Judgments of 2020

The Supreme Court, hearing a suo motu criminal contempt petition against senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, affirmed his conviction for scandalising the judiciary through tweets and an affidavit alleging misconduct by judges. The Court held that the defence of truth under Section 13 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 r…

The petitions challenged the validity of Regulation 9 of the Medical Council of India (MCI) Post‑Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, alleging that it barred State governments from reserving seats for in‑service doctors in postgraduate degree courses. The Court examined the constitutional distribution of power…

Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. (JVVNL) entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd. (APRL) in 2010, basing the tariff on domestic coal supply. APRL later claimed additional compensation under the PPA’s change‑in‑law clause after the New Coal Distribution Policy of 2013 reduced the assu…

The Supreme Court had earlier held Dr. Vijay Mallya guilty of contempt for failing to disclose assets and violating injunctions, ordering punishment. Mallya filed review petitions (Nos. 2175‑2178) contending that the Court erred by stating he had not filed a reply to the banks' response, when a reply dated 30‑01‑2017 w…

Mukesh Singh challenged his conviction under the NDPS Act on the ground that the police officer who lodged the FIR was also the investigating officer, alleging that this dual role vitiated the trial. The Supreme Court examined the statutory scheme of the CrPC (ss.154, 156, 157) and the NDPS Act (ss.41‑44, 50‑53, 58, 35…

The Gujarat Sukh Sagar Medical College & Hospital Trust obtained an Essentiality Certificate in 2014 to establish a medical college in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Despite conditional permission for the 2016‑17 academic year, the Medical Council of India (MCI) repeatedly denied renewal of permission for three successive s…

The case concerned a dispute over two adjoining land parcels (Khasra Nos. 935/1 and 935/2) where the predecessor of the appellants, Harbans Singh, claimed exclusive ownership based on a family settlement. A memorandum of family settlement (Exhibit P‑6) dated 10‑03‑1988 was executed by the brothers. The trial court part…

The State of Madhya Pradesh filed a criminal appeal against Yogendra Singh Jadon and Harshvardhan Singh Jadon, alleging that they obtained cash credit facilities from District Cooperative Kendriya Bank through their father, the former President of the bank, without proper documentation, constituting fraud and conspirac…

The appellants, the Managing Director and Director of SPML Infra Ltd, were charged under IPC sections 420 and 120B for allegedly supplying sub‑standard turbines for the Nurang Hydel Power Project of Arunachal Pradesh. The FIR was lodged in 2000, a chargesheet filed in 2004, but summons were only served in 2017. The Hig…

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai demolished the superstructures of a chawl on land owned by the heirs of Dattatray Angare and occupied by eleven tenants, citing road‑widening requirements. The Bombay High Court ordered that the owners be allowed to apply for Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and that the…

The plaintiff, Ghat Talab Kaulan Wala Trust, sued the sevadar Baba Gopal Dass for a mandatory injunction to remove him from managing the temple and its properties. The trial court denied the injunction but ordered rendition of accounts; the first appellate court decreed in favour of the trust. The High Court set aside …

The case concerned the alleged murder of D2 and D1 in December 1990, for which eight accused were convicted under sections 120B, 302 and 34 of the IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence – a lorry purchase, broken glass, alleged iron‑rod attacks and a purported conspiracy at a hotel – but failed to prove…

The respondent applied for a constable position in the Odisha State Police, declaring that he was not involved in any criminal case. Verification later revealed his involvement in a case under multiple IPC sections, leading to his discharge and an Original Application (OA) before the Odisha Administrative Tribunal, whi…

The appellants, a slum dwellers' society and a co‑operative housing society, obtained a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 5 January 2005 to carry out a slum rehabilitation scheme on land within a Coastal Regulation Zone, subject to clearance from the Coastal Zone Management Authority. The LOI stipulated a validity of three mon…

The petitioners, Satish and Vikky, were convicted of kidnapping for ransom and sentenced to life imprisonment. They applied for premature release on probation under Section 2 of the Uttar Pradesh Prisoners Release on Probation Act, 1938, but the State repeatedly rejected their pleas without applying the statutory three…

The State of Assam prosecuted Subed Ali and others for the murder of two men who were returning from a market on bicycles. The accused were alleged to have intercepted, assaulted, and killed the victims; one died on the spot and the other later in hospital. Five persons were originally charged, but two were acquitted o…

