjar Aluminium Industries defaulted on its loans on 08 July 2011. The financial creditor, JM Financial Assets Reconstruction Company, filed an application under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in March 2018 to initiate a corporate insolvency resolution process, stating …

The Union of India appealed against a Delhi High Court order that set aside a 1989 decree passed under Sections 30 and 31 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which had awarded 87% of compensation to the respondents and 13% to the Gaon Sabha. The appellants alleged that the decree was obtained by fraud, claiming that the…

The case arose from a conviction of Sandeep Singh Hora for offences under Sections 304B, 498A, 406 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, including life imprisonment. While the appeal against the conviction was pending, the Allahabad High Court granted him bail under Section 389 of the CrPC without reco…

The Supreme Court, acting suo motu, took cognizance of two tweets posted by advocate Prashant Bhushan that alleged the Chief Justice of India was riding a luxury motorcycle while keeping the Court in "lockdown" and that the Supreme Court had facilitated the destruction of democracy. The Court examined whether such stat…

The case arose from a tragic landslide on a National Highway caused by over‑mining and hill‑cutting, which killed a woman and her daughter. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the miner to pay a joint penalty, compensation to the victims' heirs and to fund a…

The appellant, Arjun Panditrao Khotkar, was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly but his election was challenged on the ground that two of his nomination papers were filed after the statutory deadline. The High Court relied on video recordings of the Returning Officer's office, produced by the Election Commi…

Vinay Sharma, a death‑row convict in the Nirbhaya case, filed a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the President's rejection of his mercy petition on grounds of alleged non‑consideration of relevant documents, torture, mental illness, illegal solitary confinement and bias. The petition also claimed that the pet…

The respondent, a police inspector, was accused of demanding illegal gratification and was acquitted in a criminal trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Separate departmental proceedings found him guilty of misconduct and dismissed him from service. The Karnataka Administrative Tribunal set aside the dismissal,…

The plaintiff, C. Doddanarayana Reddy, claimed he was a minor at the time of his father's death in 1963 and therefore sought partition of his share in the family property, alleging that a release deed executed that year was void. To prove minority, he relied on a school leaving certificate, but the certificate was not …

In a suit for partition, the plaintiffs filed the suit through power of attorney holders. The appellants sought to impound the powers of attorney under Order XIII Rule 8, contending that they were conveyances within the meaning of Article 23 of the Stamp Act (as amended by the Orissa Act, 2003) and therefore insufficie…

The appellant was convicted under Sections 376(1) and 450 of the IPC for raping his brother's wife, based solely on the prosecutrix's testimony. The prosecution's case lacked any independent witnesses and the medical and forensic reports showed no injuries, semen or blood stains, and the forensic report was inconclusiv…

The complainant, APS Forex Services, alleged that the accused Shakti International Fashion Linkers and others issued four cheques which were dishonoured, and a fresh consolidated cheque was also returned on a stop‑payment order. A complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act was filed. The accused admi…

The contractor, Chandigarh Construction Co., entered into a contract with the State of Punjab for construction of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal and later claimed additional payment for extra work. An arbitrator awarded the claims using a 93.12% premium and 18% interest, but did not give reasons as required by a contract…

M/s Baspa Organics Ltd. (appellant) purchased a chemical plant and continued a fire‑and‑special‑perils insurance policy issued by United India Insurance Ltd. (respondent). After a fire in January 2002, the insurer denied the claim, alleging that the appellant had over‑valued the plant and had failed to disclose that it…

M/s. Kushang Apparel Ltd imported CTV kits and stored them in a bonded warehouse for a year under Section 59 of the Customs Act, 1962. The importer failed to clear the goods or pay warehouse rent, leading to multiple auctions and tender sales. The Customs Department demanded customs duty, arguing that it should be calc…

The appellant, M/s Nola Ram Dulichand Dal Mills, challenged a 2009 circular that clarified exports by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs) were ineligible for duty credit under the Vishesh Krishi Upaj Yojna scheme for 2006-07. The High Court dismissed the writ, and the Supreme Court examined whether the circular amounted …

