T S THAKUR

The landlords, trustees of a trust, sued the tenant for eviction under Section 13(1)(b) of the West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act, 1956, alleging that the tenant had erected a permanent structure without the landlord's consent by replacing a tin‑sheet roof with a concrete slab and constructing a brick passage. The trial …

The appellant, a former Store Keeper Technical in the Indian Army, was reinstated after a commuted court‑martial punishment but was denied promotion to Naib Subedar and the associated pay and allowances for the period from 1 August 1997 to his actual promotion on 13 November 2000. The Departmental Promotion Committee i…

B.D. Khunte, a jawan, was allegedly beaten and humiliated by his superior Sub Randhir Singh in a store room on 28 June 2006. Later that evening, while on guard duty, Khunte shot and killed Singh with his service rifle. He was tried by a Summary General Court Martial, convicted under Section 69 of the Army Act and Secti…

The appellants, college officials, were charged under Sections 406 and 1208 IPC for criminal breach of trust after allegedly withholding a bill amount of Rs 34,505 owed to a contractor. The contractor had pursued civil remedies, but the second respondent filed a criminal complaint alleging misappropriation of the funds…

Z.U. Ansari, a retired Junior Engineer of the Uttar Pradesh Rural Engineering Department, was subjected to disciplinary proceedings for alleged financial irregularities. The proceedings were initiated after the Minister-in-charge of the department sanctioned the enquiry, invoking Regulation 351‑A of the Civil Services …

Ganga Bai was tried and convicted for the murder of her daughter‑in‑law and two children under IPC s.302 read with s.34 and for destroying evidence under s.201, along with co‑accused Udai Lal and Daulat Ram. The trial court and the Rajasthan High Court upheld her conviction while acquitting the co‑accused. She appealed…

The appellant, a constable with fifteen years of service, was dismissed for repeated unauthorized absences, some due to treatment for chronic tuberculosis. The disciplinary and appellate authorities deemed him unfit for police service and imposed dismissal. The High Court set aside the dismissal, remanding the matter f…

The appellant, a police constable recruit, concealed the existence of a pending criminal case in the affidavit he submitted during selection. After his appointment was confirmed and he began training, the authorities discovered the omission and terminated his services. The High Court upheld the termination, relying on …

The petitioners, convicted under Section 326 of the Indian Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt, sought relief on the ground that they had reached an amicable settlement with the victims. The Court examined whether such a settlement could lead to their acquittal despite the offence being non‑compoundable un…

The deceased, Sajal Sarkar, was employed by respondents 1 and 2 to drive their truck from Agartala to the FCI godown at Churaibari. After reaching the godown he left the vehicle to arrange repairs, informing the helper that he would return at night, but he met a road accident during the night and died. His wife and chi…

The father of the complainant filed a murder complaint against five persons, including Bal Manohar Jalan, who was listed as accused No.4 in the FIR. The investigating magistrate later took cognizance only against accused No.1 and discharged the remaining accused, also rejecting the complainant's protest‑cum‑complaint p…

The appellant, an Assistant Engineer, was dismissed after a disciplinary inquiry under the Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Employees Service Regulations, 1975. The High Court quashed the dismissal for violating natural‑justice principles and ordered reinstatement, also permitting a fresh inquiry. While the fresh inquiry was …

The Supreme Court examined whether the Punjab and Haryana governments could be challenged for appointing law officers without a transparent, merit‑based process, alleging arbitrariness violative of Art.14 of the Constitution. The petitioners, who were law officers on contract, claimed that the States had no realistic a…

The petitioners were added as co-accused under Section 319 of the CrPC in a murder trial that had already examined 134 witnesses. They sought a stay of the addition and of the trial, arguing that a blanket stay violated their right to a speedy trial under Article 21. The Supreme Court examined whether the stay order of…

Maa Binda Express Carrier submitted the highest bid for a three‑year lease of parcel‑van space on a railway train, but the Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled the tender citing technical and administrative deficiencies, including the absence of terms, conditions and a penalty clause. The carrier challenged the cancell…

The Supreme Court examined whether the time taken to obtain a certified copy of a High Court order vacating a stay could be excluded from the two‑year period prescribed under Section 11‑A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for making an award. The Court held that Section 11‑A only excludes the period during which the ac…

Vijay Singh was convicted under Section 307 IPC for stabbing PW‑4 on 11‑03‑1998 and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment. He later claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, relying on a school leaving certificate showing a date of birth of 01‑12‑1981, which would make him 16 years old on the incid…

The respondent, a judicial officer, opted for a revised pay scale under the Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch) and Haryana Superior Judicial Service Revised Pay Rules 2001 and gave an undertaking to refund any excess salary. After his compulsory retirement, the pay rules were revised again in 2003, and an audit s…

The appellants were charged under Sections 384, 511, 420 and 120B IPC and, while in police custody, consented to provide voice samples for comparison with a recording obtained during a sting operation. They objected to being asked to read out inculpatory material from the disputed conversation, arguing that the process…

The employees of the Andhra Pradesh Labour Department challenged G.O.M. No.14 (1994) and No.22 (1996) which allowed promotion by transfer to the post of Assistant Labour Officer. The State Administrative Tribunal struck down those G.O.M.s as ultra vires the Presidential Order but held the striking down to be prospectiv…

The appellant was allotted a residential plot by HUDA in 1998, paid 25% of the price, and later surrendered the plot and received a refund. He subsequently filed a consumer complaint seeking restoration of the plot or an alternative plot with compensation. The District Consumer Forum allowed the complaint, but the Stat…

The New Mangalore Port Listed Workers Managing Committee was created in 1983 to provide stevedores for loading and unloading cargo at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) and was dissolved on 15 March 1990 when its workers were absorbed into NMPT as a cargo‑handling wing. The Committee challenged a Karnataka State Gover…

The Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., a members' club with a kitchen and catering division employing more than twenty workers, was held by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation to be covered under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 and was ordered to pay contributions for the period 1980-1985. The club challenged th…

K.P. Singh was convicted under Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for accepting a bribe of about Rs 700 and was sentenced by the trial court to two years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000. The High Court reduced the imprisonment term to one year (with a two‑month default sentence) but uphel…

The Supreme Court examined the death of Archana Mishra, who died of poisoning within six weeks of marriage, and determined that she had been subjected to cruelty and harassment by her husband and in‑laws in connection with dowry demands. The prosecution established the essential ingredients of Section 3048 IPC and the …

