This week’s roundup covers a wide arena of cases ranging from Burger Singh’s trade mark to acquittal after 43 years, from farmers’ protests over Jawai Dam to mandatory afforestation, from gag order against The News Minute to PoP Idol Immersion, from Lakshadweep school curriculum languages to online real money games, and much more.
ACQUITTAL
ALLAHBAD HIGH COURT | Two men walk acquitted in 1977 murder case after 43 years
In a criminal appeal filed by four convicts (only two surviving) against judgment and order of conviction passed by the Trial Court in 1982 whereby the convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 302/34 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) and four years rigorous imprisonment under Section 307/34 of the IPC, the Division Bench of Vivek Kumar Birla and Nand Prabha Shukla*, JJ., allowed the appeals, holding that the Trial Court did not duly consider the lacuna or infirmity appearing in the prosecution case and relied upon the testimony of the witnesses/ victims without carefully scrutinizing their testimony. The Court held that the prosecution not only suppressed the genesis and origin of the occurrence but also failed to explain the injuries of the convicts. [Lakhan v. State, 2025 SCC OnLine All 3225] Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘In absence of any documentary proof of date of birth, ossification test is required’; Conviction under POCSO Act, set aside
In an appeal filed by the appellant (‘accused’) under Section 415 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 assailing the judgment of conviction and order on sentence, whereby the appellant was convicted in a FIR registered under Sections 376 of the Penal Code, 1860 and Section 6 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (‘POCSO Act’), Amit Sharma, J., stated that when as per the prosecution’s case, the survivor’s age was approximately 17 years at the time of the incident, therefore in absence of any documentary proof of the date of birth, the ossification test as per Section 94(2)(iii) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (‘JJ Act’) ought to have been conducted. [Karan Kumar v. State, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4239] Read more HERE
ADULTERY
PATNA HIGH COURT | Isolated acts of immorality not ‘living in adultery’; Plea filed by husband against maintenance order, dismissed
In a Criminal Revision Petition filed by the petitioner against the order of the Family Court to pay maintenance to his wife and daughter, alleging adultery by his wife and disputing paternity of the daughter, the single judge Bench of Jitendra Kumar, J*., upheld the order of maintenance by the Family Court holding that, “‘Living in adultery’ denotes a continuous course of conduct and not isolated acts of immorality”. Read more HERE
ADVOCATES
DELHI HIGH COURT | 50k costs imposed on advocate for filing PIL using own credentials without petitioner’s signature
In a petition seeking directions against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other respondent authorities, namely, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)/Special Task Force (STF) and the Union of India, for the removal of an alleged illegal and unauthorized construction at a property, Mini Pushkarna, J., imposed costs of ₹50,000 jointly on the petitioner and her counsel after it was revealed that the writ petition had not been signed by the petitioner herself, and that the complaint preceding the petition had been made using the contact details of the counsel, who had effectively impersonated the litigant. Read more HERE
BAIL
GUAHATI HIGH COURT | ‘Magistrate may ascertain arrestee’s condition through video conferencing or personal visit’: Bail granted to hospitalised arrestee not produced in 24 hours
In a bail application filed by a hospitalised arrestee who was neither produced before a Magistrate nor remanded to custody, a Single Judge Bench of Mridul Kumar Kalita, J., allowed the application, holding that since the arrestee was neither granted bail nor remanded to judicial/police custody, his arrest stood vitiated after 24 hours. The Court further held that the non-production of the arrestee before the Magistrate amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. [Bittu Kumar v. State of Assam, 2025 SCC OnLine Gau 2842] Read more HERE
ORISSA HIGH COURT | ‘Justice system should not be weaponised to punish emotional intimacy between peers’; Interim bail granted to POCSO accused
In an application for interim bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) in connection with offences alleged under Sections 376(1)/ 376h(n)/ 313/ 323/ 294/ 417/ 344/ 506/ 34 of the Penal Code 1860, (‘IPC’) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, the Single Judge Bench of S.K. Panigrahi, J. allowed the application and directed to release the accused on interim bail considering whether continued incarceration of the accused was justified in light of a prior consensual relationship and subsequent familial resolution. Read more HERE
GAUHATI HIGH COURT | “S. 482 of BNSS is pari materia with S. 438 of CrPC”; Anticipatory bail pleas of four accused in minor girl’s rape & abduction case, partly allowed