B.B.M. Enterprises obtained an arbitral award on 16 September 2009 for Rs. 1.38 crore plus interest and costs. The award was executed, but the award‑challenging petition under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was filed on 2 April 2010, well beyond the 120‑day limitation period. The District Judg…

The Supreme Court examined a claim for compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 after Satpal Singh, a Qatari resident, died in a road accident in India in 1998, leaving his widow Satinder Kaur and three minor children as dependants. The Court held that the deceased's income should be calculated from his 1984 emp…

The claimants filed a claim under the Motor Vehicles Act after the husband/father suffered a road accident, and the Motor Vehicle Accidental Claim Tribunal ordered the National Insurance Company to pay Rs.2,47,500. The insurer appealed to the Patna High Court, challenging its liability to pay, and the claimants filed a…

The appellants, who are neighbours of the complainant, were involved in a long‑standing property dispute with the complainant's father. On 19 July 2016 a quarrel occurred, after which the police recorded proceedings under Sections 151, 107 and 116 of the CrPC and directed both parties to maintain peace. Six weeks later…

The appellants, tenants of a shop under a 20‑year lease dated 27‑08‑1990, challenged the rent increase ordered by the Rent Controller after the new owners of the premises filed an application under Section 4 of the Telangana Building (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Act, 1960. The landlords sought to fix a fair rent …

The Supreme Court examined whether mining leaseholders in Goa, whose second renewal leases were set aside, could transport iron ore that had been mined before the cut‑off date of 15 March 2018. The Court held that paragraph 154.6 of the Goa Foundation‑II judgment only prohibited mining after that date and did not bar t…

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) cancelled the results of a 1978 recruitment for Class IV posts after discovering irregularities, terminating all appointees including Ram Gopal and Shyam Behari Lal. Shyam Behari Lal obtained relief from the Allahabad High Court on equitable grounds, which was later set …

The appellant, Om Prakash, owned a three‑room shop in Hamirpur and had evicted the respondent, Suresh Kumar, a cloth‑merchant tenant since 1969, on the ground that the premises were needed for reconstruction. The Rent Controller ordered eviction, which the High Court affirmed, but noted that the landlord was not averse…

The State of Odisha entered into a dispute with M/s Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) over the transport of iron ore that JSPL had purchased, processed and stored within the leasehold area of the mining company, Sarda Mines Pvt Ltd (SMPL). After the environmental clearance for SMPL expired, the State refused a transit …

The petitioner, Thomas Lawrence, filed a PIL alleging mass destruction of wetlands and a 10‑acre pond within the Technopark campus in Thiruvananthapuram. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 19 December 2018 directed the District Collector to take action within a month. The Collector, on 30 April 2019, issued an order …

Heem Singh, a Rajasthan police constable, was dismissed after a departmental enquiry found him guilty of misconduct for allegedly committing murder while on leave. He had been acquitted of the murder charge in a criminal trial because key witnesses turned hostile and the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasona…

The appellant Chunthuram and co-accused Jagan Ram were convicted for the murder of Laxman under IPC sections 302 and 34. The Supreme Court examined the prosecution's evidence, finding that the recovered weapons were never forensic‑linked to the crime, the chemical analysis report was missing, and a shirt forensic repor…

The appellant Amit Shrivas claimed a compassionate appointment after his father, a work‑charged driver, died in service; the father had become a permanent employee after 15 years but was still paid from the contingency fund. The 2008 Madhya Pradesh policy excluded work‑charged/contingency employees from compassionate a…

The appellants, members of the Hindu Nadar community, sought to have the shortfall in the 1% reservation granted to their community (effective from 21‑Nov‑2009) adjusted in future vacancies without disturbing earlier appointments. They argued that Rule 15(a) of the Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1958, whic…

Shree Choudhary Transport Company (the appellant) entered into a contract to transport cement for a consignor and hired independent truck operators to perform the work. The appellant received freight charges from the consignor after TDS was deducted, but failed to deduct TDS on payments to the truck operators where eac…

Mohan Breweries purchased empty bottles from unregistered dealers for bottling its beer and IMFL. The revenue argued that the purchase turnover of these bottles was liable to purchase tax under Section 7-A of the Tamil Nadu General Sales Tax Act, 1959, while the assessee claimed exemption based on earlier Clarification…

