Judgments of 2020

The deceased, Sandeep Sharma, died from injuries sustained in a night-time collision between his car, driven by its owner Sanjeev Kapoor, and an oncoming truck. His dependents filed a claim for compensation alleging that Kapoor's rash and negligent driving caused the accident. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal relied …

The Supreme Court examined the validity of notifications issued under Sections 2(2) and 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 that declared a green‑field stretch (C‑K‑S) as National Highways NH‑179A and NH‑179B and authorised land acquisition for the Chennai‑Krishnagiri‑Salem corridor. The Court held that Parliament, u…

Miss A alleged sexual exploitation and her father lodged a complaint, leading to FIRs and the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The victim's statement was recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC, after which the accused (Respondent No.2) applied for a certified copy of that statement. The trial court reje…

Three postgraduate medical students were suspended from their college and hospital after a FIR was lodged alleging they were responsible for a junior colleague's suicide. The suspension was based solely on the FIR, not on a prima facie finding under Section 6(1) of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999. The …

The Bangalore Club, a social club, challenged an assessment that it was liable to wealth tax under Section 21AA of the Wealth Tax Act, 1957. The Assessing Officer and the CIT (Appeals) held the club liable, but the Appellate Tribunal set aside those orders. The Supreme Court examined the meaning of "association of pers…

A 45‑year‑old cyclist was killed when a bus hired by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) struck him. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) held the accident resulted from the driver’s rash and negligent driving and awarded Rs 1.65 lakhs plus interest as compensation. The High Court, relying …

On 18 March 2004 the son of the claimant, who was a pillion rider, died in a road accident. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) held the insurer liable under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and awarded Rs.1.99 lakh with interest, using a multiplier of 8 based on the claimant's age. The High Court set…

The tenant, Addissery Raghuvan, occupied two shop rooms in a building owned by the landlord, Cheruvalath Krishnadasan, who filed eviction petitions under Sections 11(2)(b), 11(8) and 11(4)(ii) of the Kerala Building (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1965, claiming a bonafide need for additional accommodation. The trial cou…

The appellant, P. Gopinathan Pillai, was appointed Project Officer and later Assistant Director in the Centre for Adult Continuing Education and Extension (CACEE), a self‑financing centre administered by the University of Kerala. He claimed that, as a "teacher of the University" under the Kerala University Act, 1974, h…

The Supreme Court examined the selection of 1,983 Physical Training Instructor (PTI) posts by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC). The Commission had initially announced a written test and interview criteria, later cancelled the written test and altered the short‑listing process without publishing new criteri…

Kameshwar Singh, a Scale I officer of Canara Bank, was suspended and subjected to departmental inquiry for alleged misconduct. The inquiry, conducted by the Deputy General Manager (the Disciplinary Authority), concluded with a finding of guilt and the General Manager, a higher authority, imposed compulsory retirement u…

The appellants, partners of a firm, issued numerous cheques to a retiring partner which were dishonoured, leading to 28 complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. They were convicted and sentenced, but the appellate court suspended the sentence on condition that they deposit 25% of the compensation…

Jagdish Raj, a clerk-cum-shroff of Indian Bank, died on 15 January 2004 leaving behind a wife (who was already employed) and three minor children. The family applied for compassionate appointment for the son on 24 January 2004, which had to be considered under the scheme in force on the date of death – the 4 April 1979…

Moola Gounder died intestate leaving two sons, his wife and three daughters. The father's one‑third share in the coparcenary property was to be inherited by the six legal heirs. The youngest daughter, then a minor, sued for partition, alleging that a release deed executed by her mother (her natural guardian) relinquish…

The appellant owned a Tata Safari vehicle insured with Oriental Insurance, which met with an accident in June 2012. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum awarded the claim of Rs 5,38,000 with interest, which was reduced by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) to Rs 4,99,000. The appellant a…

Vidya Devi, an illiterate widow, had her 3.34‑hectare land taken by the Himachal Pradesh State in 1967‑68 for a road without any acquisition proceeding or compensation. The State later initiated acquisition only for neighbouring owners, leaving her claim unaddressed. Vidya filed a writ petition seeking compensation; th…

The State of Gujarat awarded a contract to Amber Builders for highway work, which the contractor completed but later faced a claim of defective repair and a demand for Rs.1.09 crore. The State issued a notice seeking payment, which the contractor challenged in the Gujarat High Court, leading to a writ petition that was…

The son of the appellants, aged 23, died when a car struck the motorcycle on which he was a pillion rider; the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs.11,66,800 as compensation, which the High Court reduced to Rs.4,14,000 by invoking a 10% deduction for contributory negligence, using a lower multiplier and a minimum‑…

The respondent bought three holiday vouchers for a total of Rs 17,994 from Today Merchandise Pvt. Ltd., which advertised a scheme offering free gifts contingent on making a certain number of referrals. The respondent claimed entitlement to a laptop, a mobile phone and a 42‑inch LED TV without making any referrals, and …

Yasodhar Kamat, a constable in the Border Security Force with 17 years of service, was granted leave from 10 February to 1 March 2007 but failed to return on time, citing a family emergency involving his niece's kidnapping and seeking an extension from his Unit Adjutant. He returned on 4 April 2007 and was charged with…

The dispute arose after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, when the Telangana power utilities unilaterally transferred 1,157 employees to Andhra Pradesh utilities, prompting writ petitions. The High Court set aside the unilateral relief and directed a neutral allocation, which the Supreme Court upheld and appointed a O…

