As we conclude the first week of June 2025, this High Court weekly roundup highlights significant stories, including landmark rulings on transgender parents, the bail hearing of Shamishta Panoli, the summon order for Rahul Gandhi, Sadhguru’s personality rights case, and more.
ANIMAL SLAUGHTER
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Animal slaughter permitted during Bakri Eid on 7-6-2025 and the Urus from 8-6-2025 to 12-6-2025 at Vishalgad Dargah
The Division Bench of Dr. Neela Gokhale and Firdosh P. Pooniwalla, JJ., permitted animal slaughter during the festival of Bakri Eid on 7-6-2025 and the Urus from 8-6-2025 to 12-6-2025, and the same was applicable to the applicant and its devotees. The present interim application was filed by the applicant, Hajrat Peer Malik Rehan Mira Saheb Dargah, Vishalgad to seek permission for animal slaughter during the festival of Bakri Eid and the Urus. Read more HERE
ARBITRATION
HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT | Arbitrator appointed in dispute between State and OASYS Cybernetics for violation of S. 12(5) of A&C Act
In a writ petition filed by the petitioner against the unilateral appointment of Director, Department of Digital Technologies and Governance, Himachal Pradesh (‘Director of DTG’), as the sole arbitrator by the State, the Division Bench of Tarlok Singh Chauhan* and Sushil Kukreja, JJ., allowed the petition holding that the statutory bar under Section 12(5) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (‘the Act’) would squarely be applicable as the Director of DTG could not be held to be an independent and impartial arbitrator because he could be a consultant or an advisor of the State. [Oasys Cybernetics (P) Ltd. v. State of H.P., 2025 SCC OnLine HP 1812] Read more HERE
ARMED FORCES
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Deplorable approach adopted by Union towards its own army personnel’; Pleas against rounding off disability element of disability pension, rejected
In a batch of writ petitions filed by the Union against the Armed Forces Tribunal (‘AFT’) that rounded off the disability element of the disability pension of respondents to 50 percent, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and H.S. Grewal, JJ., rejected the petitions, holding that the binding precedents by the Supreme Court did not restrict the payment of arrears for only three years before the filing of the application. The Court deplored the Union’s approach towards its own former servicemen, non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s decisions, and undertaking unnecessary litigation. Read more HERE
ARREST
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Arrest of Anchor Group of Company’s director, Hemang Jadavji Shah, declared as illegal and unnecessary; Immediate release ordered
The present petition was filed seeking to issue a direction/writ of certiorari and/or any other similar writ, order, and direction of like nature, to declare the petitioner’s arrest dated 18-5-2025 as illegal and unnecessary and order his immediate release in a case with Economic Offences Wing, Mumbai (‘EOW’). The Division Judge Bench of Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan, JJ., held that there was breach of requirements under Section 48 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS, 2023’), and the detention of the petitioner in custody without producing him before the nearest Magistrate within stipulated time of 24 hours was completely illegal and infringed his fundamental rights under Articles 22(2) and 21 of the Constitution. The Court declared that the petitioner’s arrest dated 18-5-2025 was illegal and ordered his immediate release. [Hemang Jadavji Shah v. State of Maharashtra, 2025 SCC OnLine Bom 2145] Read more HERE
BAIL
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | ‘Attempt to disrupt communal harmony and reinstate Mughal Order’; Bail denied under UAPA
In a criminal appeal filed, by the appellant an enrolled advocate and volunteer associated with a Human Rights Organization, under Section 21 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, challenging the order passed by Special Judge, NIA Cases, Bhopal rejecting his regular bail application, a Division Bench of Vivek Agarwal* and Devnarayan Mishra, JJ., while acknowledging the alleged attempt to disrupt Communal Harmony and reinstate Mughal Order, held that, at this stage, there is no sufficient basis for interference in the trial process and refused to grant bail. [Wasid Khan v. State of M.P., 2025 SCC OnLine MP 4008] Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | Bail granted to film director falsely accused of rape; Trend of lodging false complaints of sexual offences, highlighted
