This week’s roundup travels across India to bring forth important cases on various issues such as ‘Matka’ Gambling Case, DLF’s Tree Felling in Aravalli Hills, ‘Kannappa’ Piracy Case, Chinese Loan App Money Laundering Case, 2023 IED Blast Case, youth filming reels on national highway, and much more.
ADOPTION
GUJARAT HIGH COURT | In absence of adoption’s registered document, adoptive parents must establish that child is adopted before 15 years of age with wife’s consent
In a petition filed by the petitioners under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution seeking declaration of their adoptive son, X as legally valid and quash and set aside the impugned order dated 24-11-2017 (‘the impugned order’) passed by the Additional District Judge, Mehsana., a Single Judge Bench of Devan M. Desai, J., stated that the deed was legally invalid, as X was approximately 25 years old, making the adoption itself untenable as per Section 10 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (‘the 1956 Act’). The Court found no reason to interfere in the impugned order and opined that for a valid adoption, in absence of a registered document of adoption, any ceremony performed prior to the registration of a deed of adoption was of no value in the eye of law, unless by a clinching evidence, adoptive parents establish a fact that the child was adopted before the completion of 15 years of age and with wife’s consent. Read more HERE
ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISHES
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Elephant’s survival and right to quality life is above men’s right to use it for religious rites
The present petition was filed by Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak, Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, Math (‘petitioner’) seeking to quash two orders passed by the High-Power Committee (‘HPC’) and to direct the forest authorities not to transfer the elephant, named Mahadevi, to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (‘RKTEWT’) at Jamnagar. The Division Bench of Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale*, JJ., agreeing with the analysis of the HPC, observed that RKTEWT was suitable to house Mahadevi and to provide her with timely and much needed succor. The Court stated that the elephant’s survival and right to quality life is above rights of men to use the elephant for religious rites and dismissed the petition. Read more HERE
ARBITRATION
ORISSA HIGH COURT | Scope of judicial intervention under Ss. 34 and 37 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, explained
The present appeal was filed by the Appellant-Contractor under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (the ‘1996 Act’) challenging the partial modification of an award by the District Judge, who had reduced one claim and set aside two others for lack of evidence. The State also filed a cross-appeal. A Single Judge Bench of Dr. S.K. Panigrahi, J., dismissed both appeals, holding that the lower court’s interference was limited to portions of the award that suffered from patent illegality due to lack of evidentiary support. The Court concluded that such targeted intervention was within the permissible scope of judicial review under Section 34 of the 1996 Act and affirmed the modified award. Read more HERE
BAIL
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Complainant’s refusal to undergo medical exam despite alleging sexual assault weakens prosecution’s case’; Anticipatory bail granted to accused
In a petition filed under Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) for grant of anticipatory bail to person accused of committing sexual assault, a Single Judge Bench of Ravinder Dudeja, J, held that the refusal of the complainant to undergo medical examination to substantiate her claim of sexual assault, weakened her case and justified the grant of anticipatory bail. Read more HERE
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Gravity of offence justifies denying bail to juvenile accused of heinous crime
In a criminal revision petition filed by the juvenile, accused of murder, against the rejection of his bail application by the Children Court, a Single-Judge Bench of Manoj Kumar Garg, J., considering the nature of the allegations about juvenile’s involvement in heinous offences involving mental depravity, held that releasing him on bail at this juncture could undermine the interests of justice. The Court found no illegality or procedural irregularity in the orders passed by the lower courts to warrant revisional interference and hence, dismissed the revision petition. Read more HERE
KERALA HIGH COURT | Anticipatory bail denied to man accused of leaking Class 10 paper on YouTube channel
