N V RAMANA

Jangir Singh shot dead his colleague Jaswant Singh after a 15‑minute altercation during which the deceased pointed a rifle at him. The trial court acquitted Singh on the ground of private defence, but the High Court convicted him under Section 302 IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act. On appeal, the Supreme Court examine…

The deceased, Dilip Bhowmik, was the owner‑cum‑driver of his vehicle and died in an accident caused by his own rash and negligent driving, with no other vehicle involved. His legal representatives filed a claim petition under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 seeking compensation, and the Motor Accidents Clai…

The plaintiff, a private limited company, purchased a parcel of agricultural land in 1998 and later discovered that the seller had fraudulently executed four sale deeds in 2006 in favour of other parties. The plaintiff filed a suit in the civil court seeking cancellation of the 2006 deed and an injunction, which the ci…

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

The State alleged that Jarooparam was found in possession of 7.2 kg of opium, from which two 30‑gram samples were taken and the remainder was supposedly destroyed under Section 52A of the NDPS Act. The trial court convicted him, but the High Court acquitted, holding that the bulk seized material was never disposed of b…

The J.S. Luthra Academy, a private educational institution, was evicted from a Wakf‑owned site and sought alternative land from the Jammu & Kashmir government, which allotted four kanals in Channi Himmat, charging full price for two kanals and granting the other two for free. Residents challenged the allotment, arguing…

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

The appellant sought a declaration that a property, which had been surveyed and listed as "Wakf‑Al‑Allah" and published in the Official Gazette on 2 December 1965, was in fact "Wakf‑Al‑Aulad". He filed a suit under Section 6 of the Wakf Act, 1954 on 17 January 1967, more than one year after the Gazette publication, con…

The Municipal Council of Raghogarh demanded external development charges of Rs.5 per square metre from National Fertilizers Ltd. and Gas Authority of India Ltd. for colonies they had constructed on forest land within the municipal limits. The respondents, both public sector undertakings, argued that they are not coloni…

On December 10, 2006, six accused assaulted Vitthal Hingane and his brother Jagdish, resulting in Jagdish's death. The trial court and High Court convicted all six under sections 302 and 307 IPC, among other charges. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution proved the guilt of each accused beyond r…

The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) invited a tender for leasing land for hotel development and allotted the plot to the highest bidder, Metropolis Hotels, which later changed the land use and subdivided the plot, assigning part to Shishir Realty. Complaints of irregularities led to a…

The appellants were convicted of offences under the IPC and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention) Act for assaulting the complainants in separate incidents in 2000 and 1995. After the convictions, the parties entered into amicable settlements, and the appellants sought to have the non‑compoundable offe…

The appellant, Tarlochan Singh, was the licensed holder of a double‑barrel 12‑bore rifle that was used to murder Gurdeep Singh. The prosecution alleged that the appellant had delivered the firearm to co‑accused Gurpreet Singh, who then used it in the killing, leading to convictions under Sections 29 and 30 of the Arms …

The appellant, Pattu Rajan, was convicted for the murder of his brother-in-law, Santhakumar, after a series of abductions and attempts to force the victim's wife, PW1, to become his third wife. The prosecution proved the murder through circumstantial evidence, including PW1's detailed testimony, corroboration by her mo…

An FIR was lodged under several IPC sections and later under Section 3(ii) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The accused filed an anticipatory bail application, which the District Judge dismissed; the petitioner then approached the Madras High Court, but its registry ref…

The appellant, Poona Ram, sought to overturn a High Court judgment that had set aside a First Appellate Court order dismissing his suit for declaration of title and possession filed by Moti Ram. Moti Ram claimed possessory title based on alleged long possession but had no documentary title, while the defendants relied …

The appellants, Sunkara Lakshminarasamma (deceased) by legal representatives, challenged three lower court decisions that upheld two wills (Exhibit B4 and B106) making Veeraswamy the absolute owner of Schedule A and B properties and ordered specific performance of a sale agreement. The trial, appellate and High Court c…

The case arose from a violent clash between CPI(M) and IPF workers in Karanda village, West Bengal, where a mob set fire to houses, assaulted occupants and caused five deaths and twenty‑four serious injuries. The trial court acquitted all 82 accused, relying on alleged inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony, a stamped…

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

The appellants, Nathu Singh and other complainants, challenged orders of the Allahabad High Court that, after rejecting anticipatory bail applications under Section 438 of the CrPC, granted the accused a 90‑day protection from coercive action and directed them to surrender for regular bail. The Supreme Court examined w…

Gurmeet Singh was convicted under Section 304‑B of the IPC for the dowry‑related death of his wife, who died after consuming poison within four years of marriage. The appellant challenged the conviction, arguing that the prosecution had not proved the "soon before" dowry demand, that the presumption of causation under …

The appellants were convicted for dowry death (Sec. 304B IPC) and abetment of suicide (Sec. 306 IPC) after the victim died from severe burns within a year of marriage, allegedly following dowry harassment. The Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution had proved the essential ingredients of Sec. 304B, including th…

The case involved an alleged unlawful assembly in which members of two rival groups clashed, resulting in the death of a farmer, Channegowda. The accused were convicted by the Karnataka High Court on charges including murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and assault (Sec. 324 IPC) despite the trial court’s acquittal. On appeal, the S…

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

Century Rayon Ltd (appellant) sought to erect 100 kV electricity transmission towers on land owned by IVP Ltd (first respondent) under a sanction from MSEDC. IVP Ltd filed a suit for permanent injunction alleging the contractors were excavating its land without permission. The trial court and High Court imposed a tempo…

The petitioners alleged that the Israeli NSO Group's Pegasus spyware was used to infiltrate the mobile devices of Indian citizens, including journalists and activists, thereby violating their fundamental right to privacy under Article 21. They sought an independent investigation, arguing that the Union of India had fai…

Balaji Associates, a partnership firm, owned land in Morshi that was reserved for a shopping centre and garden under the final development plan effective from 01‑09‑2005. After the ten‑year period elapsed, the firm served a first notice on 13‑07‑2015 and a second notice on 31‑08‑2015 under Section 127 of the Maharashtr…

