High Courts Archives

Courts must go beyond literal/grammatical reading of NDPS Act to decipher its true scope: Punjab and Haryana HC grants bail to NDPS accused

“The interpretative endeavor must be a dynamic and teleological one, ensuring that the NDPS Act remains an efficacious instrument in combating the pervasive menace of drug abuse, rather than being rendered sterile by a rigid textual analysis.”

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Simplicity no bar to patentability of an invention’; Delhi HC remands Vertical Rotary Parking System application to Controller for de novo consideration

“Refusal to allow the amendment to the specifications, which was sought to provide clarification regarding the technical advancements of the subject invention over the newly cited prior art, amounts to a clear violation of the Principles of Natural Justice”

Case Briefs High Courts

Husband’s friend not a ‘relative’ under Section 498-A IPC: Bombay High Court

The husband’s friend tried to convince him that if his demands are not fulfilled then he shall not cohabit with his wife and shall send her to her paternal home.

Case Briefs High Courts

Mere participation in PFI meetings or physical karate training does not amount to terrorist act: Bombay HC grants bail to UAPA accused

The Court observed that even though weapons are recovered from one of the accused, it is not the prosecution’s case that those weapons were used for any terrorist activity and/or toppling the Government.

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Mere recovery without mental intent not conscious possession’; Telangana HC discharges man carrying 380 live ammunition to use as neck chain

“The essential requirement to constitute an offence under the Arms Act is the existence of mens rea, i.e., knowledge of such possession or control over the firearm or ammunition, even in the absence of actual physical possession.”

Case Briefs High Courts

Motor vehicle accident| Driving without license not sole ground for contributory negligence: Karnataka High Court

The Court observed that the amputation of left leg above knee was due to the injuries sustained during the accident and awarded compensation for loss of future earnings.

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Armed forces cannot retain indisciplined member’: Punjab and Haryana HC upholds dismissal of constable for absence beyond leave period

The petitioner went on a week’s leave and did not join duty after completion of the same. It was noticed that he remained absent on 42 occasions during his short service of 12 years. Consequently, he got suspended.

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Need to strike a balance between animal and human rights’; Kerala HC defers Govt. Order allowing euthanasia of stray dogs

“While animal rights are necessary and must be respected, they cannot trump the fundamental rights of human beings. However, a balance must be struck for co-existence.”

CIC policy prescription ultra vires RTI Act

Case Briefs High Courts

‘CIC cannot express policy prescriptions under RTI Act’; Delhi HC quashes CIC’s order directing HPCL to furnish guidelines for empanelment of advocates

“The only question before CIC was whether ‘information’, as defined in Section 2(f) of the RTI Act has been denied mala fide, or incorrect, incomplete or misleading information has been knowingly furnished. The impugned order instead expresses policy prescriptions, which are beyond the remit of CIC.”

Case Briefs High Courts

Allegation of impotency against husband in a matrimonial dispute not defamation: Bombay High Court

In the present case, allegations are by way of written words before the police and before the judicial authorities, thus, such imputation will amount to defamation when the case does not fall within either of the ten exceptions to Section 499.

civil suit cannot nullify arbitral award

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Civil suit cannot be filed to declare arbitral award a nullity’; Delhi HC rejects suit challenging award on grounds of fraud in coal supply agreement

“Arbitration, chosen by consent, cannot be overridden by post-facto civil suits on allegedly rediscovered facts otherwise arbitration will turn into a never-ending cycle of challenges.”

denied job despite acquittal in criminal case

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Classic case of misuse of power’; P&H HC imposes Rs 50,000 cost on State for denying job to candidate already acquitted in criminal case

“This is the third round of litigation. The officers dealing with the matter despite repeated orders of this Court have shown a reprehensible attitude just to stick to their opinion. It shows that they have scant regard for the orders of Constitutional Courts.”

Case Briefs High Courts

Madhya Pradesh High Court directs action against private vehicles with illegal flashing lights, sirens and number plates

The Court directed the Regional Transport Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) to immediately act against those vehicles who were violating the notice/circular dated 01-03-2025.

Case Briefs High Courts

NEET (UG) 2025 | Delhi HC directs NTA to form grievance redressal committee for candidates who lost exam time due to no fault of their own

“The examination pattern indubitably provides 180 compulsory questions which need to be attempted by a candidate in 180 minutes (3 hours). This gives an average time of one minute for each question creating a time sensitive situation for the candidates where every second counts. In these circumstances, loss of 3 minutes 32 seconds cannot be said to be insignificant.”

Case Briefs High Courts

Bhopal Gas Tragedy | Madhya Pradesh HC directs state to urgently examine issue of shifting containment site away from habitation

The Court noted that undisputedly, the residue from the incineration process was also toxic and needed to be contained for almost 30-40 years.

Mere allegations of workplace harassment not offence

Case Briefs High Courts

Calcutta High Court: Vague allegations of workplace harassment by merely using words “harassed” or “abused” insufficient to constitute offence under Section 509 IPC

“Mere using the words “harassed” or “abused”, in the overall conspectus of the case, does not demonstrate the requisite intention or knowledge which can lead to the conclusion that any alleged act of the petitioner constitutes an insult to the complainant’s modesty.”

Case Briefs High Courts

No Relief for Kangana Ranaut: Punjab & Haryana HC dismisses plea in defamation case linked to farmers’ protest tweet

“Kangana has not been able to show prima facie as to how imputations in the retweet can be said to have been made by her in good faith for protection of her own interest or of anyone else, nor can it be said to be for public good.”

Magistrate to inform mental health patient of legal aid

Case Briefs High Courts

Magistrate has duty to inform individuals with mental ailment of their right to free legal services: Punjab and Haryana HC

The Court requested Additional Solicitor General of India, to file reply on the point that there is no notification by the Government of India for constitution of Medical Health Review Board under Section 73 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 for Union Territory, Chandigarh.

Daughter-in-law ‘children’ under Senior Citizens Act

Case Briefs High Courts

Daughter-in-law within the expanded definition of ‘children’ under Senior Citizen Act; Kerala HC allows mother-in-law to reside in shared house

“A purposive interpretation should be given to the word ‘children’ defined under the Senior Citizens Act, 2007, especially when the definition of ‘children’ starts with the word ‘includes’ son, daughter, etc., and therefore, a petition under the provisions of the Act would lie against the daughter-in-law also.”

Case Briefs High Courts

“Pink City turning into Sink City”: Rajasthan High Court takes suo motu cognizance of Jaipur’s deplorable public roads

“It is high time to contemplate that will Jaipur remain the proud Pink City known for its beauty and heritage or turn into a sink city that crumbles under its own infrastructural problem.”