Laxmibai was elected as a member of a Gram Panchayat in Nanded but failed to submit her election‑expense account within the 30‑day period, submitting it 15 days late. The Collector, acting as the State Election Commission, disqualified her for five years, rejecting her medical certificate as a valid excuse. Laxmibai ch…

The appellant, Popatrao Vyankatrao Patil, was the highest bidder for a sand block auctioned by the Maharashtra State Government and deposited the full auction amount of Rs.62,26,085. Despite his payment, he was never given possession of the sand block nor allowed to excavate sand, due to local opposition, and the file …

The appellants, a charitable trust, entered into a 38‑year lease deed with the respondents for development of trust land. The lease deeds of 1996 and 1997 were neither registered nor sufficiently stamped under the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957, and the respondents failed to pay the deficit stamp duty and penalty directed b…

The Subhechha Welfare Society, a registered welfare society, filed two consumer complaints on behalf of 8 and 12 allottees respectively, alleging that Earth Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. failed to deliver possession of booked housing units despite full payment. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) dis…

Monu Kumar and 32 other consumers filed a joint consumer complaint under Section 12(1)(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging deficiency of service by M/s. Metromax Infrastructure. They sought the Commission's permission to file the joint complaint through a separate application. The National Consumer Disput…

The Sobha Hibiscus Condominium, a statutory body created under the Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act, 1972, filed a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) against the managing director of Sobha Developers Ltd. The NCDRC dismissed the complaint, holding that the condominium was neit…

Vinod Ravjibhai Rajput was first appointed as a part‑time Gallery Attendant in 1995 and later as a full‑time attendant in July 2002. He was terminated in 2004 on a policy ground, reverted to part‑time, and again terminated in December 2012 for not meeting conditions of a 2007 government resolution. The Gujarat High Cou…

Shamshar Singh Sandhu, a DIG in the CRPF, was promoted to the rank of Inspector General (IG) but was later reverted to DIG without a notice or hearing. The reversion order was stayed by the High Court, allowing him to continue serving as an IG until his retirement on 31 January 2016. He sought retirement benefits as an…

Padum Kumar, a postman, delivered a registered envelope containing four Indira Vikas Patras (Rs.20,000) on 09‑04‑1992, which was never received by the complainant, Dr. K.B. Varshney. The delivery slip bore the signature "D. Mohan"; the complainant's son, Devesh Mohan, denied that the signature was his. Private handwrit…

The Supreme Court considered a suit filed in 1974 by a co‑sharer seeking to enforce his pre‑emptive right over a sale of a property in Ajmer. The property had previously been transferred in 1945, 1946 and on 5 Nov 1966, the latter after the Rajasthan Pre‑Emption Act, 1966 came into force. The issue was whether the one‑…

Anil Bhardwaj was selected for the post of District Judge (Entry Level) in Madhya Pradesh but was declared ineligible after a committee found a criminal case (FIR under IPC sections 498A, 406, 34) pending against him. The committee’s decision, based on the pending case, led to his name being deleted from the select lis…

The case concerns the management of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which has been historically managed by the Travancore royal family. After the integration of princely states, a Covenant in 1949 and the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 preserved the Ruler's control over the …

In 1976 the Food Corporation of India (FCI) invited offers to construct godowns on private land and subsequently lease them. The appellants' offer was accepted and an agreement dated 16‑12‑1976 required them to build six godowns, after which FCI would take possession on lease, subject to a completion certificate and sa…

The State of Andhra Pradesh assessed tax on M/s Linde India Ltd for its sale of Medical Oxygen IP and Nitrous Oxide IP, treating them as unclassified goods under Schedule V of the Andhra Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005, which would attract a 12.5%/14.5% rate. Linde argued that the products are drugs/medicines covered…

In Madhya Pradesh, twenty‑two INC legislators tendered resignations, six of which were accepted by the Speaker. The Chief Minister, fearing loss of majority, sought a floor test, and the Governor, on the basis of material indicating a possible loss of confidence, directed a trust vote on 16 March 2020. The Assembly was…

