This roundup of weekly legal developments India covers the most significant Supreme Court and High Court rulings, including Passive Euthanasia case, No-Fault Compensation for COVID-19 vaccine effects, OBC Creamy Layer Determination, Janeshwar Mishra Park’s commercial use, Rajinikanth tax case, etc. It also highlights major legislative developments such as the Petroleum Policy, flexi-hours policy for women, etc. and other important legal and policy updates from across India.
SUPREME COURT HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Arbitration| Pre-award or pendente lite interest cannot be awarded despite contractual bar; Post-award interest modified
In Union of India v. Larsen & Toubro Ltd., 2026 SCC OnLine SC 327, the Supreme Court held that the Arbitral Tribunal was not justified in awarding pre-award or pendente lite interest contrary to Clauses 16(3) and 64(5) of the General Conditions of Contract, but post-award interest could be granted with the rate modified from 12 to 8 per cent per annum. Read Contractual bar on Pre-award interest case HERE
Criminal Law| Quarrelling with daughter-in-law does not constitute a criminal offence; FIR cannot sustain charges under IPC and Dowry Act
In Dr Sushil Kumar Purbey v. State of Patna, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 338, the Supreme Court held that the lone allegations against the father and mother-in-law, limited to quarrelling with the estranged daughter-in-law, do not amount to offences under Sections 341, 323, 498-A, 34 IPC or Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Read Quarrelling with Daughter-in-law not criminal offence case HERE
Euthanasia| Supreme Court allows withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment for patient in vegetative state for 13 years
In Harish Rana v. Union of India 2026 SCC OnLine SC 358, the Supreme Court permitted withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, including Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration, for a patient in a persistent vegetative state for 13 years, applying the principles laid down in Common Cause v. Union of India and holding that the right to die with dignity includes access to quality palliative and end-of-life care. Read Passive Euthanasia case HERE
Also read: Supreme Court of India bats for law on passive euthanasia | SCC Times and Supreme Court’s Passive Euthanasia Verdict: Key Takeaways | SCC Times
Public Health| Centre directed to frame no-fault compensation policy for serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination
In Rachna Gangu v. Union of India 2026 SCC OnLine SC 345, the Supreme Court noted the absence of a uniform mechanism to redress grievances arising from adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination and directed the Union Government to frame a no-fault compensation policy through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Read No-Fault Compensation for COVID-19 vaccine effects case HERE
Reservation| Creamy layer status among OBCs cannot be determined solely on parental income: Supreme Court
In Union of India v. Rohith Nathan Civil Appeal No(S). 2827 — 2829 of 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras, Delhi and Kerala High Courts’ directions to reconsider OBC candidates’ creamy layer claims under the Office Memorandum dated 8 September 1993, holding that the clarificatory letter dated 14 October 2004 cannot alter it and that parental income alone cannot determine creamy layer status. Read Creamy Layer Determination case HERE
Technology Law| Concern raised over AI-generated fake or synthetic precedents
In Gummadi Usha Rani v. Sure Mallikarjuna Rao 2026 SCC OnLine SC 341, the Supreme Court took cognizance of the risks posed by reliance on AI-generated non-existing or fake precedents and issued notice to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to examine the systemic implications on judicial decision-making. Read AI-generated fake precedents case HERE
MAJOR HIGH COURT RULINGS THIS WEEK
Arbitration| Exchange of correspondence can form valid arbitration agreement; Ex parte award upheld despite name and pin code errors
In Exelixi Management Co. (P) Ltd. v. Nishi Retails (P) Ltd., 2026 SCC OnLine Bom 1753, the Bombay High Court held that the dealings were governed by an arbitration agreement, service of proceedings was proper, and the petitioner’s non-participation did not invalidate the process, observing that physical signatures are not essential and correspondence can constitute a valid arbitration agreement under Section 7 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Read valid arbitration agreement case HERE
Contempt Law| Contempt petitions maintainable despite doctrine of merger; Orders directing Karthigai Deepam lighting upheld
