Judgments of 2024

The appellant and co-accused were alleged to have attacked four youths with knives and lathis on a night in May 1994, leading to an FIR filed by the victims' father who was not an eye‑witness. The trial court acquitted all accused due to lack of clear evidence of who inflicted the stab injuries and the absence of a mot…

The appellant, Bharat Sher Singh Kalsia, purchased a portion of land from a Power of Attorney (PoA) holder who had been authorized by the landowners to manage, sell, and register their property. A FIR was lodged alleging criminal offences under Sections 409, 467, 468, 471 and 420 IPC, claiming the sale deed was fraudul…

The Government of Goa filed a suit for declaration of title and injunction against Maria Julieta D’Souza, which the trial court dismissed for lack of a clear title document and alleged limitation. The High Court reversed the decision, holding that the plaintiff's predecessor’s title was established through deeds and co…

The petition sought the institutionalisation and reconstitution of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which had functioned as an ad‑hoc body since its Supreme Court‑ordered creation in 2002. The Court examined the need for a permanent statutory authority to monitor compliance with its environmental orders and consi…

The Ernakulam Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd. issued a 2011 notification for regular recruitment of Plant Attender, Grade‑III, prompting several workers to claim they were casual labourers who had served over 240 days in the preceding year and thus were entitled to regularisation under the Industrial Dis…

The appellant K. Vadivel was convicted of murder based on a charge‑sheet filed in 2013. After the trial concluded in 2019, the victim's wife filed a Section 311 application seeking additional witnesses, which was dismissed by the trial court and upheld by the High Court. She later filed a Section 173(8) application in …

The appellant, a fitter appointed in the semi‑skilled grade in 1996, was promoted to the skilled grade in 1999 and later to the highly skilled grade in 2008. He challenged a seniority list that placed him below private respondents who were promoted earlier, arguing that seniority should be based on his initial appointm…

The petitioner, a Scheduled Caste student, secured a seat in Electrical Engineering at IIT Dhanbad after ranking 1455 in his category in JEE Advanced 2024. He attempted to pay the required admission fee of Rs 17,500 before the 5 pm deadline on 24 June 2024, logging into the portal six times between 3:12 pm and 4:57 pm,…

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) procured power through competitive bidding but accepted tariffs and quantities that deviated from standard bidding guidelines, leading to the execution of Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) for 865 MW. KSEB sought approval of these PSAs from the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory …

The appellants were convicted under IPC sections 323, 324 and 325 read with section 34 for an assault incident that occurred between close relatives. They later executed a compromise deed on 29 January 2024, seeking the Court’s permission to compound the offences. The Supreme Court examined whether the conviction for t…

The dispute arose from a 1999 suit filed by PIC Departmentals against Sreeleathers concerning a signboard obstruction. The respondent failed to file a written statement within the prescribed time, and the High Court, after a 17‑year lapse and confusion caused by its own registry indicating the suit as disposed, allowed…

The Supreme Court examined the termination of a development agreement between Yash Developers (appellant) and Harihar Krupa Co‑Operative Housing Society (respondent) under Section 13 of the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971, which had been upheld by the Bombay High Court. The C…

Gaurav Kumar filed a writ petition challenging the fees levied by State Bar Councils (SBCs) at the time of enrolment, alleging that the amounts far exceed the Rs. 750 (general) and Rs. 125 (SC/ST) prescribed in Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961, and that additional miscellaneous fees are being made a conditio…

Pankaj Srivastava filed a writ petition seeking a compassionate appointment as a clerk after the death of his father, a Bank of India employee. The bank opposed, invoking Clause 10(iv) of its compassionate appointment scheme and a 2002 board letter that required Government approval where disciplinary proceedings could …

The Supreme Court examined an appeal challenging a Bombay High Court order that disposed of a writ petition by adopting a "Minutes of Order" signed by counsel, without impleading parties who would be affected by the construction of a compound wall. The writ petition sought police protection for the wall's construction,…

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) issued several insurance policies in Rajasthan between 1993-94 and 2001-02 and, due to the unavailability of India Insurance stamps in the state, purchased the stamps from Maharashtra. The Rajasthan government issued show‑cause notices demanding payment of stamp duty on those p…

Jindal Drugs Ltd. imported cocoa butter and cocoa powder and also received the same from its Jammu unit, then affixed two additional labels on each carton at its Taloja plant before exporting the goods. The Commissioner of Central Excise challenged the company's claim of CENVAT credit and export rebate, arguing that th…

The insured, Tata Steel Ltd., suffered a fire that destroyed its 20‑Hi cold rolling mill and claimed Rs 35.08 crore under a fire policy issued by New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (NIACL). The policy contained a Reinstatement Value Clause, but the insured failed to provide required documents and could not replace the mill w…

The case concerned a second appeal pending before the Patna High Court in which the original defendant, Swami Shivdharmanand, had died, and two claimants sought substitution as legal representatives. The High Court, after a trial‑court enquiry under Order 22 Rule 5 of the CPC, substituted Swami Satyanand as the appella…

The Trust obtained a decree for possession of premises occupied by the Society, but the High Court stayed execution pending the Society's appeal and imposed a conditional stay requiring deposits and a status‑quo. The Society later let out the premises for exhibitions, violating the stay conditions, leading the Trust to…

The appellants, who bought a building in 1992, sought to evict two tenants after a municipal demolition notice was issued in 2002, invoking sections of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 relating to bona‑fide need, demolition and rent default. The trial and appellate courts granted eviction decrees, finding the lan…

The deceased owner of a property allegedly named his tenants as abettors in a suicide note, leading the police to detain the tenants and demolish the premises with the help of the deceased's relatives. The two tenants filed complaints under Section 156(3) of the Cr.P.C., which were initially mishandled by the magistrat…

The appellant, a senior manager of Exide Industries Ltd., was summoned by a magistrate to stand trial under Sections 406, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code for alleged criminal breach of trust and intimidation arising from a commercial dispute over the price of dissolved acetylene gas supplied by the respondent. The…

The appellant, a practising advocate and former army officer, repeatedly threatened a lady counsel, failed to appear before the Delhi High Court despite several adjournments, and filed baseless applications maligning judges, prompting the High Court to invoke its suo motu contempt jurisdiction. The High Court convicted…

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued an ex parte suo motu order holding the appellants guilty of environmental violations and directing compensation, without issuing any notice to the project proponent. A review petition filed by appellant No.2, alleging denial of a hearing, was dismissed by the NGT. The Supreme Co…