The petitioners alleged that political parties had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions in Public Interest Foundation v. Union of India, which required disclosure of pending criminal cases of candidates. The Court examined data showing a rise in the proportion of MPs with criminal cases and noted the pa…

Between 1999 and 2001 ONGC appointed about 800 workers on four‑year term contracts without prior public advertisement. The Employees Majdoor Sabha sought regularisation of 577 such term employees and, after failed conciliation, the Central Government referred the dispute on 21‑December‑2004 under the Industrial Dispute…

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals of Vijay Karia and others against the Bombay High Court’s order enforcing four LCIA awards arising from a joint‑venture dispute with Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi SRL. The Court held that none of the grounds pleaded under Section 48 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – inclu…

The appellants, parents and siblings of a deceased employee, claimed compensation under the Employee's Compensation Act, 1923 for a fatal accident that occurred on 31 January 2008. The High Court enhanced the compensation by applying the post‑amendment monthly wage ceiling of Rs 8,000, invoking the Workmen Compensation…

The petitioner, Padma Mishra, challenged an FIR (No.179/2009) lodged under Sections 2 and 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, alleging that she and others used threats, coercion and violence to silence witnesses and were involved in various IPC offences. She filed a writ …

The deceased government employee died in a road accident caused by a negligent dumper driver, and her major married sons filed a claim for compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Tribunal awarded compensation based on the deceased's net salary, applying a 50% deduction for personal expenses and a multiplie…

The appellants, owners of three shop rooms, filed an eviction petition against the respondents for non‑payment of rent and unauthorised sub‑letting of one of the rooms. The trial court granted eviction for all three rooms, but the appellate authority limited eviction to two rooms, and the High Court further limited it …

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took cognizance of media reports of large‑scale child trafficking in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, and sought information from the state police and the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR). The Additional Director General of Police (ADG…

The Supreme Court, hearing a writ petition under Article 32, examined the severe air and water pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region, identifying stubble burning, construction and demolition activities, open waste dumping, unpaved roads, garbage burning and traffic congestion as major contributors. It held…

A hand grenade attack at a public gathering in Amritsar resulted in three deaths and 22 serious injuries. Bikramjit Singh was arrested, remanded to custody, and after 90 days (which expired on 21‑02‑2019) he applied for default bail; the Sub‑Divisional Judicial Magistrate dismissed the application, claiming he had alre…

Ferro... Ltd. entered into a 1980 agreement to sell land to the defendants, which required the vendor to obtain permission under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act, 1978. The defendants failed to secure the permission, prompting the appellant to sue for specific performance. The High Court initially g…

The case concerned the eligibility of candidates holding a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree for the post of Assistant Professor (Education) in Uttar Pradesh universities. The Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Service Selection Commission (UPHESSC) initially rejected an M.Ed. holder, but later issued a corrigendum accept…

The case concerned the murder of Devinder Singh, who was allegedly attacked by three accused wielding hockey sticks and a knife. The prosecution’s case rested primarily on the testimony of Parminder Singh (PW‑1), a brother of the deceased, while the other two eye‑witnesses turned hostile. The Supreme Court examined the…

The appellants claimed compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 after the death of the deceased, who was aged 50 years and 3 months, alleging loss of dependency and future prospects. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal applied a multiplier of 13, considering the deceased in the 40‑50 year age group…

The Supreme Court examined challenges by private employers, including Ficus Pax Private Ltd., to central and state orders issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 that compelled private establishments to pay full wages to all workers during the COVID‑19 lockdown. The petitioners argued that the orders were ultra‑…

The brothers Balwant Singh and Dungar Singh disputed the partition of their father’s property and, by mutual consent, appointed three close relatives as arbitrators under an agreement dated 23‑11‑1981. The arbitrators passed a detailed award allocating houses, land, jewellery and cash, which was later registered. Dunga…

Malluru Mallappa filed a suit for specific performance of an agreement to sell dated 30 March 2000, alleging the defendants had breached the contract. The defendants contended that the suit was barred by limitation and that the plaintiff was not ready to perform his part. The trial court dismissed the suit on both grou…