The appellant Sonu @ Sunil was convicted along with four others for the robbery and murder of Bharosilal in September 2008, based largely on circumstantial evidence, the recovery of a mobile phone from his possession, and the testimony of a witness (PW‑5) who claimed to have overheard a conspiracy. The prosecution alle…

The respondent, Pradeep Mehra, served as Chief Operating Officer of BCH Electric Limited for 12 years and, upon resignation in June 2012, claimed gratuity of Rs.1.83 crore based on the company's gratuity scheme which did not impose a statutory ceiling. The employer paid only Rs.10 lakh, the ceiling prescribed under Sec…

The petitioners, a group of unaided minority medical and dental colleges, challenged the validity of the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) notifications issued by the Medical Council of India and Dental Council of India, arguing that the uniform entrance examination violated their fundamental rights under A…

The Supreme Court examined multiple writ petitions challenging the seniority and appointment of judicial officers in Rajasthan's District Judge cadre after the 2010 Judicial Service Rules came into force. The petitioners argued that officers promoted ad‑hoc to Fast Track Courts should retain seniority from their initia…

Vodafone Idea Ltd. filed income‑tax returns for AY 2014‑15 to AY 2017‑18 claiming large refunds. The Assessing Officer issued notices under s.143(2) for each year and, invoking s.143(1D) and s.241A, declined to process the returns under s.143(1) and withheld refunds, arguing that the notice itself sufficed to defer pro…

Quippo Construction Equipment Ltd entered into four rental agreements with Janardan Nirman Pvt Ltd, each containing an arbitration clause under the Construction Industry Arbitration Association (CIAA). One agreement stipulated Kolkata as the place of arbitration, but the sole arbitrator conducted proceedings in Delhi a…

PILCOM, a joint committee of the cricket boards of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka that organised the 1996 World Cup, made payments from its London bank accounts to the International Cricket Council and various non‑resident cricket associations. The Income Tax Officer issued a show‑cause notice under s.194E for failure t…

The appellants, owners of several plots in Gondia, challenged the reservation of their land for a shopping complex and vegetable market under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. The original Development Plan came into force on 24‑08‑1984, and a declaration under Section 126(4) was published on 03‑09‑1…

The Supreme Court examined two questions referred to a larger bench: whether an order of anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) must be limited to a fixed period, and whether such bail terminates when the accused is summoned or when charges are framed. Relying on the Constitution Benc…

The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) appointed respondent No.4 as Project Engineer (Electrical) on deputation from the U.P. Power Corporation in February 2014 and later absorbed him in May 2015. The appellants, who were Assistant Project Engineers, challenged the appointment and absorption, arguing th…

Mukesh Kumar, a death‑row convict in the Nirbhaya gang‑rape case, filed a mercy petition under Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution, which was rejected by the Lieutenant Governor on 15 January 2020 and by the President on 17 January 2020. He challenged the rejection before the Supreme Court, alleging that relevant m…

The parties, married in 2009, have been living apart since 2016, with the mother, Mrs. Ritika Sharan, caring for their son Sattik while employed in Singapore. The father, Mr. Sujoy Ghosh, obtained interim orders from the Family Court restraining the mother from taking the child out of Bengaluru and granting him visitat…

The appellants, holders of mining leases in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, sought extension of their leases for periods during which mining was prohibited by orders of the National Green Tribunal and subsequent state notifications. The State argued that neither the Uttar Pradesh Mining Minerals (Concession) Rules, 1963 nor …

Maheshwar Tigga was convicted by the trial court and the Jharkhand High Court for rape, voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint under Sections 376, 323 and 341 IPC, based on the prosecutrix’s allegation that he assaulted her when she was a minor. The Supreme Court examined whether the prosecutrix was indeed a m…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against two orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that directed the State to prohibit fuel dealers from supplying petrol to any motor vehicle that did not display a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate and to deposit Rs 25 crore as security for compliance. The respo…

The respondents, K.P. Jayaram and another, filed a petition under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) claiming they were financial creditors of M/s. Radha Exports (India) Pvt. Ltd. for a loan of Rs.2.10 crore advanced between 2002 and 2005, alleging that part of the loan was converted into share…

The Union of India challenged a High Court order that quashed an FIR registered under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for the alleged sale of unlicensed drugs, holding that prosecution for offences under Chapter IV of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 must be initiated only by persons named in Section 32 of the A…