In a bail application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (‘BNSS’), 2023 by an accused charged with leaking State Board Class 10 question papers through a YouTube channel, a Single Judge Bench of Bechu Kurian Thomas,J. taking into account the nature and gravity of the allegations, particularly that question papers of three subjects were allegedly leaked on the eve of the public examination through a YouTube channel, held that the accused was not entitled to the protection of anticipatory bail. Read more HERE
CONTEMPT OF COURT
PUUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | “Reckless allegations intended to bring disrepute to justice system”; Contempt notice issued against advocate threatening to take HC judges to SC
In a preponement application filed by an advocate under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, read with Section 15(6)(b) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (‘SC/ST Act’) and Article 14 and 21 of Constitution, the Single Judge Bench of Harpreet Singh Brar, J., allowed the application, despite holding that there was no justification for the same. The Court also issued a show cause notice to the petitioner under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (‘CC Act’), holding that the allegations levelled by the petitioner in the present application were intended to bring disrepute to the justice administration system and such action amounted to interference in the judicial process. Read more HERE
TELANGANA HIGH COURT | Contemptuous conduct must be purged before contempt can be contested; Mother directed to return 3 minor children to custody holder
In a contempt petition filed against the mother of three minor children who, in contempt of the order dated 4-3-2025, had flown off with her children from Hyderabad to Bhopal, the Division Bench of Moushumi Bhattacharya and BR Madhusudhan Rao, JJ, reiterated that the contemptuous conduct must be reversed or undone before contempt may be contested. The Court further held that alleged contemnor must first return the three kids to the contempt petitioner before contesting the contempt petition. Read more HERE
CRIMINAL LAW
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Mystery behind missing kidney’; Police probe directed into suspicious death of 22-year-old girl with missing kidney at HMC Hospital
In a writ petition filed by a man whose daughter’s body had a missing kidney after she allegedly died due to COVID-19 complications, the Single Judge Bench of Kuldeep Tiwari, J., directed the Commissioner of Police (‘Commissioner’), Ludhiana, to look into the matter and inquire into all the allegations levelled by the petitioner. Read more HERE
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Factors to be considered by Trial Courts before granting police protection laid down
In a petition filed by the petitioner under Article 227 of the Constitution challenging the order passed by the Principal Senior Civil Judge & JMFC, Channarayapatna (‘Trial Court’), whereby the petitioner’s request for police protection to guard their properties was rejected, a Single Judge Bench of Vijaykumar A. Patil J.* stated that it is an inherent power of the Court under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (‘CPC’) to consider application for police protection of the property. The Court further laid down factors to be considered by the Trial Court before granting police protection. Read more HERE
CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Refusing physical relations, accusing husband of affairs and humiliating him in front of his friends/employees is cruelty
In the present appeal, the appellant-wife challenged the judgment passed by the Family Court on 28-11-2019, whereby her petition for the restitution of conjugal rights was dismissed and the counterclaim of the respondent-husband for divorce was allowed and the divorce was granted. The Division Bench of Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale*, JJ., opined that the wife’s behaviour with his husband’s employees, humiliating him in front of his friends, refusing sexual relations, and accusing him of extra-marital affairs were all instances of ‘cruelty’ that her husband was subjected to. The Court dismissed the appeal and held that the judgment passed by the Family Court was well-reasoned because the wife subjected her husband to cruelty and had deserted him. Read more HERE
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Conviction & life sentence of man who slit his girlfriend’s throat after she withdrew their marriage application upheld
In the present criminal appeal, the appellant-accused challenged the order passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (‘Trial Court’) convicting him under Sections 302 and 309 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) for murdering his girlfriend (‘victim’) and sentencing him to rigorous life imprisonment. The Division Bench of Sarang V. Kotwal* and Shyam C. Chandak, JJ., opined that since the accused was the only one present in the room along with the deceased victim and there was no one else who could have committed the offence; therefore, there was no possibility of any other hypothesis but to accept that it was only the accused who could have committed this offence. Hence, the Court dismissed the appeal. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Mere threat without intention to cause alarm does not constitute criminal intimidation’; Acquittal in POCSO case, upheld