National Bulk Handling Corp., a collateral management company, stored pledged commodities and had taken a fidelity guarantee insurance policy from Oriental Insurance. When 601 barrels of mentha oil were found to have been substituted with water, the company lodged a claim alleging employee dishonesty, which the insurer…

Usha Anandhasubramanian, former MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank, was subject to a CBI charge sheet for alleged negligence in preventing the Nirav Modi fraud. The NCLT, and subsequently the NCLAT, ordered a freeze of her assets under Sections 241, 337 and 339 of the Companies Act, 1956, invoking the Tribunal's power to…

The National Co‑operative Development Corporation (NCDC) earned interest on surplus funds held in its statutory fund and used that interest to make non‑refundable grants to state and national cooperative societies. The Assessing Officer disallowed the grants as capital expenditure, but the Commissioner of Income Tax (A…

The Supreme Court examined the interpretation of Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as amended by the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. It held that the amendment confers coparcenary status on daughters—whether born before or after the amendment—on and from 9 September 2005, giving them the same rights a…

The petitioners sought appointment as Sub‑Inspectors of Police in Bihar, claiming parity with 133 candidates who had been appointed without undergoing the physical efficiency test. Those 133 candidates had been granted an exemption by the Supreme Court in a specific litigation context under Article 142, and the Court h…

The appeal concerned the Sisodia Rani ka Bagh, a protected monument in Jaipur that also lay within a forest reserve. A public interest writ petition led the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to impose a blanket ban on all social functions, laser lights, loud music and fireworks, citing wildlife safety. The Department of Ar…

South East Asia Marine Engineering & Constructions Ltd (SEAMEC) was awarded a fixed‑price work order for well drilling by Oil India Ltd. During performance, the price of high‑speed diesel (HSD) rose following a government circular. SEAMEC claimed that the increase fell within Clause 23 – a ‘change in law’ clause – and …

The appellants owned land in Virupapura Gaddi, an island near the Hampi World Heritage site, and constructed hotels, restaurants and guest houses between 1990 and 2000. The State Government had, under the Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961, issued a 1988 notification …

The grandfather of the parties gifted a property to his grandson, N. Revanna, on 5 June 1957, inserting a condition that the donee and any younger brothers born thereafter could not alienate the property. Revanna later sold the property to four other persons in 1985. The plaintiffs, minor sons of Revanna, sued for a de…

The case concerned a claim by Sitakant S. Dubhashi for a central pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980 (SSSP) after receiving a State pension from Goa. The Government of India had, by a 2003 order, extended the SSSP scheme to participants of the Goa Liberation Movement Phase‑II, but only to t…

The Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise, Goa appealed against M/s Adani Exports Ltd. challenging a High Court decision on an application under Section 130A of the Customs Act, 1962. The issue was whether the High Court is statutorily obliged to call for a statement of the case from the Appellate Tribunal before …

The respondent, a member of the Khasi Scheduled Tribe, was charged with murder and concealment of dead body under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC and was initially ordered to stand trial before the Sessions Court. He filed a petition seeking transfer of the case to the District Council Court of the Khasi Hills Autonomo…

The appellants Rohtas, Sanjay and Bijender were convicted for attempt to murder under IPC s.307 read with s.149 and for rioting with deadly weapons under s.148. They challenged the convictions on the ground that, after the acquittal of three co‑accused, the remaining number fell below the statutory minimum of five requ…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Syndicate of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University could prescribe norms for granting affiliation to additional courses under Section 30(2) of the University Act, even though the university statutes were not yet in force. The Court held that the power to lay down such norms flo…

Pravin Kumar, a CISF Sub‑Inspector, was accused of fabricating a General Diary entry, intimidating a subordinate to give false testimony, and collecting bribes from BPCL contractors. An enquiry under CISF Rules found him guilty and recommended dismissal; the disciplinary authority dismissed him, and the appellate autho…