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) acquired land for a highway and the compensation awarded by the competent authority was challenged by Sayedabad Tea Company Ltd. The aggrieved party applied to the Central Government under Section 3G(5) of the National Highways Act, 1956 for the appointment of an arbitrat…

The appellant filed a suit for specific performance of a 1993 agreement of sale, alleging that the first defendant had signed the agreement but later sold his share to a third party and refused to execute the sale deed. The defendants contended that the signature on the agreement was forged, relying on a handwriting ex…

The parties entered into an arbitration agreement that required the arbitrator to render an award within four months of the first preliminary meeting, with any extension needing the consent of both parties. The first preliminary meeting was held on 4 May 2007, but the arbitrator failed to issue an award by the 4 Septem…

The petitioner was arrested after a joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and DRI seized over 236 kg of heroin from a Pakistani vessel near Jakhau Port, Gujarat. The prosecution alleged that the petitioner, aboard an Indian fishing boat, responded to a VHF call intended for the drug handover, indicating his role as…

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

The case involved the murder of Murugan and his sister Poomari following marital discord between Murugan and his wife Muthulakshmi. Four accused—Ponnu, Ganapathi, Chitravelu, and Muthulakshmi—were charged under IPC s.302 and s.302/34. The trial court convicted all four; the Madras High Court upheld the convictions of G…

Head Constable Surinder Singh entered the complainant's residential office while intoxicated, drew his service pistol, aimed it at the complainant and fired a shot that struck the ceiling. The prosecution proved the bullet was fired from his pistol and that he intended to kill, despite no motive being established. The …

The petitioners (Shiv Sena, NCP and INC) challenged the Governor of Maharashtra’s decision to invite the BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to form the government after President's Rule was revoked on 23 November 2019. They argued that the Governor’s action violated constitutional principles, including Article 14 and the doc…

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

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

A wakf deed executed in 1913 appointed the original mutawalli and stipulated that the office would devolve to "putro poutradi krome" of the original mutawalli. After the last male mutawalli died without a son, he had executed a trust deed appointing his wife, Nazira Khatoon, as his successor. The Commissioner of Wakfs …

The appellant Md. Abrar, a descendant through the female line of the waqif Haji Elahi Baksh, sought appointment as a joint mutawalli of a waqf created by a deed dated 9‑Nov‑1936. The deed named two original joint mutawallis, Md. Shafi and Kammu Mia, and provided that upon the death of either, the survivor would become …

The parties, heirs of a deceased businessman, disputed the division of his properties and resolved the matter by arbitration, which resulted in an award on 18 February 2010 that was received on 21 February 2010. The respondents filed an application under Section 34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 to se…

The liquidator of ABG Shipyard sought release of goods stored in customs bonded warehouses without payment of customs duty, invoking the moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued demand notices and sought to sell the goods under the Customs …

The corporate debtor, ABG Shipyard Ltd., was placed under liquidation after a failed resolution process. The liquidator conducted five e-auctions without success and then adopted a Swiss Challenge Process, naming R.K. Industries as the anchor bidder. Before the process could conclude, the liquidator, with the approval …

The State of Rajasthan sought to overturn a Rajasthan High Court order directing it to allot a parcel of land, classified as a ‘Johad’, to Ultratech Cement Ltd. for a cement plant. The High Court had relied on two spot‑inspection reports of the Tehsildar, which found no natural water body or catch‑ment on the land, and…

The petitioners challenged pre‑election promises of free goods (“freebies”) made by political parties, arguing that such promises strain state finances and violate the spirit of free and fair elections. They sought judicial intervention, contending that the promises amount to corrupt practices under Section 123 of the …

The petitioners challenged the lifting of the ceiling limit on iron‑ore production in the Karnataka districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga, arguing that removal could lead to unregulated mining and violate inter‑generational equity. The State, the CEC, the Ministry of Steel and mining lease‑holders sought a compl…

The State of Maharashtra alleged that sixteen accused, including Bhaskarrao and others, murdered Shamrao by assaulting him with weapons and amputating his hand, invoking sections 147, 148, 452 r/w 149, 302 r/w 149 and 506 of the IPC. The trial court acquitted all accused after finding the prosecution’s case riddled wit…

Ramawatar, a resident of a Madhya Pradesh village, was convicted under Section 3(1)(x) of the SC/ST Act for allegedly insulting his neighbour Prembai, a Scheduled Caste woman, during a property dispute. The parties later entered into a voluntary compromise and the complainant sought to withdraw the criminal case. The S…

The appellants surrendered a 66,372.82 sq. m. parcel of land in Pune to the Municipal Corporation under a scheme that promised Transferable Development Rights (TDR) at 100% Floor Space Index (FSI) as compensation for the land reserved for a park. The State, invoking the land's classification as a "Hill Top/Hill Slope" …

The appellants, heirs of the late Ratilal S. Pujara, owned Flat No. 9 in a 55‑year‑old building that was classified as C‑1 (dangerous) after a structural audit mandated by Section 353B of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. The Municipal Commissioner, relying on this audit, issued a demolition notice under Sect…

The purchaser entered into two sale agreements in 1997, paying 90% of the price but failing to pay the remaining 10% within the three‑month period stipulated as essential. After sending two notices in 2000 and 2002, the purchaser filed a suit for specific performance in 2002, which the trial court dismissed as time‑bar…

The appellant Baliraj Singh and co‑accused were convicted for murder under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC based on the testimony of three eyewitnesses who were relatives of the deceased and on a post‑mortem report indicating a fatal wound caused by a sharp object. The Supreme Court found serious contradictions among th…

The Intercontinental Hotels Group (India) and its associate entered into a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Waterline Hotels, which required the latter to pay incentive fees for renovations. Waterline Hotels failed to pay and later terminated the HMA, prompting the petitioners to invoke the arbitration clause and …