The petitioner, journalist Amish Devgan, hosted a televised debate on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act and described the Sufi saint Pir Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti as an invader, terrorist and robber, leading to seven FIRs in different states under Sections 295A, 153A and 505(2) of the IPC. He sought quashin…

The Delhi Police advertised 523 vacancies for Constable (Executive) in 2013. After the written exam, a provisional list was issued on 13 July 2015, but a bonus mark for candidates taller than 178 cm was omitted, prompting a revised list on 17 July 2015 that included the respondents, Umesh Kumar and Satyendra Singh. Sub…

The appellant Satya Deo was convicted of murder under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence (aged 16 years 7 months) and sought relief under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The Supreme Court examined the applicabi…

The petitioners challenged the occupation of the Kalindi Kunj‑Shaheen Bagh stretch, including the Okhla underpass, by protesters opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, arguing that it violated their right to protest under Articles 19(1)(a) and (b). The Delhi High Court dismissed the writ without specific directions, p…

The Supreme Court heard a series of appeals filed by three insurance companies challenging the awards of compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for "loss of consortium" and a separate head of "loss of love and affection" granted by various High Courts and Motor Accident Claims Tribunals. The Court examined whe…

The Hari Krishna Mandir Trust, holding Plot No.473‑B3 and an adjoining private road, sought correction of a Town Planning Scheme that erroneously recorded the road as owned by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The High Court dismissed the trust's writ petition, holding that the land had vested in PMC under Section 88 o…

The deceased died in a road accident and his parents claimed compensation before the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal, which awarded Rs.2.24 lakh. They filed an appeal to the High Court for enhancement 45 days after the 90‑day limit, citing the illness of the appellant's wife as the reason for delay. The High Court dismis…

M/s Oudh Sugar Mills Ltd., a sugar manufacturer in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, challenged the Central Government's decision to place its factory in the Central Zone for levy‑sugar price fixation for the 1984‑85 and 1985‑86 crushing years, seeking parity with two other factories in the same district that were placed in the …

The Supreme Court examined a dispute where Infinity Infotech Parks Ltd., the lessee of a building, had sub‑leased the entire 16th floor to Shiva Jute Mills Ltd., the sub‑lessee, who failed to pay any lease rent, maintenance or electricity charges for over seven years. The Calcutta High Court had ordered the lessee to r…

The case concerned the inheritance rights of three sons born to Laxman before his adoption in 1935 and a daughter born after adoption. After Laxman's death in 1987, the question arose whether the pre‑adoption sons could inherit the property of the adoptive family under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The Supreme Court …

The Madhya Pradesh State Employment Guarantee Parishad issued guidelines on 2 June 2012 for appointing Gram Rojgar Sahayaks under MGNREGS, specifying compulsory qualifications and a desired computer exam pass from listed institutions with assigned marks. The Collector of Rewa issued a Revised Time Schedule on 17 June 2…

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., a manufacturer of automobiles liable to excise duty, claimed deductions under Section 43B of the Income Tax Act for a large unutilised MODVAT credit of Rs 69.93 crore and for sales tax recoverable amounting to Rs 3.08 crore for AY 1999‑2000. The Assessing Officer, the Commissioner and the ITAT…

The appellant, C.S. Venkatesh, appealed a High Court order that had declared a 1975 sale deed executed by the deceased plaintiff, A.S.C. Murthy, as a nominal security transaction and directed specific performance of a reconveyance agreement. The Supreme Court examined whether the sale deed was an outright sale or a mor…

The Supreme Court examined a batch of appeals filed by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) challenging High Court orders that regularised workmen based on the PCLU judgment. The Court questioned whether the PCLU decision correctly interpreted clause 2(ii) of ONGC’s Certified Standing Orders and whether it had consid…

The appellants were employed under a centrally funded Adult Education/Non‑Formal Education Project in the undivided Bihar between 1978‑1990, and after the creation of Jharkhand their services were declared surplus and later absorbed as fresh appointees under a 2007 notification that denied seniority and pay protection.…

The appellant, a cargo importer, obtained a marine cargo cover note and later a policy from the respondent insurer for a shipment carried on the vessel Khalijia‑III. The vessel was not classed with an IACS‑member society as required by the Institute Classification Clause (ICC) and the appellant failed to give prompt no…

The appellant insurer denied a claim for the death of a passenger who was on a motorised glider sightseeing flight, arguing that the glider was not a standard aircraft and the passenger was not a fare‑paying traveller in a regular airline or charter. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that the gli…

The Union of India sought to retain Rs.134.66 crore that it had encashed from bank guarantees of Reliance Communication Ltd (RCL) and Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) after they failed to pay deferred spectrum charges of Rs.774.25 crore. The respondents furnished fresh bank guarantees for the same amount and petitioned the T…

The deceased was riding a motorcycle borrowed from its registered owner when he was killed in a collision caused by the rash driving of another motorcyclist. The claimants filed a claim under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act against the owner and insurer of the borrowed vehicle, without joining the owner or insur…

The victim Sher Singh was set on fire after being doused with kerosene by the accused Purshottam Chopra and Suresh (telwala). While in critical condition with 100% burns, he gave two statements – one to Dr. Sushma (recorded in an MLC) and another to SI Rajesh Kumar – which were treated as dying declarations. The trial …

The case involved a partnership firm (AMC) whose reconstitution in 2009 led the Director of Mines and Geology of Karnataka (the appellant) to issue Mineral Dispatch Permits (MDPs) to the new partners. The Central Bureau of Investigation alleged that the appellant acted without the prior State Government sanction requir…