In a bail application filed by the applicant (‘accused’) seeking regular bail in the FIR registered for offences under Section 376/354-C/313/323/506 of Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’), Girish Kathpalia, J., granted bail to a film director falsely accused of rape and stated that this was yet another case, reflecting the recent trend of lodging false complaints of sexual offences. Thus, considering the circumstances, the Court stated that it had no reason to deprive liberty to the accused any further. Therefore, the Court directed the accused to be released on bail subject to his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.10,000 with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court or the area Magistrate or the Duty Magistrate. [Sanoj Kumar Mishra v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2025 SCC OnLine Del 3786] Read more HERE
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Now a mother of 25-days old child’; Anticipatory bail granted to woman alleged to have assaulted and killed a biker
In a case wherein, a pregnant woman and her husband were alleged to have assaulted a biker, who later succumbed to injuries in his brain, a Single Judge Bench of Ashwin D. Bhobe, J., after considering the nature of the allegations against the applicant, who was now a mother of 25 days old child, opined that the custodial interrogation of the application was not required. The Court thus, allowed the application and granted her pre-arrest bail. [Anam Ahmed Ansari v. State of Maharashtra, 2025 SCC OnLine Bom 2144] Read more HERE
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | Anticipatory bail plea of Police officer accused of assaulting an Army Colonel, rejected
In an anticipatory bail application filed by a Police Officer, in an First Information Report (‘FIR’) registered under Sections 109, 115(2), 117(2), 126, 190, 191, 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) in a Colonel’s assault case, a single judge Bench of Anoop Chitkara*, J., dismissed the application, citing prima facie involvement, gross misconduct, horrific nature of crime, crafty behaviour and cruelty on part of the accused by mercilessly beating the complainant and his son, causing both simple and grievous injuries. Read more HERE
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT | Bail and Police Protection granted in FIR against law student over alleged blasphemous post
In a petition filed by Shamishta Panoli (petitioner), a law student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune, seeking judicial intervention against the registration of FIR(s) and the arrest carried out pursuant to them alleging procedural impropriety, violation of fundamental rights under Article 22(1) of the Constitution, and interim bail. Raja Basu Chowdhury. J., granted her bail as offences alleged were bailable or punishable with less than seven years and that the petitioner was a young student with no risk of tampering with evidence. Read more HERE
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Bail granted to a man allegedly involved in vehicle registration scam by forging documents
In a case wherein, the applicant was accused of being involved in vehicle registration scam by forging documents in State of Maharashtra, a Single Judge Bench of Ashwin D. Bhobe, J., stated that the applicant’s involvement was that of a dealer, and the two accused persons he allegedly was in touch with, were already released on bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, 44th Court, Andheri, Mumbai, by order dated 16-12-2024. The Court thus allowed the present application and granted pre-arrest bail to the applicant. Read more HERE
CHEATING
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | “No rare & exceptional case showing that investigation was tainted”; Transfer of cheating case against dentists by Kenyan woman to CBI, refused
In a writ petition filed by a dentist seeking transfer of a cheating case filed against her and her husband by a Kenyan woman who was allegedly cheated for dental treatment, a Single Judge Bench of Manisha Batra, JJ., dismissed the petition, holding that no rare and exceptional case was made out to show that the investigation was tainted thus, transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (‘CBI’) was not warranted. Read more HERE
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Bail granted to woman alleged to have cheated of Rs. 2.45 crores; Highlighted well-being of her children and non-violent nature of crime
In a case wherein the applicant, a mother of two children, along with three other accused persons, was alleged to have cheated the complainants of Rs 2.45 crore, a Single Judge Bench of Ashwin D. Bhobe, J., considering the well-being of the applicant’s minor children and that the offence alleged was a non-violent crime, granted bail to the woman. The applicant along with her husband and two other co-accused persons, was involved in cheating various complainants of Rs 2.45 crore, by gaining their trust and forging documents. The applicant was arrested on 4-4-2025 and was in police custody till 11-4-2025 and since then, had been in judicial custody. Thereafter, the applicant filed a bail application, but the same was rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge-6, Nashik vide order dated 7-5-2025. Read more HERE
COMPENSATION
KERALA HIGH COURT | Rs. 53 Lakhs awarded to woman rendered disabled in 19-year-old childhood road accident case; Said “human suffering can’t be measured in money”