The Commissioner of Service Tax appealed against M/s. Adani Gas Ltd. challenging the taxability of charges collected for supplying pipelines and measurement (SKID) equipment to gas consumers. The issue was whether Section 65(105)(zzzzj) of the Finance Act, 1994 applied, i.e., whether the supply of such tangible goods f…

The Supreme Court examined a batch of writ petitions challenging the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines dated 06 July 2020, which required all Indian universities to complete final year examinations by 30 September 2020 amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. Petitioners argued that the guidelines were ultra‑violet of A…

The appellant, Parminder Kaur, a single woman living with her child and mother, was convicted under IPC sections 366A and 506 for allegedly enticing a minor girl to illicit intercourse with her tenant boy and for threatening the victim’s brother. The prosecution’s case rested on the testimony of the minor victim and he…

Gopal Prasad, appointed as Calligraphist‑cum‑Assistant of the Bihar School Examination Board in May 1970 at the age of 15½, was retired in May 2012 on the ground that he had completed 42 years of qualifying service, despite the statutory retirement age being 60 years. The Board had earlier resolved in 2004 to treat the…

Canara Bank had granted a term loan secured by mortgage of property belonging to a partnership firm and a guarantor. The Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) passed an ex‑parte decree against the guarantor and the firm, which the guarantor unsuccessfully tried to set aside. Fifteen years later the guarantor’s successors filed …

The District Bar Association of Dehradun challenged a High Court order directing Bar Associations to withdraw a long‑standing Saturday strike by advocates in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, and to initiate disciplinary action against those who persisted. The petitioners argued that the right to strike is prot…

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) appealed against the Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC) order quashing several pre‑1999 circulars that imposed "take‑or‑pay" and minimum off‑take obligations on captive power plant (CPP) holders and directing MSEDCL to refund amounts…

The appellant Bank of India debited Rs.27.41 lakh from the respondent Brindavan Agro Industries as 50% of processing and TEV study charges before the loan was sanctioned. The respondent filed a complaint under Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, seeking a full refund, and the State and National Consumer Di…

The cement manufacturer M/s J.K. Cement Works insured its coal stock under a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy that covered "Flood and Inundation". Heavy rains on 29-30 August 2003 caused water to accumulate and wash off some coal, and the insurer's surveyor affirmed the loss was payable, but the insurer later re…

The case concerned land owned by Jaipal Singh that was declared surplus under the Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act, 1953, and subsequently sold to Mohan Singh in 1974 and later to the present appellant. While the surplus‑land proceedings were pending, the Haryana Ceiling of Land Holdings Act, 1972 came into force, r…

The appellants hypothecated goods to The Surat People’s Co‑operative Bank and were required to insure them. The bank, acting as a corporate agent, obtained fire and special perils policies from New India Assurance, but for the 2005‑06 period the Rs 60 lakh policy expressly excluded storm, flood and inundation (STFI) pe…

The victim, Urmila (Guddi), was married into a family that repeatedly demanded additional dowry and subjected her to physical and mental cruelty. After returning to her parental home due to harassment, she was burnt under suspicious circumstances and later died, leading to three dying declarations—two recorded while th…

In a Bihar Panchayat election for the post of Mukhia, the petitioner alleged that his valid votes were being rejected while invalid votes for the returned candidate were accepted. The Election Tribunal, after hearing evidence, ordered a recount and later declared the election of the returned candidate void, directing a…

The plaintiff entered into an agreement of sale on 03‑01‑2004 with defendant No.1 for a plot of land at Rs 1,40,000, paying Rs 69,500 as earnest money. The plaintiff sued for specific performance and to set aside a later sale deed dated 11‑06‑2004 executed by defendant No.1 in favour of defendant No.2 (the appellant). …

Dr. C.P.V. Vijayakumaran, an associate professor on probation at Central University of Kerala, faced multiple complaints of sexual harassment by female students. An Internal Complaints Committee, constituted under UGC Regulations, conducted a formal inquiry, found him guilty, and recommended disciplinary action. The Ex…

The three oil companies (Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum) held long‑term leases on land, constructed petrol pumps and then sub‑let the premises to dealers. The landlords filed ejectment suits and the companies sought orders under Section 9 of the Madras City Tenants’ Protection Act, 1921 for the sa…

The Supreme Court examined proceedings initiated by the Forward Markets Commission (later merged with SEBI) against Neptune Overseas Ltd (NOL) and its director Kailash Ramkishan Gupta for alleged trading irregularities. A detailed show‑cause notice dated 21 June 2011 was served only on Gupta, and the respondents argued…