A. Mahalakshmi, holding a power of attorney for the owner of a commercial premises, leased the property to Bala Venkatram under a 2007 rental agreement. The landlord later discovered that the premises were being operated under a different name by Shahu Hameed, who held the sales‑tax certificate, licence and bank accoun…

Vetindia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a licensed drug manufacturer, challenged an order of blacklisting issued by the State of Uttar Pradesh on 8 September 2009, alleging that it had never supplied the disputed veterinary injection under the tender and that the show‑cause notice did not specifically propose blacklisting. The …

The appellants, who were Telephone Operators in the Delhi Fire Service, were reorganised as Radio Telephone Operators (RTOs) with a higher pay scale, a requirement of at least five years of service and a specialised training programme. They claimed that this conversion was merely a re‑description of posts and that, the…

The petitioner, an advocate, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Supreme Court Registry not to give preferential treatment to influential lawyers and to refund excess court fees. He alleged that his petitions were repeatedly delayed, defected, and that the Registry was biased against…

The deceased Abhey Kumar Oswal had nominated his wife Aruna Oswal as nominee of his shares under the Companies Act, 2013. After his death, his son Pankaj Oswal filed a partition suit claiming one‑fourth of the estate, including shares in two companies, while the High Court ordered a status‑quo in favour of the nominee.…

The Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) conducted a Graduate Level Combined Examination for 1,569 Class III vacancies, which later increased to 3,285. After objections to model answers, BSSC appointed an expert committee whose report led to revisions and the filing of writ petitions. The Patna High Court, first thr…

The Assistant Commissioner (CT) LTU Kakinada appealed against a High Court order that had quashed an assessment under the Andhra Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005 because the statutory appeal was filed after the 60‑day limitation period. The High Court had allowed the writ petition under Article 226, holding that the s…

The appellant, who purchased land by a sale deed in 1984, filed a suit seeking a declaration that a compromise decree passed by the High Court in 1994 in a partition suit was illegal, fraudulent and void. The decree was passed in a second appeal concerning parties other than the appellant, who was a stranger to the com…

The State of Rajasthan appealed against the High Court's conversion of the murder conviction of accused Mehram (No.5) under Section 302 IPC to a lesser offence under Section 326 IPC and the reduction of his sentence to five months. The facts reveal that the accused, armed with lethal weapons, lay in wait behind bushes …

The Ratnagiri Nagar Parishad sought to set up a solid waste disposal project on land allotted by the State, which was challenged by a group of local residents who filed a suit for a permanent injunction. The trial court dismissed the suit for lack of evidence, but the first appellate court and the High Court reversed t…

The Gujarat Electricity Board (Gujarat Urja) and CLP India entered into a 1994 Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 635 MW of electricity. A 1995 Central Government notification amended the 1992 tariff notification, removing the deemed generation incentive for naphtha‑based plants. Gujarat Urja sought recovery of incenti…

The petitioner, Atmanand Singh, claimed that the Punjab National Bank had improperly transferred funds to his loan account and that an agreement dated 27‑05‑1990 required the bank to refund the amount with interest. The bank denied the existence of the alleged agreement and the documents, asserting they were forged, an…

The appellants, legal representatives of the original landowner, challenged the State's forcible possession of surplus land under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, which was effected by a Possession Panchnama on 20 March 1986. After a series of applications, exemptions, and a partially successful writ …

The Supreme Court interpreted Section 24 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which deals with the lapse of land acquisition proceedings initiated under the repealed Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The Court held that the word 'or' in Section 24(…

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) blacklisted several rice mills for supplying sub‑standard rice and barred them from receiving paddy for custom milling. To evade the ban, the mill owners executed unregistered lease deeds transferring the mills to new partnership or proprietorship firms, which then applied for paddy …

Universal Ferro & Allied Chemicals Ltd. (UFAC), a 100% Export Oriented Unit, entered into an agreement with Tata Iron & Steel Co. (TISCO) to convert raw manganese ore supplied free of cost into silicon manganese for a fee. The Revenue argued that such job‑work was not permitted under the EXIM Policy and that, under the…

The mother filed a habeas corpus petition seeking custody of her minor daughter, but the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition and granted only two hours of visitation per month at the District Legal Services Authority office. The mother appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that such limited and formal visitati…

Sadhana Chaudhary, a former Additional District Judge of Uttar Pradesh, was dismissed from service on the ground that she had allegedly awarded excessive compensation in two land acquisition cases, which the enquiry committee deemed "shocking blunders" and indicative of extraneous considerations. The High Court upheld …

The Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), a registered society, challenged the constitutionality of Sections 5(1) and 5(4) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Rules 3(i), 3(v) and 3(vi) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011, alleging vagueness and violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 19(1…

The deceased, a 21‑year‑old truck driver employed by the second respondent, was driving from Ambala to Meerut on 11 June 2003 when he stopped near a bridge to fetch water and take a bath in a canal. He slipped and drowned. The Workmen’s Compensation Commissioner had awarded compensation to his legal heirs, but the High…

The appellant, a seed company, entered into a tripartite agreement with the respondent, a small landholder, to sell her wet musli seeds and to buy back the harvested crop at a guaranteed minimum price. When the appellant failed to honour the buy‑back, the respondent filed a consumer complaint, which was initially dismi…

The plaintiff entered into an agreement to sell land with the original vendor in 1981, paid earnest money and was given possession, but the sale deed was not executed before the time limit expired and the land was subjected to a government acquisition. The acquisition was later set aside after the plaintiff’s writ peti…

The State of Tamil Nadu acquired 49.67 acres of land in Porur Village under the Land Acquisition Act and, on 26 February 1964, executed a deed of assignment vesting 46.04 acres in WS Industries (India) Ltd (WSIL) free of encumbrances. The first respondent, R. Perumalswamy, claimed that his father had purchased the land…