In a batch of anticipatory bail applications filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023(‘BNSS’), for an FIR registered under Sections 61(2), 137(2), 303(2), 65(1), 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (‘BNS’), 2023, the Bench of Mridul Kumar Kalita, J., allowed three out of four applications, holding that though the custodial interrogation of the accused persons was not required, there was prima facie material against petitioner 1/ main accused under Section 65(1) of the BNS. Further, the Court discussed the interpretation of the word “and” appearing in Section 482(4) of the BNSS rather than “or” appearing in the same place in Section 438(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’). Read more HERE
BANK SCAM
GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Sai Infosystem Ltd’s Sunil Kakkad allowed to travel to UAE for business amid ongoing multi-crore bank fraud case
In a civil application filed by Sunil Surendrakumar Kakkad, Director and Promoter of Sai Infosystem (India) Ltd. (‘Sai Infosystem’), seeking suspension of the lookout circular issued against him by the respondent Bank and permit him to travel to UAE for exploring business opportunities., the Single Judge Bench of Devan M. Desai, J., allowed the petition, holding that due to the lack of any serious contentions raised by the respondents, the application ought to be considered. Thus, the Court allowed Sunil to travel subject to certain conditions.Read more HERE
CITIZENS, MIGRANTS AND ALIENS
ALLAHBAD HIGH COURT | Trial Court’s denial of Passport NOC to BBC journalist for reporting on Barabanki Mosque demolition, overturned
In an application filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’), praying for quashing of the order dated passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, and the impugned order passed by the Trial Court, whereby the application of the applicant for a No Objection Certificate (‘NOC’) for issuance / renewal of a passport has been rejected, a Single Judge Bench of Abdul Moin, J. allowed the application some directions. Read more HERE
CRIMES AGAINST WOMAN AND CHILDREN
DELHI HIGH COURT | Validity of amicable settlements in ‘In-Flight Staring’ FIR case, reinforced
A petition was filed by the petitioner under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, (BNSS) in the ‘In-Flight Staring’ row, seeking quashing of FIR dated 29-05-2024 registered at Police Station IGI Airport under Section 509 of Penal Code, 1860, (IPC) and all proceedings emanating therefrom. Ravinder Dudeja, J., quashed the FIR and held that no useful purpose will be served in continuing with the present FIR as both the parties have settled the matter amicably. [Prashant Pareek v. State (NCT of Delhi), 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4233] Read more HERE
CUSTODY/GUARDIANSHIP
ORISSA HIGH COURT | ‘Love, company, protection and guidance of both parents are basic human rights and need of child’; Father’s visitation right, upheld
In a civil writ petition by a woman against Trial Court’s decision granting visitation rights to the father, the Single Judge Bench of G. Satapathy, J. prioritising the child’s emotional security and best interests, upheld the Trial Court’s decision. [X v. Y, 2025 SCC OnLine Ori 1928] Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | Forcible removal of minor child by parent to new place doesn’t make that place an ordinary residence
In the present case delaing with forcible removal of minor child by parent to new place, an appeal was filed by the wife challenging the order dated 15-4-2024, whereby the guardianship petition filed by the wife under Sections 7, 8, 9 and 25 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (‘G&W Act’) was rejected. Further, the petition was also filed by the husband praying for a writ of Habeas Corpus, directing the production of the male minor child of the parties, and further seeking permission to take the minor child back to Arizona, USA. The Division Bench of Navin Chawla* and Renu Bhatnagar, JJ., stated that merely because the wife had decided to stay back in India and had got the minor child admitted to a school here, would not, make the minor child an ordinary resident of Delhi (India). Such forceful removal/detention, even by a parent, at a place that is not the natural habitation of the minor child, would not render such other place the ordinary place of residence of the minor child. Thus, the Court dismissed the appeal. Further, regarding the petition, the Court passed certain directions and disposed of the petition. [Sunaina Rao Kommineni v. Abhiram Balusu, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4176] Read more HERE
EDUCATION LAW
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | NTA allowed to announce NEET-UG 2025 results for all candidates except for those affected by Power Outage at Indore Centres