The trial court convicted Rajaram for raping a minor who later died by suicide, invoking Sections 376(1) and 306 of the IPC. The High Court set aside the conviction, relying primarily on the testimony of the deceased's 12‑year‑old sister and her father, and acquitted the accused. The State appealed, arguing that the ch…

Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. (UHBVNL) and another distribution licensee appealed against the Appellate Tribunal's order granting Adani Power (Mundra) Ltd. carrying cost with compound interest arising from a Change in Law event that required installation of a Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) unit. The appellants …

The appellant, an Executive Engineer of the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB), was accused of financial irregularities and fraud in connection with the implementation of an arbitration award favoring Ramjee Power Construction Limited (RPCL). The prosecution alleged that he prepared an agenda for appointing an ar…

The Supreme Court, hearing Criminal Appeal No. 123 of 2021 (M/A No. 364 of 2021), reviewed its earlier direction dated 10 February 2021 to transfer Rs. 11,20,000 to the respondent along with accrued interest. It was discovered that the sum was held in a non‑interest‑earning account with UCO Bank, making the payment of …

The appellant insured his tractor under a commercial vehicle package policy and, after the tractor was stolen on 28‑10‑2010, lodged an FIR the same day but submitted a claim to the insurer only on 15‑12‑2010. The insurer rejected the claim on the ground of delayed notice, leading the appellant to obtain relief from the…

The case concerned a 2.72‑acre property originally owned by two brothers, which was partitioned in 1912 giving each brother a 50% share. The plaintiffs, descendants of one brother, claim ownership of the 1.36‑acre "A Schedule" share, while the defendant’s father purchased the other 1.36‑acre share in a 1933 court aucti…

The Supreme Court, acting suo motu, extended the limitation period for all judicial and quasi‑judicial proceedings due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, initially ordering an exclusion of the period from 15 March 2020 to 14 March 2021. After a decline in cases, the Court on 8 March 2021 limited the exclusion to that one‑year s…

The appellant paid Rs.3,50,000 as advance for the purchase of a house, later discovering the respondent had no title to sell it. The respondent issued a cheque for Rs.1,50,000 to return part of the advance, which was dishonoured, leading the appellant to file a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments …

The Supreme Court examined the constitutionality of the Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 and its 2016 amendment in a dispute between the Union of India and M/s. Ganpati Dealcom Pvt. Ltd. The Court held that Section 3(2) of the 1988 Act, which created a strict‑liability offence without mens rea, is manifestly arbi…

The University of Mysore leased 22 acres of land from the President of India, which was originally gifted by the Maharaja of Mysore, and the lease deed dated 30‑11‑1970 made the University the lawful lessee. Private respondents claimed occupancy rights over portions of this land, alleging that the Karnataka Land Reform…

The appellant filed a criminal complaint alleging cheating, forgery and offences under the SC/ST Act, which the Judicial Magistrate dismissed for lack of evidence. The appellant sought revision before the Sessions Court, which held that the appellant belonged to a Scheduled Caste, found a prima facie case and remanded …

The case arose from FIR 205/2015 alleging murder, attempted murder and offences under the Arms Act in a land‑dispute incident, with Resham Chand Kaler, a British national, alleged to be the kingpin. The trial court rejected his bail application, but the Punjab & Haryana High Court later granted regular bail. The compla…

The State of Madhya Pradesh charged Nande (also known as Nandkishore Singh) with murder and attempted murder after he allegedly hurled a burning cow‑dung cake at women attending a marriage ceremony, causing severe burns that later led to the deaths of two victims. The trial court convicted him under Section 304 Part I …

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai filed a complaint under Section 354 read with Section 475A(1)(a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act against respondents for failing to repair a structurally unsafe building. The Metropolitan Magistrate dismissed the complaint on the ground of a two‑month delay, dischargi…

The appellant, Ratanlal, claimed to have been adopted by his maternal uncle Govardhandas in 1973, despite being a married man of 32 years. The adoption was contested by the plaintiff, Sundarabai, who sought a declaration that the adoption never occurred. The trial court accepted the adoption, but the Bombay High Court …

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against the High Court's order that reduced the sentences of four accused who had been convicted of assault with axes and sticks (IPC s.326 r/w s.34) and house‑trespass after preparation (IPC s.452). The High Court had limited its reasoning to the fact that it was the first offence …

DLF Home Developers Ltd (DHDL) entered into share purchase agreements (SPAs) with Rajapura Homes Pvt Ltd and Southern Homes Pvt Ltd, and subsequently executed two Construction Management Service Agreements (RCMA and SCMA) to carry out post‑closing construction obligations. DHDL claimed that the respondents had unreason…

The Kutchi Lal Rameshwarsram Trust and Anna Kshetra Trust claimed ownership of land in Haridwar, asserting that it had been held by the trust for over forty‑five years based on a will and a declaration by the original purchaser, Mohan Lal. The Collector, Haridwar, on a complaint that Mohan Lal had died without heirs, i…

The appellant (buyer) entered into a sale agreement where the seller was obliged to conduct a survey of the land before payment was due. The seller failed to conduct the survey, prompting the buyer to sue for specific performance. The trial court and the first appellate court both decreed specific performance, finding …

The case involves a murder and related offences under the IPC where ten persons were charged, including Accused No.6 (Mohammed Bhava) and Accused No.8 (Mohammed Musthafa). Both had been granted anticipatory bail and regular bail respectively by the Karnataka High Court, orders which were later challenged by the complai…

The appellants, Anuj Singh and Manoj Singh, were involved in a land dispute with Kumar Nandan Singh, who was repairing a wall. During an altercation, the appellants approached the scene armed with firearms and fired at the informant, causing injuries to his left foot and right arm; other accused used spears and lathis.…

M/s TRL Krosaki Refractories Ltd. (the appellant) issued cheques to M/s SMS Asia Private Ltd. which were dishonoured. The appellant filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 before a Sub‑Divisional Judicial Magistrate, the complaint being filed in the name of the company and signed by …