The appellant and the main accused, who were related to the complainant, got into a quarrel over a land dispute on 22 October 1992. The main accused drew a pistol and fired, injuring the complainant, and the prosecution alleged that the appellant had instigated the shooting, seeking conviction under Section 307 read wi…

Farmers stored their chillies and other produce in a cold store that had taken a comprehensive insurance policy with United India Insurance. The cold store and the farmers obtained loans from Canara Bank, hypothecating the stored produce as security. A fire destroyed the cold store and the produce; the insurance compan…

The case concerned the constitutionality of sections 8, 10, 11 and 12 of the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act, 2008, which mandated that a state‑constituted commission select and recommend teachers for aided minority madrasahs. The petitioners, a managing committee of a recognised madrasah, argued that the p…

The appellant was convicted under Section 18 of the NDPS Act for possession of 1 kg 750 g of opium seized during a police patrol on 12 September 1996. The prosecution’s case relied on the testimony of police officials and the recovery of the narcotic in the presence of the ASP, while the ASI who handled the seized prop…

Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprise Ltd. filed suits for specific performance of a sale of land and obtained a temporary injunction restraining the defendants from executing further documents. The defendants appealed, arguing that no concluded contract existed and that the plaintiff had delayed instituting suit, allowing third…

The appellant, a proof‑reader appointed in 1970, voluntarily retired in February 1988 and was re‑appointed in August 1994. He sought to have the six‑year gap treated as leave without pay so that his entire service could be counted for pension. The Board of School Education resolved to condone the gap, but the applicabl…

The appellant, Shanti Devi, sought to revive a writ petition filed by her late husband, a retired Coal India employee, challenging the stoppage of his pension and a demand for repayment of over Rs 8 lakhs. The earlier petition for refund of a smaller amount had been dismissed by the Patna High Court on the ground of la…

The petitioner filed a public‑interest writ under Article 32 seeking an immediate ban on the use of chemical or organic disinfectant tunnels and ultraviolet (UV) rays on human beings, alleging that such practices violate the right to health under Article 21. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had issued an advis…

The appellant C. Bright challenged a Kerala High Court order that held Section 14 of the SARFAESI Act, which obliges a District Magistrate to deliver possession of a secured asset within 30 days (extendable to 60), is a directory provision. The Supreme Court examined the language of the provision, the purpose of the Ac…

A complaint was lodged in 1989 alleging adulteration of Dalda Vanaspati Ghee manufactured by Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). The trial magistrate initially absolved the company’s directors and continued prosecution against the nominated officer, Nirmal Sen, who was later convicted under the Prevention of Food Adulter…

The appellant, Hitesh Verma, challenged a charge‑sheet filed under Sections 452, 504, 506 IPC and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(e) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, alleging that the FIR was based on a property dispute and was false. The High Court dismissed his petition under Sec…

The petitioner, a former employee of Kuruppampady Service Co‑operative Bank, challenged his compulsory retirement through a series of proceedings, including a writ petition, writ appeal and a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in 2015, all of which were dismissed. He later filed a review petition in the Kerala High Court aga…

The Cochin Port Trust sought to recover ground rent and demurrage for containers that remained unclaimed by consignees after customs clearance, arguing that the steamer agents should not be liable beyond the 75‑day limit set by the Tariff Authority. The Supreme Court examined whether the passage of title, endorsement o…

The appellant, EXL Careers, filed a suit for recovery in a Gurgaon civil court despite an exclusive jurisdiction clause in a franchise agreement that designated Delhi courts as the sole forum. The Gurgaon court returned the plaint under Order VII Rule 10 of the CPC, and the High Court ordered its transfer to Delhi, dir…

The petitioners challenged the Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019, which inserted clauses 15(6) and 16(6) permitting a 10% reservation for economically weaker sections in educational institutions and public employment. They argued that the amendment violated the basic structure of the Constitution…

The appellant was convicted under Section 8C read with Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the NDPS Act for the recovery of 48 kg of cannabis from a house that the trial court deemed his based on a 2008 voters list. He contended that he had sold the house to a co‑accused on 12 June 2009 and produced the sale agreement, which the p…

The deceased was killed in a motor accident on 21 June 2012. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal initially awarded compensation based on a monthly income of Rs 9,000, which the Madras High Court enhanced to Rs 33,07,000 by assuming a monthly income of Rs 15,000. The Supreme Court examined the salary certificate for May …

Shakti Bhog Food Industries Ltd. filed a suit on 23 February 2005 seeking true accounts and refund of excess interest/commission charged by the Central Bank of India. The trial court rejected the plaint under Order VII Rule 11(d) CPC, holding the suit barred by the three‑year limitation period in Article 113 of the Lim…

The appellants, engaged as agents procuring frozen seafood for foreign buyers, claimed a 50% deduction under Section 80‑O of the Income Tax Act for service fees received in foreign exchange. The Assessing Officer held the services were rendered in India, not "from India", and disallowed the deduction. The Income Tax Ap…

The State of Orissa appealed a High Court order that granted M/s B. Engineers & Builders Ltd. reimbursement of sales tax paid on works contracts executed between 1998‑99 and 2000‑01. The contracts contained Clause 45.2 of the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) which obliges the employer to reimburse sales tax on comp…

The Court examined whether co‑operative banks, which are societies registered under State legislation, fall within the Union List entry 45 (banking) or the State List entry 32 (co‑operative societies) for the purposes of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act,…