In a batch of writ petitions challenging the alleged mismanagement by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in conducting the NEET-UG 2025 examination on 04-05-2025 in Indore, thereby, violating petitioners’ right to fair examination conditions, a single-judge bench of Pavan Kumar Dwivedi, J., acknowledged the petitioners’ grievances, however allowed the results to be declared for all candidates except for those who approached the Court. Read more HERE
ENVIRONMENT LAW
JHARKHAND HIGH COURT | ‘No tourism; No alcohol; No non-veg’; Decision on preserving the sanctity of Parasnath Hill
In a Public Interest Litigation (“PIL”) filed by Jyot, a religious trust, seeking to protect the sanctity of the Parasnath Hill in the Giridih District of the State of Jharkhand, the Division Bench of M.S. Ramachandra Rao, CJ* and Deepak Roshan, J., while allowing the PIL, directed strict enforcement of the Union of India’s Office Memorandum dated 05-01-2023 (“2023 Office Memorandum”) which while recognizing the sanctity of Parasnath Hill and its significance for the Jain community, directed ban on liquor, non-vegetarian food, injuries to animals and stay on tourism and eco-tourism activities on the Hill. Read more HERE
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Development versus Environment Protection | Planting ‘10 trees for every one fell’ mandated for development & beautification project made
In a bunch of writ petitions seeking issuance of writ of mandamus against the respondents for declaration of the respondent’s action, attempt to demolish the petitioners’ properties for the purpose of widening the road without following the due process of law, as being illegal, arbitrary, unjust, non-consensual and against the law and in violation of Articles 14, 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India and also against the principles of natural justice, a single-judge bench of Anoop Kumar Dhand, J., while not stalling the road widening and beautification projects as per Master Plan, issued directives striking a balance between development and environmental protection and observed that the principle of inter-generational equity must guide such projects. The Court further directed the respondents to plant ‘10 trees for every one fell’. Read more HERE
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Artisans permitted to make idols of PoP, immersion in water bodies barred
In the present case, a PIL was filed, wherein the petitioners sought implementation of the Revised Guidelines dated 12-5-2020 issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (‘CPCB’). The Division Bench of Alok Aradhe, C.J., and Sandeep V. Marne, J., permitted the members of the petitioner’s associations and any other artisans to make idols of PoP but directed that such idols should not be immersed without leave of this Court. Read more HERE
FILMS, CINEMAS, VIDEOS, TELEVISIOM AND RADIO
MADRAS HIGH COURT | Actor Vishal Reddy ordered to pay Rs 30 Crores to Lyca Productions
In a Civil Suit filed by the plaintiff, a production house, for the recovery of defaulted loan amount of Rs. 30 Crores from Actor Vishal Reddy, the single Judge Bench of P.T. Asha, J., noting the evasive nature of Vishal’s conduct from the beginning of the proceedings, decreed the suit in favour of the plaintiff while imposing costs on the Actor. Read more HERE
MADRAS HIGH COURT | “Theatre owners cannot fleece moviegoers by collecting excess charges”: Action directed against overpricing
In a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus to direct respondents 1 to 14 to take appropriate action against cinema theatre owners in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu for collecting excessive ticket charges during the initial four days of screening new movies such as “Vivegam”, and to curb such unfair practices of charging more than the rates fixed by the Government, as well as to ensure the refund of the excess amount collected from the public, a Single Judge Brench of N. Anand Venkatesh,J. directed the Committee constituted by the Government to initiate appropriate action against theatre owners who overcharge customers for movie tickets in violation of the rates fixed by the Government. The Court further instructed the Committee to ensure that any excess amount collected by the theatres is refunded to the affected customers. Read more HERE
GAMBLING, LOTTERIES AND PRIZE COMPETITIONS
MADRAS HIGH COURT | Verdict on State’s power to regulate online real money games
In a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, declaring Section 5(2) read with Section 14(1)(c) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 (‘Act, 2022’) along with Regulation 4(iii) and Regulation (viii) of Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulation, 2025 as arbitrary, void, illegal and unconstitutional, the division bench of S.M. Subramaniam* and K. Rajasekar, JJ. upheld the validity of the impugned Act and the Regulations introduced by the State of Tamil Nadu, which provide reasonable restrictions relating to time limits, age restrictions, and other regulatory measures concerning the playing of online games. Read more HERE
GST
PATNA HIGH COURT | Rectification of form GSTR 3B on par with the contents of GSTR- 1, allowed