In a motor accident claims appeal where the woman was rendered disabled in 19-year-old childhood road accident case, a Single Judge Bench of C. Pratheep Kumar enhanced the compensation awarded to the appellant by revising the notional income used for assessing loss of disability, considering the severity of the girl’s condition. The Court held that the appellant was entitled to just and reasonable compensation within the present proceedings, on par with any other road traffic accident victim. Consequently, the appellant was held entitled to total compensation of Rs. 53,88,750/-. [Sumisha v. Shaji P.Y., 2025 SCC OnLine Ker 3456] Read more HERE
CORRUPTION
DELHI HIGH COURT | Stay of CBI proceedings against Lalu Prasad Yadav in the Land-for-Job corruption case, refused
A petition was filed by Lalu Prasad Yadav (petitioner) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, praying for quashing of FIR dated 18-05-2022, along with charge sheets dated 07-10-2022, 01-07-2023, and 07-06-2024, as well as cognizance orders dated 27-02-2023, 22-09-2023, and 25-02-2025 and all other consequential orders passed by the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Ravinder Dudeja, J., dismissed the application for stay of proceedings and held that there were no compelling reasons warranting judicial interference at the interim stage, especially in light of the pending adjudication before the Supreme Court on the core issue of applicability of Section 17-A PC Act. [Lalu Prasad Yadav v. CBI, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 3862] Read more HERE
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, can withdraw Financial Powers of Sarpanch facing corruption charges
In a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the order dated 17-01-2024 by which the petitioner’s financial powers as Sarpanch were withdrawn due to taking bribery and the same was conferred upon the Panchayat Coordinator, a single-judge bench of Vishal Dhagat, J., affirmed the impugned order and held that the “Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat have power to issue orders withdrawing financial powers of Sarpanch who is found to be involved in a corruption case.” [Manghu Baiga v. State of M.P., 2025 SCC OnLine MP 4009] Read more HERE
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Comprehensive directives directed after steps in to protect rights of youth in Shelter Homes and abandoned care leavers
In an important case on rights of youth in Shelter Homes originating from a letter dated 20-05-2025 written by children residing at Balika Grah, Alwar, raising serious grievances regarding non-receipt of grant-in-aid and alleged exploitation by certain officials, a single-judge bench of Anoop Kumar Dhand, J., deeply disturbed by the plight of these children, recognised the larger systemic issues faced by care leavers in India and treated the letter as a public interest litigation. The Court issued a series of comprehensive and structural directives, forming a framework to address the challenges faced by Care Leavers. Read more HERE
CRUELTY
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Accused husband permitted under Section 498-A IPC to travel to USA to resume his job
The present petition was filed under Article 227 of the Constitution of India read with Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, challenging the order dated 14-5-2025 passed by the Court of the Sessions Judge, Pandharpur in a case, wherein the application dated 23-4-2025 filed by the petitioner-husband seeking permission to travel to the USA to resume his job, was rejected. A Single Judge Bench of Ashwin D. Bhobe, J., in view of the settlement arrived between the petitioner and Respondent 2-wife, set aside the order dated 14-5-2025 and granted permission to the petitioner to travel to the USA, subject to abiding by the terms and conditions agreed on between the parties and the directions imposed by this Court. Read more HERE
ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT | False 498-A complaint and acquittal amount to ‘mental Cruelty’: Divorce affirmed after 29 years of separation
An appeal was filed by the appellant (wife) against respondent (husband) challenging the decree of divorce dated 08-05-2006, passed by the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Guntur, under Sections 13(1)(ia) and 13(1)(ib) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, on the grounds of cruelty and desertion contending that the Trial Court erred in concluding that she had treated the respondent with cruelty. A divison bench of Ravinath Tilhari and Challa Gunaranjan, JJ., upheld the divorce in view of false implication in criminal case amounted to mental cruelty and furnished a ground for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act. Read more HERE
EDUCATION LAW
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Hard labour cannot be overlooked’; NIOS directed to declare Class 12 result on or before 17 June to facilitate counselling for JEE-mains qualified students