The appellant Raju was convicted along with two others for gang-rape under IPC s.376(2)(g) and appealed, claiming he was a juvenile at the time of the offence. The High Court rejected his claim, finding insufficient evidence, and upheld the conviction. The Supreme Court directed its Registrar (Judicial) to conduct an a…

The appellants, heirs of Lullu Vas, claimed lease‑hold rights over a Mumbai parcel that had been earmarked for slum rehabilitation under the Maharashtra Slum Areas Act, 1971. The High Court had allowed the redevelopment scheme to proceed, setting aside an earlier order that had cancelled the Letter of Intent in favour …

The plaintiff, Shamsudeen, claimed inheritance rights in two properties originally owned by his grandmother Zainam Beevi, alleging that he was the son of Mohammed Ilias (a Muslim) and Valliamma (a Hindu) born before Ilias's death. The defendants contested his paternity, arguing that the marriage between Ilias and Valli…

The landlord filed an eviction suit under Section 13(1)(a) of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950 alleging the tenant had not paid rent from July 1981 to June 1984. The trial court decreed eviction without first fixing provisional rent as required by Section 13(3). The tenant appealed, argui…

The case involved the murder of Chander Bhan, an election agent of a losing candidate, allegedly killed by supporters of the same candidate to frame the winning candidate in a false case. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including an extra‑judicial confession, forensic recovery of a gun and pellets, a…

The dispute concerned a partnership and ownership of a hotel property, where the respondents sought interim relief under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, which was rejected by the Commercial Court. The respondents appealed that decision under Section 37 of the same Act. While hearing the appeal,…

The deceased Sushila, married to Devender Singh, went missing six months after her marriage and her body was later recovered from a river. The prosecution alleged that she was subjected to dowry harassment, including a demand for Rs.2 lakh or a house, and that she died from injuries before falling into the river, const…

The case arose from a night-time religious procession at a temple where nine accused allegedly attacked the deceased Rajesh and the complainant Vinod (PW2), leading to Rajesh's death. One of the accused, A-2, was found dead hanging from a tree the next day, and the remaining eight were charged under IPC sections 143, 1…

The State of Uttar Pradesh charged Om Pal and two others with murder under Sections 302 and 34 IPC for the death of Mahipal on 25‑03‑1993. The trial court convicted them based primarily on the testimony of the complainant (PW‑1) and two eyewitnesses (PW‑2 and PW‑3). On appeal, the Allahabad High Court acquitted the acc…

The appellant was convicted of raping and murdering a five‑year‑old girl, with DNA evidence and an extra‑judicial confession establishing his guilt. The trial court sentenced him to death for murder and life imprisonment for rape, a sentence confirmed by the High Court. The Supreme Court examined whether the death pena…

Jagdish was convicted by the trial court, High Court and Supreme Court for the murder of his wife and five children and sentenced to death. He filed a mercy petition with the President, but the State of Madhya Pradesh delayed forwarding the petition for more than four years, resulting in a total delay of about five yea…

The petitioners, environmental NGOs, filed a writ under Article 32 seeking a halt to mining in forest areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, declaration of illegal mining contracts, and removal of the ban on export of iron ore and pellets. The Supreme Court had earlier imposed a blanket ban on mining in Bellary, Chitra…

The appellant Deepak Yadav filed an FIR alleging that the accused Harjeet Yadav (Respondent No.2) shot his father, leading to his death. The accused was arrested, and his bail application was rejected by the Sessions Court but later granted by the Allahabad High Court on the ground of parity with a co‑accused. The Supr…

The appellants, a husband and wife, were accused of strangling a man to death in their rented house and attempting to conceal the body by pouring acid over it. The trial court convicted them and their daughter under Sections 302, 201 and 34 IPC, sentencing the parents to life imprisonment; the High Court later acquitte…

The appellant, a former Cabinet Minister of Tamil Nadu, challenged the High Court's refusal to disclose a preliminary enquiry report prepared by a Superintendent of Police in a corruption case. The High Court had ordered the enquiry, received the sealed report, but closed the writ petition without furnishing a copy to …

The State of Bihar appealed against the Patna High Court's order granting conditional bail to Amit Kumar, the principal of Vishnu Rai College, who was alleged to be the king‑pin of the "Bihar Toppers Scam" involving tampering of answer sheets, illegal firearms, and large sums of cash and property. The High Court had re…

The plaintiff filed a suit for specific performance and the defendant filed a written statement followed by a counter‑claim. The trial court allowed the counter‑claim, but the High Court quashed it, prompting a reference to the Supreme Court on the interpretation of Order VIII Rule 6A of the CPC. The Court held that Ru…

The appellant, Ganpat Singh, was convicted for the murder of Shantabai, whose body was discovered in a dry well and identified as the mother of a minor. The trial court relied on circumstantial evidence: the deceased was last seen with the appellant, silver ornaments allegedly lent to her were recovered from the appell…

The appellant, Mohd. Anwar, was accused of robbing a motorist with two accomplices, using a knife and a revolver, and extorting Rs.30,000. The trial court convicted him of robbery with hurt and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment, which the High Court reduced to two years under Section 394 IPC and added a conviction…

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sought to overturn a Delhi High Court order that granted post‑arrest bail to Mohit Aggarwal, who was charged under Sections 8, 22 and 29 of the NDPS Act. Aggarwal had made a statement under Section 67 of the NDPS Act, implicating himself and co‑accused in a large drug seizure, but the…

The appellant State of Rajasthan challenged a High Court order that granted regular bail to respondent No.2, who was accused of repeatedly raping his 19‑year‑old niece and was a habitual offender with nearly twenty pending cases. The High Court’s bail order was found to be cryptic, lacking any reference to the gravity …

M/s Dyna Technologies entered into a contract with M/s Crompton Greaves for construction work on an aquaculture project, which was terminated prematurely, leading Dyna to claim compensation for loss of profit, idle charges and unproductive use of machinery. The arbitral tribunal awarded Rs 27,78,125 for the unproductiv…

The appellant, a chief manager (operations) of a partnership firm, was convicted along with others for presenting forged bills and transport receipts to obtain credit facilities from a bank, thereby cheating the bank. The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant knowingly submitted fake invoices an…