In the instant Civil Writ Petition, wherein the issue was whether the petitioner could be allowed to rectify his form GSTR 3B in accordance with GSTR 1; the Division Bench of P. B. Bajanthri* and S. B. PD. Singh JJ., allowed the petitioner to amend his GSTR 3B after placing reliance on Supreme Court’s decision in Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs v. Aberdare Technologies Pvt. Ltd.1 wherein the Court had affirmed Bombay High Court’s decision to allow the taxpayer to rectify the clerical error. [Om Traders v. Union of India, 2025 SCC OnLine Pat 2148] Read more HERE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
DELHI HIGH COURT | Interim injunction granted in favour of Bima Sugam India Federation; Use of ‘BIMA SUGAM’ mark, restrained
In a suit filed by Bima Sugam India Federation, the plaintiff seeking permanent injunction restraining the defendants from passing off of the mark ‘BIMA SUGAM’, Amit Bansal, J., stated that a prima facie case had been out on behalf of the plaintiff. Balance of convenience was also in the plaintiff’s favour and against the defendants. Thus, the Court granted interim injunction in favour of Bima Sugam India Federation and restrained Defendant 1, all others acting on his behalf, from selling, offering for sale, advertising, directly or indirectly dealing in any manner with any goods or services using the mark ‘BIMA SUGAM’. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘BURGER SINGH’ trademark protected in Franchise Violation Case
In a petition filed by the petitioner under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seeking to direct the respondent from using the mark ‘BURGER SINGH’ or any other mark confusingly or deceptively similar, Jyoti Singh, J., protected ‘BURGER SINGH’ trade mark in the franchise violation case and directed that till the next date of hearing, the respondent should not use the mark ‘BURGER SINGH’ or any other mark confusingly or deceptively similar for its goods and services. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | OSWAL’s trademark appeal for ‘ONE FOR ALL’ mark rejected as descriptive and non-distinctive
An appeal was filed under Section 91 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Rule 156 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 seeking to set aside the order dated 14-12-2023 passed by the Senior Examiner of Trade Marks, whereby, the appellant’s Trade Mark Application in Class 16, for the mark “ONE FOR ALL”, in respect of goods, i.e., books, that it publishes and sells, was rejected. Mini Pushkarna, J., held that in the absence of inherent distinctiveness, and considering the appellant’s failure to establish secondary meaning, the impugned order of refusal is well-founded in law, and merits no interference. Read more HERE
MAINTAINANCE
KERALA HIGH COURT | Wife can claim maintenance despite prior compromise agreement if unable to maintain herself
In an appeal filed against the order rejecting an application for maintenance by the wife and minor child (the appellants) against the husband, the Division Bench of Sathish Ninan and P. Krishna Kumar*, JJ. held that a wife who voluntarily relinquished her right to maintenance is not precluded from seeking it at a later stage if there is a change in circumstances. The Court concluded that the wife was entitled to claim maintenance from the husband, notwithstanding the terms of the earlier compromise agreement, either under Section 37 of the Divorce Act (‘the Act’) or under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) provided she was unable to maintain herself during the relevant period. Further, the power to vary, modify or rescind any order passed by the court for permanent alimony and maintenance at the instance of either party inherits in the Court even under Section 37 of the Act, when there is a change in circumstances. Read more HERE
MEDICAL AND HEALTH LAW
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Full reimbursement ordered for heart transplant surgery to former Central Govt. employee for expenses incurred at private hospital
In a case wherein, the petitioner, being a former Central Government employee, claimed for a heart transplant conducted at a private hospital, the Division Bench of G.S. Kulkarni* and Advait M. Sethna, JJ., opined that the petitioner, in a situation to save his life, was entitled to take a decision to have a heart transplant at a private hospital, in the absence of such facilities being readily/timely made available, in all the empanelled hospitals. The Court held that he was required to be granted full reimbursement of all the expenditure and patients like the petitioner, who was a pensioner, could not be deprived of benefits of medical reimbursement when he received treatment at private hospital, more particularly, when his case was accepted as a genuine case, which was certainly of an urgent nature. Read more HERE
PAROLE
KERALA HIGH COURT | 7-day parole granted to convict for son’s admission, citing importance of father’s support in education
