Catch up on the top legal developments this week (6—12 April 2026), including Justice Yashwant Varma’s resignation, Suo motu action on Mental Healthcare in Patna, Peaceful Protest in University, Second marriage by Muslim man, Guideline for Rejection of Election Petitions, and more.
STORIES OF THE WEEK
CORRUPTION | Justice Yashwant Varma resigns as Allahabad High Court Judge
Justice Varma tendered his resignation from the office of Judge of the Allahabad High Court with immediate effect to the President of India. He said that “It is with deep anguish that I tender my resignation from the office of Judge of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad with immediate effect.” Read more HERE
EMPLOYMENT LAW | Govt. Revises Variable Dearness Allowance Rates, Effective 1 April 2026
On 30 March 2026, the Ministry of Labour & Employment issued a series of orders revising the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for multiple scheduled employments. The revised VDA rates came into force with effect from 1 April 2026.
Read more HERE
CUSTODIAL DEATHS | “Rarest of the Rare”: Death penalty to 9 Police Officials in Sathankulam Custodial Deaths Case
In a custodial death case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Madurai District Court held that it was a clear case of abuse of authority and fell in the rarest of the rare cases; all the accused persons were convicted of the charges of murder and destruction of evidence.
Read more HERE
BAIL | Bail Denied to Judicial Officer Accused of Stealing from a Judge’s Residence
While considering a bail application titled Bikramdeep Singh v. State of Punjab, 2026 SCC OnLine Dis Crt (punjab_haryana) 1 of a serving Civil Judge (Junior Division), accused of theft of ancestral gold, jewellery, and cash from the residence of his deceased colleague Kanwaljit Singh, the Patiala District Court dismissed the anticipatory bail and held the allegations to be serious and the CCTV footage prima facie supported the prosecution case making the custodial interrogation necessary for recovery of the property and for effective investigation.
Read more HERE
SUPREME COURT HIGHLIGHTS
SUCCESSION | Succession to office of Sajjadanashin governed by custom and valid nomination, not mere lineal inheritance
In a long-standing dispute related to the succession to the spiritual office of Sajjadanashin of the Hazarath Mardane-e-Gaib Dargah titled Syed Mohd. Ghouse Pasha Khadri v. Syed Mohd. Adil Pasha Khadri, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 518 the Supreme Court affirmed the concurrent findings of the courts below and held that the respondent was validly nominated through Khilafatnama dated 26 February 1981 and the nomination was supported by credible oral and documentary evidence.
Read more HERE
OBSCENITY | Mere use of abusive words not “obscenity” under S. 294(b) IPC
In Sivakumar v. State, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 529, the Supreme Court partly allowed the appeals and examined the scope of offences under Sections 294(b), 304 Part II, and the applicability of Section 34 IPC. The Court held that mere use of abusive language during a heated altercation does not constitute “obscenity” under Section 294(b) IPC, and set aside the conviction on that count.
Read more HERE
ARTICLE 142 | 80+ Litigations filed by lawyer-husband by invoking Art. 142; Divorce granted with ₹5 crore settlement
In X3 v. Y1, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 544, the Supreme Court quashed the 80+ vexatious and vindictive litigation including proceedings against wife, her relatives and even her advocates filed by the lawyer husband. The Court dissolved the marriage between the parties, granted custody of both children to the wife, with structured visitation rights to the father and awarded a consolidated sum of ₹5 crores to the wife towards permanent alimony, maintenance, child support, and litigation expenses, payable within one year.
Read more HERE
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE| Medically Justified Alternative Procedure with Consent Not an Offence: Criminal Case Against Surgeon in Pediatric Orchidectomy Case, Quashed
In a criminal appeal titled S. Balagopal (Dr) v. State of T.N., 2026 SCC OnLine SC 528, concerning alleged unauthorised surgical intervention on a minor, the Supreme Court, allowed the appeal, holding that the surgeon had obtained valid consent for surgery, and that Orchidectomy was medically justified. The Court emphasised that mere interpolation of the alternative procedure in the consent form, without evidence of malice, does not constitute a criminal offence, and that continuation of criminal proceedings in such circumstances would amount to abuse of process of law.
Read more HERE
EMPLOYMENT LAW | Grace, charity or compassion ought to stay at a distance in matters of public employment: Second Chance to Absent Candidate, refused
In Delhi Police v. Uttam Kumar, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 523, the Supreme Court observed that grace, charity or compassion ought to stay at a distance in matters of public employment, if a fair level playing field is to be secured.
Read more HERE
Also Read: Favouritism Allegations Against Arunachal CM: Supreme Court directs CBI to investigate
SERVICE LAW | Denial of appointment despite availability of vacancies discriminatory; Appointment with notional benefits, directed
In Guruprosad Banerjee v. State of W.B.1, wherein the petitioners contested denial of appointment to the post of Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in the Stamp and Revenue Department of the State of West Bengal despite being within the merit range, the Supreme Court requested the State Government to take action to meet out such discrimination by appointing the petitioners and extending notional benefits.