The appellants were appointed as temporary Accounts Clerks in 1992 under a scheme‑based notification and served continuously for more than 25 years, undergoing promotions through a Departmental Promotional Committee. Their applications for regularization were rejected by the Central Administrative Tribunal and upheld b…

The appellant, Kamaruddin Dastagir Sanadi, was charged with cheating (Sec. 417 IPC) and abetment of suicide (Sec. 306 IPC) after a 21‑year‑old woman, who loved him, committed suicide when he refused to marry her. The trial court acquitted him, finding no evidence of a promise to marry, physical relationship, or any act…

The State of Madhya Pradesh filed a second appeal before the High Court challenging a judgment that dismissed a suit concerning 1,300 hectares of government land. The appeal was filed after an inordinate delay of 5 years, 10 months, and 16 days, which the High Court refused to condone, citing lack of sufficient cause. …

The University outsourced clerical work to a service provider, engaging the first respondent as a clerk‑cum‑typist from May 2017 to March 2018 and issuing her an experience certificate countersigned by a department head. When the University later advertised Group‑C posts, the advertisement allowed up to 0.5 mark for ex…

The appellant advanced a Rs.10 lakh loan to the respondent, securing it by two registered mortgages and four promissory notes. When the respondent defaulted, he handed over the title deeds of a Chennai property as security under a later agreement, promising to register a sale deed and repay a balance of Rs.2 lakh. The …

The case arose from a murder trial where the accused (Respondent No.2) first sought discharge under Section 227 of the CrPC, which was dismissed by the Sessions Court and upheld by the High Court. He then filed a fresh application under Section 216 seeking alteration of the charge, which was also dismissed by the Sessi…

The father of a divorced woman filed an FIR in 2021 alleging that his former in‑laws had retained the gold ornaments he had given as stridhan at his daughter's 1999 marriage. The daughter had divorced in 2015, remarried in 2018, and a separation agreement had already settled all marital property. The High Court refused…

The deceased, Sonali Karmakar, committed suicide by hanging in her matrimonial home within seven years of marriage. The prosecution alleged that she was subjected to harassment and dowry demands by her husband and in‑laws, leading to her death. The trial court convicted the sister‑in‑law, husband, and mother‑in‑law und…

The appellants, owners of a parcel of land, entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) and an irrevocable Power of Attorney (IPA) dated 6‑July‑2013 in favour of Respondent No.2, a builder, to develop the land and construct flats. The builder subsequently sold units to the complainants and the complainants filed consu…

Prakash Kumar Dixit was removed from service in 1995; the Delhi High Court set aside the removal, imposed a minor penalty and ordered his reinstatement with backdated seniority, but the order was not implemented timely and he was denied promotion to IG before retirement. He initiated contempt proceedings, and a Single …

A 14‑year‑old girl, X, who alleged sexual assault, became pregnant and sought termination of her pregnancy beyond the statutory 24‑week limit. The High Court denied the request, relying on a clarificatory opinion of a medical board that did not assess the impact on X's physical and mental health. The Supreme Court set …

The petitioners, a group of CA examination candidates, sought a re‑scheduling of two papers slated for 8 May and 14 May 2024, arguing that these dates fell a day after phase‑wise polling in the General Elections and would cause severe hardship to those exercising their franchise. They highlighted that only 291 cities h…

Vedanta Limited operates a copper smelter at the SIPCOT industrial complex in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the State Government ordered its closure for repeated violations of environmental norms, including operating without consent, improper hazardous waste management, and dumping…

The respondents filed a suit for partition of ancestral property in 2005, acknowledging an earlier compromise decree dated 14 Oct 2004. At the final stage of trial, they sought to amend the plaint to include a prayer that the compromise decree be declared null and void, alleging oversight and mistake. The trial court r…

The Supreme Court was asked to consider whether, under its Article 142 powers, it could issue blanket directions that all interim stays granted by High Courts should automatically lapse after six months and that High Courts must dispose of such cases on a day‑to‑day basis. The Court examined the object of interim order…

The appellant, Ajitsinh Chehuji Rathod, was convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for issuing a cheque that was dishonoured for insufficient funds. He claimed that the signature on the cheque was forged and sought a handwriting expert's comparison during trial, which the trial court rejected and…

The appellant, a wife, sought maintenance under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act after separating from her husband, who later obtained an ex‑parte divorce decree and remarried. The Family Court granted modest maintenance, which the High Court later enhanced, but the appellant argued that the respond…

The appellant, a State Tax Officer, applied for a Maharashtra public service examination under the Open General Category because she could not obtain a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate valid on the application deadline. After clearing the prelims and mains, a corrigendum was issued allowing candidates to submit an NC…

The plaintiff entered into a sale agreement on 3 March 2005 for Rs 30 lakh, paying Rs 12.5 lakh as earnest money, and later sued for specific performance of the contract. The trial court granted the decree for specific performance, but the High Court set it aside, holding that the plaintiff had not demonstrated that he…

The appellant, a former managing director of Sri Lakshmi Hotel Private Ltd., challenged the e‑auction of the company's property, alleging that the reserve price was under‑valued, that the liquidator failed to form a Stakeholders’ Consultation Committee, and that the liquidator violated Regulation 33 by not cancelling t…

The dispute concerned a 11,200 sq ft parcel in Nachimuthu Nagar that was earmarked for public purpose in a layout plan approved in 1978 and revised in 1981 under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act. After the original owner, Nachimuthu Mudaliar, died in 2004, his heirs sold the land to the appellants in 2009 a…

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) closed the Khalsa Boys Primary School, which received a 95% grant from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), without obtaining prior approval under Rule 46 of the Delhi School Education Rules. NDMC consequently stopped the grant and later paid the arrears, salary, …

The case concerned the inter‑se seniority of two groups of Junior Engineers in Nagaland: those directly recruited in 2003 and those who were Sectional Officers, Grade‑I, whose posts were upgraded to Junior Engineer in 2007. A seniority list prepared on 26 March 2018 placed the direct recruits above the upgraded officer…

The Supreme Court examined the bail granted by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court to respondent No.1, who was accused of conspiracy, cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust in a massive financial scam involving a cooperative society. The prosecution alleged that the respondent withdrew approximately ₹9 cr…

