{"id":352292,"date":"2025-07-03T17:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T11:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=352292"},"modified":"2025-07-03T17:33:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:03:03","slug":"precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/","title":{"rendered":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#8217;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<h2>Introduction: The fragility of legal consistency<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes, is entrusted with the solemn duty to uphold the rule of law through consistency in its judgments. This principle, enshrined in Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">141<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a><a id=\"fnref1\" title=\"1. Constitution of India, Art. 141.\" href=\"#fn1\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a>, mandates that the law declared by the Court binds all courts, including its own coordinate Benches. Yet, recent decisions such as <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SFIO<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda<\/span><a id=\"fnref2\" title=\"2. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn2\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Kishor Arora<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Enforcement Directorate<\/span><a id=\"fnref3\" title=\"3. (2024) 7 SCC 599.\" href=\"#fn3\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> have exposed a troubling pattern of Benches of equal strength deviating from settled precedents without referral to larger Benches, undermining judicial discipline and creating jurisprudential chaos.<\/p>\n<h2>The constitutional mandate and doctrine of precedent<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">141<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a><a id=\"fnref4\" title=\"4. Constitution of India, Art. 141.\" href=\"#fn4\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> anchors the doctrine of stare decisis, ensuring that Supreme Court judgments act as binding precedents. When a coordinate Bench encounters a conflicting legal proposition, it has two options: follow the earlier decision or refer the question to a larger Bench for reconsideration. But no decision can be arrived at contrary to or inconsistent with the law laid down by the coordinate Bench. This principle, reiterated by the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Punjab<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Devans Modern Breweries Ltd.<\/span><a id=\"fnref5\" title=\"5. (2004) 11 SCC 26.\" href=\"#fn5\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a>, safeguards against judicial arbitrariness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic; background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, #ecc6c6);\">Aditya Sarda case<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Factual backdrop<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<a id=\"fnref6\" title=\"6. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn6\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a> arose from a prosecution complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) under Section<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001537428\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">212(6)<\/a><a id=\"fnref7\" title=\"7. Companies Act, 2013, S. 212(6).\" href=\"#fn7\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002766251\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013<\/a><a id=\"fnref8\" title=\"8. Companies Act, 2013.\" href=\"#fn8\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a>, alleging financial fraud involving Rs 1700 crores. Pertinently, the accused persons, who were the parties before the Supreme Court, were not arrested during the course of investigation. The investigation of the SFIO culminated into a prosecution complaint\/charge-sheet, being filed around the time of June 2019, before the Special Court under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002766251\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">During that time, there was a rampant practice across the country, where upon filing of prosecution complaints\/charge-sheets by prosecuting agencies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED), SFIO, etc. the accused persons were arrested or sent to custody, which forced them to apply for anticipatory bails upon filing of prosecution complaint\/charge-sheet, on account of such apprehensions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the present case, when the prosecution complaint was filed by the SFIO, the Special Court took cognizance over prosecution complaint and directly issued warrants against the accused persons, instead of issuing summons first, to secure their presence. Due to the practice of arrest post-filing of prosecution complaint, the accused persons did not appear before the Special Court post-cognizance and at first attempted to secure anticipatory bail to ensure their liberties. The Special Court rejected applications for anticipatory bail. During the time, the applications for anticipatory bail were rejected, non-bailable warrants were in place against the accused persons. Continuing the apprehension of arrest, the accused persons approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, which was granted, considering the facts of the case.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This resulted in a batch of appeals being filed by the SFIO before the Supreme Court. The respondent-accused persons contended that since the SFIO did not arrest them during the course of investigation, their application for anticipatory has been rightly allowed by the High Court. Furthermore, when they have cooperated during investigation and were not arrested during that time, issuance of warrants by the Special Court after filing of the prosecution complaint is wholly illegal and their liberties be protected in terms of the judgment of the Supreme Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Enforcement Directorate<\/span><a id=\"fnref9\" title=\"9. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn9\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a>, where similar reliefs have been granted to accused persons apprehending arrest due to the said practice of arrest post-filing of prosecution complaint\/charge-sheet.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, the appeals filed by the SFIO were ultimately allowed by a Bench comprising Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Prasanna B. Varale. The orders granting anticipatory bail were set aside, and the accused were directed to surrender before the Special Court.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Supreme Court&#8217;s reasoning<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While reversing the order of grant of anticipatory bail, the Supreme Court held that under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519454\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">204<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Procedure Code, 1973<\/a> (CrPC)<a id=\"fnref10\" title=\"10. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S. 204.\" href=\"#fn10\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a> in a complaint case, which appears to be a warrant case, the Court taking cognizance of the offence, has the discretion to issue warrant or summons as it thinks fit, for causing the accused to be brought or to appear before it and there is no mandate on the Court to issue only summons first. The Court held that the choice of summons or warrants must be seriously based on gravity or seriousness of the offence and larger interest of public and State, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This finding of the Supreme Court unfortunately is in direct contrast with the recent judgment of the Supreme Court itself in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref11\" title=\"11. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn11\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a> rendered by a Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, in similar circumstances, where due to the rampant practice of arrest post-filing of prosecution complaints, the accused was forced to file anticipatory bail. In that case too, an identical issue was addressed: Whether courts can issue warrants directly in cases where the accused were not arrested during the investigation?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The said judgment is being rendered in a case arising from ED\/the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002801311\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002<\/a> (PMLA)<a id=\"fnref12\" title=\"12. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002.\" href=\"#fn12\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a> investigation. It is worth mentioning that the provisions regarding arrest, bail, summoning, issuance of warrants, etc. in the PMLA cases are pari materia with those under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002766251\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Tarsem Lal: The binding precedent<\/h2>\n<p>In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref13\" title=\"13. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn13\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a>, the Court held:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Summons as the normal rule<\/span>: If the accused cooperated during the investigation (e.g. complied with summons under Section 50 of the PMLA<a id=\"fnref14\" title=\"14. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, S. 50.\" href=\"#fn14\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a>) the Court must issue summons first instead of directly issuing warrants to the accused.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Graduated escalation<\/span>: Only if summons are disobeyed should the Court issue bailable warrants, followed by non-bailable warrants (NBWs).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">c<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">No automatic custody\/arrest<\/span>: When the accused has cooperated during investigation and no arrest was made during investigation, neither the prosecuting agency ED can arrest the accused post-filing of prosecution complaint, nor the courts can mechanically remand an accused who appears pursuant to summons; custody is permissible only if the prosecution demonstrates necessity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court underscored the glaring paradox driving the surge in anticipatory bail pleas post-filing of prosecution complaints: certain Special Courts, it observed, are arresting accused individuals after they dutifully comply with summons. This perverse practice <del title=\"deleted by: Rohit Patel\" datetime=\"Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:56:00 IST\">\u2014<\/del><ins title=\"inserted by: Rohit Patel\" datetime=\"Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:56:00 IST\">\u2014<\/ins> where the State refrains from arrest during investigation but springs custody traps once the accused appears in Court <del title=\"deleted by: Rohit Patel\" datetime=\"Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:56:00 IST\">\u2014<\/del><ins title=\"inserted by: Rohit Patel\" datetime=\"Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:56:00 IST\">\u2014<\/ins> forces citizens into a coercive cycle of bail litigation merely to shield themselves from arbitrary detention. The Supreme Court ultimately set aside the order of the High Court rejecting anticipatory bail to the accused and cancelled the warrants so issued.<\/p>\n<p>To curb the risk of trampling the constitutional promise of liberty under Article 21<a id=\"fnref15\" title=\"15. Constitution of India, Art. 21.\" href=\"#fn15\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a>, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref16\" title=\"16. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn16\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a> Bench placed the abovementioned procedural safeguards. The Court premised its reasoning on two critical foundations:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Satender Kumar Antil<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">CBI<\/span><a id=\"fnref17\" title=\"17. (2022) 10 SCC 51.