In the present case, the common grievance by the petitioners in the batch of petitions was that since their result for Senior Secondary School had not yet been declared by National Institute of Open Schooling (‘NIOS’), they were not being allowed to participate in the counselling process by Joint Admission Council (‘JAC’). However, no such embargo was imposed by Joint Seat Allocation Authority (‘JoSAA’). Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | DPS Dwarka Controversy | Public shaming of students for financial default is mental harassment, harms child’s psychological well-being
In an application alleging non-compliance with the directions contained in the order dated 16-4-2025 passed by the Court in the Delhi Public School, Dwarka (DPS Dwarka) controversy, Sachin Datta, J., expressed its dismay at the alleged conduct of the petitioner, i.e., DPS Dwarka in engaging “bouncers” to physically block entry of certain students into the school premises. The Court stated that public shaming/intimidation of a student on account of financial default, especially through force or coercive action, not only constitutes mental harassment but also undermines the psychological well-being and self-worth of a child. Read more HERE
ENTERTAINMENT, AMUSEMENT, LEISURE AND SPORTS
MEGHALAYA HIGH COURT | Directed holding of open trials for state-level selections in boxing events
In a Civil Writ Petition filed by an Army Boxer seeking clarifications regarding the consideration of athletes for selection in boxing events, a single judge Bench of H. S. Thangkhiew, ACJ*. directed holding of open trials for state-level selection in any boxing events. The petitioner, an army boxer of substantial standing, after obtaining the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC) and permission, approached the respondents to be considered for trials and the selection process to represent the State of Meghalaya. However, he was denied the same without affording any reason. [Wanbuddien Syngkli v. State of Meghalaya, 2025 SCC OnLine Megh 514] Read more HERE
ENVIRONMENT LAW
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | PIL to interfere in Sewage Treatment Plant site selection policy decision, refused
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by practicing advocates at the Gram Nyayalaya, Khokharia, Jodhpur, seeking cancellation of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted for setting up a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and for relocation of the STP from its proposed site adjacent to the Gram Nyayalaya, a Division Bench of Shree Chandrashekhar and Sandeep Shah,* JJ., dismissed the writ petition with direction to the State authorities to ensure strict compliance with environmental and operational safety standards. Read more HERE
HINDU MARRIAGE ACT, 1956
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Return of ‘Stridhan’ must be decided within matrimonial proceedings, not via separate application under Section 27 HMA
In an appeal filed against the judgment passed by Family Court, wherein, the husband was directed to pay Rs.10,54,364/- in lieu of returning ‘stridhan’ articles, the division bench of Arindam Sinha* and Avnish Saxena,JJ. held that the distribution of properties of the parties, including the return of stridhan, must be determined within the framework of proceedings instituted under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (‘HMA’), and not by way of a separate and independent application filed under Section 27 HMA. Hence, the proceedings under Section 27 HMA cannot be treated as independent or standalone proceedings to result in a decree. [Krishna Kumar Gupta v. Priti Gupta, 2025 SCC OnLine All 3190] Read more HERE
INSOLVENCY AND BANKCRUPTCY
DELHI HIGH COURT | RBI’s NBFC registration cancellation of Shabros Finvest set aside; Reconsideration directed
A petition was filed by Shabros Finvest Pvt. Ltd. (petitioner) seeking disposal of the impugned order dated 26-11-2018 issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the order dated 08.11.2019 passed by the Appellate Authority on the similar terms as the judgment passed by this court in Vishesh Credits Pvt. Ltd. v. Reserve Bank of India, W.P.(C) 4321/2021, decided on 12-12-2024. A division bench of Vibhu Bakhru and Tejas Karia, JJ., allowed the present petition, sets aside the impugned order dated 26-11-2018 passed by the RBI as well as the order dated 08-11-2019 passed by the appellate authority and remanded the matter to the RBI to consider the present petition as a representation and pass a fresh order. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Freedom of speech not a license to defame individuals or Indian Army’; Summoning order against Rahul Gandhi in Army defamation case, upheld