In a criminal appeal filed by the State under Section 378 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’) , challenging the acquittal of the accused for offences under Sections 451 and 506 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, (‘POCSO’), a Single Judge Bench of Neena Bansal Krishna J., concluded that mere threats, if not made with the intention to cause alarm, would not constitute an offence of criminal intimidation. The Court, therefore, held that no case under Section 506 IPC was made out in this matter. Read more HERE
CULTURAL RIGHTS AND PERSONAL LAW
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | “State’s security concerns stand dispelled by peaceful organisation of rituals”; Petitions concerning Bahraich Dargah Jeth Mela 2025, disposed of
In a batch of writ petitions filed by the Dargah Syed Salaar Masood Ghazi (RA), Bahraich (‘Bahraich Dargah’) and other stakeholders, against the District Magistrate’s (‘DM’) order declining permission to organise the Annual Jeth Mela at the Bahraich Dargah, the Division Bench of Attau Rahman Masoodi* and Subhash Vidyarthi, JJ., disposed of the petitions, holding that the interim relief provided by the Court virtually granted the reliefs prayed for by the petitioners. Read more HERE
ECONOMIC OFFENSES
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | ‘Procedure under S. 174 BNSS not followed’: Criminal proceedings quashed in ‘Matka’ gambling case
In a petition filed under Section 528 of Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) praying to quash the criminal proceedings in ‘Matka’ gambling case, V. Srishananda, J.* opined that the Station House Officer (‘SHO’) had not only registered the case but investigated the matter and filed the final report without following the procedure as contemplated under Section 174 of BNSS. Thus, the Court quashed the criminal proceedings in the Matka gambilng case. Read more HERE
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | ‘Burden of proving customer’s liability in unauthorized e-banking lies upon bank’; Relief denied to businessmen claiming wilful transaction as cyber fraud
In a writ petition seeking directions to the Bank of Baroda (‘the Bank’) and Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) to restore the illicitly embezzled fund of Rs.38,78,000 inclusive of penal interest at the rate of 24 per cent, the Division Bench of Shekhar B. Saraf* and Praveen Kumar Giri, JJ., rejected the petition, holding that there appeared to be gross negligence by the petitioners and the case of a third-party hacking into their accounts was not conclusively proved. Read more HERE
EDUCATION LAW
GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Inside IELTS Scam: Magistrate Court directed to decide afresh on Police Summary Report
In a revision application filed against the order of the Sessions Court, which had set aside the decision of the Chief Judicial Magistrate allowing the summary report submitted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police regarding alleged illegal qualifications obtained in the International English Language Testing System (I.E.L.T.S.) examination, the Single Judge Bench of L.S. Pirzada, J., partly allowed the present revision application. The Court confirmed the order passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, whereby the summary report order was set aside, and the matter was remitted to the Court of the Judicial Magistrate, Mehsana, for a fresh decision. However, the Court quashed and set aside the direction issued by the Sessions Court to the Chief Judicial Magistrate to forward the case to the Director General of Police for appointing an “honest and competent” police officer of the rank of P.I. or Dy.S.P. for further investigation. The Court held that no court has the authority to issue such a direction and further instructed the Chief Judicial Magistrate to decide the summary report afresh, uninfluenced by the previous observations. Read more HERE
ELECTION LAW
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Removal of elected representative without following mandatory procedure is unsustainable
In a civil writ petition, filed by the petitioner against the order dated 18-03-2025 of his removal from the post of Administrator, a Single-Judge Bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, while setting aside the order, held that before passing the removal order against the petitioner while exercising the powers contained under Section 38(4) of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (‘the Act of 1994’), the mandatory procedure contained under Rule 22 of the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996 (‘Panchayati Raj Rules’) was not followed. The Court further observed that in a democratic setup, an elected representative is the voice of the people to whom he represents, hence, much care and caution are required to be taken while removing him from the post he is holding. Read more HERE