The appellant, Nisha Devi, was appointed as an Anganwadi worker on the basis of an income certificate showing her annual income was below Rs.12,000. The appointment was later cancelled after the Tehsildar reported that she owned 1‑19 Bighas of land in addition to her father's 6 Bighas, implying a higher income. The Hig…

The Mumbai Municipal Corporation amended its promotion rules for Deputy Municipal Commissioner through Resolutions approved by the State Government, but the rules were not published in the Official Gazette until 28‑April‑2011. The petitioners, Assistant Municipal Commissioners, sought promotion under the amended rules,…

Don Ayengia paid Rs 10 lakhs to Nazimul Islam for a construction agreement which later collapsed. A promissory note dated 13‑Aug‑2007 acknowledged the debt and stipulated repayment within a month via five post‑dated cheques, which were to be returned only upon payment. After the deadline the cheques were presented and …

The Supreme Court examined the procedure for seizure, sampling, storage and disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under the NDPS Act, 1985, in response to a criminal appeal by the Union of India. It held that Section 52A mandates that samples be drawn and certified in the presence of a magistrate, rend…

The State of Assam claimed that surplus land, declared under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, had been vested in the government after possession was taken in December 1991, and that the later repeal of the 1976 Act by the 1999 Repeal Act did not affect that vesting. The heirs of the original owner cha…

The appellant, a diploma‑holder Junior Engineer in the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department, challenged the practice of re‑designating Junior Engineers as Assistant Engineers upon acquiring a degree and then empaneling them for promotion under both the 25% quota reserved for the Subordinate Engineering Service and the 75…

The appellant, a chemical supplier, filed forty complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act alleging that the respondent company’s post‑dated cheques were dishonoured because the signatures did not match the specimen signatures on file. The High Court quashed the complaints, holding that a signature …

The petitioners, former Sailors appointed before 1973, claimed that after completing ten years of active service they were entitled to either a Reservist Pension under Regulation 92 or a Special Pension under Regulation 95 of the Navy (Pension) Regulations, 1964. They argued that the Government's 3 July 1976 policy dis…

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. awarded a contract to Dhansar Engineering for coal extraction, with a clause allowing the quantity to be varied by +/-30% during the contract. The company extended the contract period to July 2004 and, on 11 June 2004, ordered an additional 30% work. The contractor, citing financial loss, sough…

The respondent, a Corporal in the Indian Air Force, overstayed his leave and was charged under Sections 39(a) and 39(b) of the Air Force Act, 1950. He pleaded guilty before a District Court Martial, was sentenced to three months’ rigorous imprisonment and dismissed from service, and his remission application under Sect…

The petitioners, graduate Assistant Engineers of the general category, challenged the seniority of reserved‑category Junior Engineers who had been promoted to Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADE) under Rule 12 of the Tamil Nadu Highways Engineering Service Rules. The issue was whether Article 16(4A) of the Constitution …

Baldev Krishan, the landlord, filed an eviction suit under s.13(1)(h) of the Rajasthan Premises (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1950, claiming bonafide need for himself, his wife and family. The trial court and the first appellate court decreed in his favour, but during the pendency the landlord's wife died. The Hi…

The Bangalore Municipal Corporation sold a residential property, originally leased to S, to S's son (the appellant) after S's death, with the sale price contributed by the appellant, S's husband and daughters (respondents). The respondents sued for a declaration of co‑ownership and an injunction, but the trial court di…

The appellant, State of Himachal Pradesh, appealed against the High Court's order that substituted the imprisonment of the accused, Ram Pal, with a fine of Rs 40,000 for causing the death of a 20‑year‑old girl by rash and negligent driving. The Supreme Court examined whether the fine was adequate and whether compensati…

The case concerned the recruitment of District and Sessions Judges in Kerala where an initial notification sought to fill six vacancies. After the written exam, only seven candidates qualified, but the recruitment committee awarded moderation marks to all examinees, expanding the pool to 45 candidates. The High Court l…

Jagdish Narain Shukla filed a writ petition under Article 226 seeking the implementation of a Lokayukta report that alleged corruption by former minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui and former MLC Husna Siddiqui, claiming they had purchased assets at undervalued prices using income from unknown sources. The Lokayukta, under S…

The respondent, an Indian Army soldier, suffered a fall and multiple injuries while on authorized annual leave at his sister's house. A Medical Board assessed his disability at 60% and noted it was aggravated by stress and strain of military service, but the competent authority rejected his claim for disability pension…

The case arose from a midnight assault on 26 May 2001 in which a group of accused entered the house of Bani Singh, armed with sharp weapons and a pistol, and attacked the occupants, resulting in Bani Singh’s death and injuries to four others. The prosecution relied primarily on the ocular testimony of two injured witne…

Bharat Bhushan was convicted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court for raping an 11‑year‑old girl under IPC s.376 and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine. He contended that, being a juvenile (under 18) at the time of the offence, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, parti…

The Nasik Municipal Corporation sought restoration of an execution petition (Special Darkhast No.49 of 2002) on the condition that it deposit a cost of Rs.25,000, as ordered by the High Court. The executing court refused to accept the cost, holding that the time limit set by the High Court had expired and it lacked aut…

The Rajasthan government issued a circular on 06‑10‑2008 requiring contractors awarded government construction work to obtain a short‑term permit and pay royalty on minor minerals used, with a provision for refund if royalty‑paid minerals were purchased from lease‑holders. M/s Deep Jyoti Company challenged the circular…

The Alauli Anchal Boat Traffic Cooperative Society (appellant) challenged the open auction of Ghurandera Kilagarai Ghat, arguing that the Rs.16,00,000 bid was excessive and should have been limited to a 15% increase over previous reserve‑Jama amounts, and that the auction process violated government circulars. The auct…

Gajanan Dashrath Kharate was convicted of murdering his father, Dashrath, after the father was found dead in a pool of blood following a night of frequent quarrels. Two neighbours, PW‑1 and PW‑2, heard the altercation but did not intervene and later learned of the death from a third witness. The prosecution presented t…

The appellant Rajinder Singh was convicted under IPC s.3048 for the death of his wife Salwinder Kaur, who died by poisoning within four years of marriage after repeated demands for dowry money and alleged ill‑treatment by the husband and his relatives. The trial court and the High Court upheld the conviction, finding t…

Dileep Kumar Singh, a CRPF Assistant Commandant, suffered a permanent spinal injury while on duty and was medically declared 100% incapacitated. He was subsequently relieved from service in July 2011 and challenged the relief under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Partic…

The case arose from a violent clash between two rival groups over a land dispute in Rajasthan, during which Shivji Ram was killed and several others injured. The trial court convicted the accused under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC, while the High Court later reduced the charge to culpable homicide not amountin…