The State of Chhattisgarh appointed primary school teachers with B.Ed qualifications after the Supreme Court’s decision in Devesh Sharma, which held that a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) is the essential qualification for such posts. B.Ed‑qualified candidates challenged a Chhattisgarh High Court order that q…

The appellants were appointed by Canara Bank and other central government undertakings in the Scheduled Caste category based on caste certificates issued under Karnataka state circulars that listed their community as a synonymous Scheduled Caste. After the Supreme Court’s decision in State of Maharashtra v. Milind, the…

The appellant Prem Prakash was in judicial custody for a separate ECIR (No. 4 of 2022) when the Enforcement Directorate recorded statements from him under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for a new ECIR (No. 5 of 2023). The High Court had denied his bail, relying on those statements, but the …

The plaintiff filed a suit for specific performance of a 1999 agreement to sell land, but the agreement was marked as Exhibit‑1 with an objection for insufficient stamp duty. The trial court dismissed the suit, holding the agreement inadmissible under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899. The Calcutta High Court reversed that de…

The case concerned whether cellular mobile service providers (the assessees) were required to deduct tax at source under section 194-H of the Income Tax Act, 1961 on the margin earned by franchisees/distributors from selling prepaid kits at a price higher than the discounted price paid to the assessees. The Revenue arg…

The petitioner filed an FIR alleging rape (Sec. 376D) and kidnapping (Sec. 342) against the accused and a co-accused. The victim's statement was recorded under Sec. 164 CrPC, but neither the victim nor her mother (an eye‑witness) had been examined when the accused applied for bail. The trial court denied bail, but the …

State Bank of India (SBI) appealed an order of the NCLT rejecting its IBC petition against India Power Corporation Limited. The appeal was filed three days after the statutory 30‑day period, and SBI sought condonation of delay, relying on a free certified copy of the NCLT order sent under Rule 50. A split decision aros…

The appellant, Lakha Singh, contested a civil suit filed by the respondent, Balwinder Singh, for specific performance of an agreement to sell agricultural land and for the recovery of Rs.16,00,000 earnest money. The trial court held the transaction to be a loan rather than a sale and ordered the appellant to refund the…

The appellant, Manisha Ravindra Panpatil, was elected Sarpanch of Vichkheda Gram Panchayat in 2021. Private respondents alleged she was residing in a house built on government land and sought her disqualification. The Collector, without a proper fact‑finding exercise, issued a summary order disqualifying her, which was…

The appellant, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd., entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a solar project SPV and a farmer under Karnataka's solar policy, requiring commercial operation within 18 months. Delays occurred in land conversion, evacuation approvals, and other regulatory processes, leading…

Kalvakuntla Kavitha, a former Member of Parliament and Legislative Council, was charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in CBI and Enforcement Directorate investigations relating to a Delhi excise policy conspiracy. She applied for bail, invoking the special treatment granted to women under the provi…

The appellant's father applied to NOIDA for a plot in 2006 and, after his death in 2007, was allotted a plot in an open lottery in October 2009. NOIDA cancelled the allotment in September 2011, arguing that the allotment was made to a deceased person. The appellant contended that the civil rights vested in his father p…

The appellant, Alifiya Husenbhai Keshariya, was injured in a road accident and claimed Rs 10 lakhs before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, which awarded her Rs 2,41,745 with interest. She filed a Miscellaneous Application in the Gujarat High Court seeking permission to appeal the award as an indigent person, arguing…

The Supreme Court examined land acquisition proceedings undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government and YEIDA for the integrated development of the Yamuna Expressway and adjoining parcels. The landowners challenged the use of the urgency provisions under Sections 17(1) and 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, arguin…

Rohit Kochhar filed a suit in the Delhi High Court seeking specific performance and a permanent injunction for a commercial property situated in Gurgaon. The defendants contested the court's territorial jurisdiction, arguing that the relief required execution and registration of a sale deed in Gurgaon, which would forc…

The State of Karnataka appealed against the Karnataka High Court’s order acquitting a government servant, Chandrasha, who was convicted under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 to facilitate the encashment of surrender‑leave …

The appellant, C. Selvarani, born to a Christian father and a mother who allegedly converted to Hinduism, applied for a Scheduled Caste (SC) community certificate to secure a government job reserved for SC candidates. The authorities rejected her application on the ground that she does not profess Hinduism, Buddhism or…

The appellant, a District Town Planner (Enforcement), ordered the demolition of unauthorized construction at Anupama College after a show‑cause notice and a restoration order under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963. The college’s chairman filed a private cr…

The appellant, a self‑described social worker, was accused by a woman of having a decade‑long sexual relationship with her based on false promises of marriage, leading to an FIR under Sections 376, 420, 504 and 506 IPC. The appellant sought to quash the FIR under Section 482 CrPC, arguing that the relationship was cons…

The former Tamil Nadu Transport Minister V. Senthil Balaji was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged involvement in a large‑scale job‑racketeering scheme, with the Enforcement Directorate filing a complaint under Section 3 of the PMLA punishable under Section 4. The High Court rejecte…

The plaintiffs, operating a petrol pump on a jointly owned property, claimed a specific performance of an oral agreement dated 06‑06‑1993 to purchase the land, alleging that the co‑owner brother had authority to bind the three sister co‑owners via a General Power of Attorney. The trial court dismissed the suit, finding…

The appellants challenged a second appeal filed under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, before the High Court of Uttarakhand. The High Court admitted the appeal without formulating any substantial question of law at the time of admission and later, during the hearing, confined itself to three questions.…

The petitioners, former employees of Uttar Pradesh Roadways, claimed that they were entitled to pension after their absorption into the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). The issue was whether they ever held a pensionable post before or after absorption and whether members of the Roadways Karmchar…

M/s Coromandal Sacks supplied HDPE bags to Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) and sued for recovery of unpaid amounts, alleging price differences, liquidated damages, penalties and loss of unsold bags. FCIL contended it was a sick industrial company under the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, …

The Association for Democratic Reforms challenged the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT, seeking a return to paper ballots, physical hand‑over of VVPAT slips to voters, and 100% VVPAT counting, alleging possible manipulation. The Supreme Court examined the technical architecture of EVMs, the safeguard…

The appellant married respondent No.1, who had previously concealed her existing marriage and presented a forged divorce decree, inducing the appellant to part with Rs. 2 lakh and later discover her pregnancy. The appellant filed a criminal complaint alleging cheating and criminal conspiracy under Sections 420 and 120‑…