The appellant, Manoj Suryavanshi, was accused of kidnapping and murdering three minor children of Shivlal after a personal enmity arising from his wife's elopement. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence: the children were last seen with the appellant, the bodies were recovered from locations he disclosed, a…

The partnership firm Chetak Enterprises entered into an agreement with the Government of Rajasthan to construct a road and collect tolls. The road was completed on 27‑03‑2000 and the firm was converted into a private limited company on 28‑03‑2000 under Part IX of the Companies Act, 1956. The company claimed a deduction…

The petitioner, Mankastu Impex Private Limited, an Indian distributor of air‑quality monitors, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with AirVisual Limited, a Hong Kong company, appointing it as exclusive distributor in India. After AirVisual was acquired by IQAir AG, which refused to honour the MoU, the petitione…

The Enforcement Directorate issued a show‑cause notice against Zoom Enterprises Ltd and its Managing Director, Suborno Bose, alleging violation of Section 10(6) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) for failing to use foreign exchange procured for the import of refrigeration equipment and for not surrende…

The Income Tax Department conducted a search and seizure operation under s.132(1) at the residence of a director of M/s Super Malls (P) Ltd., seizing a pen‑drive and documents showing cash receipts of the company. The Assessing Officer, who was also the Assessing Officer of the director, issued a notice to the company …

UCO Bank (appellant) sought recovery of a large sum from Shree Sitaram Mills Ltd. and its successor National Textile Corporation Ltd. (NTC) after the mill was taken over and nationalised under the Textile Undertakings (Take‑over of Management) Act, 1983 and the Textile Undertakings (Nationalisation) Act, 1995. The bank…

The Supreme Court dealt with contempt petitions filed by M/s Writers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (WPL) seeking the disbursement of proceeds from the sale of Super Bazar assets after the Court had earlier ordered a full refund of WPL's investment with interest, subject to deduction of profits. The Court examined the Comptr…

The Supreme Court examined a batch of petitions challenging the approval of increased intake and second‑shift courses in pharmacy colleges approved by AICTE but rejected by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). The core issue was whether the Pharmacy Act, 1948 (a special statute) or the All India Council for Technical E…

The Union of India appealed against several High Court orders that had granted employees financial upgradation in the grade‑pay of the next promotional hierarchy under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme, relying on the Raj Pal judgment. The respondents argued that MACP should be interpreted like the …

The case concerned the absorption of a government employee (respondent No.1) who had been on deputation in the Ministry of Environment & Forests and was later absorbed on the condition that his seniority would be counted from the date of absorption, treating him as a fresh appointee. After the seniority list was issued…

Shyam Kishore Singh was appointed as a trainee with Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. in 1982, where his date of birth was entered as 04-03-1950 in the service register. He later claimed that his true date of birth was 20-01-1955, as shown on his matriculation certificate, and sought a correction in 2009, which the employer reje…

Kajal, a 12‑year‑old girl who suffered 100% physical and severe mental disability after a truck hit the tractor she was travelling in, filed a claim under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs.11,08,501 and the High Court enhanced it to Rs.25,78,501. The Supreme Court re‑assessed t…

The appellant filed a suit in 1984 for a 7‑biswa parcel of land and a compromise decree was passed on 4 October 1985 granting them title to that parcel. In a later suit filed in 1998, the respondents sought an injunction over the same land and, during trial, the appellant attempted to introduce the 1985 compromise decr…

The appellants, originally recruited as Data Entry Operators (DEOs) Grade B, challenged a notice that limited promotion to the post of Inspector to pre‑restructured categories, arguing that the 2001 cabinet‑approved cadre restructuring merged DEOs into the Senior Tax Assistant (STA) cadre and that their prior service s…

The husband appealed against a Family Court order granting interim maintenance of Rs 15,000 per month to his wife and Rs 10,000 per month to his son under Section 125 of the Cr.P.C., which was affirmed by the Bombay High Court. The Supreme Court upheld the lower courts' orders, directed the husband to pay the full arre…

The Karad Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd., a financial creditor, filed a Section 7 petition under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) against M/s Khandoba Prasanna Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., the corporate debtor. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) approved a resolution plan submitted by M/s Sai Agro (India) Chemicals, which …

The petitioners, directly recruited District Judges in Tamil Nadu (2011), claimed they were senior to promotee judges but were overlooked for elevation to the Madras High Court. They argued that, under Article 217(2) of the Constitution, their prior advocacy experience should be clubbed with their judicial service to s…

The petition challenged the continued detention of two persons under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA) after the Detaining Authority, a specially empowered Joint Secretary, failed to consider their representations until after the Central Advisory Board’s re…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a Statement and a Circular in April 2018 directing banks and other regulated entities to cease dealing with persons or entities dealing in virtual currencies (VCs) and to exit existing relationships within three months. The petitioners – a trade association and several cryptocurre…

The appellants, who had been appointed on compassionate grounds after the death of their parents, challenged the cancellation of their appointments, arguing that the pre‑amendment rules allowing a minor to apply within one year of attaining majority should apply. The Karnataka Administrative Tribunal and the High Court…

The appellant's husband owned a Hyundai car insured for Rs.5,00,000, which met with a fatal accident. The insurer denied the claim, alleging that the driver’s licence was fake and could not be verified with the licensing authority. The consumer forums allowed the claim, but the insurer appealed, contending a breach of …

The appellant Patram occupied a parcel of land in Haryana described in revenue records as "Shamlat Patti Dhera & Khubi" for over a century, but the land was never used for the common purpose of the village. The Gram Panchayat entered the land as "Panchayat Deh" in 1987‑88, leading to a dispute over whether the land qua…