The appellant was charged with offences under Sections 408, 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC, registered in May 2007. The Madhya Pradesh Amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which came into force on 22 February 2008, shifted the jurisdiction for offences under Sections 467, 468 and 471 from a Judicial Mag…

The deceased Seema was married in 1991 and soon after faced repeated dowry demands for a motorcycle and cash from her husband, Chandrahas, and his relatives. Despite a Panchayat‑mediated compromise deed in 1994, the harassment continued, culminating in her being beaten and later burnt to death in 1995. The prosecution …

The Supreme Court examined whether Section 12(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972, which deems a tenancy vacant when the tenant or a family member acquires another residential building, applies when such acquisition occurs before the Act becomes applicable to the…

The Board of Trustees of the Port of Mumbai (Petitioner) obtained an eviction decree against Nikhil N. Gupta and his company (Respondents) who had continued to occupy premises after a lease expired in 1952. The Supreme Court, dismissing a special leave petition, granted the Respondents one year to vacate, subject to an…

Balbir Singh sued Banwari Lal and Swaraj for ownership of a parcel of land. During the pendency of the first appeal, Banwari Lal died, and during the second appeal, Swaraj died, but no steps were taken to bring their legal representatives on record as required by Order XXII of the CPC. The Delhi High Court dismissed th…

The Supreme Court examined a petition by Etoile Creations seeking the appointment of a sole arbitrator under Sections 11(5) and 11(9) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, invoking the arbitration clause in a Buyers Agreement dated 18‑Oct‑2012 with SARL Danset Deco. The parties were in dispute over unpaid invo…

The petitioner, a wife, filed a dowry complaint against her husband and his family and later sought further investigation of her stridhan property and a palmtop communicator under Section 173(8) of the Cr.P.C. The magistrate ordered the investigating officer to conduct this additional inquiry under the supervision of a…

The Supreme Court examined the convictions of three accused in a kidnapping‑for‑ransom case. It upheld the life‑sentence convictions of Gautam Kumar (A2) and Vijay Ranglal Chorasiya (A5), finding that eyewitness testimony, telephone‑booth records and voice‑spectrography reliably proved their guilt beyond reasonable dou…

The appellant husband was convicted under IPC sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 498A (cruelty) read with section 34 for harassing his wife over dowry, leading her to set herself on fire and die. The prosecution’s case rested on the victim’s dying declaration, recorded by police before an Executive Magistrate while…

The appellants, Baskaran (A‑1) and an associate (A‑2), were charged with raping a girl and subsequently murdering her by strangulation. Both made extra‑judicial confessions to Village Administrative Officers, which were recorded in writing and witnessed by PW‑11 and PW‑14, although the latter later turned hostile on ce…

The case arose from an agrarian dispute over irrigation water where seven accused assaulted the complainant and his nephew, resulting in the nephew's death. The trial court convicted all accused under Sections 147, 323/149 and 302/149 IPC and imposed life imprisonment for the murder charge. On appeal, the Supreme Court…

S.K. Bhatnagar retired from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. in 1990 and had applied for commutation of his pension before retirement. He later claimed that the commuted pension amount of Rs.87,400 was never received, leading him to file an application before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in 2007. The CAT noted di…

The husband, Ramachandra Reddy, murdered his wife Sujatha in a hotel in Pondicherry and subsequently committed suicide. Charges under IPC sections 302, 498A read with 34 were framed against him and his parents, Vidyasagar and Narasamma Reddy. After the husband's death, the charge against him abated, and the parents sou…

The appellant, Sita Ram, filed an FIR alleging that Balbir (respondent No.1), an ex‑MLA, led a mob of 30‑35 armed men to his shop over a donation dispute, resulting in the death of his brother‑in‑law and injuries to several others. The Additional Sessions Judge rejected Balbir’s bail application, but the High Court lat…

The plaintiffs, M. Venkatesh and others, claimed ownership of land acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority (BOA) under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, asserting settled possession and adverse possession of the vacant parcels after demolition of structures. BOA contended that the land vested in it following the …

The case concerned Group Captains in the Indian Air Force who were promoted either on a merit basis (Select) or on a time‑scale basis (Time Scale) and were subjected to different ages of superannuation – 54/57 years for Time Scale officers versus 57 years for Select officers. The respondents argued that, since both cat…

The appellant, a driver for the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, travelled on a corporation bus without a ticket and subsequently abused and threatened the checking inspector, repeating similar misconduct the next day. A disciplinary enquiry found the misconduct proved, taking into account his prior rec…

Shri Talukdar Singh, a 59‑year‑old ex‑serviceman employed as a Turner by Tata Engineering & Locomotive Co., was dismissed in 1990 after a charge‑sheet for slapping a colleague. The Labour Court found the enquiry fair and the misconduct proved but held that dismissal was shockingly disproportionate, awarding retrenchmen…

The appellant, Bhanushali Housing Cooperative Society Ltd., sought specific performance of a sale agreement for land against the respondents, Mangilal and others. The question before the Supreme Court was whether the dispute fell within the ambit of Section 64 of the Madhya Pradesh Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. The…

The Supreme Court examined petitions seeking directions to set up State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) in several states that had failed to do so under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Court held that the word "may" in Section 21 of the Act does not make the power to constitute SHRCs discretionary; it is…

The case concerned officers of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) of the rank of Lt General (or equivalent) and the Director General AFMS, who were appointed for a fixed two‑year tenure subject to age limits. The Armed Forces Tribunal held that the tenure clause was ultra vires and ordered retirement at the age o…

Nanjappa, a bill collector in a Karnataka gram panchayat, was accused of demanding a Rs 500 bribe for a resolution copy. The trial court acquitted him, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charge and that the sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was invalid. Th…

The appellant, Eshwarappa, was married to Latha, who complained about his illicit relationship with another woman and his demand for additional dowry. On 6 November 2005, Latha went to a field to collect money from her husband for her child's medical treatment and was later found dead with ligature marks around her nec…

The Controller of Examinations of North Bengal University was suspended by the Vice‑Chancellor under Section 10(6) of the North Bengal University Act, 1981, on grounds of alleged financial irregularities uncovered by multiple audit reports. The Controller challenged the suspension in a writ petition; a Single Judge of …

The Supreme Court examined appeals by the State of Maharashtra challenging the High Court’s setting aside of convictions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The High Court had held that merely filing numerous charge‑sheets and taking cognizance of past offences did not satisfy the statutory re…