The State of Odisha appealed against the High Court’s order that quashed the cognizance taken by the Special District Judge, Bhubaneswar, of offences under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 477(A), 120(B) and 34 of the IPC relating to a conspiracy to forge documents and illegally transfer government land. The FIR, lodged in…

The appellants, M/s Brahmaputra Concrete Pipe Industries, challenged a Registrar's order refusing to register their curative petitions, arguing that the Registry lacked authority to dismiss such petitions on the ground that the preceding review petition was not dismissed by circulation. The review petition had been dis…

The appellant was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC based on a dying declaration, eyewitness testimony, and the recovery of a weapon, despite serious irregularities in the investigation. The Supreme Court examined the purpose of criminal investigation, the role of the investigating officer, and the interplay be…

Commander Seema Chaudhary, a Short Service Commissioned officer in the Indian Navy's Judge Advocate General's Branch, was denied a Permanent Commission (PC) on the ground of lack of vacancies despite the Supreme Court's earlier directions in Lieutenant Commander Annie Nagaraja's case that women SSC officers be consider…

The appellant, Sangram Sadashiv Suryavanshi, was charged with counterfeiting offences under Sections 489A, 489B and 489C read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, involving six counterfeit Rs.500 notes. He had been in custody for two and a half years, with no prior criminal record and the trial unlikely to conclud…

The case concerned several Government Orders (GoMs) issued by the Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) government that allotted public land at basic rates to a select class of persons – MPs, MLAs, All India Services officers, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and journalists – through cooperative societies. The pe…

The appellants, Vijaya Singh and his mother Basanti Devi, were convicted for the murder of Devaki, the appellant's wife, based largely on circumstantial evidence and statements recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC. The appellants challenged the conviction, arguing that the FIR was delayed, the circumstantial evidence…

The petitioners challenged the 1976 insertion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ into the Preamble of the Constitution, arguing that the amendment was retrospective, lacked popular consent, and violated the basic structure by restricting economic policy and religious freedom. The Court examined whether Article 368 …

The father and son complained that a minor eye surgery (ptosis correction) performed by Dr. Neeraj Sud at PGI in 1996 resulted in deterioration of the child's vision, and they alleged medical negligence, seeking compensation. The State Consumer Commission dismissed the complaint, finding no negligence, but the National…

The State of Madhya Pradesh charged Ramjan Khan, Musab Khan and Habib Khan with murder of Naseem Khan under Sec. 302 read with Sec. 34 IPC. The trial court convicted them based largely on oral testimonies of the deceased’s mother (PW‑8) and his two minor brothers (PW‑5, PW‑9), treating an alleged oral dying declaration…

The appellant, Om Rathod, a student with lower‑limb myopathy, secured a high All‑India PwD rank in the NEET‑UG 2024 exam but was declared ineligible for MBBS admission by the AIIMS‑Nagpur Medical Board, which assessed his disability at 88%—above the 80% ceiling in the RPWD guidelines. The High Court upheld the Board’s …

The case involved the abduction and subsequent death of Neelam, whose husband and brother‑in‑law alleged that seven accused, including Vijay Singh and Tanik Singh, abducted her from her father's house over a property dispute. The trial court convicted five of the accused under Sections 302/34 and 364/34 IPC and acquitt…

The complainant, a wife, filed a criminal complaint in 2013 alleging dowry demand, threats, and cruelty by her step‑mother‑in‑law, step‑brother‑in‑law, father‑in‑law and a munim, leading to an FIR under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 read with 34 IPC and a subsequent chargesheet. The appellants sought quashing of the FIR…

The Supreme Court, acting suo motu under Article 32, examined media‑circulated clips of a Karnataka High Court judge who made misogynistic and community‑prejudicial remarks during live‑streamed proceedings on 6 June and 28 August 2024. A report from the Registrar General provided transcripts and translations of the rem…

The case involved police officers accused of torturing a suspect, Shama @ Kalya, while in custody, leading to his death and alleged tampering with evidence. The prosecution relied on witness testimony, a fingerprint test linking an unidentified burnt body to the victim, and claims of a staged escape, while the defence …

The landlord owned Shop No. 4 in Gorakhpur and leased it to the tenant on a five‑year fixed tenancy starting 1 July 1985, with a clause for rent increase upon consent after expiry. After the tenancy ended on 30 June 1990, the tenant remained in possession without a renewed lease and failed to pay the agreed rent and pe…

The case involved a reference to a nine-judge bench to resolve the divergence between India Cement Ltd. v. State of Tamil Nadu (which held royalty is a tax) and State of West Bengal v. Kesoram Industries Ltd. (which held royalty is not a tax). The core issues were the true nature of royalty under Section 9 of the Mines…

The Supreme Court examined whether the security deposit amounts payable by a sales promoter under service agreements with Mount Shivalik Industries Ltd. constitute a financial debt or an operational debt under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The Court clarified that a "debt" exists only when there is a claim …

The dispute concerned ownership of ancestral land in Mustafabad village, originally belonging to Angat and inherited by his sons, including Kalyan Singh, who was a co‑owner before consolidation proceedings began. Ram Jai Lal, an uncle, sought to have Kalyan Singh’s name removed from the revenue record under Section 49 …

Rahul Kumar Yadav was convicted under Sections 302 and 394 of the IPC and Section 27(2) of the Arms Act, receiving a death sentence which was later commuted to life imprisonment. He claimed that he was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offence (27 July 2011) and filed applications under Section 7‑A of the Juvenile …

The appellant, Shri Mallikarjun Devasthan, Shelgi, a public trust registered under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950, filed change reports to record the appointment of a new Vahiwatdar and the co-option of trustees, but the reports were submitted well beyond the statutory 90‑day period. The respondents, a group o…

The appellants were convicted of murder based on circumstantial evidence that they had last seen the deceased alive, were seen walking near the crime scene, purchased meat, and allegedly pointed out the spot where a blood‑stained stone was recovered. The Supreme Court examined whether each circumstance was proved beyon…

The Indore Vikas Praadhikaran (IDA) issued a notice inviting bids (NIT) to lease a 3,382‑sq‑m plot, fixing a reserve price of Rs 21,120 per sq m. Shri Humud Jain Samaj Trust submitted the highest bid of Rs 25,671.90 per sq m, but the Tender Committee discovered an outstanding property‑tax demand and cancelled the tende…