In an application filed by Rahul Gandhi under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) challenging the validity of the Trial Court’s order summoning him to face trial for the offence under Section 500 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) for defaming Indian Army with his alleged remarks about thrashing of soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh, a Single Judge Bench of Subhash Vidyarthi J., dismissed the application on lack of merits. The Court viewed that the Trial Court had correctly decided to summon Rahul Gandhi to face trial for the offence under Section 500 IPC after satisfying that a prima facie case existed against him. The Court further held that there was no illegality or procedural infirmity in the summoning order that would warrant the exercise of its inherent powers. Read more HERE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
DELHI HIGH COURT | Interim protection granted for Sadhguru’s personality rights; Misuse of his rights through AI restrains
In a petition filed by the plaintiffs seeking permanent injunction for passing off, violation of common law rights, misappropriation of personality, publicity rights etc., Saurabh Banerjee, J.*, stated that the systematic, organised and intentional nature of the infringement, and the regularity and consistency with which the infringed content was being updated/ uploaded on the ‘rogue websites’ showed the extent of the violation of Sadhguru’s rights in real time. Therefore, the Court stated that the plaintiffs had made out a prima facie case in their favour and if an ex parte ad interim injunction was not granted, the plaintiffs would likely suffer irreparable loss and injury. Thus, the Court passed interim injunction in the plaintiffs’ favour. [Sadhguru Jagadish Vasudev v. Igor Isakov, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 3804] Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | IndiaMART permitted to use ‘PUMA’ mark as a search option in drop-down menu; directs to take down infringing listings on notice
In an appeal filed by the appellant, i.e., IndiaMART Intermesh Ltd. assailing the judgment dated 3-1-2024, passed by Single Judge, the Division Judge Bench of Vibhu Bakhru* and Tara Vitasta Ganju, JJ., set aside the impugned order to the extent that it restrained IndiaMART from providing an option to use the ‘PUMA’ mark for the description of any goods as a search option in the drop-down menu presented to prospective sellers at the time of the registration on the IndiaMART platform. However, we sustain the direction that IndiaMART should forthwith take down all infringing listings containing the PUMA marks on the same being brought to its notice. Read more HERE
JUDICIARY
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | “Deemed confirmation concept has long been discarded”: Plea of Civil Judge who was dismissed after probation due to ‘doubtful integrity’, rejected
In a writ petition filed by a Civil Judge against his dismissal from service upon completion of his probation, the Division Bench of Sheel Nagu*, CJ., and Sumeet Goel, J., rejected the petition, holding that the concept of deemed would not apply to the present case since it would create an anomalous situation where the probationer despite being unfit for confirmation, would be deemed confirmed, bringing into the service a Judge of doubtful integrity whose service record was tainted with adverse remarks. Read more HERE
JUVENILES
PATNA HIGH COURT | ‘Punishment of juvenile in conflict with law is not the purpose of juvenile justice’; Order of conviction against juvenile under Arms Act, set aside
In a Criminal Revision Petition against the order of the Sessions Court dismissing an appeal from the conviction order of the Juvenile Justice Board (‘JJ Board’) under Sections 25(1-B)(a) and 26 read with 35 of the Arms Act 1959, the Single Judge Bench of Jitendra Kumar, J., set aside the order of conviction and sentencing observing that children are the future of the society and the aim of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children Act), 2000 (‘JJ Act’) is not to punish the juvenile but reform and rehabilitate them. Read more HERE
MAINTAINANCE
DELHI HIGH COURT | EMIs, personal loans, or insurance premiums cannot justify evasion of maintenance under Section 24 Hindu Marriage Act
An appeal was filed under Section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984 by the appellant-husband assailing the order dated 19-04-2025 passed by the Family Court, allowing an application filed by the respondent-wife under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, directing the appellant to pay a monthly maintenance of ₹15,000 split as ₹8,000 for the respondent-wife and ₹7,000 for their minor son. A division bench of Navin Chawla and Renu Bhatnagar, JJ., held that the findings of the Family Court are based on cogent material on record, including bank statements, tax returns and income affidavits submitted by both parties, and are in accordance with the binding guidelines laid down in Rajnesh v. Neha, 2020 SCC OnLine SC 903. Read more HERE
MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANACY
DELHI HIGH COURT | Directives on hospital lapses mandating timely MTP in rape victim cases issued