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) invited tenders for handling and transportation contracts; the appellant offered a lower rate and deposited Rs 10 lakhs as security per a High Court direction. The contract was awarded to the appellant, who later withdrew, citing security problems, thereby breaching the agreement. Th…

The Supreme Court examined whether a magistrate's order to issue summons is an interlocutory or intermediate order and whether it can be challenged under Section 397 of the CrPC. It held that such an order is intermediate/quasi‑final and therefore revisable under Section 397 (and also under the inherent jurisdiction of…

The Centre for Public Litigation filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking an independent investigation into alleged administrative and financial irregularities of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), a public financial institution with substantial loans, grants and guarantees from the Union Governm…

The case concerned a suit for partition of property belonging to a joint Hindu family after the death of the original owner, Ramachandra Reddy. One heir, the sole surviving male, had obtained occupancy rights over certain inam lands under the Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Abolition of Inams Act, 1955, and claimed exc…

Sobran Singh, a guarantor for a loan, challenged recovery proceedings initiated under the Uttar Pradesh Public Moneys (Recovery of Dues) Act, 1972, arguing that Section 4(2) barred action against him until the principal borrower’s mortgaged property was sold. The High Court dismissed his writ petition, holding that the…

The appellant, S. Mahaboob Basha, was convicted under Section 498A IPC for subjecting his wife, PW‑1, to cruelty and dowry harassment, along with other offences. The prosecution presented testimony of the wife, her brother, and mother, and documentary evidence establishing repeated ill‑treatment and unlawful dowry dema…

The appellant, a lecturer in Sociology, claimed seniority over two other lecturers for appointment as ad hoc principal of an inter college. The High Court, while examining the seniority dispute, also questioned the validity of the appellant’s earlier appointment, deeming the 4 February 1991 order of the District Inspec…

The respondents, a partnership that set up an industrial unit in 1981, were initially excluded from a 1992 land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. In 2004 the State of Haryana re‑issued acquisition notifications for two strips of their land to develop a residential‑commercial sector. The High Court quash…

The appellant Raj Singh was convicted of murder (later reduced to culpable homicide not amounting to murder) for shooting and killing Girdhari Lal during a violent altercation at the complainant's house. He claimed the act was in private defence, invoking Exception 2 to Section 300 IPC, asserting that the complainants …

The appellant, Puran Chand, was convicted under Section 376 IPC for raping a 17‑year‑old girl who later attempted suicide. He appealed, claiming false implication due to enmity, a 20‑day delay in filing the FIR, and that the medical report showing an intact hymen created reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court held that th…

The plaintiff filed a partition suit claiming a 13‑acre property as joint family property and the defendants, though served with summons and represented by counsel, never filed a written statement. The trial court, relying solely on the plaintiff’s affidavit and documents, passed an ex‑parte decree granting the plainti…

In January 2000, a group of six accused attacked three brothers in Rajasthan, resulting in the death of one brother, Lalu, and injuries to the others. The accused were charged under IPC sections 148, 302/149, 323, 324/149 and 325. The trial court convicted them of all offences, including murder, and sentenced them to l…

The appellants challenged final orders of the Armed Forces Tribunal under Section 30 of the Armed Forces Tribunal Act, 2007, contending that they could appeal directly to the Supreme Court. The central issue was whether Section 30(1) confers a vested right of appeal independent of the procedure laid down in Section 31,…

Heinz India Pvt. Ltd. and other dealers challenged market fee assessments levied by the Uttar Pradesh Krishi Utpadan Mandi Samiti, claiming that the ghee they exported was transferred as stock and not sold within the mandi, thus exempting them from the fee. The Samiti rejected the refund claims, holding the statutory p…

The appellant, C.P. Subhash, the General Manager of SNP Ventures, filed a criminal complaint alleging that senior managers of Gorden Woodroff Ltd. forged two 1922 sale deeds to fraudulently claim title over land he possessed. An FIR was registered under IPC sections 468 and 471, but the respondents obtained a quashing …

M.S. Kazi, an assistant teacher in a minority school, was dismissed in 2004 for alleged unauthorised pilgrimage. He first approached the Gujarat Higher Secondary Education Tribunal under the Gujarat Secondary Education Act, 1972, which dismissed his challenge. Kazi then filed a Special Civil Application under Articles …

Mrs. Santosh Singh, an advocate, filed a public‑interest writ petition under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Union of India and the CBSE to make "moral science" a compulsory subject from class I to XII, alleging that its omission violated Article 25 and the fundamental duties under Article 51A(f). The respo…

The Supreme Court considered applications filed by the contemnors, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd. and Sahara Housing Investment Corp., who were in judicial custody for contempt after failing to comply with SEBI‑directed bail conditions requiring a deposit of Rs 10,000 crore, half in cash and half as a bank g…

Saurabh Kumar was arrested in connection with a land‑dispute case and was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody under an order dated 1 July 2013. The petitioner filed a writ of habeas corpus under Article 32, alleging illegal detention, police brutality and claim…

The Supreme Court examined whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is a "State" under Article 12 and concluded that, although it is not, it performs public functions and is therefore amenable to writ jurisdiction under Article 226. The Court upheld the Probe Committee’s findings that Gurunath Meiyappan…

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of Uttar Pradesh's Vidhayak Nidhi Scheme, which allocates annual grants to MLAs and MLCs for development work in their constituencies. The petition challenged the scheme on the ground that it violated Article 243ZD of the Constitution and the Uttar Pradesh District…

The Supreme Court examined the severe infrastructural and administrative deficiencies in the consumer dispute redressal fora across India, as highlighted in the interim report of the Justice Arijit Pasayat Committee. It held that the Committee’s findings merit deference and that the existing poor organisational set‑up,…

Eighty‑eight workmen employed as Tyndals at Kenduadih Colliery of BCCL sought regularisation. The Industrial Tribunal (1996) ordered their absorption within a year, and the Jharkhand High Court (2004) modified the award, directing that whenever the management hires regular workmen, preference must be given to these wor…

The case concerned promotion of Class IV civil court staff to Class III posts in Bihar. The original selection used an 85‑mark written test and 15‑mark interview, but the High Court directed a fresh examination with 90 marks for the written part and 10 for the interview. The appellants participated in the fresh process…

The State of Jammu and Kashmir appealed a High Court judgment that had set aside a 2005 circular restricting private tutoring by government teachers and, erroneously, had also directed on the regulation of private practice by government doctors. The Supreme Court held that the circular, issued by the Education Departme…

The Supreme Court examined the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s failure to implement the Justice Lodha Committee's recommendations, particularly the appointment of a CAG nominee, after the Court had endorsed those recommendations on 18 July 2016. The Court found that the BCCI President had sought a letter…