The appellant Rizwan Khan was seized with 20 kg of ganja from a motorcycle and convicted under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the ND PS Act. He challenged the conviction on several grounds, including that the prosecution relied solely on police witnesses, that the procedural requirements of Sections 42 and 55 of the ND PS Act…

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by the Government of India challenging the recognition of a service association formed by ISRO drivers. The respondents sought recognition under the Central Civil Services (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1993, claiming that drivers constitute a "distinct category" of gov…

The appellant, a painter, was injured in a bus accident caused by the driver’s negligence, resulting in amputation of his left leg. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs 4,08,850 as compensation, which the Karnataka High Court enhanced to Rs 5,10,350. The appellant contended that the award was grossly inadequat…

The dispute arose between the Seth Group and the Mittal Group, partners in a joint venture (TFIPL) that owned land in Sector 89, Faridabad. The parties executed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) on 4 May 2015, allocating the External Development Charges (EDC) liability of Rs.59.05 crore between them, with the Seth Group…

The appellants, brothers residing in the UK, sought recovery of Rs.1.20 crore from their maternal uncle (appellant No.3) after the uncle advanced the sum for a land sale and later demanded repayment. The uncle issued four cheques, two of which were dishonoured; a criminal complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable I…

The Supreme Court considered Special Leave Petitions filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh Avas Evam Vikas Parishad challenging High Court orders that applied the 6th Pay Commission benefits to the Parishad’s employees. The core dispute revolved around the earlier judgment in State of U.P. v. Preeta…

The petitioners challenged Section 18A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which removed the requirement of a preliminary inquiry and the need for approval before arrest, and barred anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the CrPC. The Court noted that the directions issued…

The petitioner entered into a 1994 agreement to purchase land for Rs.4,38,000 and paid earnest money, with performance due on 7 Oct 1996. After the seller cited pending litigation, the petitioner issued a notice on 12 Nov 1996 and filed a suit on 13 Oct 1999 seeking a mandatory injunction to compel execution of the tra…

The appellants were charged under Section 493 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act for allegedly demanding dowry and for deceitful cohabitation. The complainant filed an FIR after a purported compromise between the parties, and the High Court dismissed the appellants' petition under Section 482 …

The appellant, Sankath Prasad, was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for shooting the complainant's son during an altercation over a disputed plot. The incident occurred when the appellant retrieved a country-made pistol from his house and fired at the complainant, but the son intervened and was shot, later dyi…

The Court examined the Jammu and Kashmir government's orders that shut down mobile, landline, and internet services and imposed Section 144 restrictions on 4‑8‑2019, which the petitioners claimed violated their fundamental rights to free speech, press, and trade. The petitioners sought production of all orders, a decla…

Nandkishore Shravan Ahirrao, a workman employed in the assembly department of Kosan Industries, was dismissed for causing a work disruption. The Labour Court, on reference under the Industrial Disputes Act, held the dismissal harsh and ordered his reinstatement with 25% back wages for the surplus period. The Gujarat Hi…

The Kerala High Court barred the development of resorts on two backwater islands, Vettila Thuruthu (Vaamika) and Nediyathuruthu, in Vembanad Lake, invoking the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Plan and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications of 1991 and 2011. The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed special leave …

Ganesh Chandra Sahoo, a follower orderly of the OSAP 4th Battalion, took a nine‑day leave in May‑June 1991 and subsequently failed to report back, remaining absent for about seven years despite repeated directives to appear for a medical examination. He was discharged on 30 December 1993 after an ex‑parte departmental …

The petitioner filed a writ under Article 32 challenging the practice of affixing posters outside the homes of COVID‑19 positive persons under home isolation, alleging violations of privacy, dignity and other fundamental rights. The Union of India submitted the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's guidelines dated 2…

Madhavi was appointed as a temporary teacher in a private secondary school on 16 July 1985, holding a BA and B.Ed., and was placed in Category ‘C’ of Schedule ‘F’. Chagan was appointed on 1 August 1985 as an assistant teacher with only a senior secondary certificate and a Diploma in Education, placing him in Category ‘…