A petition was filed by Minor S through her mother (petitioner) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking urgent directions for the medical termination of pregnancy following repeated refusals by AIIMS, Delhi, to conduct necessary medical procedures without a court order, despite express consent from the Child Welfare Committee and the victim’s guardian. Swarana Kanta Sharma, J., directed AIIMS to immediately carry out the medical termination of pregnancy, having found critical lapses in medical protocol, conflicting gestational assessments, and unwarranted procedural hurdles such as the insistence on identity proof and ossification testing during pregnancy. [S v. State, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 3863] Read more HERE
PCPNDT ACT
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | Doctors in 19-year-old PCPNDT case due to procedural lapse acquitted
In a revision petition filed by a genetic clinic and its Directors/doctors against their conviction under Sections 4(3) read with Rule 9, 5(1)(b) and 23 of the Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (‘the Act’) as well as the judgment modifying their sentence, a Single Judge Bench of Jasjit Singh Bedi, J., allowed the petition, holding that the complaint ought to have been filed by a three-member committee as per Section 17(3)(b) which was not done in the present prenatal procedural lapse case, thus, the complaint was not maintainable and the subsequent proceedings and conviction stood vitiated. Read more HERE
POCSO
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Victim attaining majority during trial not entitled to “Child-Specific” safeguards under Section 33(2) of POCSO Act
In separate criminal miscellaneous petitions involving common question of law as to ‘whether the procedural safeguard under Section 33(2) of the POCSO Act, 2012, which requires that questions during examination be routed through the Special Court, continues to apply once the victim attains the age of majority during the pendency of trial,’ a single-judge bench of Farjand Ali, J., quashed the orders passed by the Special Courts in all three petitions and held that “the procedural mechanisms of Section 33(2) must be confined to those who continue to remain children at the time of their testimony. Once that status changes, so must the procedure.” [Jasaram Pander v. State of Rajasthan, 2025 SCC OnLine Raj 2508] Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | FIR quashed in POCSO case considering victim’s privacy and future prospects including marriage; Accused directed to do community service
In a petition filed by the petitioner (‘accused’) under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking to quash FIR registered under Sections 354/354C/506/509/384/34 of the Penal Code, 1860 and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Sanjeev Narula, J., stated that the victim had unequivocally expressed her desire to move on from this chapter, and had articulated social and emotional burden that the continued pendency of this criminal case might place upon her. Thus, the Court quashed the present FIR and directed the accused to do community service at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital for a month. Read more HERE
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Revenue Court’s order quashed due to procedural lapse; Called for establishing Administrative Judicial Academy for legal training in Revenue Courts
In a writ petition challenging the decree in a revenue suit seeking partition and permanent injunction, without framing issues and without recording evidence from both sides, a Single-Judge Bench of Anoop Kumar Dhand, J., and quashed both Sub Divisional Officer (SDO)’s and the appellate court’s orders and held that SDO’s action in decreeing a contested suit without framing issues or recording evidence is patently contrary to settled principles of civil jurisprudence. Read more HERE
QUASHMENT OF PROCEEDINGS/FIR
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | ‘Possibility of accused exploiting victim’s fear can’t be ruled out’; FIRs alleging rape on false promise of marriage, refused to be quashed
In a writ petition seeking quashment of three FIRs alleging rape on false promise of marriage, a Single-Judge bench of Kuldeep Mathur, J., refused to quash the FIR and held that FIRs disclose prima facie material supporting allegations of rape and deceit, particularly involving false promises of marriage, therefore should not be quashed prematurely. Read more HERE
REGISTRATION ACTS AND RULES
JHARKHAND HIGH COURT | S. 22-A of Registration Act introduced by 1991 Bihar Amendment Act declared as unconstitutional
In a Civil Writ Petition challenging the constitutional validity of Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908, as introduced by the State of Bihar vide the Bihar Amendment Act 6 of 1991, which was adopted by the State of Jharkhand and the consequential notification issued thereunder, the Division Bench of M.S. Ramachandra Rao, C.J., and Rajesh Shankar, J. relying upon the Supreme Court’s decision on similar issue in State of Rajasthan v. Basant Nahata, (2005) 12 SCC 77, declared the said amendment as unconstitutional Read more HERE
SERVICE LAW
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Transfer order with assignment to teach unqualified subject is ‘malice in law’ and violates Article 21-A