The appellant, D. Velusamy, filed an appeal against a family court and High Court order that granted maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC to the respondent, D. Patchaiammal, on the basis that she was his wife. The appellant contended that he was already lawfully married to another woman, Lakshmi, in 1980, and that…

The appellant, an Assistant Editor of a newspaper publishing company, was dismissed after a disciplinary inquiry that found him guilty of misconduct. He subsequently claimed gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, but the employer denied it, invoking the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Cond…

The appellants were convicted under Sections 302 and 364A of the IPC for kidnapping a 16‑year‑old boy, demanding a Rs 50 lakh ransom and murdering him, and were sentenced to death. They challenged the constitutionality of Section 364A on the ground that its mandatory death or life imprisonment provision was disproporti…

The case involved a usufructuary mortgage executed in 1903 where the mortgagee claimed ownership after the statutory 30‑year limitation period had elapsed, while the mortgagor sought declaration of title by prescription. The trial and appellate courts held that, under Section 62 of the Transfer of Property Act, the mor…

The appeal concerned a decision of the Madras High Court that remanded a matter before the Wakf Tribunal because the Tribunal had failed to consider certain points. The issue before the Supreme Court was whether, under Section 83(5) of the Wakf Act 1995, the Wakf Tribunal is deemed a civil court and can exercise the sa…

The appellant, Santosh Pawar, was convicted of murdering his wife by pouring kerosene on her and setting her ablaze after suspecting infidelity. The prosecution relied on the victim's dying declaration, corroborating testimony of relatives and neighbours, and a post‑mortem report showing death from 60% burns. The appel…

The appellant was intercepted while driving a vehicle and, after refusing a search by a gazetted officer or magistrate, consented to a police search during which three bags containing 120 kg of poppy husk were seized. The prosecution’s case rested mainly on the testimony of official police witnesses, while two independ…

Nanak Builders sued the Sawhneys for specific performance of a 1986 sale agreement. While the suit was pending, the Sawhneys transferred the suit property to Thomson Press (India) Ltd. despite a court injunction and public notice of the dispute. Thomson Press applied under Order 1 Rule 10 CPC to be impleaded as a defen…

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) awarded a fee‑collection contract to A.S. Motors, which was later terminated on grounds of overcharging and other malpractices. The appellant challenged the termination, alleging violation of natural‑justice principles and lack of a factual basis for termination, as well a…

The father of the appellants, Raj Kumar, owned a shop that was let to the respondent. After Raj Kumar’s death, his brother Shiv Kumar filed an eviction suit, and upon Shiv’s death his sons Kuldeep Kumar and Pradeep Kumar were substituted as plaintiffs as heirs. The trial court decreed eviction in favour of the plaintif…

The Supreme Court examined whether disciplinary proceedings against employees of M/s Stanzen Toyotetsu India Ltd. could be stayed pending the criminal trial arising from the same incident. The Court held that there is no legal bar to conducting disciplinary and criminal proceedings simultaneously, but a stay is only ju…

The plaintiff sought a declaration of title over a one‑acre parcel of land in Malur and the removal of an unauthorised school building constructed by the State Government and its pre‑university college. The trial court held the plaintiff to be the owner, ordered removal of the construction and granted a permanent injun…

The plaintiff obtained a decree declaring a 1982 gift deed void. The respondents appealed and the High Court set aside that decree on the basis of a compromise recorded under Order XXI Rule 3 of the CPC. The plaintiff contended that the compromise was forged and void, and filed a suit (OS No.5236 of 2005) seeking to se…

M/S Payal Vision Ltd., the landlord, filed a suit for possession and mesne profits against Radhika Choudhary, the tenant, alleging a lease of Rs.50,000 per month and a notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act terminating the tenancy due to unauthorized structural changes. The tenant contested the nature…

Shivgiri Associates filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act in the Gurgaon court, alleging dishonour of cheques drawn on Axis Bank, Bangalore and presented for encashment at Standard Chartered Bank, Bangalore. The legal notice of demand was dispatched from Gurgaon on the respondent's instr…

The State of Assam filed a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution seeking a determination of its boundary with the State of Nagaland, which was created by a 1962 Act of Parliament. The Supreme Court, while a Local Commission was already appointed to examine the dispute, ordered that the parties also attempt mediati…

The husband of the appellant applied for a Freedom Fighters' Pension under the "Underground Freedom Fighter" category as per the Maharashtra Government Resolution of 4 July 1995, submitting various certificates and affidavits. The State Government rejected the claim, stating there was no concrete evidence, and the High…

The plaintiffs filed a suit for declaration, partition and injunction against several defendants, one of whom, Virendra Kumar, died without contesting the suit. The trial court dismissed the suit as abated for failure to substitute the deceased's legal representatives. On appeal, the first appellate court and the High …

The Supreme Court examined whether depositions taken by a magistrate under Chapter XV of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before taking cognizance could be used as evidence for framing charges under Part B of Chapter XIX, and whether the accused is entitled to cross‑examine those witnesses before charges are framed. …

Venkatesh Construction Company sued Karnataka Vidyuth Karkhane Ltd for Rs.30 lakh for extra work, stoppage of work, and loss of stocked material. The trial court awarded Rs.3,23,000 with 12% interest, finding that extra work was required and the respondent had directed a stoppage. The High Court reversed the decree, re…

The case concerned the procurement of submarine batteries, a mission‑critical defence spare part. The respondent sought an open advertisement and request for proposal (RFP) for supply, arguing a vested right after developing prototype cells. The Union of India contended that defence policy requires such critical items …

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by the Diesel Loco Shed Employees & S.E. Railway Employees House Building Co‑op Society Ltd. challenging a High Court review that set aside orders declaring surplus land vested in the State and the allotment of 6 acres to the society. The Court held that the heirs of the deceased de…

Baljinder Kaur, the sister‑in‑law of the deceased Sharanjit Kaur, was convicted under Section 304B IPC for dowry death based on a demand for a gold karra made two months after the marriage. The deceased died of poisoning, and the prosecution relied on a dying declaration that she was beaten and poisoned by the accused.…

The appellant, Saygo Bai, filed a Section 125 CrPC application for maintenance for herself and her two minor children after her husband, Chueeru Bajrangi, took a second wife and threw her out of the matrimonial home. The trial court, revision court, and High Court dismissed her claim, relying on her alleged abandonment…

Nagoor Pichai @ Badusha was convicted under IPC s.302 for murdering his paternal uncle and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was 19 years 8 months old at the time of the offence and 22 years 9 months old at conviction. He applied for bail, contending that the Tamil Nadu Borstal Schools Act, 1925 should have been appli…