On 25 July 2016 a turtle was seized from the respondent, Titty alias George Kurian, by forest officials. The turtle was identified by a senior veterinary surgeon as an "Indian Flap Shell" (Lissemys punctata), which is not the species listed in Part II of Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (the listed sp…

Saritha S. Nair filed nominations from two Lok Sabha seats but her nominations were rejected because she had been convicted in two criminal cases, each carrying a three‑year imprisonment, invoking disqualification under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. She challenged the rejection through ele…

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) filed transfer petitions under Article 139-A(1) seeking to move nine writ petitions from the Kerala, Madras and Calcutta High Courts to the Supreme Court. The writ petitions challenge Chapter VI of ICAI's Guidelines dated 08‑08‑2008, which caps the number of tax au…

The Supreme Court dealt with a contempt petition filed by the Seth Group against the Mittal Group arising from a joint‑venture dispute over land development, license renewal and EDC liabilities. Both parties had executed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) on 4 May 2015, which the Court incorporated into its order disposi…

The Supreme Court examined the legality of the abrupt elimination of the 15% NRI quota in postgraduate medical and dental admissions in Rajasthan during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Two NRI candidates had obtained admission under a single High Court judge’s order directing that they be admitted as NRI students, which was lat…

The appellants were convicted under Sections 148, 302 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Madhavji. The prosecution relied on three eyewitnesses—two of whom were close relatives of the deceased and one unrelated witness—whose testimonies were consistent and corroborated by medical evidence. The defence a…

The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) absorbed surplus employees of the now‑defunct Rajasthan State Agro Industries Corporation (RSAIC) and offered them a choice between the CPF scheme and the RSRTC pension scheme. Respondent Goverdhan Lal Soni opted for the pension scheme, and the employee and employe…

Stalin, the accused, was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for stabbing the deceased with a knife during a quarrel at a beer party. He appealed, arguing that the single blow and lack of pre‑meditation should reduce the offence to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II, invoking Exce…

Shreyas Sinha applied for admission to the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) for the 2019‑2020 academic session, invoking the 30% reservation for West Bengal domiciles introduced by the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (Amendment) Act, 2018, which came into force on 21 Ma…

The plaintiffs sold agricultural land to respondent No.1 in 2009 and alleged that only a small part of the sale consideration was paid, seeking cancellation of the sale deed. They filed the suit in December 2014, more than five years after the deed, claiming the cause of action arose only when they discovered alleged f…

The Supreme Court, acting suo motu, examined the plight of migrant labourers stranded during the COVID-19 lockdown and the measures taken by the Central and State governments. While acknowledging the large number of Shramik trains and bus services already deployed, the Court noted lapses in registration, supervision, a…

A juvenile aged between 16 and 18 was alleged to have committed homicide under IPC section 304, an offence with a maximum punishment of life imprisonment but no prescribed minimum sentence. The Juvenile Justice Board classified the offence as "heinous" and ordered the juvenile to be tried as an adult, a decision later …

Balkrishna Ram, a candidate for armed forces service, was discharged after failing the aptitude test and height criteria. He appealed the discharge before the Allahabad High Court, and the matter proceeded to a single judge. The appellant contended that the intra‑court appeal against the single judge’s order should be …

In 2013 a notification was issued for a departmental examination for postmen, resulting in G Vijender being selected and appointed, while G Ramesh was second on the merit list. After allegations of fraud, Vijender was suspended in 2014 and dismissed in 2016 following a departmental enquiry. Ramesh filed an Original App…

The Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department issued a tender for a 7.473 km flyover and received bids from UPSBC, Rajkamal Builders and Rachana Construction. UPSBC was rejected on the ground that it omitted the fact of an FIR and charge‑sheet relating to a collapsed bridge, which the court held to be a material fact that…

Daulat Singh, the appellant, owned 254.2 bighas of land and gifted 127.1 bighas to his son in 1963, leaving him with 17.25 standard acres below the ceiling limit. The Rajasthan Revenue Ceiling Department later reopened the case in 1982, alleging excess holdings, and the High Court declared the gift deed invalid for lac…