In an appeal challenging the Single-judge’s order which affirmed the transfer order posting the appellant to teach English as valid when she is not qualified to teach that subject under applicable rules, a Division Bench of Shree Chandrashekhar and Sandeep Shah*, JJ., quashed the impugned order and held that administrative convenience cannot override qualifications prescribed by law. The Court further held that imposing such a transfer poses a risk of adverse consequences for the appellant and also violates students’ right under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India by depriving them of a qualified teacher. Read more HERE
HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT | ‘Withdrawal of premature retirement allowed before effective date’; Government Degree College’s Principal reinstated under CCS Rules
In a writ petition filed by the Principal of Government Degree College, Solan, against the impugned order wherein her request for withdrawal of premature retirement was rejected, a Single Bench of Sandeep Sharma, J.*, allowed the petition, reiterating that the appointing authority had no discretion to refuse withdrawal if the request was made before lapse of the notice period and before the retirement had taken effect. Thus, the Court directed the respondents to permit the petitioner to rejoin the service from the date she had tendered the request for withdrawal of resignation. Read more HERE
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Selection done in slipshod manner’; Haryana’s socio-economic bonus marks in civil service exams held unconstitutional
In a batch of over a dozen writ petitions filed by civil service candidates against the impugned advertisement issued by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (‘Commission’) granting a socio-economic criteria granting bonus marks to certain class of persons, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Prakash Sharma* and Meenakshi I. Mehta, JJ., allowed the petitions, holding that the notification dated 11-06-2019 (‘the notification’) which created the criteria for granting such bonus marks was violative of Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution and thus, the advertisement based on such notification was also unconstitutional. The Court also provided several directions concerning the appointments of new and old candidates. Read more HERE
STREET VENDORS
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Elites look down upon those doing small business’; Plea against street vendors in Manimajra markets rejected, Rs 50,000 cost imposed
In a writ petition filed by presidents of Manimajra Vyapar Mandal and Manimajra Residential Welfare Association (‘the Associations’) against the street vendors and hawkers who were vending at the Manimajra local markets, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Prakash Sharma* and Meenakshi I. Mehta, JJ., dismissed the petition holding that the present petition, prima facie, appeared to be motivated to use the legal forum for evicting and destabilising the local business of the street vendors. The Court also imposed a cost of Rs. 50,000 each on the associations to be deposited with the Municipal Corporation for the welfare of street vendors and their families. [Malkit Singh v. State (UT of Chandigarh), 2025 SCC OnLine P&H 2577] Read more HERE
TAX
HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT | “No equity in taxation law”: Tax exemption under S. 14 HP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act refused to man who bought auctioned vehicles
In a civil writ petition filed seeking the transfer of registration of certain vehicles bought by the petitioner in an auction due to the pendency of taxes, a Single Judge Bench of Tarlok Singh Chauhan* and Sushil Kukreja, JJ., rejected the petition holding that the petitioner was not entitled to the benefit of tax exemption under Section 14(3) of the HP Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1972 (‘the Act’) as no previous intimation was given by previous owner/department having possession of the motor vehicles or the petitioner as per Section 14(2). Read more HERE
TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) ACT, 2019
KERALA HIGH COURT | Transgender Couple allowed to be listed as Gender-Neutral “Parents” on Birth Certificate
In a writ petition filed by a transgender couple seeking issuance of a birth certificate for their child, which mentioned them as the parents and not as mother and father, a Single Judge Bench of Ziyad Rahman A.A., J., allowed the petition holding that the concerns raised by the petitioners were valid as the issuance of the certificate in the prescribed form would cause serious difficulties to the child in life ahead. The Court reiterated that the law must evolve in tandem with new concepts of human life and societal changes. “When a statutory provision on a particular point is not in line with such societal changes, the Court must intervene to address the genuine grievances of the parties concerned.” Read more HERE