International Seaport Dredging Pvt Ltd entered into a dredging contract with Kamarajar Port Limited, a statutory undertaking, which later gave rise to disputes and arbitration. The arbitral tribunal awarded the appellant approximately Rs 21.07 crore with interest and costs, and the respondent sought correction under s.…

The dispute concerned the shares of Muslim parties in agricultural holdings (Khata Nos. 98, 99 and 100) in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The appellants, heirs of Zahoor Ahmed, claimed a half‑share in the lands, while the respondents, heirs of Sami Ullah, asserted that the appellants were entitled only to a one‑twelfth shar…

The petitioners, candidates for the Rajasthan Civil Judge Cadre 2024, challenged the low marks awarded to them in the Language Paper‑II (English Essay) of the main examination, alleging arbitrary and discriminatory evaluation that caused them to miss the interview cut‑off. They sought quashing of the main examination r…

Ashok Sirpal was convicted under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act for embezzling Rs 46 lakhs and was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment (concurrent) and a fine of Rs 95 lakhs, with a default term of simple imprisonment for non‑payment of the fine. He appealed to the Delhi High Court, which suspe…

The deceased Silak Ram died in a motorcycle accident on 4 August 2015. His family filed a claim before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) which awarded Rs 19,35,400 with 7.5% interest. The Punjab & Haryana High Court reduced the award to Rs 9,22,336, relying on the deceased’s age as 47 years derived from his Aad…

The Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board (respondent) sued to confirm its title and recover possession of a property it claimed to have received by a registered gift deed dated 5 March 1983 from the appellant. The trial court dismissed the suit on the ground that the gift deed was never accepted or acted upon,…

The appellants Sunil (Accused No.1) and Nitin (Accused No.4) were convicted by the trial court and the Delhi High Court for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC, based on a FIR lodged after a violent altercation that resulted in the death of Sachin. The prosecution proved that the injuries causing d…

The appellants filed a suit for declaration and injunction, after which the defendant sought impoundment of six agreements for sale on the ground that they effected transfer of possession and were therefore conveyances requiring stamp duty and registration. The trial court and the High Court ordered the documents impou…

Shri Gurudatta Sugars Marketing Pvt. Ltd. entered into agreements with Cane Agro Energy Ltd., which failed to supply sugar and issued two cheques that were later dishonoured for insufficient funds. The appellant filed a complaint under the Negotiable Instruments Act and obtained an order of interim compensation under S…

The petitioners filed a suit for declaration in 1982 alleging that their father had illegally sold family property in 1980. The suit was dismissed for default because the petitioners failed to pay the process fee for serving notice, and subsequent applications for restoration of the suit and the revision petition were …

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet on 15 October 2022 against 75 persons, including Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan, for alleged conspiracy, fraud and corruption involving DHFL. The respondents applied for default bail under the proviso to Section 167(2) of the CrPC, arguing that the char…

The appellant and respondent were married in 2004 and lived in Canada until 2011, when health and employment issues forced their return to India. The couple separated in February 2011, and the respondent thereafter refused to resume cohabitation, even after multiple summons and notices, effectively deserting the appell…

The Supreme Court examined the challenge by the Goa Foundation to the criteria adopted by the State of Goa for identifying private forest land, specifically the canopy density threshold of 0.4 and a minimum area of 5 hectares. The Court traced the historical development of these criteria from the 1991 guidelines, the 1…

The petitioner, a prison inmate, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a permanent mechanism to ensure free and timely legal aid for prisoners and to address overcrowded, unhygienic prison conditions. The Court examined the constitutional mandate under Articles 21 and 39‑A, the Legal Services Authorities Act, …

The appellant, GLAS Trust Company LLC, a financial creditor of Think & Learn Pvt Ltd (the corporate debtor), challenged the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) approval of a settlement between the corporate debtor and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the setting aside of the NCLT order…

The Supreme Court of India, in a 9-judge bench reference, addressed the scope of Entry 8 of List II of the Seventh Schedule (intoxicating liquors) and its interplay with Entry 52 of List I (industries controlled by the Union). The case arose from a challenge by the State of Uttar Pradesh against a High Court decision t…

The case arose from an FIR filed in 2020 alleging that the accused, S. Harish, had downloaded and stored child pornographic videos on his mobile phone. The investigation recovered two such videos and a chargesheet was filed under Section 15(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Section 6…

The appellant, Fuleshwar Gope, was alleged to be a director of a company used to collect funds for the People’s Liberation Front of India and was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He challenged the sanction order, arguing violations of statutory timelines, lack of independent review, misjoi…

The respondents were convicted for murder and related offences arising from an incident on 17 January 2002. After being acquitted by the High Court, the Supreme Court restored the conviction in 2022, and the accused served more than four years of imprisonment. The accused then filed a miscellaneous application claiming…

Parveen Kumar was married to Raksha Devi, who filed multiple complaints alleging cruelty, including an FIR under Section 498-A and a maintenance petition under Section 125 CrPC. Within two years of marriage, she died by ingesting aluminum phosphide tablets, and her brother lodged an FIR accusing the husband of cruelty …

The appellant (accused No.2) was convicted under IPC s.420 and the Passports Act for allegedly facilitating the illegal issuance of a second passport to accused No.1, who already possessed a passport. The prosecution relied on the testimony of three witnesses, including a hostile employee and a handwriting expert, but …

The respondent, a former employee of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co., challenged his termination before the Central Government Industrial Tribunal, which issued an ex‑parte award reinstating him despite the company not being a party to the proceedings. The award was later challenged in the High Court, which dismissed …

The appellant, Shajan Skaria, an online news editor, published a YouTube video alleging misconduct by the complainant, an MLA belonging to a Scheduled Caste. The complainant filed a complaint under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Sp…

The appeals challenge the Special Judge’s order on charge (24‑12‑2021) and charge‑framing order (03‑03‑2022) against Karnataka Emta Coal Mines Ltd (KECML) and its former MD for alleged conspiracy to illegally sell coal washery rejects. The Court examined whether the CBI’s investigation was predicated solely on the 2013…

Pam Developments Private Ltd entered into a work contract with the State of West Bengal for road widening, which was completed after a five‑month delay. The contractor claimed several sums, including labour charges for uneconomical stoppage, interest on delayed payment of running‑account bills, and pre‑reference intere…

The complainant, a supplier of horse feed, alleged that Delhi Race Club (1940) Ltd. and its officers failed to pay Rs 9,11,434 for goods supplied and filed a private complaint invoking sections 406, 420 and 120B of the IPC. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, after a magisterial inquiry under Section 202 CrPC, is…