\" href=\"#fn17\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a>, which held that if the accused was not arrested during investigation, there is no requirement of arrest post charge-sheet.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Inder Mohan Goswami<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Uttaranchal<\/span><a id=\"fnref18\" title=\"18. (2007) 12 SCC 1.\" href=\"#fn18\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a>, which cautioned against \u201cindiscriminate\u201d issuance of NBWs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Interestingly, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref19\" title=\"19. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn19\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a>, the Court has held that if the accused was not arrested till the filing of the complaint and has not cooperated with the investigation by defying summons, the Special Court may still issue a bailable warrant at the first instance while issuing the process. Therefore, the route of issuing warrants instead of summons is not foreclosed upon filing of prosecution complaint. The Court only held that the conduct of the accused during investigation is to be scrutinised, and if the accused person is not arrested during investigation, then there is no purpose in issuing warrants and only summons is to be issued upon taking cognizance, thereby protecting the accused from any arbitrary actions post-filing of prosecution complaints\/charge-sheets.<\/p>\n<h2>Critique of Aditya Sarda: Jurisprudential inconsistency and procedural overreach<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref20\" title=\"20. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn20\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a> disregarded the binding precedent of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref21\" title=\"21. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn21\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a> \u2014 which addressed identical circumstances and legal issues (anticipatory bail post-prosecution complaint when accused cooperated during investigation) \u2014 without distinguishing its reasoning or referring the matter to a larger Bench, violating precedent rules under Article 141<a id=\"fnref22\" title=\"22. Constitution of India, Art. 141.\" href=\"#fn22\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref23\" title=\"23. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn23\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a>, the Court emphasised that when an accused has cooperated during the investigation and was not arrested at that stage, summons \u2014 not warrants \u2014 is to be issued upon filing of the prosecution complaint. However, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref24\" title=\"24. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn24\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a> disregarded the accused&#8217;s conduct during the investigation entirely, instead mandating the courts to seriously consider the \u201cgravity of the offence\u201d and vague \u201cpublic interest\u201d before making the choice of summons or warrants. This is a clear deviation from <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref25\" title=\"25. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn25\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a>, which a coordinate Bench could not have done.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Moreover, the judgment conflated the distinct legal issues of anticipatory bail (which concerns pre-arrest protection) with the accused&#8217;s non-appearance post-issuance of warrants, which is a procedural consequence of the Special Court&#8217;s own refusal to grant relief. The mechanical rejection of anticipatory bail and issuance of warrants triggered a self-defeating cycle: fearing post charge-sheet arrest, the accused did not appear, leading to their declaration as proclaimed offenders under Section 82 CrPC<a id=\"fnref26\" title=\"26. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S. 82.\" href=\"#fn26\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a>. The Supreme Court later cited this status to deny bail, ignoring that the accused&#8217;s absence arose from genuine apprehension of arrest (due to the Special Court&#8217;s unwarranted warrants and bail denial), not evasion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Anticipatory bail ought to have been granted initially by the Special Court, given the accused&#8217;s cooperation during investigation and non-arrest. Pertinently, when the anticipatory bail application was denied by the Special Court, non-bailable warrants were already issued against the accused. The apprehension of arrest which stemmed from the practice of post charge-sheet arrest was aggravated by the denial of anticipatory bail. The judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Asha Dubey<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of M.P.<\/span><a id=\"fnref27\" title=\"27. 2024 SCC OnLine MP 2711.\" href=\"#fn27\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a> rightly clarifies that even proclaimed offenders can seek bail if the circumstances of their declaration justify it. However, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref28\" title=\"28. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn28\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> ignored this nuance, effectively punishing the accused for a situation created by the Court&#8217;s deviation from precedent.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Punjab &amp; Haryana High Court, in its impugned order<a id=\"fnref29\" title=\"29. Aditya Sarda v. SFIO, 2023 SCC OnLine P&amp;H 7252.\" href=\"#fn29\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a>, had correctly granted anticipatory bail by relying on <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Satender Kumar Antil case<\/span><a id=\"fnref30\" title=\"30. (2022) 10 SCC 51.