The case arose from a heated altercation in which the appellant, Sakharam, struck the head of PW‑2 (Santu) with a lathi, causing two lacerated wounds and a fracture of the frontal bone as evidenced by X‑ray. The trial court convicted Sakharam under Sections 302 and 307 IPC; the High Court set aside the murder convictio…

The appellant was originally granted a quarry lease in 1978, which was renewed in 1983 and later, after a lapse, a fresh lease was issued on 26 June 1991 under Rule 3 of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules. That 1991 lease, along with the Government Order of 18 June 1991, was subsequently quashed by the High C…

The appellants were convicted of several murders in a single trial and were sentenced to multiple life imprisonments, each directed to run consecutively, along with term sentences. They challenged the validity of consecutive life sentences under Section 31 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The Supreme Court examin…

The case concerned whether, after an approved scheme under the Motor Vehicles Act is published, existing private operators may increase the number of trips or vehicles by obtaining a variation of their stage‑carriage permits. The Court examined Section 57(8), which treats such variations as applications for new permits…

The Supreme Court was asked to decide whether it can transfer civil or criminal proceedings pending in any court of Jammu and Kashmir to a court outside the State and vice‑versa, despite the fact that Sections 25 of the CPC and 406 of the CrPC do not apply to Jammu and Kashmir and the State codes contain no such provis…

The appellants filed three suits (1974, 1977, 1980) for recovery of rent arrears covering October 1971 to November 1980. The trial court decreed in their favour and the decree was affirmed by a lower appellate court. The High Court set aside the decree on the sole ground that the rent deed (Exhibit‑69) was not register…

The Supreme Court dealt with contempt petitions filed by SEBI against Sahara India Real Estate Corp. Ltd. and its promoters for failing to refund investors the amount collected through illegal Optional Fully Convertible Debentures (OFCDs). The Court noted repeated non‑compliance with its earlier orders directing the de…

The appellant Sanjeev was accused of killing his brother-in-law Raj Pal after a drunken altercation. Evidence included an eyewitness who saw Sanjeev fleeing with blood‑stained clothes, a medical injury on Sanjeev’s forearm, an extra‑judicial confession to a witness that he struck the victim with a brick, and forensic b…

The State of Orissa appointed thousands of unemployed graduate engineers as Stipendiary Engineers on an ad‑hoc basis and later as Assistant Engineers, later regularising them through the Orissa Service of Engineers (Validation of Appointment) Act, 2002. Several writ petitions challenged the Act on the grounds that it w…

The appellant, Kuppusamy, was accused of murdering his ten‑month‑old daughter by throwing her into a well, resulting in death by drowning. The prosecution's case rested on an extra‑judicial confession made by the appellant to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO), which was recorded and signed. The trial court and t…

The wife of the first appellant died under suspicious circumstances and a FIR was lodged under Sections 304B and 498A IPC read with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The father of the deceased later filed a private complaint under Section 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act alleging that dowry amount and articl…

The appellant, Nankunoo, visited the deceased barber's shop demanding preferential service, was rebuffed, and later shot the barber in the left thigh with a pistol, causing the victim to die of shock and hemorrhage. The trial court convicted the appellant under Section 302 IPC (murder) and sentenced him to life impriso…

In the Maharashtra Legislative Council election, Ashok lost to Rajendra by four votes and filed an election petition alleging that at least five of the fourteen votes counted were improperly received because voters were accompanied by another person, violating Rule 39 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The High Co…

The joint‑venture Ratnagiri Gas & Power Pvt. Ltd. (RGPPL) cancelled a breakwater tender after discovering that the lowest bidder, RDS Projects Ltd., did not meet the qualifying criteria of a 400‑metre offshore breakwater. RDS first withdrew a writ petition (8252/2010) with liberty to challenge its exclusion in a fresh …

The West Bengal Housing Board (appellant) purchased a 20.184‑acre plot from the legal heirs of late Gangadas Pal, who were intermediaries under the West Bengal Estates Acquisition Act, 1953. The heirs had earlier been parties to a partition suit (Title Suit No. 121 of 1962) that was later amended to include the plot, a…

The appellant U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. challenged the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (CERC) approval of additional capitalisation of Rs 4.521 crore for a thermal power plant taken over by NTPC Ltd. The CERC had allowed the excess expenditure despite the requirement in Regulation 2.5 of its Tariff Regula…

The appellant Ramvilas and several co‑accused were convicted for the murder of Bansilal under Sections 302 read with 149 IPC, and for offences under Sections 324, 323 and 148 IPC. The prosecution case relied on six eye‑witnesses and two injured witnesses (the victim's sister and brother) who testified that the accused,…

The Supreme Court examined the Lodha Committee's recommendations for reforming the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after a public interest litigation. It held that the Committee's report is merely recommendatory and does not bind the BCCI unless the Court directs it, and that the recommendations do not inf…

The case arose from twin bomb blasts in Surat in 1993 for which several accused were convicted under the Indian Penal Code, the Explosives Substances Act and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). The trial court recorded the offences under TADA after obtaining approvals from the Additional Ch…

The appellants, Dr. Atma Ram and Vijay Kumar, were convicted for murder and related offences under Sections 1208, 302, 460 and 382 IPC based solely on circumstantial evidence that the deceased midwife was killed and her ornaments were stolen. The prosecution relied on four circumstances: homicidal death, a threat by th…

The widow of a bank clerk who had served for over 34 years filed a petition after the bank treated his October 8, 2007 letter as a resignation, thereby forfeiting his pension. The Supreme Court examined whether the letter was a resignation or a request for voluntary retirement under the Central Bank of India (Employees…

The appellants, Maj. Gen. Kapil Mehra and others, challenged the compensation awarded by the Delhi Development Authority for land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The High Court had fixed the market value at Rs.14,974 per square yard by averaging four perpetual lease deeds, adding 20% for free‑hold conver…

The wife filed an FIR in Allahabad alleging dowry harassment, physical and mental torture by her husband and his family, naming the husband, his parents, brother and sister. The brother and sister, who were unmarried, sought quashing of the criminal proceedings under Section 482 of the CrPC, claiming the FIR was filed …

Renikuntla Rajamma (donor) executed a registered gift deed in favour of K. Sarwanamma (donee) but reserved for herself a life interest to occupy the property and receive its rents. She later executed a revocation deed, which lower courts held void, affirming the validity of the original gift. The Supreme Court examined…