The Madhya Pradesh Housing and Infrastructure Development Board (the Board) developed the Indira Nagar colony under a layout plan sanctioned in 1981. In 2004 it sought to modify the plan to change 1.52 hectares earmarked for a commercial shopping complex to residential use; after initial rejections, the State Governmen…

The State of Goa appealed a lower‑court judgment that had dismissed its counter‑claim asserting that Survey No.11/1 in Sulcorna village rightfully belonged to the Forest Department. The plaintiffs‑respondents had earlier withdrawn an application seeking correction of the record, yet their names were later added in red …

The apex body, Chhattisgarh State Co‑operative Bank, appointed the sixth respondent as CEO of Zila Sahkari Kendriya Bank, a District Central Co‑operative Bank, after the incumbent CEO was arrested. The bank challenged the appointment, arguing that under the 2016 amendment to the Chhattisgarh Co‑operative Societies Act,…

The appellant, C. Jayachandran, applied for a District Judge post under a 2007 advertisement for six Higher Judicial Service vacancies. After the High Court annulled the grant of moderation marks to other candidates, the revised select list placed Jayachandran at rank 3, but his appointment was delayed until 24 Februar…

The Supreme Court examined whether a District Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 could extend the time for filing a response to a complaint beyond the 30 days plus a statutorily permitted 15‑day extension under s.13(2)(a), and where the 30‑day period begins. The Court held that s.13(2)(a) uses mandatory lang…

The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) directed the Gujarat High Court to provide certified copies of judicial documents to a third‑party applicant under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act). The High Court, relying on Rule 151 of its own Rules, required the applicant to file an affidavit stating the purpose …

The Union requisitioned land in Malad, Mumbai in 1943 for defence purposes, partially de‑requisitioned in 1949, and later issued a Section 4(1) notification in 1975 acquiring the remaining portion, with a declaration in 1978 and a draft award in 1986. The respondents filed a writ petition in 2002 alleging that the stat…

The private appellants were caught in a surprise inspection for illegal mining and were offered compounding of the offences under the Madhya Pradesh Minor Mineral Rules, which they accepted by paying a penalty. Subsequently, a magistrate, suo motu, exercised powers under Section 156(3) of the CrPC to direct registratio…

The appellants, originally Junior Engineers, were promoted to Assistant Engineer under Regulation 7(a)(ii) and Regulation 10 of the Punjab State Electricity Board Service of Engineers (Civil) Regulations, 1965. They sought the 9‑year/16‑year time‑bound promotional scale granted to directly recruited Assistant Engineers…

The appellant was charged with rape and criminal intimidation after a mentally retarded girl (IQ 62) became pregnant; DNA evidence established him as the child's biological father. The trial court acquitted him, citing the four‑month delay in filing the FIR and questioning the victim's mental capacity to understand con…

Skill Lotto Solutions Pvt. Ltd., an authorised agent for Punjab lotteries, filed a writ petition under Art.32 challenging the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act) on the grounds that the definition of ‘goods’ in s.2(52) – which includes actionable claims – is unconstitutional and that taxing lottery, bet…

The Director General of Police of Jammu & Kashmir advertised for Sub‑Inspector posts and prepared a province‑wise merit list, which was challenged as contrary to the recruitment rules. After several rounds of litigation, the Supreme Court, relying on a concession by the Advocate General, accommodated 47 ousted candidat…

The appellant, a retired Director General of Police, sought anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the CrPC after an FIR was lodged in 2020 by the brother of a deceased victim, alleging offences dating back to 1991, including murder under Section 302 IPC which was added later based on approvers' statements. The Session…

The appellant, Shri Ram Sahu (deceased) through LRS, filed a suit seeking declaration that a 1995 sale deed was void and a permanent injunction against the defendants. The trial court dismissed the suit; the appellant appealed to the High Court, which also dismissed the appeal but observed that the appellant was in act…

The appellants Rajesh alias Sarkari and Ajay Hooda were convicted for murder under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 based on the testimony of the victim's father (PW‑4) and brother (PW‑5) who claimed to have witnessed the shooting and taken the victim to the hospital. The Supreme Court examined inconsistencies in their statements, n…

The Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, constituted on 10‑Oct‑2017, comprised 11 members, including elected and nominated representatives. After the term of a Member of Parliament expired in May 2019, the State Government argued that elected members were fewer than nominated members and, invoking Section 99(1) of the Waqf Act, 1995…

The Punjab National Bank advertised for the post of Peon, specifying that only candidates who had passed the 12th standard and were not graduates were eligible. Anit Kumar Das, a graduate, applied claiming to be a 12th pass and was selected, but the bank later discovered his graduate status and cancelled his appointmen…

The case concerns the abduction, extortion and murder of former MLA M.K. Balan, whose body was cremated under a fictitious name. The prosecution relied on extensive circumstantial evidence, the testimony of two accomplices (PW10 and PW11), recoveries of vehicles, a false death certificate, and statements recorded under…

The appellant, Bhagwat Sharan, a grandson of Umrao Lal, filed a partition suit claiming six houses and several agricultural lands as joint Hindu family (HUF) property of his ancestors Madhav Prashad and Umrao Lal. The defendants denied the existence of an HUF, asserting the properties were self‑acquired and that a will…

R. Thiyagarajan, a constable in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), was sent to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in 2008 and sought deputation and special allowances after his tenure ended in 2011. The Union of India contended that he was never on deputation because his control and pay remained wit…

The appellant New Delhi Television Ltd. challenged a notice issued under section 147 of the Income Tax Act alleging that undisclosed income had escaped assessment. The Court examined whether the revenue had a prima facie reason to believe such escapement, whether the assessee had fully disclosed all material facts, and…