ENVIRONMENT LAW
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Land does not fall under Aravalli Hills’; Suo motu PIL regarding DLF’s tree felling in Phase 5 Gurugram, disposed
In asuo motu public interest litigation (‘PIL’) initiated by the Court regarding felling of trees by DLF Ltd. for its project over 40 acres of land in Phase 5, Gurugram, the Division Bench of Sheel Nagu*, CJ., and Sanjiv Berry, J., disposed of the PIL, holding that since none of the khasras, regarding which DLF was permitted to cut trees, fell within the Aravalli Hills area, it was not appropriate to proceed in the matter. Read more HERE
HEALTH AND MEDICAL LAW
UTTARANCHAL HIGH COURT | ‘Vaccine development is issue of public health and national interest’; Vaccinologist’s conviction under Section 306 IPC, stayed
In an application filed in criminal appeal by a vaccinologist seeking stay/suspension of the judgment and order of conviction in an abetment to suicide case passed by the Sessions Judge, a Single-Judge Bench of Ravindra Maithani, J., considering the appellant’s crucial involvement in vaccine research and development, which is of critical importance to public health and national interest, suspended the order of conviction and the execution of sentence during the pendency of the appeal. Read more HERE
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | PIL in Kolhapuri Chappal GI violation case against PRADA dismissed; Proper statutory remedies upheld
The present Public Interest Litigation (‘PIL’) was filed by the petitioner and five other advocates against the global fashion giant, PRADA. The petitioners sought judicial intervention to restrain PRADA from commercializing and using ‘toe ring sandals’ alleged to be deceptively similar to Geographical Indication (‘GI’) tagged product ‘Kolhapuri Chappal’ without securing authorisation from the registered proprietor or authorised users. The Division Bench of Alok Aradhe, C.J. and Sandeep V. Marne*, J., dismissed the PIL, holding that such statutory and proprietary rights under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (the ‘G.I. Act’) must be enforced through appropriate remedy by filing Civil Suit by the registered proprietors themselves, and not through a PIL. The Court emphasised that questions involving an infringement action in registered GI could not be brought by way of a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Read more HERE
MADRAS HIGH COURT | Seizure order set aside for non-compliance with S. 115(4) of Trade Marks Act; Interim release of 1,350 rice bags ordered
In a criminal revision case filed under Section 438 read with Section 442 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (‘BNSS’), 2023, the accused had prayed for a direction to call for the records pertaining to the impugned order passed by the Judicial Magistrate No. II, Pudukottai, and to set aside the same. The accused had also sought an order directing the return of 1,350 kg of rice bags seized by the police. The matter was heard and disposed of by the Single Judge Bench of L. Victoria Gowri,J. Without delving into the merits of the alleged trade mark or copyright infringement, the Court found that the impugned order was liable to be set aside, on the grounds of procedural irregularity in seizure and the risk of undue prejudice to the accused. Accordingly, the Criminal Revision Case was allowed, and the impugned order was set aside. The Court directed that the 1,350 bags of rice be released to the accused in interim custody, subject to certain conditions prescribed to safeguard the ongoing investigation and trial. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | Ex-parte injunction granted in ‘Kannappa’ Piracy Case; directs Meta & X to take down infringing URLs
In an application filed by the plaintiff under Order XXXIX Rules 1 and 2 read with Section 151 CPC for grant of ex-parte ad-interim injunction, Jyoti Singh, J., held that the plaintiff made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte ad-interim injunction as the balance of convenience lies in favour of the plaintiff and it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in case the injunction, as prayed for, was not granted. Read more HERE
JUDICIARY
GUJARAT HIGH COURT | “Mere suspicion not enough to constitute ‘misconduct’”: Additional Senior Civil Judge reinstated in service
In a matter concerning charges of corruption against an Additional Senior Civil Judge, a Division Bench comprising of A.S. Supehia, J* and R.T. Vachhani, J. partly quashed the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner and held that, the order of dismissal was not based on any legally admissible evidence and rests entirely on the ipse-dixit, conjectures, and surmises of the Disciplinary Authority. Read more HERE