The Supreme Court examined two successive review petitions filed by the respondents seeking to overturn a High Court judgment that upheld the surrender of protected tenancy rights in 1967. The Court held that the respondents had ample opportunities to produce the certified revenue records earlier and failed to demonstr…

The State by Lokayuktha Police appealed against the Karnataka High Court's order quashing FIRs filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act against H. Srinivas and others on the ground that the police had conducted a preliminary enquiry without recording it in the General Diary. The Supreme Court examined whether a pre…

The appellants, Meenakshi Saxena and others, purchased an export insurance policy from ECGC Ltd. The policy required the insurer to pay 90% of the loss in Indian rupees, converting the foreign currency at the bank buying rate in Mumbai on the date of shipment (clause 17). The District Forum and State Commission held th…

The case arose from the Lakhimpur Kheri incident on 3 October 2021, where the accused, Ashish Mishra, allegedly drove vehicles into a crowd of protesting farmers, resulting in multiple deaths. The accused was charged under several IPC sections (147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 326 r/w 34 and 120B) and Arms Act sections (3, 25,…

The case concerned the murder of Sanjay Sorle at a marriage ceremony, for which eleven persons were charged, including appellants A‑3 (Suresh) and A‑5 (Shanker). The trial court convicted the five remaining accused under Sections 148, 149 and 302 of the IPC, a decision affirmed by the High Court. On appeal, the Supreme…

The appellant, a construction firm, entered into a contract with the Union of India for runway construction, which was terminated by the Union. The arbitrator awarded the appellant substantial sums for extension of time, wrongful termination, idle hire charges and value of machinery. A single judge upheld the award, bu…

The respondent, Jasobanta Nayak, secured rank 16871 in the general category and rank 80 in the physically challenged category in the 2012 Odisha Joint Entrance Examination for engineering admission. He submitted a disability certificate from the District Hospital stating a 40% visual impairment, which under the examina…

The appellant husband, Ram Sahay Mahto, and his mother-in-law, Parvati Devi, were convicted under Sections 304B, 201 and 34 of the IPC for the death of the appellant's wife, Fulwa Devi, who disappeared from her matrimonial home and was later found dead in a river. The prosecution alleged that the accused demanded dowry…

The appellant KUNA@ SANJAYA BEHERA and co‑accused Pravati Behera were convicted under IPC s.302 read with s.34 for the murder of Santosh Behera, the prosecution alleging an extra‑marital relationship as motive. The sole eye‑witness, PW‑1 (Niranjan Behera), claimed to have seen the murder and to have disclosed the alleg…

K. Arjun Das, claiming to be a tenant of land belonging to the deity Sri Rama Laxman Sita Swamy Bije, applied under Section 19 of the Orissa Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1951 for permission to sell 4.255 acres of barren land. The Commissioner, after an inquiry, fixed an upset price of Rs.10 lakhs per acre, gave Das …

B.L.A. Industries Private Limited sought relief under Article 32, contending that it had not been allocated a coal block through the illegal Screening Committee process that the Supreme Court had struck down in the Manohar Lal Sharma judgments. The petitioner had applied for a mining lease to the Madhya Pradesh State G…

Lahu Shrirang Gatkal, a constable, was detained on 10 October 2016 under Section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1981, by the Commissioner of Police, but the order failed to specify the period of detention. He challenged the order, and the High Court dismissed his writ petition. The Supr…

The appellant, Padmini Mahendrabhai Gadda, was convicted under Section 201 of the IPC for causing disappearance of evidence and giving false information to screen the offender in a murder case, while being acquitted of the murder charge itself. The trial court sentenced her to two years' rigorous imprisonment, which th…

The appellant, Narayan Sitaramji Badwaik (deceased), filed a suit for possession of a property based on a sale deed dated 26‑09‑1978, which the respondents claimed was only a collateral security for a loan. The trial court dismissed the suit, the District Judge reversed the decision, and the High Court, on a second app…

The State of Himachal Pradesh appealed against the High Court's acquittal of Trilok Chand and another accused who had been convicted under Section 20 of the NDPS Act for possession of charas. The trial court had sentenced them to ten years' rigorous imprisonment, but the High Court set aside the conviction, citing disc…

The case arose from a series of power‑tariff rebate notifications issued by the Government of Goa, some of which were allegedly promulgated without Cabinet approval. The appellant‑Minister of Power, the Chief Electrical Engineer and senior officials of two private companies were accused of conspiring to grant a 25% reb…

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd obtained an arbitral award on 28‑Feb‑2011 in its favour, which was dispatched by registered post on 15‑Mar‑2011 but was refused by the respondent, who finally received it on 23‑Mar‑2011. The appellant filed an execution petition on 27‑Jun‑2011; the respondent filed a petition …

The Supreme Court examined a Special Leave Petition challenging the earlier decision in HUDA v. Sunita, which held that the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission could not adjudicate statutory fees imposed by a development authority. The Court interpreted sections 2(1)(d), (g) and (o) of the Consumer Protecti…

The appellants sought a declaration that a temple they manage is their private family place of worship, not a public endowment. The Endowment Department contended that the appellants' father had endowed the temple as a Wakf, an entry of which (Exh. B6) appears in the Register of Endowments and was published in the Offi…

The Delhi High Court had cancelled a petrol pump dealership granted to Shashi Prabha Shukla on grounds of favouritism and directed Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to auction the right to operate the outlet at a nearby location. IOC instead advertised an auction for the same site, failed to identify a new location, and lat…

The case arose from a long-standing land dispute in Himachal Pradesh where the deceased, Prem Dass, was attacked by a group of seven accused while returning from a nearby village. The assault with weapons caused a scalp injury that later led to hemorrhage and death. The trial court convicted all seven under Sections 30…

The appellant, Khurshid Ahmed, was accused of assaulting Arshad Sajad with an iron rod, causing a fatal head injury. The victim’s father (PW‑9) testified that the assault stemmed from a payment dispute in which the accused acted as guarantor. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding the sole eyewitness testimony …