The respondents Akhlaq Hussain and Saqir Hussain exchanged a small parcel of land for a larger agricultural parcel owned by Mangal Singh, a member of a Scheduled Tribe, through a registered deed. The Assistant Collector declared the exchange void under Sections 157‑B and 161 of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Ref…

The petitioners, two senior bank officials, challenged a criminal complaint filed under Section 200 of the CrPC alleging that they colluded with an auction purchaser to cause wrongful loss to the borrower, K. Virupaksha, after the bank invoked the SARFAESI Act to enforce a secured loan of Rs.2.68 crore. The borrower’s …

The husband filed a petition under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act seeking dissolution of his marriage on the ground of the wife's intemperate behaviour, while the wife filed a petition under Section 9 for restitution of conjugal rights. The trial court dismissed the husband's petition for lack of evidence, a deci…

Ramesh Singh, the District Basic Education Officer, appointed 521 assistant teachers without the mandatory recommendation of a Selection Committee as required by Rules 16 and 19(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education (Teachers) Service Rules, 1981. The State suspended him and, under the Uttar Pradesh Civil Service (Di…

Ashok Kumar Gupta and his wife, trustees of a public charitable medical trust, filed a suit under Section 92 of the CPC seeking a scheme for the trust’s administration, removal of certain trustees and appointment of qualified medical trustees, alleging that the trust had been turned into a private family trust and its …

The appellant's husband, an account holder of Saurashtra Gramin Bank, applied for a group accident insurance policy by submitting a form to the bank, which was to deduct a Rs 100 premium and forward it to the insurer. He died in an accident shortly after, and the insurer denied the claim, stating the premium had not be…

The appellant, Nimay Sah, elder brother of the deceased's husband, was convicted under Section 498-A read with Section 34 IPC for alleged dowry harassment leading to the death of his sister‑in‑law, Asha Kumari. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and found that, apart from…

In Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh & Ors., the Supreme Court revisited its earlier directions (April 3, 2018) requiring the use of photography and videography at crime scenes. The Court noted that compliance affidavits filed by 14 States and 2 Union Territories were inadequate, lacking details on the exact locatio…

The appellants (husband, father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law) were convicted under Section 304B IPC for dowry death based on a claim that the deceased was poisoned after demanding Rs 10 lakhs. The Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution proved the essential ingredients of a dowry death – marriage within seven years,…

The appellant, Imperia Structures Ltd., launched a housing scheme in 2011 and entered builder‑buyer agreements with the respondents in 2013. After the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) came into force, the respondents filed consumer complaints alleging delay and deficiency, seeking refunds with …

A two‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old girl was abducted, brutally raped and murdered by her maternal uncle, Shatrughna Baban Meshram. The trial court convicted the appellant under Sections 302, 376(1), 376(2)(f,i,m) and 376A of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, imposing death sentences on the charges of murder and rape‑resul…

The appellants, M/s Bande\u200bkar Brothers Pvt. Ltd., were in a business dispute with the respondents and filed civil suits, after which they lodged criminal complaints alleging false evidence and forged debit notes under IPC sections 191, 192 and 193. The magistrate converted these complaints into private complaints …

The appellant, Shridhar C. Shetty (deceased) thr. LRs., had obtained an exemption under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 for two plots, obligating him to surrender 20% of the constructed area as tenements to government nominees. He constructed only one plot, handed over seven tenements, and failed to d…

The appellant was convicted for murder and causing injuries after allegedly attacking the complainant and the deceased with an iron rod during a family feud. The trial court sentenced him under Sections 302 and 324 IPC, while acquitting three co‑accused who were relatives of the appellant. On appeal, the High Court red…

Centrotrade Minerals & Metals Inc., a US corporation, contracted with Hindustan Copper Ltd. (HCL) for the sale of copper concentrate and included a two‑tier arbitration clause: first arbitration in India, with a right to appeal to an ICC arbitration in London. After an Indian arbitrator gave a nil award, the parties pr…

The appellants, Samta Naidu and others, challenged the dismissal of a second complaint filed under the Criminal Procedure Code alleging forgery in the sale of a family vehicle. The first complaint had been rejected by a Judicial Magistrate on the ground that no prima facie case was made out, and the dismissal was on me…

The father of the respondent purchased 88 Indira Vikas Patras (IVPs) of Rs.5,000 each between 1996 and 1998, which were lost in June 2001. The respondent claimed the maturity value of the lost IVPs, alleging deficiency in service by the Post Office under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The District Consumer Forum an…

The appellants, accused Nos.2‑5, were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC for the murder of Bal Kishan based solely on the testimony of the sole eyewitness, PW‑8 (Mullo Bai). The Supreme Court examined the consistency of PW‑8's statements recorded under Section 161 CrPC and her later deposition…

The plaintiff filed a suit for a permanent prohibitory injunction claiming ownership and possession of a partitioned property, and the trial court decreed in his favour after answering issues of identity, ownership and possession. The defendant appealed, and the First Appellate Court set aside the decree, remanding the…

The brothers inherited a house under their mother's will, which allocated the ground floor to Rajan Sethi, the first floor to Sajan Sethi, and the second floor to be shared equally. Rajan filed a suit for partition of the second floor and terrace, but Sajan, in his written statement, also claimed rights over common are…

The appellant, Than Kunwar, was convicted under Section 18 of the NDNDPS Act for possession of 6.3 kg of opium recovered from a bag seized during a police interception. She challenged the conviction on several grounds, including the alleged non‑compliance with Section 50 of the NDPS Act during a personal search, the no…