LABOUR LAW
DELHI HIGH COURT | Employer liable when former employee forced to reveal defamatory termination reasons; Wipro directed to pay damages for defamation
In a suit to expunge certain defamatory remarks made in the termination letter issued to the petitioner by the respondent (Wipro), the Single Judge Bench of Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J, opined that the employer cannot escape liability for foreseeable instance of compelled disclosure of defamatory reasons for termination of employment to prospective employers. Therefore, the Court held Wipro liable for civil defamation, ordered removal of the impugned defamatory remarks in the termination letter and granted Rs 2 lakhs as damages to former employee. Read more HERE
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Finding under S. 33(2)(b) ID Act on fairness of domestic enquiry operates as res judicata in Labour Court proceedings
In a petition filed under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution to quash and set aside the order passed by 1st Additional Labour Court, Bengaluru (‘Labour Court’), a Single Judge Bench of Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, J. while dismissing the petition remitted the matter to Labour Court to consider the challenge to the merits of the finding of the disciplinary enquiry as well as the penalty imposed. The Court stated that if, after recording evidence, the authority under Section 33(2)(b) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (‘Authority’) concludes that the domestic enquiry was fair and proper, the finding would be binding on the parties and it cannot be re-agitated in any subsequent industrial dispute, as it operates as res judicata. Read more HERE
LAND ACQUISITION
JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH HIGH COURT | State cannot forcibly acquire citizen’s land and claim adverse possession or delay to perfect title
An intra-Court appeal was filed by landowners (‘appellants’) challenging the dismissal of their writ petition by the Single Judge, which had sought compensation for 8 kanals and 13 marlas of land. The petition was dismissed on grounds of delay and latches. The Division Bench of Sanjeev Kumar* and Sanjay Parihar, JJ., held that the State could not be permitted to invoke the doctrine of adverse possession to legitimise forcible and unauthorised occupation of private land and directed the State to initiate the process of acquisition in accordance with the law and determine the compensation payable to the appellants. Read more HERE
MAINTENANCE
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT | Maintenance is no longer a mere handout for subsistence, but rather a tool to maintain/preserve lifestyle
In two revision applications filed by the husband and the wife, assailing the order dated 30-12-2023, wherein the Judicial Magistrate reduced the quantum of maintenance granted to the wife from Rs. 30,000 per month to Rs. 20,000 per month, the Single Judge Bench of Bibhas Ranjan De, J, through a common judgement, held that maintenance is not merely a handout for subsistence but rather a tool to maintain lifestyle. The Court further directed the husband to pay Rs. 25,000 per month as maintenance with a 5 per cent hike every two years to account for inflation. Read more HERE
PANCHAYATS AND ZILLA PARISHADS
UTTARANCHAL HIGH COURT | ‘Clear case of malfeasance by the Returning Officer’; Disqualification of Pradhan candidate stayed over toilet location
In a writ petition filed by a candidate for the post of Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Udvakhand, District Tehri Garhwal challenging the order of disqualification on the grounds of the location of a toilet at her house, a Division Bench of G. Narendar, C.J., and Alok Mahra, J., stayed the operation of the order finding prima facie a clear case of malfeasance by the Returning Officer, who exceeded his powers by misinterpreting the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2016, and arbitrarily rejecting the nomination despite evidence of a toilet being present at a distance of 150 meters from the dwelling house of the petitioner. Read more HERE
PMLA
KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘Investigation reveals accused’s active role and link to proceeds of crime’: Bail denied in Chinese Loan App Money Laundering Case
In the Chinese loan App money laundering case, the Single Judge Bench of Bechu Kurian Thomas, J., dismissed the bail application, citing the serious nature of the allegations and the strong prima facie case established against the accused. The Court held that the facts emerging from the investigation clearly indicated the accused’s active involvement in the alleged offence and his significant role in acquiring and managing the proceeds of crime. The Enforcement Directorate had collected material that constituted a prima facie case under Section 3 read with Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Read more HERE