Kishorchandra Rathod challenged the reservation of the Bardoli Legislative Assembly constituency for Scheduled Castes, which was effected by Delimitation Commission Order No. 33 dated 12‑12‑2006 under the Delimitation Act, 2002. The Gujarat High Court dismissed his writ petition, relying on Article 329(a) of the Consti…

The appellant, Navayuga Engineering, had imported hydraulic piling rigs under an exemption notification but later violated the conditions, leading to confiscation proceedings under Section 124 of the Customs Act. The appellant paid a fine under Section 125 to redeem the goods and contested the liability to also pay cus…

The plaintiff filed a suit for partition of a jointly owned property, seeking that all co‑sharers render accounts of rent collected and that the property be auctioned. Defendant No.3(a) (S.C. Bhalla) had purchased a 1% share from the original co‑sharer and claimed he neither let out nor earned rent from his portion, wh…

The appellant, Meenakshi, mother of Suryakanth who died in a road accident, claimed compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs 1.04 crore based on the deceased’s gross monthly salary of Rs 50,942, which included house rent allowance, a flexible benefit plan and employer’s c…

A.S. Pharma Pvt. Ltd. filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 against Nayati Medical Pvt. Ltd. The respondents offered to settle and applied to compound the offence under Section 320 of the Cr.P.C., but the trial court dismissed the application. The Delhi High Court then exercised it…

The case concerns a challenge to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval dated 18.10.2022 and the consequent decision dated 25.10.2022 for the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11. The petitioners argued that the approval suffered from procedural abnormalities, violated the righ…

The Supreme Court considered a dispute where a financial creditor had obtained a loan of Rs 100 crore from a corporate debtor (Gujarat Hydrocarbon and Power SEZ Ltd.) secured by a corporate guarantee furnished by its holding company, ACIL. After the corporate debtor defaulted, the creditor initiated insolvency proceedi…

The respondent, a physically challenged Scheduled Caste employee of the Bihar State Electricity Board, claimed that his promotion to Joint Secretary, granted on 5 March 2003, should be backdated to 29 July 1997 when a vacancy allegedly arose. The Board argued that no vacancy existed at that time and that promotion is e…

The respondent, a Constable (GD) in the CRPF, filled a verification roll in November 2011 denying any pending criminal cases, despite having been arrested, bailed, and having two FIRs registered against him earlier that year. The employer discovered the omission, issued a show‑cause notice, and after a departmental inq…

The Supreme Court examined a petition seeking a fresh NEET (UG) 2024 examination on the grounds of a question‑paper leak in Hazaribagh and Patna and alleged systemic deficiencies in the conduct of the exam. The Court noted that the Central Bureau of Investigation had identified about 155 beneficiaries of the leak, but …

The appellant was granted regular bail by a Special Court on 17 June 2023 in a PMLA case, after which the Enforcement Directorate sought cancellation of bail under Section 439(2) of the CrPC. The Delhi High Court, without hearing the appellant’s counsel, issued an ex‑parte interim stay of the bail order on 23 June 2023…

Jyoti Devi underwent an appendectomy at Suket Hospital and later suffered chronic abdominal pain. Investigation revealed a 2.5 cm needle left in her abdomen, necessitating a second surgery. She claimed medical negligence and sought compensation; the District Consumer Forum awarded Rs 5 lakhs, the State Commission reduc…

The Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, a charitable society, faced a dispute over the validity of its 2002 executive elections after the President, Vice‑President, Secretary and other office‑bearers had died, leaving a Working President, Adv. Babasaheb Wasade, to manage affairs. Sixteen members requested a meeting to elect a ne…

M/s Mangalam Publications, a partnership engaged in publishing, filed returns for assessment years 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 without regular books of account, citing seizure of records. The assessing officer later compared a balance sheet submitted to a bank in 1989-90 with a later balance sheet for 1993-94 and conc…

The case concerned the devolution of property governed by Marumakkathayam law in a Kerala joint family. The dispute arose over two sets of scheduled properties: one acquired through a 1950 partition deed and the other through a mortgage deed after the death of a male member. The key questions were whether a female’s sh…

The trial court had condoned a delay of four and a half years for the defendants to file their written statement. The plaintiff challenged this condonation, and the High Court set aside the trial court's order. The defendants filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the High Court's decision. The S…

The plaintiffs, a group of brothers and their wives, sued the defendants, their brothers and sons, to cancel a sale deed and obtain a permanent injunction after the defendants allegedly transferred the jointly owned property to a son for a nominal consideration using a power of attorney that was not intended for sale. …

The appellants were convicted under Sections 364, 302, 120-B and 201 of the IPC for the abduction and murder of Gurpal Singh, based largely on the testimony of an alleged eyewitness, CCTV footage, and confessional statements made to police. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of the eyewitness, noting material o…

The appellant landlord sought relief against a tenant's revision petition under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, contending that the notice of ejectment issued on 24 July 2015 was valid. The dispute centered on whether the Uttar Pradesh State amendment of 1954, which changed the notice period from fif…

The appellant, K.S. Muralidhar, suffered a severe spinal injury resulting in 100% functional disability after his company vehicle collided with a negligently driven lorry. The Tribunal awarded Rs.58,09,930 plus interest and future medical expenses, while the Karnataka High Court enhanced the award to Rs.78,16,390, calc…

The appellant, a construction contractor, entered into a works contract with the respondent and later referred their dispute to arbitration, resulting in the appointment of a sole arbitrator. The arbitral tribunal was required to render its award within 12 months of the completion of pleadings, extendable by six months…

The appellant, an Additional District and Sessions Judge, appealed to the Supreme Court seeking expungement of adverse remarks recorded by the Delhi High Court in its order dated 2 March 2023. The remarks criticized the appellant’s conduct in rejecting an anticipatory bail application and directing inquiries against po…

The appellant, a suspended director of the corporate debtor, challenged the admission of a Section 7 application initiating a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) by UCO Bank, arguing that the debtor's balance‑sheet entries did not constitute a clear, specific acknowledgment of debt required under Section 18 …

The trial court acquitted Ms. Uma and co‑accused of murder, holding that the prosecution had not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly discounting medical evidence in the absence of an eyewitness. The State appealed, and the Madras High Court reversed the acquittal, convicting the appellants on charges …