The private victim filed a Special Criminal Application seeking further investigation under Section 173(8) CrPC against an uncharged accused, Shri Bhaumik. The appellant, Satishkumar Nyalchand Shah, a co-accused already charge‑sheeted and on trial, sought to be impleaded as a respondent in that application. The High Co…

The petitioners challenged the President's Constitution Orders 272 and 273 (5 August 2019) that made the entire Indian Constitution applicable to Jammu & Kashmir, arguing that the orders were unconstitutional. They sought a reference to a larger Bench, contending that two earlier Supreme Court judgments—Prem Nath Kaul …

The case concerned the murder of Ratti Ram, for which Satish Kumar and Rajeev Kumar were convicted under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 and under Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. The trial court acquitted the accused, holding that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, particularly because the dead body …

The appellant, D.B. Basnett, claimed that the State of Sikkim had illegally occupied his 7.07‑acre land without complying with the procedural requirements of the Sikkim Land (Requisition and Acquisition) Act, 1977. The State contended that it had paid compensation of Rs.62,645 in 1980 and therefore possessed the land l…

The dispute arose from a family settlement (consent decree) concerning the allocation of 15 flats in a Worli development, where eight flats were to be allotted to the PA Group and seven to the RA Group. The RA Group refused to counter‑sign the developer's letter (Annexure E) for the eight flats, arguing that the supple…

The Supreme Court examined whether employees who retired under the State Bank of India Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) of 2000 and had completed fifteen years of service were entitled to a proportionate pension under the SBI Employees' Pension Fund Rules. The Court held that the Central Board of Directors' approval o…

S.D. Containers (Indore) sued M/s Mold Tek Packaging Ltd for infringement of its registered container and lid designs, seeking a declaration and permanent injunction. The defendant counter‑claimed, seeking cancellation of the designs under Section 4(a) of the Design Act, 2000, and filed an application under Section 22(…

The Jharkhand government, under its 2012 Industrial Policy, promised a 50% exemption from electricity duty for captive power plants for five years, to be effected by a notification within one month. The notification was finally issued on 8 January 2015, but made the exemption prospective, thereby denying the benefit fo…

The appellant, an Indian citizen and US Green Card holder, was charged in 2014 with forgery and related offences under the IPC and was arrested in 2020. The High Court granted him eight weeks of interim bail but refused to relax the conditions to allow travel to the United States, despite his frequent prior travel and …

M/S. Magma FinCorp Ltd., the financier, entered into a hire‑purchase agreement with Rajesh Kumar Tiwari for a vehicle. Tiwari paid seven instalments before the financier repossessed the vehicle without a notice addressed to his correct address and later sold it. Tiwari filed a consumer complaint alleging unfair trade p…

The Supreme Court heard a batch of public interest writ petitions filed by passenger groups, travel agents and others seeking full refunds of air‑fares for tickets cancelled due to the COVID‑19 lockdown and the ban on domestic and international flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation had issued an Office Memorandum on …

The Gujarat Mazdoor Sabha and a national trade union challenged two Gujarat State notifications issued under Section 5 of the Factories Act, 1948 that exempted all factories from provisions on working hours, rest intervals and overtime pay during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The petitioners argued that the pandemic did not c…

The appellant Gurcharan Singh was convicted under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code for abetting the suicide of his wife, Shinder Kaur, who died after ingesting aluminium phosphide. The trial court and the High Court upheld the conviction despite the absence of direct evidence of cruelty, dowry harassment, or wilful…

M/s L.R. Brothers Indo Flora Ltd., a 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU) producing cut flowers, imported inputs duty‑free under Notification No. 126/94-Cus but sold a portion of its produce in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) without the required approval of the Development Commissioner and without meeting the net foreign‑ex…

The Supreme Court considered the Union of India's demand that telecom service providers (TSPs) pay Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues as determined in earlier judgments, while several TSPs were under insolvency proceedings. The Court examined whether spectrum, a natural resource licensed under the Indian Telegraph Act, …

Andhra Petrochemicals Ltd. sought anti‑dumping duty on imports of normal butanol and related chemicals from Saudi Arabia and other countries, alleging dumping and injury. The Designated Authority (DA) terminated the investigation, finding insufficient data and an inadequate period to establish injury, prompting several…

The Supreme Court was monitoring compliance of its earlier order directing an Expert Committee of ASI and GSI to examine erosion of the Shivalinga at Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain. The Committee’s report dated 19‑01‑2019 identified ongoing physical and chemical deterioration of the lingam, caused by high pH of offe…

The respondent purchased a mineral water bottling plant at an e‑auction conducted under the SARFAESI Act, where the sale notice expressly stated that the property was sold "as is where is, whatever there is and without recourse" and that the purchaser would bear all statutory dues, including electricity dues. After the…

The assessee, M/s. Uni Products India Ltd., manufactured textile car mats and cleared them under heading 570390.90, attracting an 8% excise duty, whereas the revenue argued they should fall under heading 8708.99.00 as parts and accessories of motor vehicles, attracting a 16% duty. The Commissioner issued three show‑cau…

Three pharmaceutical units in Ankleshwar began operations without obtaining the prior environmental clearance (EC) mandated by the 1994 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification. The Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a 2002 circular allowing defaulting units to obtain an ex‑post‑facto EC, which the Na…

The appellant was arrested in 2007 in connection with a bomb‑defusing case and, while in police custody, gave a confessional statement that was recorded by a Superintendent of Police under Section 15 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987. The appellant contended that the confession was not v…