Future Retail Ltd (FRL) and Future Coupons Pvt Ltd (FCPL) entered into a sale agreement with Reliance Group, which Amazon challenged by initiating arbitration at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). An emergency arbitrator issued an injunction restraining FRL from proceeding with the deal, and the Del…

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

The petitioner, MD Mannan, was convicted of rape and murder of an eight‑year‑old girl and sentenced to death by the trial court, a decision affirmed by the High Court and the Supreme Court. He filed a review petition which was dismissed by circulation, but the Supreme Court reopened it following the Mohd Arif decision …

The case involved the murder and robbery of Premchand Jain and his family, for which three accused were initially convicted and sentenced to death. The High Court acquitted the accused, and the matter came before the Supreme Court on appeal by the complainant Ashish Jain and the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Court exami…

The appellant, a former branch manager of Sri Rama Grameena Bank, was convicted under Sections 409, 420 and 477A of the IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly allowing withdrawals from an account of the Nishita Educational Academy and prematurely encashing two fixed d…

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized over 1.37 lakh tablets from four locations in Chennai, alleging they were psychotropic substances. Accused A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 (Bharat Chaudhary) were arrested; A-4 was detained based solely on statements of A-1 and A-3 recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act. A specia…

The appellants were accused of kidnapping and murdering a nine‑year‑old boy in February 2001. The prosecution's case rested on an extra‑judicial confession by Accused No.1, the testimony of two witnesses (PW‑28 and PW‑29) to establish a "last seen" theory, and circumstantial evidence linking the accused to the recovere…

Welspun Specialty Solutions Ltd. (formerly Remi Metals Gujarat Ltd.) supplied steel casing pipes to ONGC under four purchase orders that contained a liquidated damages clause for delayed delivery. During performance, ONGC granted several extensions and later deducted US$807,804.03 and Rs.1,05,367 as liquidated damages,…

The petitioners, elected members of the 15th Karnataka Legislative Assembly, tendered resignations after being accused of defying party whips, but the Speaker rejected their resignations and disqualified them under the Tenth Schedule, imposing a ban lasting until the end of the Assembly term. The Supreme Court examined…

The appellant was married to the deceased who, within months of marriage, faced severe dowry harassment by him and his family, leading to a first suicide attempt and later a settlement that failed to stop the abuse. The wife eventually committed suicide by hanging, and the husband, his mother, and two brothers were cha…

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

The appellant, a landlord, stepped into the shoes of a lessor who had executed a 99‑year lease in 1992. After the lessee defaulted on rent, the appellant filed a suit in 2007 for recovery of possession, mesne profits and an injunction. The lessee sought dismissal of the suit under Order VII Rule 11, CPC, arguing that t…

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

The case concerns Accused X, convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering two minor girls, for which a death sentence was imposed. The petitioner challenged the conviction on two grounds: (i) the trial court failed to conduct a separate pre‑sentence hearing as required by Section 235(2) of the CrPC, and (ii) the petit…

The appellants, developers of the Hicon Onyx residential project, failed to deliver a flat purchased by the respondents and transferred the project to another company, prompting a consumer complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) held that the develo…

The deceased, Brij Bhushan Tiwari, was found dead and his brother alleged that he was murdered by his wife and in‑laws. The accused, Dev Kanya Tiwari (mother‑in‑law), claimed the death was a suicide by ingestion of sulfas tablets, a version also supported by a prior complaint filed by the deceased's wife and corroborat…

The appellant was accused of strangling his grandmother and stealing her money bag, leading to a conviction under Section 302 IPC by the trial court and affirmation by the High Court. The prosecution's case hinged primarily on the testimony of two interested witnesses, the deceased's son‑in‑law (PW1) and his wife (PW5)…

The appellants, Bannareddy and others, were convicted by the Karnataka High Court for offences under Sections 148, 341, 504 and 326 read with 149 of the IPC arising from an alleged assault on three victims during a village fair. The trial court had acquitted them, finding that the prosecution’s case was riddled with co…

The Supreme Court entertained a writ petition filed by Lawyers Voice, an NGO, seeking judicial intervention after the Prime Minister's convoy was stalled for about 20 minutes on a flyover in Firozpur on 5 January 2022, alleging a serious breach of security. The Court heard counsel for the petitioner, the Solicitor Gene…

The appellant, Anversinh, was convicted under Sections 361 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping a 16‑year‑old girl and attempting to compel her marriage, after the girl was recovered from his custody. The appellant argued that the relationship was consensual and that the girl had voluntarily left her parents…

The appellant, who claimed to be a tenant of a flat mortgaged by the borrower to Central Bank of India, sought to stay the bank’s possession of the secured asset under the SARFAESI Act. The bank had issued a notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act and obtained an order under Section 14 for physical possession. T…

The victim, Saraswati Guchhait, was allegedly raped by Purnendu Kumar Patra and later, while the rape case was pending, Patra and Rabin Jana threw acid on her. She was taken to a hospital, where she could not file a police complaint herself; a neighbour (PW‑7) wrote her statement and mailed it, resulting in a 23‑day de…

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

The appellant alleged that the accused, with the help of an imposter, forged a Power of Attorney (PoA) to obtain a mortgage deed over her late mother’s property. The trial court convicted both accused under Section 465 IPC for forgery, a decision upheld by the Sessions Court. On appeal, the High Court set aside the con…

The appellant Kumar was convicted by the trial court and the Madurai High Court for murder (IPC s.302) and voluntarily causing hurt by a dangerous weapon (IPC s.324) after the death of Sakthivel during a scuffle that allegedly stemmed from a prior verbal spat. The prosecution relied on several eyewitnesses, many of who…

The deceased was killed when a tractor, driven rashly by its owner, struck him as a pedestrian on a footpath. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal held both the tractor's owner and the insurer jointly and severally liable for compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and awarded Rs.4,31,000 plus interest. The insu…