In Rama. Ravikumar v. Collector1, the Madras High Court held that contempt jurisdiction operates independently of the doctrine of merger, and that the contempt petitions regarding lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon were maintainable, noting that the Court’s order directing the temple management was confirmed by the Division Bench and subsequent prohibitory orders were resisted by the police. Read Karthigai Deepam lighting-contempt case HERE
Copyright| Ticketed event not a religious ceremony; Injunction continues against unauthorised public performance
In Phonographic Performance Ltd. v. Yashraj Satwara, 2026 SCC OnLine Bom 1599, the Bombay High Court held that the defendant could not claim exemption under Section 52(1)(za) of the Copyright Act, 1957, as ticketed events are not religious ceremonies, and continued the ad interim injunction restraining unauthorised public performance of copyrighted sound recordings. Read Ticketed event not religious ceremony case HERE
Also read: Delhi HC allows Dr. Reddy’s to make and import Semaglutide | SCC Times and Bombay HC bars unauthorised use of sound recordings in cricket matches | SCC Times
Criminal Law| Delhi High Court issues notice on CBI revision challenging discharge of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and others
In CBI v. Kuldeep Singh, 2026 SCC OnLine Del 887, the Delhi High Court issued notice on the criminal revision filed by the CBI challenging the trial court’s order discharging former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and 21 others in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Read Delhi Excise Policy case HERE
Also read: Bombay High Court: Life Sentence for father in Minor’s Rape case | SCC Times
Education Law| Student permitted to appear for Mathematics as additional subject despite earlier subject change
In B. Shajimon v. Union of India2, the Madras High Court held that a student who had initially studied Mathematics but later replaced it with Physical Education could still appear for the Mathematics examination, setting aside CBSE’s rejection and directing the Regional Director to verify records and allow participation in the supplementary exam. Read Mathematics case HERE
Family Law| Transfer of matrimonial case at advanced stage set aside; Transfer found unjustified and improper
In X v. Y, 2026 SCC OnLine Ker 3226, the Kerala High Court set aside the order transferring a matrimonial petition to another Family Court at the wife’s instance, holding that such transfer at an advanced stage of trial was unsustainable and improper, particularly given the mediated settlement requiring both parties to cooperate for expeditious disposal before the original court. Read Transfer of matrimonial case HERE
Motor Accident| Siblings cannot claim “loss of love and affection”; Only mother entitled to consortium
In Mariyakutty v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd., 2026 SCC OnLine Ker 3039, the Kerala High Court held that siblings are not entitled to compensation under “loss of love and affection” in a motor accident claim, allowed the mother’s claim for consortium at Rs 40,000, and enhanced the overall compensation by Rs 2.66 lakhs. Read compensation for siblings’ case HERE
Also read: Gujarat HC: No Mechanical acceptance of Disability Certificates by MACT| SCC Times
PMLA| PMLA case must be transferred to Special Court; Trial court’s refusal held perverse
In Enforcement Directorate v. CBI3, the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that under Section 44(1)(c) of the PMLA, once the authorised authority applies, the trial court has no discretion to refuse transfer, and directed that the scheduled offence be transferred to the Special Court already trying the predicate offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Read PMLA case transfer HERE
POCSO| Conviction under POCSO Act set aside as age of victim unproved; Appeal allowed and accused acquitted
In Mahesh v. State of T.N., 2026 SCC OnLine Mad 2258, the Madras High Court held that the trial court erred in relying on inadmissible xerox copies to determine the victim’s age, set aside the conviction under Section 366 IPC and Sections 5(l)/6 POCSO Act, and acquitted the appellant, highlighting the misuse of POCSO in adolescent consensual relationships. Read misuse of POCSO Act in teenage relationships case HERE
Public Interest| Inclusion directed of all parks and open spaces under UP Parks Act; LDA to reconsider Janeshwar Mishra Park’s commercial use
In Dharampal Yadav v. State of U.P., 2026 SCC OnLine All 570, the Allahabad High Court directed that all parks, playgrounds, and open spaces in Uttar Pradesh, including Janeshwar Mishra Park, be included in the list under Section 3 of the UP Parks, Playgrounds and Open Spaces (Preservation and Regulation) Act, 1975, and asked the Lucknow Development Authority to reconsider any commercial activities at the park. Read Janeshwar Mishra Park’s use for commercial activities case HERE