In a writ petition filed by a convict’s wife seeking parole for her husband to enable him to assist in arranging their son’s admission, a Single Judge Bench of P.V. Kunhikrishnan, J. gave the following directions: The petitioner’s husband was directed to be released on emergency leave for a period of one week — from 12-06-2025 to 18-06-2025, subject to the condition that he executes a bond of Rs. 1,00,000/- with two solvent sureties for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the jail authorities. The convict was directed to report back to the prison by 4:00 PM on 18-06-2025 without fail. Read more HERE
PANCHAYATS AND ZILA PARISHADS
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Lacks rationale’; Gram Panchayat’s resolution cancelling NOC for mobile tower construction, quashed
In the present case, the petitioner challenged Resolution No. 3 dated 8-8-2024 (‘impugned resolution’) passed by the Gramsabha, Grampanchayat of Tanang, Kolhapur, whereby NOC granted to the petitioner for installing the mobile tower on the land owned by Petitioner 2 was cancelled. The Division Bench of G.S. Kulkarni and Advait M. Sethna*, JJ., stated that the justification for passing the impugned resolution was that some complaints were filed on the ground that mobile tower would cause health hazard/risk to the villagers, due to the radiation therefrom and Respondent 1 took such complaints on face value, without any materials to support their decision that the complaint would in any manner be justified. The Court thus quashed and set aside the impugned resolution passed by Respondent 1 and Respondent 1 was directed not to obstruct the installation of the mobile tower. Read more HERE
PRESS AND MEDIA
TELANGANA HIGH COURT | ‘Injunction granted without adhering to established legal principles’; Gag order passed against The News Minute in MEIL defamation case, quashed
In a batch of appeals filed against an ad interim ex parte injunction order passed against The News Minute (‘TNM’) and others, restraining them from publishing content about Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. (‘MEIL’), the Division Bench of T. Vinod Kumar* and P. Shree Sudha, JJ., allowed the appeals, holding that the impugned order amounted to a gag order which was passed without adhering to the established legal principles. Read more HERE
QUASHMENT OF PROCEEDINGS/ FIR
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | “Farmers’ protest against Jawai Dam water distribution as democratic dissent stemmed from genuine resentment”; FIR quashed
In a batch of petitions seeking quashment of FIR stemmed from farmers’ protest against Jawai Dam water distribution, a single-judge bench of Farjand Ali, J., quashed the FIR and all consequential proceedings and stated that “every individual has the constitutional right to raise his voice against the actions of a public officer, especially if those actions directly impact their rights or livelihood.” Read more HERE
CHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | FIR against Guru Ghasidas University professors who allegedly forced Hindu students to offer namaz at NSS camp refused to be quashed
In a set of petitions filed by Assistant Professors at Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur (‘the University’) seeking quashing of an FIR registered against them under Sections 190, 196(1)(b), 197(1)(b), 197(1)(c), 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) and Section 4 of Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 (‘CFRA’), the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha*, CJ., Mohan Pandey, J., dismissed the petitions, holding that since the professors were already on bail, the investigation was going on, and the chargesheet has not been filed yet, it would not be appropriate to make any observations on the merits of the case. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Every degree awarded after graduation cannot be termed as post-graduation’; Appointment of NCISM, Chairperson quashed
In a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking to quash and set aside the appointment of Respondent 5 to the post of Chairperson, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (‘NCISM’), the Division Bench of Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, CJ.*, and Tushar Rao Gedela, J., stated that every degree awarded by a University after graduation could not be termed to be a “post-graduation qualification” for the reason that in the domain of higher education in our country ‘Post-Graduate Degree’ had acquired a special meaning and significance. Therefore, the Court stated that the appointment of Respondent 5 as Chairperson of National NCISM for Indian System of Medicine was contrary to Section 4(2) of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020 (‘NCISM Act, 2020’), and accordingly quashed and set aside the appointment of Respondent 5 as NCISM, Chairperson. [Ved Prakash Tyagi (Dr.) v. Union of India, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4260] Read more HERE
JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH HIGH COURT | ‘No need to await accused’s proof, when allegations fall within General Exceptions’; FIR against Revenue Officials acting under court orders, quashed