The case concerned IMTRAT personnel posted in Bhutan who received a Bhutan Compensatory Allowance (BCA) that was subject to a depression. They sought parity with the Foreign Allowance (FA) paid to Indian diplomatic (MEA) personnel and the implementation of a Cabinet decision removing the depression. The Delhi High Cour…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed the High Court's judgment that set aside the convictions of Jogendra (husband) and Badri Prasad (father‑in‑law) under Sections 304‑B and 498‑A of the IPC for the death of their wife/ daughter‑in‑law Geeta Bai, who immolated herself while five months pregnant. The trial court had con…

The dispute concerned a 3.25‑cent plot allotted in 2000 by the Jayanagar Housing Welfare Society, a cooperative society, to a member (defendant No.2, M. V. Ramana). Former office‑bearers of the society, a welfare association and a couple of shop owners (plaintiffs) claimed the plot was earmarked as a parking area in th…

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

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed the High Court’s acquittal of Wasif Haider and others for murder, attempted murder and related offences arising from a riot at a temple. The Supreme Court examined whether the appellate court could disturb an acquittal and whether the prosecution had established the identity of the a…

The respondents‑plaintiffs claimed ownership of a house adjoining the Sri Ram Mandir in Jagtial, relying on municipal permissions, tax receipts and an entry in the Endowments Department's book of endowments that demarcated the temple boundaries. The appellant‑defendant, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the temp…

In the early hours of 20 October 2009 a police patrol stopped an Alto vehicle from which the driver fled; a bag of charas and the appellant Khekh Ram's bank passbook were recovered. The trial court acquitted the appellant, finding that the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was the driver and in…

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

M/s. Kalamani Tex & Anr and its managing partner B. Subramanian issued a cheque of Rs 11.20 lakhs to P. Balasubramanian, which was later dishonoured. A complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act was filed; the trial court acquitted the appellants, but the Madras High Court reversed the acquittal, con…

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

The Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) filed Special Leave Petitions seeking cancellation of bail granted by the Karnataka High Court to several accused in NDNDPS cases involving large drug seizures. The High Court had released the accused on bail, largely relying on confessional statements recorded under Section 67 of the …

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

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

Power Grid Corporation of India appealed against the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity’s order directing that the Foreign Exchange Rate Variation (FERV) be apportioned only to debt liability. The appellant argued that once FERV is added to capital cost it should be split between debt and equity in a 50:50 ratio, a pra…

The State, on receipt of complaints from depositors that Global Capital Trading Services had defaulted on returns and allegedly defrauded investors, issued a Government Order on 24‑12‑2012 attaching the immovable properties of the partners under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Fina…

The father of a deceased man filed an FIR under Section 306 IPC alleging that his son’s wife and her family had harassed the son, leading to his suicide. The High Court quashed the FIR, holding that the alleged abetment was not made out. The appellant challenged this order before the Supreme Court, arguing that the qua…

The appellant, K.S. Ranganatha, was charged under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for the dishonour of a cheque issued to the respondent, Vittal Shetty, for a loan of Rs.3,75,000. The trial court acquitted the appellant, but the Karnataka High Court reversed the acquittal, finding that the respondent had …

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

The State of Chhattisgarh entered into agreements with M/s Sal Udyog for the supply of Sal seeds, which included a clause for "supervision charges" and were governed by a 1987 government circular imposing a 10% charge. After the State terminated the agreement, Sal Udyog claimed a refund of excess supervision charges, a…

The appellant Bijender @ Mandar was convicted under Sections 392 and 397 IPC for allegedly robbing a complainant and his nephew with pistols, based primarily on his own disclosure statement that led to the recovery of Rs.5,000, a red cloth and a passbook. The prosecution’s case lacked any eye‑witness testimony, and key…

The appellant, a 19‑year‑old male, was convicted under Sections 363, 366 and 376 IPC for kidnapping and raping a girl who was under sixteen. The girl had voluntarily left her home and stayed with the appellant for about ten days, and the sexual intercourse was described as consensual. The trial court sentenced him to t…

The plaintiffs, heirs of Har Narain, sued the widow of Sheo Lal (C) for possession of a one‑sixth share of agricultural land after she died. The land had been subject to a 1932 compromise decree granting Sheo Lal only a limited, non‑transferable right to use the land, and upon his death, the widow would enjoy a similar…

Dr. B.C. Singh and his wife, Dr. S.L. Singh, jointly purchased a property, each holding an equal half. After Dr. S.L. Singh died intestate without issue, her husband claimed his statutory share under the Indian Succession Act, 1925, while the defendant J.M. Utarid, a distant kindred, claimed a one‑quarter share as a co…

In State of Madhya Pradesh v. Kallo Bai, the owner of a tractor and trolley used to transport teak without a permit was seized and a confiscation order was made under Section 15 of the Madhya Pradesh Van Upaj (Vyapar Viniyam) Adhiniyam, 1969. The lower courts held that confiscation could not occur until the accused’s g…

Jai Balaji Industries Ltd. (appellant) challenged an order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that set aside the National Company Law Tribunal's (NCLT) rejection of a Section 7 application filed by State Bank of India (respondent). The appellant contended that it was never served notice of the appea…

The appellants, Pawan @ Rajinder Singh and Ajit @ Dara Singh, were convicted of murder under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC and, for Ajit, of an offence under Section 25 of the Arms Act, based largely on the testimony of two chance witnesses who claimed to have heard an altercation and a gunshot. The Supreme Court exam…

The case arose from a civil suit in which the original defendant, Swami Sheo Dharmanand, died during the pendency of a second appeal before the Patna High Court. Two rival claimants each filed applications under Order XXII Rule 5 of the CPC, seeking to be recognized as the legal representative of the deceased and to be…

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‑…

Chander Bhan Singh filed a writ petition in 2002 alleging his son was killed by police and sought registration of a criminal case. The CBI investigated and filed a closure report, which the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate rejected, taking cognizance against 13 police officers. After a series of petitions, the High Court …

The State of Maharashtra filed a criminal appeal against Avinash, who had been arrested in connection with a fraud involving Rs 2.74 crore. While on bail, Avinash’s bank accounts were attached under Section 102 of the CrPC. He first sought to quash the FIR and have his accounts de‑frozen before a Division Bench, but wi…