Read more HERE
Also Read: Executing Court Bound to Execute Decree as Passed; Can’t Modify Its Terms: Supreme Court
HIGH COURT HIGHLIGHTS
MENTAL HEALTH | Mental Healthcare as a Right: Suo Motu Action Taken in Bihar
In a PIL titled Court on its own motion Regarding matter relates to the Inspection Report v. State of Bihar, 2026 SCC OnLine Pat 1910, the Patna High Court issued notice against respondent authorities and directed to submit detailed reports on constitution and functioning of Mental Health Review Boards, conditions and facilities at BIMHAS, availability of free food, medicines, hygiene, and infrastructure, role of police and prison authorities concerning mentally ill persons, legal aid services provided, rehabilitation measures post-treatment and steps taken to address deficiencies identified in the inspection report.
Read more HERE
STRIDHAN | Anticipatory Bail for Breach of Undertaking to Compensate Wife for Stridhan Tirth, denied
In Jagdishchandra Rawal v. State of Maharashtra, 2026 SCC OnLine Bom 2147, the Bombay High Court declined to grant relief, holding that the conduct of the applicant, coupled with the nature of the allegations levelled against him, did not warrant release on anticipatory bail. Read more HERE
CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY | Even Property Owner Can Be Guilty of Trespass
In Damodaran K. v. State of Kerala, 2026 SCC OnLine Ker 3966, the Kerala High Court affirmed the conviction holding that trespass is an offence against possession and not against ownership, meaning thereby that even the true owner cannot unlawfully enter the rented premises. Read more HERE
SERVICE LAW | Right to be considered for promotion is a fundamental right: Quarterly Departmental Promotion Committee meetings mandated
In Kulwant Singh v. State of Punjab2, the Punjab and Haryana High Court held that right to be considered for promotion is a fundamental right under Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution. The Court allowed the petition and directed the respondents to hold Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) meetings every three months during every calendar year so that employees could get promotions against vacant posts in time.
Read more HERE
RIGHT TO PROTEST | “Peaceful Protest and Non-Violent Dissent Are Natural to Academic Environment”: Student Expulsion Quashed
In Nadia v. B.R. Ambedkar University, 2026 SCC OnLine Del 1249, wherein a student was expelled for allegedly participating in a sit-down protest, the Delhi High Court held that penalising a student for a sit-down protest is wholly untenable in law, as it strikes at the very heart of the spirit of democracy and the freedoms guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of India.
Read more HERE
CRIMINAL LAW | Key Question Raised on BNSS Cognizance, Seeks Larger Bench Clarity
In Pooja Chaudhri v. Priya S. Kapur3, an issue was raised by the petitioner involved the interpretation of Section 223, Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and in particular, the scope and effect of the newly introduced first proviso to Section 223(1) BNSS, which mandates that no cognizance of an offence on a complaint shall be taken by the Magistrate without affording the accused an opportunity of being heard. The Delhi High Court referred the matter to a larger bench.
Read more HERE
CORRUPTION | “Shows a very low state of moral fibre in society”: Relief denied to accused in Rs 22 lakh cash-for-job and fake PhD degree scam
In a petition titled Priyanka Sengar v. State of U.P.4, filed by an accused in a Rs 22 lakhs cash-for-job and fake PhD degree scam seeking quashing of the FIR, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition, holding that the case was not fit for interference under Article 226 of the Constitution since the allegations were of a serious nature and needed thorough investigation.
Read more HERE
MUSLIM PERSONAL LAW | Second marriage by Muslim man not bigamy under Section 494 IPC, as Muslim Personal Law permits polygamy
In a petition titled Mohd. Arif Ahmad Jahagir Khan v. State of M.P., 2026 SCC OnLine MP 3553, filed by a Muslim man seeking quashing of criminal proceedings initiated against him by his first wife, the Madhya Pradesh High Court partly allowed the petition, holding that a second marriage contracted by a Muslim male would not be void under Section 494, Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) merely on the ground that the first marriage is still subsisting as Muslim personal law permits plurality of marriages.
Read more HERE
ELECTION LAW | Test for Rejection of Election Petitions Laid Down
In Pramod Ratan Patil v. Rajesh Govardhan More5, the Bombay High Court held that for seeking a declaration under Section 101, Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act), the petitioner must plead that he had secured a majority of votes, which was not done in the present case.
Read more HERE
LEGISLATIONS
-
Haryana Government Grants Exemptions from Fixed Working Hours under the Shops and Establishments Act
-
Amaravati Declared Capital under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2026
-
From Withdrawal to Creditor Control: Key Shifts under the IBC Amendment Act, 2026
-
Punjab Professional Tax Registration SOP with 14-Day Deemed Approval Timeline
-
CCPA Advisory: No Separate LPG and Fuel Charges on Restaurant Bills
-
UGC Declares Rajeev Gandhi Institute of Technology & Management’s Degrees Invalid
-
RBI Guidelines 2026: Faster Cross-Border Inward Payments & Timely Credit
-
RBI Monetary Policy April 2026: Repo Rate Unchanged Amid Global Uncertainty
OTHER UPDATES
NEWS
-
Three keynote speakers announced for International Arbitration Day at LIDW26
-
Amika Arbitration and Mediation Council Earns UNCITRAL Recognition
ALSO READ
1. SLP (C) No. 19452/2025
2. CWP No. 5302 of 2026
3. CRL.M.C. No. 2419 of 2026
4. Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. 4953 of 2026
5. Application (L) No. 10196 of 2025