M. Narayan was convicted for dowry death and cruelty after his wife Ganga was found hanging within two years of marriage. The prosecution alleged that Narayan repeatedly demanded additional dowry, subjected her to physical and mental harassment, and threatened her, leading to her suicide. The trial court acquitted him,…

Shanti Roy, married to Sekhar Roy, allegedly faced a dowry demand of Rs.5,000 by her husband, his mother, and siblings, leading to harassment and her suicide by self‑immolation while eight months pregnant. The trial court convicted the husband, his mother, and the siblings under Sections 3048, 498A, 306 and 304B of the…

Naval Kishore was convicted under IPC sections 498A (cruelty), 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) for the death of his wife Jyoti, who was found burned and asphyxiated. The prosecution proved that Jyoti had been subjected to repeated cruelty by Kishore and his in‑laws, and that she was suffocated …

Advocate Chander Prakash Tyagi was engaged by Banarsi Das to seek guardianship of his grandson under the Guardians and Wards Act. The complainant alleged that Tyagi, after receiving a fee, colluded with the opponents and later accepted a brief from them to file a suit against the same grandson. The State Bar Council di…

The Supreme Court admitted a batch of writ petitions challenging the demonetisation notification of 8 November 2016 and issued interim directions. It examined the legality of the RBI's power to demonetise under the Reserve Bank of India Act and its compatibility with constitutional provisions. The Court considered the …

The Supreme Court, hearing a series of petitions filed by environmental activist M.C. Mehta, examined the persistent high levels of air pollution in Delhi and the effectiveness of its earlier directions to divert non‑Delhi‑bound commercial traffic and levy an Environment Compensation Charge (ECC). The Court found that …

The Supreme Court examined the selection process for Additional District Judges in Jharkhand, where 50% of posts were filled by promotees on merit‑cum‑seniority and the remaining 50% were to be split equally between promotion through a Limited Competitive Examination and direct recruitment from the Bar. The petitioners…

The petitioner, a Thai joint venture, entered into a contract with the respondent, an Indian company, for the sale of aluminium ingots, which contained an arbitration clause. The respondent contested the petition for appointment of an arbitrator, arguing that the contract was not signed by an authorized person and that…

Veerendra Kumar Dubey, an operator in the Indian Army, was discharged after accruing four red‑ink entries for overstaying leave. Although a show‑cause notice was issued, no impartial inquiry was conducted as required by the Army Headquarters circular of 28 December 1988, which prescribes a preliminary enquiry and consi…

A public‑interest writ petition (PIL No.130 of 2014) challenged the registration of land in Survey Nos.215 and 222, alleging illegal occupation of government land. The High Court allowed the PIL and directed officials to act, even extending its order to Survey Nos.244 and 246, which the appellants claimed were private …

The Supreme Court examined the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) request to limit its investigation of numerous chit‑fund scam cases on the ground of alleged manpower shortage. The Court noted that the CBI had already taken over investigations of major scams, including the Saradha case, and that the right to a fa…

Petitioners C. Chakkaravarty and others filed a contempt petition under Article 129 of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, alleging that the respondents, the Government of Pondicherry, violated the Supreme Court’s 2010 judgment in N. Suresh Nathan v. Union of India which mandated that promoti…

The respondent, a senior assistant of State Bank of India, was alleged to have caused a loss of over Rs.44 lakh by facilitating fraudulent credit and misplacing clearing instruments in May 2006. A criminal case under Sections 409 and 34 of the IPC was filed in 2007, but the trial progressed slowly, with only three of e…

The case concerned the procurement of Damp Proof Cement by North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) where the Chief Engineer (A‑1) and other officials were alleged to have colluded to obtain the material at an inflated price of Rs.42.75 per kg, far above the market rate of Rs.5‑10 per kg. The prosecution proved that A‑1, a…

The petitioners, leaders of a human‑rights NGO, filed a writ of mandamus under Article 32 seeking a CBI or SIT investigation into the violent clash between Dalit and Thevar students at Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai on 12 November 2008, alleging police inaction and subsequent harassment. They also complai…

The case involved the murder of Narinder Singh, for which nine persons were charged under Sections 302, 149 and 148 of the IPC. The prosecution's case hinged on the testimony of the victim's father (PW‑6) and his brother (PW‑7), who identified Dilawar Singh (A‑1), Yash Pal (A‑3) and Shamsher Singh (A‑7) as the assailan…

The Supreme Court examined the validity of a Uttar Pradesh Government Order that reserved 30% of postgraduate medical degree seats for in‑service doctors, a scheme challenged as violative of Regulation 9 of the Medical Council of India (MCI) Post‑Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000. The Court held that Regulat…

Kiriti Pal was accused of murdering Anjali Goswami, a widow who was last seen alive with him on the evening of 11 November 2008 before being found dead the next morning in a jungle 25 km away. The trial court convicted Pal and three co‑accused (Siddique Mia, Mustaque Mia, and Durga Sutradhar) under sections 302, 120B, …

The appellants, brothers of the complainant, were convicted for assaulting the complainant and his associates with sickles and talwars, causing grievous injuries. The trial court sentenced them under Sections 307 and 427 IPC read with Section 34, which the High Court modified to Section 326 IPC with reduced imprisonmen…

The appellants, tenants of a shop in Delhi, were ordered by the Rent Controller to pay arrears and future rent under Section 15(1) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958. They delayed payment of the future rent, prompting the landlords to invoke Section 15(7) to have the tenants' defence in the eviction suit struck out. T…

The appellant, Taramani Parakh, filed a criminal complaint under Sections 498A and 34 IPC alleging dowry harassment and cruelty by her husband and his parents. The husband and his parents moved the High Court under Section 482 of the CrPC to quash the proceedings, claiming the allegations were vague, omnibus and amount…

The Queen's Educational Society, established solely to impart education, claimed exemption under Section 10(23C)(iiiad) of the Income Tax Act for assessment years 2000-01 and 2001-02 despite showing a surplus. The Assessing Officer denied the exemption, the ITAT allowed it, but the Uttarakhand High Court set aside the …

The appellant, Ramdev Food Products, complained that accused partners had forged partnership documents and sought a direction under CrPC s.156(3) for police investigation. The magistrate instead ordered a report under s.202(1), deeming the matter primarily civil and lacking clear material for a cognizable offence. The …

The petitioners, holders of Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees awarded before 31 December 2009, challenged the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations (Third Amendment) 2009 which made the NET/SLET exam a mandatory minimum eligibility condition for appointment as Lecturers/Assistant Professors, arguing that the regulatio…