The appellant, a news‑channel editor, was arrested in November 2020 in connection with an FIR under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC alleging his role in the suicide of a contractor who claimed unpaid dues. He filed a petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution and Section 482 of the CrPC seeking quashing of the …

The Supreme Court examined the constitutionality of the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities (Qualification, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules, 2020 (the 2020 Rules) and the mechanisms for appointment, tenure, and service conditions of members of 19 tribunals. It held that the R…

Gajendra Sharma, a home loan borrower, challenged the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) notification dated 27 March 2020 that allowed a six‑month moratorium on loan repayments but continued to levy interest, claiming it was ultra vires and violated his right to life under Article 21. The Union of India, invoking powers und…

The Supreme Court heard a batch of writ petitions and intervention applications filed under Article 32 seeking a fair investigation into the gang‑rape and murder of a 19‑year‑old girl in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, and alleging illegal cremation of the victim. The State Government had already ordered the Central Bureau of …

The State of Punjab enacted Section 4(5) of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006, reserving 50% of SC quota for Balmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs. The High Court struck down this provision, relying on E.V. Chinnaiah, and the Supreme Court dismissed a related SLP. In a three‑Judg…

The Supreme Court examined two second appeals filed under Section 100 of the CPC concerning a suit for declaration of title and possession of a property. The High Court had entertained the appeals despite the absence of a substantial question of law, and had allowed the respondent's claim to possession while dismissing…

Modi Xerox Ltd. made foreign exchange remittances in 1985 and was served a show‑cause notice under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA) against the company and its directors. One of the directors, Shailendra Swarup, contended that he was a part‑time, non‑executive director and had no responsibility for the …

The appellant, a 23‑year‑old software engineer, was injured in a bus‑accident caused by the negligent driving of a State Express Transport Corporation bus, sustaining a permanent disability of 31.1%. She filed a claim under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) award…

The appellant, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd., sought to withhold the gratuity of its former employee, Sri Rabindranath Choubey, who had superannuated while a disciplinary inquiry was pending, and to impose dismissal after the inquiry concluded. The respondent argued that gratuity becomes payable on superannuation and that d…

The Supreme Court entertained a suo motu contempt petition filed against Vijay Kurle, Rashid Khan Pathan and Nilesh Ojha for circulating letters containing scandalous and scurrilous allegations against two Supreme Court judges. The Court examined whether it could initiate contempt proceedings without the consent of the…

The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) disconnected the high‑tension electricity supply to Iceberg Industries Ltd. after the company failed to pay the Annual Minimum Guarantee (AMG) and other charges, despite the company’s request for payment in instalments and a stay order from the Consumer Grievances Redressal Foru…

The State of Gujarat appealed the discharge of Mansukhbhai Kanjibhai Shah, a trustee of Sumandeep Charitable Trust which runs a deemed university, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The charge sheet alleged that Shah demanded Rs 20 lakhs to allow a student to appear for examinations, constituting a corrupt p…

The Commercial Taxes Officer challenged the exemption claimed by M/s Bombay Machinery Store under Section 6(2) of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, arguing that the State’s circulars imposed a 30‑day time‑limit after which goods retained by a carrier were deemed to be constructively delivered, converting the inter‑state…

Aishwarya Atul Pusalkar, the wife of respondent No.8, sought a writ directing the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to re‑house her in two flats (Nos. 601 & 602) of the redeveloped building, which she claimed as her matrimonial home. The High Court dismissed the writ, holding that the matter wa…

The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) imported plant equipment under two contracts that also included fees for basic design, engineering, and foreign supervision. The customs authorities added these fees to the assessable value of the equipment under Rule 9(1)(e) of the Customs Valuation Rules, 1988, treating the co…

The Maharashtra Government, under a 1995 Service Career Development Scheme, granted Group C and D employees the pay‑scale of the next promotional post after 12 years of service. In 2004 it issued a resolution extending the Deputy Accountant scale to Junior Clerks, which was later withdrawn by a 2008 resolution after se…

Two former judicial officers of Jharkhand challenged orders of compulsory retirement issued by the High Court’s Screening and Standing Committees, alleging that the committees ignored later service records, that promotions should erase earlier adverse entries, and that the retirements were not in public interest. The S…