TRIBUNAL UPDATES OF THE WEEK
Consumer Law| Only manufacturer liable for deficiency in service; Commission directs vehicle replacement or refund
In Paawan Chaudhary v. Fiat India Automobiles (P) Ltd., CC No. 56 of 2023, the Delhi State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission held that the manufacturer alone is responsible for deficiency in service and directed replacement of the vehicle with a new one or refund if replacement was not possible, along with other reliefs. Read manufacturer’s liability case HERE
Tax Law| CESTAT sets aside service tax demand for renting of immovable property under Section 65(105)(zzzz), Finance Act
In R. Rajinikanth v. CCE & GST, 2026 SCC OnLine CESTAT 630, the CESTAT held that the premises continued to qualify as a building used by a hotel and fell within the specific exclusion under Section 65(105)(zzzz) of the Finance Act, 1994, setting aside the service tax demand upheld by the Commissioner of Service Tax (Appeals). Read Rajinikanth tax case HERE
THIS WEEK’S KEY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Petroleum Ministry mandates sale of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol
On 10 March 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas mandated that petrol sold across the country include 20 percent ethanol blending, as part of its biofuel policy to reduce crude oil imports, lower vehicular emissions, and promote sustainable energy. The move is expected to have wide-reaching impacts on fuel production, distribution, and pricing. Read Petroleum Policy HERE
Also read: Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order 2026 Explained | SCC Times
Maharashtra Government launches ‘Come Early, Go Early’ flexi-hours policy for women
On 12 March 2026, the Government of Maharashtra notified the ‘Come Early, Go Early’ flexi-hours policy for women, allowing them to start and finish work earlier than regular hours in government offices to improve safety and convenience for female employees. The policy is aimed at enhancing women’s participation in the workforce and ensuring safer commute during daylight hours. Read flexi-hours policy for women HERE
Delhi Shops and Establishments Amendment Act, 2026 notified
On 13 March 2026, the Delhi Government notified the Delhi Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026, introducing key changes to working hours, overtime, leave provisions, and digital record-keeping for establishments in the national capital. The amendments aim to modernise labour regulations, simplify compliance, and enhance worker protections across shops and commercial establishments. Read Delhi Shops and Establishments Amendment Act, 2026 HERE
FSSAI notifies Licensing & Registration (Amendment) Regulations, 2026
On 14 March 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified the Licensing and Registration (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, revising procedures and compliance requirements for food business operators, including categorisation of licences, validity periods, and digital processing norms, to simplify licensing and strengthen food safety governance nationwide. Read FSSAI Licensing & Registration Amendment Regulations, 2026 HERE
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF THIS WEEK
OP.ED
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Private Placement under Indian Company Law: A Transactional Post-Mortem of Section 42 Compliance Failures by Ankit Thakur, Advocate
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The Paradox of the Indian Hemp Industry by Srinivasan Gopal, Assistant Director (Retd.), National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) Palasamudram
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Restoring Justice through Compliance and Fixing Accountability by Anand K. Ojha, Senior CGC Government of India
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Upholding Natural Justice in Arbitration The Perils of Awards Beyond Party Pleadings and Arguments by Suhani Sharma, 4th year student NLU Odisha and Gaurav Rai, Advocate and Arbitration Consultant
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Non-Compliance with Section 24(3)(c): Procedural Lapse or a Fatal Flaw? by Amir Bavani Founder, AB Legal, Rishika Kumar, Senior Associate, AB Legal and Divya K, Associate, AB Legal
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Recasting India’s Upstream Petroleum Governance by Satish Kumar, Chief Manager — Legal, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
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“Free is not Always Fair”: A Study of Predatory Pricing in Platforms by Bharat Sharma, Advocate, Rajasthan High Court
KNOW THY JUDGE
Also Read:
1. Cont P(MD) Nos.3594 & 3657 of 2025
2. W.P. No. 3376 of 2026
3. CRL OP No. 8776 of 2025