The Income Tax Department ordered HDFC Bank to stop operation of certain lockers and accounts, but later revoked the order only for the accounts, leading bank officials to mistakenly allow a locker to be operated. The department filed a complaint and an FIR was registered against the bank and its officials for multiple…

The petitioner obtained a loan of Rs.3,00,000 from Shriram Transport Finance Company to purchase a vehicle, defaulted on repayments and allegedly forged documents to clear the hypothecation and sell the vehicle to a third party. The trial court convicted him under sections 406, 420, 468, 465 and 471 of the Indian Penal…

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) created two separate cadres – Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for scientists and Technical Service (TS) for technical staff – each governed by distinct service rules. A 1999 scheme granted scientists two advance increments upon acquiring a Ph.D., but technical staf…

The appellants, who were employed as Junior Accountant, Accountant, Upper Division Clerk and Lower Division Clerk to manage the Special Frontier Force's Compulsory Saving Scheme Deposits (SSD) Fund, claimed pensionary benefits under the 6th Central Pay Commission and the Revised Pay Scale Rules, 2008. Their service, sp…

Girish Gandhi, facing 13 FIRs across six states, obtained bail in all cases but could not furnish the multiple sureties required by each bail order. He petitioned the Supreme Court under Article 32 seeking to have the personal bond and a single set of sureties, already furnished in two cases, deemed sufficient for the …

The Supreme Court examined two civil appeals arising from NCDRC orders that barred the appellants from filing written statements because they missed the statutory 30‑day period under Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. In both cases the appellants had filed their written statements together with applicatio…

The respondent, an Iranian citizen married to an Indian national, applied for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card but was denied because the authorities required her estranged husband to be present, either physically or virtually, for a personal interview. She challenged this requirement in the Delhi High Court, wh…

The appellant, Maitreyee Chakraborty, was appointed as Assistant Professor in Law on a lien vacancy at Tripura University and served continuously from January 2017. The university’s employment notice stipulated that such appointments would be regularized upon vacation of the lien and satisfactory performance. After the…

The petitioner, a Scheduled Caste candidate, applied for the post of District Judge under the Manipur Judicial Service Rules, 2005 and cleared the written examination with the required 50% marks. Before the viva‑voce interview, the Full Court of the Manipur High Court issued a resolution fixing a 40% cut‑off for the in…

Swati Priyadarshini was appointed on a contract as Assistant Project Coordinator under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan in October 2012. After receiving several show‑cause notices alleging lateness, failure to report on a hostel and other alleged inefficiencies, the State of Madhya Pradesh decided on 30 March 2013 not to exten…

The appellant Dinesh Sahu was convicted, along with a co‑accused, for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The prosecution alleged that the accused attacked the victim with a khukri, leading to his death, and that the weapon and the victim's blood group were recovered from the appellant's house. On…

The dispute arose from a civil suit concerning the partition of ancestral land, which led to a decree directing the Tahsildar to mutate the name of the first respondent in revenue records. The Tahsildar failed to comply, prompting a contempt petition that was initially allowed by a Single Judge but later set aside by a…

The appellants were convicted under Section 307 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for attempting to murder a victim, causing a spinal injury that resulted in paralysis. The trial court sentenced each appellant to rigorous imprisonment for 14 years and a fine, a sentence affirmed by the High Court. The Supre…

The appellants, a group of flat buyers, filed a consumer complaint against the developer, M/s S.J.R. Prime Corporation, alleging delayed possession and various charges. The NCDRC ordered the developer to pay delayed compensation and to construct promised amenities, but the developer had previously been declared by the …

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigated members and office bearers of the Popular Front of India (PFI) for alleged offences under the IPC and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including conspiracy, recruitment, and weapons training aimed at establishing an Islamic state. The respondents were…

The plaintiff Rehan Ahmed sued Ghulam Mohiuddin (Defendant No.1) and his brother Saeeduddin (Defendant No.2) for specific performance of a 1967 agreement to sell a house and shops in Jaipur. While the suit was pending, the parties entered into a compromise in 1978, which was later verified by the trial court and a decr…

The appellant, Yash Raj Films, released a promotional trailer for its 2016 film "Fan" that featured a song which was not included in the final movie. The complainant, after viewing the trailer, purchased tickets expecting to see the song and alleged deficiency of service and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Pro…

In the Bombay High Court, two single judges issued contradictory orders on the same set of facts concerning the framing of a charge under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The first judge upheld the charge, while the second judge directed that the charge should not be framed, creating a conflict. The Supreme Court …

The State of Haryana appealed the Punjab & Haryana High Court's order that quashed an FIR registered against Dr. Ritu Singh, a veterinary doctor, on the ground that the complainant and the accused had reached a compromise. The FIR alleged that Dr. Singh fraudulently withdrew government salary by undertaking unauthorize…

The appellant, a 17‑year‑old at the time of the 2016 offence, was identified as a Child in Conflict with Law (CICL) but the charge sheet was filed directly before a Sessions Court without referral to a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). The trial court convicted him under sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act and sentenced …

The petitioners challenged the constitutionality of Section 7(1) of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which replaces the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister in the Selection Committee for appointing the C…

Bloomberg Television Production Services India Private Limited and others sought an ex parte ad interim injunction to compel Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited to remove a February 2024 article alleged to be defamatory. The trial judge granted the injunction on the basis of a brief reference to prior cases, without …

The appellant, a BPL card holder, filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging that his 13‑year‑old son lost vision after a cataract surgery performed by the respondents. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission found a deficiency in the medical services and awarded compen…

The accused were tried for murder, dacoity and robbery after the victim's jeep was allegedly hijacked; the trial court acquitted them of murder and dacoity but convicted them of robbery. The State appealed, and the Gujarat High Court reversed the acquittal, convicting the accused of murder and related offences. The Sup…

The appellant Vikas Chandra challenged the summons issued to respondent No.2, the former Secretary of Mandi Samiti, for alleged abetment of his father's suicide under Section 306 IPC. The father had died by poison after allegedly being denied salary, and a suicide note blamed the respondent, but the note contained no r…

The Karnataka Public Service Commission issued a notification on 24 December 2007 to recruit 18 Home Science lecturers in government first‑grade colleges. Two successful candidates and the State of Karnataka challenged the notification, arguing that it failed to specify the subject‑wise specialisations within Home Scie…

Ravindra Kumar applied for a constable post in February 2004 and was later implicated in a criminal case, which he was acquitted of in September 2004. He filed a character verification affidavit in October 2004 stating that no criminal case had ever been registered against him. The State cancelled his selection in Apri…