In a petition challenging the order dated 25-03-2022 passed by the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Vailoo directing the registration of an FIR against the petitioners (Revenue Officers) under Sections 447, 354, and 506 IPC for forcibly entering into the ‘named Darul Arifa Hazrat Khadijatul Qubra’ trust premises, harassing female students and using threats., a single-judge bench of Sanjay Dhar, J., allowed the petition and quashed the Magistrate’s order, the FIR and all proceedings stemming from them as they suffered from procedural illegality and were motivated by malice against public officials acting under lawful directions. Read more HERE
SCHOOLS
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT | Kolkata Municipal Corporation rebuked for inadequate inspection in La Martiniere Boys’ School building collapse; Fresh inspection directed
In an urgent application filed in the wake of a structural collapse incident at the La Martiniere Boys’ School on 21-05-2025, when the school was closed for summer vacation, a Division Bench of Ravi Krishan Kapur and Supratim Bhattacharya, JJ., directed fresh inspection to be carried out by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation peremptorily on 08-06-2025 between 1 and 3 p.m. [La Martiniere School For Boys’ v. Kolkata Municipal Corpn., 2025 SCC OnLine Cal 4714] Read more HERE
KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘Local study and application of mind essential for implementing education policy’; Order to remove Arabic, Mahal from Lakshadweep school curriculum, stayed
In a petition filed in public interest, by a resident of Kalpeni Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, challenging the office order dated 14-05-2025, issued by the Director of Education, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, regarding the implementation of the Three Language Formula (‘TLF’) from Standard I onwards, excluding Mahal and Arabic as optional subjects, the division bench of Nitin Jamdar, C.J.* and Basant Balaji, J. stayed the enforcement of the directive that removed Arabic and Mahal as third-language options from the school curriculum in the Union Territory. Read more HERE
SERVICE LAW
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | Release of police officer’s retiral dues withheld due to pending case under Punjab Excise Act, directed
In a writ petition filed by a retired police officer seeking direction to the State to release his retiral dues that were withheld due to a pending case registered under the Punjab Excise Act, 1914 (‘Excise Act’), a Single Judge Bench of Jagmohan Bansal, J., allowed the petition and directed release of the retiral dues, holding that no progress had taken place in the case since the last 20 years after the filing of the challan, thus, the police officer could not be held guilty for non-adjudication of the FIR. Read more HERE
MADRAS HIGH COURT | Bureaucratic inaction cracked down upon in compassionate appointments; Contempt proceedings initiated
In a series of writ petitions concerning compassionate appointments, a Single Judge Bench of Battu Devanand, J. strongly criticised the bureaucratic inaction in implementing court orders, noting that the case reflected a “lethargic attitude” on the part of several officials. The Court observed that such indifference demonstrates a lack of regard for the common man and underprivileged litigants, who continue to be denied the benefits of judicial relief due to administrative apathy. The Court expressed its intent to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu. Read more HERE
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | State’s appeals against Policewoman’s Promotion, dismissed; Baseless Adverse Remarks in ACR, criticised
In a set of appeals filed by the State of Haryana against the impugned judgment whereby the Single Judge allowed two writ petitions directing the State to grant the respondent/ policewoman notional promotion accompanied by all her service benefits, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Meenakshi I. Mehta, JJ., dismissed the appeals, concurring that the adverse remarks entered in the ACR of the policewoman and the compulsory retirement order passed on the said basis were arbitrary due to the complete lack of material to justify the same. Read more HERE
SPORTS
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | ‘Stay on entire election is last choice, not first reaction’; Plea challenging Adhoc Committee’s conduct of KDCA’s fresh election, dismissed
In a petition challenged the disqualification of Kota District Cricket Association (‘KDCA’) and the appointment of an Adhoc Committee by the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Kota under Section 24 of the Rajasthan Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Act, 2005 (“the Rajasthan Sports Act”) to hold fresh election, a single-judge bench of Anil Kumar Upman, J., dismissed the writ petition due to availability of alternative statutory remedy and as the election process has already started. Read more HERE