The Oriental Insurance Company appointed Pradip as an Assistant on the basis of a caste certificate claiming he belonged to the Dhangad Scheduled Tribe, whereas he actually belonged to the Dhangar community, a non‑ST group. The Scrutiny Committee invalidated his claim, but Pradip filed a writ petition seeking protectio…

The Rajasthan government created 554 Tax Assistant posts and filled 80% through direct recruitment (DR) and 20% through promotion of departmental staff (DP). Advertisements for DRs were issued on 25‑01‑2011 and for DPs on 24‑05‑2011; however, DP appointment letters were issued before those of DRs. The seniority list pu…

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Ltd sought to quash an FIR registered under Sections 34, 471, 468, 467, 420, 419 and 406 IPC for alleged installation of defeat devices in its vehicles. The High Court refused to quash the FIR, granting only protection against arrest. The petitioner argued that the police could not i…

NV Engineering (formerly Noy Vallesina) and Jindal Drugs entered into an engineering contract that provided for ICC arbitration with the seat in London. A partial award was made in 2000, which Jindal challenged before the Bombay High Court under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996; the court held t…

The appellants, Rajesh Dhiman and Gulshan Rana, were stopped by police while riding a motorcycle and a search of a backpack on Dhiman yielded 3.1 kg of charas. The trial court acquitted them, holding that the prosecution had not proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt, especially because the complainant (PW‑8) was al…

The appellant Raveen Kumar was stopped by police near the HP‑J&K border and charas weighing 1 kg 230 g was seized from his van. The trial court acquitted him, relying on a prosecution reply to a bail application that suggested prior knowledge of the appellant, deeming the seizure not a "chance recovery". The High Court…

The appellant, accused under the NDPS Act, was remanded to judicial custody on 4 August 2018. After the statutory period of 180 days elapsed on 31 January 2019, he filed an application for default bail under Section 167(2) of the CrPC on 1 February 2019, offering to furnish bail. While the bail application was being he…

V. Sukumaran, who had worked for over seven years as a Casual Labour Roll (CLR) employee in the Kerala Fisheries Department, later entered government service through a regular recruitment process and retired as an Upper Division Clerk. He claimed that his CLR service should be counted as qualifying service for pension …

The plaintiff, A. Krishnappa, sued the defendant’s wife, Smt. Narasamma, for possession of a schedule property, claiming full ownership and seeking removal of a temporary structure. The defendant relied on an unregistered sale agreement dated 10‑10‑1976 and a General Power of Attorney dated 08‑08‑1988 to assert title, …

The Madhya Pradesh High Court struck down Rule 55A of the State Motor Vehicles Rules, which imposed fees for reserving specific vehicle registration numbers, holding it ultra vires the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The State appealed, arguing that under Sections 65(1) and 211 of t…

The Union of India amended the import policy for peas and other pulses, shifting them from a free to a restricted category and imposing quantitative import limits through notifications and a trade notice issued under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (FTDR Act). Importers challenged the validity …

The appellant, Mohd. Inam, challenged a vacancy declaration made by the Rent Control and Eviction Officer under Section 12(1)(b) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972, alleging that only his family members occupied the premises and therefore the vacancy provision was …

Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) mortgaged its land to secure loans taken by its holding company Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) from a consortium of banks. The Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) applied to the NCLT for avoidance of these transactions under Sections 43, 45 and 66 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 201…

The case concerned a Sub‑Inspector of the Railway Protection Force, Rajendra Kumar Dubey, who was compulsorily retired on 5 December 2007 for gross neglect of duty relating to theft of railway property. Dubey challenged the retirement in a writ petition, and the Bombay High Court set aside the order, reinstating him wi…

The appellants Anwar Ali and another were convicted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court for murder and related offences based on circumstantial evidence, overturning a trial court acquittal. The trial court had found material contradictions in the prosecution's version of the recovery of a knife, rope, and other items, …

The appellant owned land that was leased to a college; the lease expired in 1967 and the Haryana Government issued a notification for compulsory acquisition on 15 May 1968, later making an award on 29 September 1970. The dispute centered on when capital gains under Section 45 of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961 accrued – wheth…

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) issued a notice to show cause under Regulation 39(4) of its 1960 Staff Regulations seeking removal of employee Mukesh Poonamchand Shah after his conviction by a Special CBI Judge for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. Shah challenged …