The petitioners, claiming to be social activists, filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking that the Union and State governments formulate and implement Community Kitchens to combat hunger, malnutrition and starvation, and also sought a National Food Grid beyond the Public Distribution Scheme. The Court noted that…

The appellant Naresh Kumar was convicted under Section 306 of the IPC for allegedly abetting his wife Rani's suicide in 1993, based largely on the fact that she died within seven years of marriage and that he repeatedly demanded money for a business. The prosecution relied on the testimony of the deceased's brother and…

The Supreme Court examined whether the statutory vesting of enemy property in the Custodian for Enemy Property under the Enemy Property Act, 1968 amounts to an expropriation that transfers ownership to the Union of India, thereby invoking Article 285's tax exemption. It held that the Custodian acts only as a trustee fo…

The appellant filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act alleging that a cheque dated 06‑03‑2017 issued by Respondent No.2 was dishonoured. The underlying transaction dated 2011 gave rise to a debt of approximately Rs 20.1 lakh, which the High Court held to be time‑barred and consequently qua…

The appellants, a married couple, obtained a passport for their minor child allegedly without the husband’s genuine consent, leading the husband to file a complaint alleging forgery of his signature and cheating. The trial magistrate ordered further investigation, resulting in a supplementary charge‑sheet that added of…

The buyer sued the sellers for specific performance of a 2005 agreement for sale of land and a tenanted building. The trial court dismissed the suit, finding the buyer was not ready and willing to pay the balance price, while the High Court reversed that decision, holding that time was not of the essence and granting s…

The appellant's land was acquired under the National Highways Act, leading to an arbitral award on 25 July 2011. A regular first appeal was filed on 20 October 2011, but the High Court registry notified defects on 9 November 2011, which the appellant's counsel received only on 20 January 2012. Consequently, the appella…

The petitioners filed a civil suit that was dismissed for default, and the respondent's counter‑claim was allowed. The petitioners appealed the ex parte order but filed the appeal 534 days late. The first appellate court condoned this delay, attributing it to the alleged negligence of the petitioners' advocate. The res…

The original plaintiff filed a suit for specific performance of an oral sale agreement dated 12‑02‑1986 concerning a property that the owner subsequently sold to defendants No.2 and No.3 on 29‑08‑1986. The trial court granted the decree in favour of the plaintiff, but the first appellate court set aside the decree, hol…

Mafabhai Motibhai Sagar was convicted of murder and related offences and sentenced to life imprisonment. After the Supreme Court directed a speedy decision on his remission application, the Gujarat Government granted remission but imposed four conditions, two of which the appellant challenged as vague and arbitrary. Th…

The appellants challenged the compensation awarded for 302.75 acres of land acquired by the State of Haryana under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, arguing that the market value should reflect the land's strategic location and potential. The High Court had restored the lower award given by the Land Acquisition Collector…

The appellant, who filed the FIR, was convicted along with three others for murder and related offences based on eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence. During the trial, the defence counsel admitted the genuineness of the prosecution's documents and dispensed with formal proof, invoking Section 294 of the CrPC. Th…

The appellants, retired lecturers and principals of government‑aided private colleges in Haryana, sought parity with government‑college teachers by claiming a revised pension under the Haryana Civil Services (Revised Pension) Part I Rules, 2009, together with interest on the delayed payment of arrears dating back to 1 …

The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), a statutory body, entered into a three‑year lease with M/s Sidhartha Tiles for storage space, which contained an arbitration clause (Clause 16). Disputes later arose over the renewal of the lease and the legality of revised storage charges, prompting CWC to invoke the Public P…

Bijay Agarwal, an authorized signatory and director of M/s Gee Pee Infotech Pvt. Ltd., was convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for the dishonour of cheques issued by the company. The trial court imposed a fine and the appellate court suspended the sentence on the condition that Agarwal deposit…

The appellants filed a civil application under Article 227 before the Gujarat High Court, which was orally dismissed on 1 March 2023 without the judge indicating that reasons would follow. More than a year later, a detailed reasoned order dated 1 March 2023 was uploaded, having actually been prepared on 12 April 2024 a…

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) sought to acquire 952.18 acres of land in Panchkula for a mixed‑use development, but the landowners objected under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, claiming exemption for fruit trees and alleging that their structures were authorized. The High Court quashed th…

The employee, Lenin Kumar Ray, was appointed as Junior Engineer and later promoted to Assistant Engineer in a newspaper publishing company, drawing a salary well above the pre‑amendment threshold of Rs.1,600 per month. He was relieved on 8 October 2003 with payment of one month’s salary in lieu of notice, which he acce…

The appellant, an Air Force airman, was admonished in May 2010 for allegedly overtaking vehicles at a railway crossing and using insubordinate language toward a Squadron Leader. Although the commanding officer initially expunged the punishment, the matter was reopened, leading to a second admonition in January 2011. Th…

The Rajasthan High Court advertised 120 vacancies for Civil Judges and published cut‑off marks for each category except the Persons with benchmark disabilities. Appellants Rekha Sharma (40% visual disability) and Ratan Lal (55% locomotor disability) applied under the disabled category, appeared for the Preliminary Exam…

The appellants filed a title suit seeking declaration of ownership and possession of land, which the trial court decreed in their favour. The respondents appealed, and the High Court, in a second appeal, framed four additional substantial questions of law that were not raised before the trial or appellate courts, and d…

The State Project Director, UP Education for All Project Board appealed a Division Bench order of the Allahabad High Court that upheld a Single Judge's decision without providing any reasons. The Division Bench merely stated its agreement with the Single Judge and failed to consider several Government Orders and submis…

The Union of India (railways) charged Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) freight on the Baad‑Hisar route based on a chargeable distance of 444 km as per the old local distance table. In 2005 the railways revised the distance to 334 km, claiming the earlier figure was erroneous, and IOC sought a refund of the 110 km differenc…

The Commissioner of Police in Telangana issued a preventive detention order against Nenavath Ravi and his associates under the Telangana Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1986, alleging habitual robbery and gold‑chain snatching that allegedly created fear among women. The order was based on four FIRs, but the Det…

The Supreme Court examined a notification that exempted the extraction of ordinary earth for linear projects such as roads and pipelines from the requirement of prior environmental clearance. The petitioners argued that this blanket exemption was arbitrary, violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, and was issue…