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…

Mallappa was charged with murdering his brother Earappa by assault with a club. The trial court acquitted Mallappa and his son, but the Karnataka High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted Mallappa under Section 302 IPC. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the reliability of the key eyewitness, PW‑5, finding con…

The case concerned the death of Jayamma, who suffered extensive burns and allegedly named four accused in a dying declaration. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding the prosecution failed to prove the homicide beyond reasonable doubt, especially given doubts about the victim’s fitness to make a statement and t…

The appellant, the heirs of Mangala Waman Karandikar, entered into a 1963 agreement with the respondent to transfer the operation of the "Karandikar Brothers" stationery business for a royalty of Rs.90 per month. The dispute arose when the appellant sought possession, alleging the agreement was a business transfer, whi…

The appellants, Achhar Singh and Budhi Singh, were acquitted by the trial court of charges including murder, grievous hurt and rioting, but the Himachal Pradesh High Court set aside the acquittal and convicted them based on eye‑witness testimony and medical evidence. The Supreme Court examined whether the High Court co…

The appellant, Sanjay Kumar Rai, was charged under Sections 504 and 506 IPC for allegedly threatening a journalist and sought discharge under Section 239 CrPC, claiming the investigation was biased and the complainant’s testimony unreliable. The Chief Judicial Magistrate rejected the discharge application, and the High…

The State of Maharashtra charged two accused with murder and destruction of evidence, alleging that the second accused cut the victim's corpse into pieces. The trial court convicted both, but the High Court acquitted them, prompting the State to file three criminal appeals. The Supreme Court dismissed two appeals for n…

UHL Power Company Ltd. and the State of Himachal Pradesh appealed a High Court judgment that had set aside a 2005 arbitral award. The Supreme Court examined whether an arbitrator may award post‑award interest (interest on interest/compound interest) and held that, following Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd., such interest can…

The appellants were convicted for murder and related offences based on the testimony of alleged eye‑witnesses PW‑9 and PW‑16 and on the recovery of blood‑stained sticks and a tabbal. The Supreme Court examined whether the eight‑day delay in recording the eye‑witness statements and the inability to establish that the st…

The case arose from a land dispute between closely related parties in which Subramani was killed during a violent altercation on 15 September 1994. The trial court convicted Kumarasamy and two others under Sections 34, 302 and 506(11) of the Indian Penal Code, but the Madras High Court set aside the conviction and acqu…

The petition sought to join the parent company, a non‑signatory, to arbitration proceedings arising from a software licence and services agreement between the petitioner and a subsidiary of the parent. The Court examined the scope of the "group of companies" doctrine, particularly its reliance on the parties' subjectiv…

Devendra Nath Srivastava was convicted by a trial court for murdering his wife after assaulting her with a brick, resulting in her death by asphyxia due to multiple ante‑mortem injuries. The trial court sentenced him to death under Section 302 IPC. On appeal, the Allahabad High Court set aside the murder conviction, ho…

The appellant, Madan (also known as Madhu) Patek, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for allegedly pouring kerosene on the deceased, Latabai, and setting her on fire. The conviction was based primarily on two dying declarations recorded by a Special Executive Magistrate and a police constable, both certified by a medi…

The appellant, Bhaven Construction, entered into a contract to manufacture and supply bricks that contained an arbitration clause. It unilaterally appointed a sole arbitrator, who dismissed Respondent No.1's Section 16 challenge to his jurisdiction. Instead of using the statutory remedy under Section 34, Respondent No.…

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…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) filed a criminal complaint against Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) alleging violation of Section 77 of the Companies Act, 1956 for alleged fraudulent allotment of shares. SEBI’s investigation report of 2005 was inconclusive, prompting SEBI to obtain two opinions from reti…

Ms. P filed a criminal appeal against the State of Madhya Pradesh and the accused (respondent No.2) challenging the High Court's order granting regular bail under Section 439 of the CrPC in a case involving offences of rape (IPC s.376(2)(n)) and criminal intimidation (IPC s.506). The High Court had granted bail on the …

The appellants Murali and Rajavelu were convicted for assaulting a victim during a volleyball match, with Murali found guilty under IPC s.324 and s.341 and Rajavelu under s.307 and s.341, receiving three months and five years of rigorous imprisonment respectively. Both appealed their convictions, and later sought to im…

The Supreme Court heard appeals by the surviving dependents of two deceased motor accident victims against Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., challenging the reduction of compensation awarded by the High Court. The Court held that claims under the Motor Vehicles Act crystallise at the time of the accident and are not alt…

The appellants, tenants of shops in a Gurudwara, challenged the Punjab Religious Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act, 1997 on the ground that it withdrew the protection afforded to them under the East Punjab Urban Rent Restrictions Act, 1949 and violated Article 14. The Supreme Court held that the State …

The father of a deceased woman filed a complaint alleging dowry harassment and murder, leading to FIRs against seven family members, including the mother‑in‑law. The mother‑in‑law, after being declared a proclaimed offender and absconding for over two years, obtained anticipatory bail from the High Court on the basis t…

The case involved ten police officers who detained and beat a man, Joinus, to extract information about a hotel loot. Joinus later died, but the post‑mortem showed death was due to asphyxiation from vomit, not the injuries inflicted. The trial court convicted the officers under IPC s.330 (voluntarily causing hurt to ex…

The appellant, Jai Prakash Tiwari, was convicted under IPC s.307 and Arms Act ss.25, 27 for allegedly firing a pistol at the complainant. The prosecution's case rested mainly on the testimony of the complainant and his mother, with no independent eyewitnesses and contradictory statements regarding the recovery of the a…

The State of Bihar prosecuted Surajdeo Mahto (Appellant No.1) and Prakash Mahto (Appellant No.2) for the murder of Arun under sections 302 r/w 34 and 120B IPC, with Appellant No.1 also charged under section 364 IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, chiefly the "last seen" theory, motive stemming from …