MADRAS HIGH COURT | ‘ED is not a Super-Cop’: Presence of predicate offence being essential ingredient for ED to seize jurisdiction, reiterated
In a case stemming from coal allocation scam of 2018, the Division Bench comprising of M.S. Ramesh and V. Lakshminarayanan*, JJ., opined that if, even after nine years since filing of charge-sheet by CBI, ED is unable to trace the proceeds of crime to the coal allocation scam, then it cannot possess jurisdiction based on the phantoms it sees in the charge-sheet. The Court emphasised on the fact that ED is not a super-cop to investigate everything which comes to its notice. There should be a “criminal activity” which attracts the schedule to PMLA, and on account of such criminal activity, there should have been “proceeds of crime” for ED to commence its jurisdiction. Read more HERE
RENT CONTROL AND EVICTION
DELHI HIGH COURT | Monthly rent payment cannot be accepted as sale consideration, without proper justification
While deciding a plaint for declaration of joint title/ownership for the suit property and permanent injunction against the defendants from asserting any rights in the suit property, from interfering with the peaceful possession of the plaintiffs, A Single Judge Bench of Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, J.*, dismissed the plaint under Order 7 Rule 11(a) and (d) of Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (‘CPC’) for being without cause of action and barred by limitation. The Court stated that plaintiffs’ submission that the payment of monthly rent of Rs. 22,000 under the registered lease deed was allegedly towards instalment of sale consideration was again a plea impermissible and inadmissible in law. The plaint failed to explain the justification for paying sale consideration camouflaged as rent. The Court presumed that this would have also been done to avoid tax liability. This modus of payment of sale consideration is not permissible in law and, therefore, on a demurer could not be accepted as legal proof of payment of sale consideration. Read more HERE
RIGHT TO INFORMATION
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Century Club a public authority under RTI Act; Land grant by Maharaja of Mysore as substantial state funding
In writ petition filed by the Century Club (‘Club’) challenging the order dated 14-03-2018 passed by the Karnataka Information Commission, which directed the club to furnish information seeking a certified copy of the list of records maintained by the Club, under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (‘RTI Act’), a Single-Judge Bench of Suraj Govindaraj, J., dismissed the petition holding that the grant of 7.5 acres of land by the then Maharaja of Mysore in 1913 constituted a substantial contribution of financing by the State, making the Club a public authority subject to the provisions of the RTI Act. Read more HERE
RIGHT TO PRIVACY
CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | Husband compelling wife to share phone or bank account passwords amounts to violation of privacy
In a writ petition filed by a husband challenging the order passed by the family Court wherein his application seeking a direction to produce call detail records (‘CDR’) of his wife’s phone number was rejected, the Single Judge Bench of Rakesh Mohan Pandey, J., rejected the petition, holding that allowing the husband’s application would lead to a violation of the wife’s right to privacy and the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Read more HERE
SERVICE LAW
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Order of termination on ground of questionable integrity is stigmatic; Holding enquiry mandatory
In a civil writ petition filed by a conductor of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (‘RSRTC’) challenging his termination order dated 13-05-2015 on ground of questionable integrity without any enquiry, a Single-Judge Bench of Vinit Kumar Mathur, J., quashed the termination order holding that the termination of an employee based on allegations of questionable integrity is a stigmatic order where holding enquiry is mandatory. Read more HERE
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | ‘Can’t claim only beneficial part of a scheme as admissible’; Former Revenue Inspector’s plea to count furlough period towards eligible service rejected
In a writ appeal filed by a former revenue inspector against the dismissal of his writ petition wherein he had sought payment of his retiral dues, the Division Bench of Sanjeev Sachdeva*, Acting CJ. and Pavan Kumar Dwivedi, J., rejected the appeal, holding that the Furlough Scheme clearly stipulated that the period spent on furlough shall not be counted towards eligible service for computation of pension. Read more HERE
SPORTS
KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | “Unfortunate that State pampers only a few sports”: 2 lakhs fine imposed on Officers for withholding Para-swimmer’s cash prize
In a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, filed by the Petitioner, an international para-swimming champion, for withholding the cash prize by the State Government, to which he was legally entitled, a Single-Judge Bench of M. Nagaprasanna, J., directed the State to release the payment of Rs. 1,26,000 to the petitioner within two weeks, along with costs of Rs. 2 lakhs to be borne personally by the officials of Youth Empowerment and Sports department responsible for delay. The Court held that the State’s conduct amounted to a sad reflection on its functioning, particularly towards a person with disability, calling for not just a correction, but censure. Read more HERE
TERRORISM
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | All accused persons in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts acquitted
This petition was initiated by the State under Section 366(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’), seeking confirmation of death sentences awarded by the Special Court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (‘MCOCA’) and the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (‘NIA Act’) vide judgment dated 30-9-2015 in connection with the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. The core issue was whether the conviction of the accused persons, including 5 who were awarded death sentences, for seven coordinated bomb blasts were legally sustainable considering alleged procedural lapses, unreliable testimonies of witnesses, doubts over the voluntariness of the confessions and inadequate corroborative evidence. The Division Bench of Anil S. Kilor* and Shyam C. Chandak, JJ., while revisiting the judgment of the Special Court, set aside the convictions and sentences awarded to the accused persons and acquitted them holding that the prosecution failed to establish their offence beyond reasonable doubt. Read more HERE
CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | Bail denied to three accused allegedly involved in 2023 IED Blast Case
In a criminal appeal filed against Trial Court’s order rejecting the bail application filed by an accused in the 2023 IED Blast Case, the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha*, CJ., and Bibhu Datta Guru, J., dismissed the appeal, holding that the Trial Court’s decision reflected a correct appreciation of facts, materials on record, and the law applicable to such cases. Read more HERE
TORT LAW
DELHI HIGH COURT | Confinement within a room suffices for wrongful confinement, physical restraint not required
In a criminal revision petition filed by the State against the Trial Court order dated 10-10-2017 discharging the accused persons for offence under Sections 323 and 342 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) a Single Judge Bench of Girish Kathpalia J., held that, for the offence of wrongful confinement, it is not necessary that the victim must be physically immobilized, such as by tying their hands. Confinement within a room, as alleged in the present case, is sufficient to constitute a prima facie case for framing a charge under Section 342 of the IPC. Further, the Court stated that merely because the Medico Legal Case (‘MLC’) of the prosecutrix did not reflect any injuries, her clear statement that she was beaten up could not be discarded. Accordingly, the Court allowed the petition and set aside the order discharging the accused persons for offence under Sections 323, 342 read with Section 34 of the IPC. Read more HERE
CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | “Rich youngsters easily let off by Police”; Condemned filming reels on national highway, slammed police for inaction
In a suo moto public interest litigation(‘PIL’) registered due to people causing mischief in the middle of roads, the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha, CJ., and Bibhu Datta Guru, J., took note of six youngsters causing a traffic jam on the Ratanpur National Highway by parking their cars in the middle of the road and filming reels. Noting that no action had been taken by the Police apart from imposing fines, the Court directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file an affidavit in the matter. Read more HERE
UNAUTHORIZED CONSTRUCTION
DELHI HIGH COURT | MCD directed to act against unauthorized construction in Paharganj; Police directed to prevent further violations
In a petition filed by the petitioner seeking judicial intervention against ongoing unauthorized construction activity allegedly being carried out by respondent 4 at the premises located at Paharganj, Mini Pushkarna, J., directed that no unauthorized construction shall be allowed in the property in question. [Kuntesh v. MCD, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4894] Read more HERE