The Supreme Court examined the presence of retail liquor shops on national and state highways after the Union Government, through expert bodies and advisories, highlighted the danger of drunken driving on these roads. The petitioners (State of Tamil Nadu and other states) sought a blanket prohibition on granting licenc…

Retired Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju posted Facebook remarks calling Mahatma Gandhi a British agent and Subhash Chandra Bose an agent of Japanese fascism. Both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha passed resolutions condemning his statements. Katju filed a writ petition under Articles 32 and 19(1)(a) seeking to quash t…

The University of Agricultural Sciences advertised three Assistant Professor posts in Sericulture. The Selection Committee prepared a merit list placing J. Ashoka (appellant) at the top, followed by other candidates. The Board of Regents, however, appointed Dr. Fathima Sadathulla (respondent No.3) and another candidate…

Vijay Shankar Mishra, an officer of the Army Medical Corps, was discharged under Rule 13(3) Table III(v) of the Army Rules, 1954 on the ground of unsatisfactory conduct and was denied a disability pension. He had accrued six red‑ink entries and had served 13 years 8 months, short of the 15‑year qualifying period for pe…

The Supreme Court examined a contempt petition filed after the respondent, Balbir, evaded arrest by remaining admitted in a private hospital for 527 days without medical justification, despite a Supreme Court order cancelling his bail and directing his surrender. The Court found that the respondent deliberately used th…

The appellant, a Muslim airman, applied to retain his beard on religious grounds but was ordered to shave under Air Force policy. He was discharged after refusing, and his writ petition challenging the order was dismissed by the High Court. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether Regulation 425(b) of the Armed Fo…

The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights and other NGOs filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking enforcement of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and its 1995 Rules, alleging widespread non‑implementation by State and Central authorities. They pleaded for directions…

The appellants, small farmers, mortgaged their agricultural land to a cooperative bank and, after defaulting, the bank obtained an ex‑parte arbitral award ordering sale of the mortgaged property. The land was auctioned in 1981 and the sale was confirmed in 1985, even though the appellants had repaid the principal amoun…

The appellants GMG Engineering Industries and others entered into a sale agreement with the respondents ISSA Green Power Solution, which fell through, leading the respondents to sue for recovery of Rs.1.5 crore and Rs.10 lakh. Both suits were decreed ex-parte after the appellants failed to appear, and the appellants la…

The case arose from a violent incident on 2 July 1998 in a village in Haryana where Gopal was killed after a quarrel over trespass of a paddy field. The prosecution charged ten persons under Sections 148, 149, 323, 325 and 302 IPC, alleging an unlawful assembly that murdered Gopal. The trial court convicted all ten und…

The appellant, a sole proprietor of a construction firm, applied to the District Magistrate for a character certificate required for renewal of her contractor registration. The magistrate first denied the certificate on the ground that the appellant's husband had criminal cases, and later on the ground that she lacked …

The State alleged that Abdul Razak and others tied, assaulted and caused the death of Basavaraj, invoking sections 304 Part II and 34 of the IPC. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding the brother and mother of the deceased, who claimed to be eye‑witnesses, unreliable. The High Court reversed the acquittal and …

Prem Ram, appointed as a daily‑wager in 1988 with the Uttar Pradesh Pey Jal & Nirman Nigam (later Uttarakhand Pey Jal & Nirman Nigam), was illegally terminated in 1997, reinstated by the Labour Court and served until superannuation. He filed a writ petition seeking regularisation on the same terms as his junior colleag…

In 1996, the appellant K.L. Bakolia demanded a bribe of Rs.20,000 from Shamsher Singh, the proprietor of a security services firm, for renewal of a contract with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. The complainant paid the amount under a CBI‑conducted trap, after which the money was recovered and Bakolia was ch…

The case involved the kidnapping of a five‑year‑old boy, Vicky, for ransom and his subsequent murder. The child’s sister, a seven‑year‑old witness, identified the primary kidnappers (A‑3 and A‑5) and testified consistently, while the father’s testimony corroborated her account. The Supreme Court held that the child’s t…

The case concerned M. Mahesh Kumar's claim for a compassionate appointment under Canara Bank's 1993 "Dying in Harness" scheme after his father's death in 1998. The bank rejected the claim, later replacing the scheme with a 2005 circular offering only ex‑gratia payments, and argued that the newer scheme barred the appoi…

The Union of India appealed against an Armed Forces Tribunal order that quashed a 2009 policy directing the creation of supernumerary Colonel posts for all Army streams and directed the government to allocate 141 additional posts to the Combat Support stream. The respondents, officers commissioned into the Service stre…

Mears Group Inc., a US company, entered into a contract with Fernas Insaat A.S., a Turkish firm, to perform horizontal directional drilling for a pipeline project in Bangladesh. The work order contained an arbitration clause requiring disputes to be referred to a sole arbitrator appointed by mutual consent, with procee…

Bachpan Bachao Andolan filed a public‑interest writ petition under Article 32 seeking a mandamus directing the Union of India to devise and implement a national action plan to curb drug, alcohol and substance abuse among children. The Court noted the alarming rise in substance use among India’s 44 crore children and th…

A news report of a security breach at Sanganer Airport led the Rajasthan High Court to take suo moto cognizance and register a public interest writ under Art. 226. While the case was pending, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a circular exempting certain VVIPs from pre‑embarkation security checks; sub…

Mukul Bhasin and Harshita Bhasin, married in 2007, separated in 2013 and have two minor children aged eight and five. The husband filed a petition under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 for dissolution of marriage and custody, while the wife filed a habeas corpus petition. The Calcutta High Court refused interim custo…

The petitioners, a group of advocates, filed a public‑interest writ under Article 32 seeking a court‑directed mechanism to curb racial discrimination against citizens from India's North‑Eastern states. Citing several media‑reported incidents and invoking Articles 15, 32 and 51A(e) of the Constitution, the International…

The petitioners, working as contractual Systems Officers and Systems Assistants in Gujarat courts, sought the Supreme Court's intervention under Article 32 to challenge a High Court advertisement for new posts and to compel the inclusion of a provision for their absorption into the regular cadre. They also requested a …

The appellant, an adopted son of a truck driver who died while driving a long‑distance haul, claimed compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. The Supreme Court examined whether the adoption was valid under Hindu law and whether the driver’s death constituted an "accident" arising out of and in the cours…

Naresh Kumar was married to Rekha Rani, who within ten months complained to her father about dowry harassment by her husband and his family. Despite repeated pleas, the husband threatened divorce and forced her to return to his home, after which she set herself on fire and died. The prosecution proved that the dowry de…