\" href=\"#fn30\"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a>, noting the accused&#8217;s cooperation during investigation and the absence of any need for custodial interrogation. The judgment of the High Court<a id=\"fnref31\" title=\"31. Aditya Sarda v. SFIO, 2023 SCC OnLine P&amp;H 7252.\" href=\"#fn31\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a> is completely aligned with <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref32\" title=\"32. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn32\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court&#8217;s revocation of anticipatory bail \u2014 despite the absence of any proven misuse of liberty and without addressing the factual merits of the accused&#8217;s cooperation during investigation \u2014 forced them into the stringent draconian regime of regular bail under Section 212(6)<a id=\"fnref33\" title=\"33. Companies Act, 2013, S. 212(6).\" href=\"#fn33\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a>, where they must rebut a presumption of guilt \u2014 a standard nearly impossible to meet in practice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In conclusion, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref34\" title=\"34. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn34\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a> reasoning is legally untenable. The Supreme Court must have taken cognizance of the practice of arrest post-filing of prosecution complaint\/charge-sheet as considered by the Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref35\" title=\"35. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn35\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a>. There is no justifiable basis to deviate from the settled binding precedent. Resultantly, considering the facts and law governing the case, it can be concluded that the judgment of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref36\" title=\"36. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn36\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a> is in complete violation of Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574872\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">141<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a> as inter alia, it deviates from the judgments of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Satender Kumar Antil case<\/span><a id=\"fnref37\" title=\"37. (2022) 10 SCC 51.\" href=\"#fn37\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref38\" title=\"38. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn38\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>The rise and fall of Pankaj Bansal v. Union of India<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref39\" title=\"39. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn39\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a> is not the first case where the judgment of a coordinate Bench has been diluted by the ruling of a subsequent Bench. Recently, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pankaj Bansal<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">case<\/span><a id=\"fnref40\" title=\"40. (2024) 7 SCC 576.\" href=\"#fn40\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a>, a Bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and Sanjay Kumar delivered a landmark ruling to protect arrestees\u2019 rights under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574961\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">22(1)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a><a id=\"fnref41\" title=\"41. Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).\" href=\"#fn41\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a>. The Court held that the ED must furnish written grounds of arrest to the accused to enable effective legal recourse and in absence of such written communication, the arrest under Section 19<a id=\"fnref42\" title=\"42. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, S. 19.\" href=\"#fn42\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a>, remand and custody would be rendered unconstitutional. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pankaj Bansal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref43\" title=\"43. (2024) 7 SCC 576.\" href=\"#fn43\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a> ruling was premised on the reasoning that an arrested person, in a state of shock, cannot meaningfully retain orally communicated grounds and written communication would curb any arbitrariness on part of the ED.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The importance of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pankaj Bansal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref44\" title=\"44. (2024) 7 SCC 576.\" href=\"#fn44\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a> is evident from the fact that the said judgment has been followed in several other cases by different Benches: <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Prabir Purkayastha<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span><a id=\"fnref45\" title=\"45. (2024) 8 SCC 254.\" href=\"#fn45\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a>, which extended similar safeguards to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808781\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967<\/a><a id=\"fnref46\" title=\"46. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.\" href=\"#fn46\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a> (UAPA) arrests; <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vihaan Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Haryana<\/span><a id=\"fnref47\" title=\"47. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 269.\" href=\"#fn47\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a> which held that the grounds of arrest must be clearly and effectively communicated to the accused in a language they understand, and if the accused alleges non-compliance, the burden lies on the investigating agency to prove adherence to Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574961\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">22(1)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a><a id=\"fnref48\" title=\"48. Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).\" href=\"#fn48\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Unfortunately, in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Kishor Arora case<\/span><a id=\"fnref49\" title=\"49. (2024) 7 SCC 599.\" href=\"#fn49\"><sup>49<\/sup><\/a>, a coordinate Bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma of the Supreme Court deviated from <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pankaj Bansal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref50\" title=\"50. (2024) 7 SCC 576.\" href=\"#fn50\"><sup>50<\/sup><\/a> by holding that written grounds requirement applies only to arrests made after pronouncement of judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pankaj Bansal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref51\" title=\"51. (2024) 7 SCC 576.\" href=\"#fn51\"><sup>51<\/sup><\/a> and any oral intimation suffices and any written copy is unnecessary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This raises a pertinent question: If non-compliance with Article 22(1)<a id=\"fnref52\" title=\"52. Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).\" href=\"#fn52\"><sup>52<\/sup><\/a> violates fundamental rights, how it can be only \u201cprospectively\u201d enforced? This deviation renders pre-Pankaj Bansal arrests immune from scrutiny, undermining constitutional accountability.<\/p>\n<h2>The broader implications: Chaos in the lower judiciary<\/h2>\n<p>When coordinate Benches of the Supreme Court deviate from precedents, the repercussions cascade through the judicial hierarchy:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Lower courts\u2019 quandary<\/span>: Trial courts face conflicting directives. For instance, should a PMLA Court follow <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tarsem Lal case<\/span><a id=\"fnref53\" title=\"53. (2024) 7 SCC 61.\" href=\"#fn53\"><sup>53<\/sup><\/a> (summons first) or <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref54\" title=\"54. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn54\"><sup>54<\/sup><\/a> (discretionary warrants)? Should the courts analyse the seriousness of the offence or the cooperation and non-arrest during the investigation?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Litigant uncertainty<\/span>: Accused persons are subjected to inconsistent standards, eroding trust in judicial fairness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">c<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Institutional inconsistency<\/span>: While the Supreme Court often chastises subordinate courts for ignoring precedents, departures from precedent at its own level may suggest an uneven application of the same standard.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion: Restoring the sanctity of precedent<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court, as the guardian of justice, carries the vital responsibility of upholding procedural safeguards that protect individuals from arbitrary action. However, the judgments in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda case<\/span><a id=\"fnref55\" title=\"55. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.\" href=\"#fn55\"><sup>55<\/sup><\/a> and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Kishor Arora case<\/span><a id=\"fnref56\" title=\"56. (2024) 7 SCC 599.\" href=\"#fn56\"><sup>56<\/sup><\/a> reflects a concerning shift where progressive rulings of the Supreme Court are undermined by the Supreme Court itself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The time has come to confront an urgent question: Will the Supreme Court institutionalise mechanisms under Article 145(1)<a id=\"fnref57\" title=\"57. Constitution of India, Art. 145(1).\" href=\"#fn57\"><sup>57<\/sup><\/a> to decisively resolve the issue of conflicting judgments between its Benches or the law will remain a prisoner of inconsistency? Without swift referrals to larger Benches, conflicting rulings will continue to breed chaos, leaving subordinate courts adrift in a sea of judicial ambiguity.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Certainty of the law is the foundation of justice.<a id=\"fnref58\" title=\"58. Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd. v. State of Bihar, 1955 SCC OnLine SC 2.\" href=\"#fn58\"><sup>58<\/sup><\/a> If rulings of the Supreme Court oscillate unpredictably, can its legitimacy endure? When the scales of justice sway with the winds of contradiction, who bears the cost of this erosion? The Court must answer, not with rhetoric, but with action: Will it restore the sanctity of precedent, or let the edifice of justice crumble under the weight of its own contradictions?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*Advocate, Supreme Court of India. Author can be reached at: advocate.arpitgoel@gmail.com.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/42L90IU1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 141.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/nq91W8wm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 599.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/42L90IU1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 141.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Sbx484UF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2004) 11 SCC 26.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/jeRCN9VL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013, S. 212(6).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/A5aqjfDv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7tuON2N4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S. 204.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/RE7jhkh0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/SlaS1CkK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, S. 50.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/VN1u87S9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 21.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tg4hS0uO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2022) 10 SCC 51.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/ds444Tc2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2007) 12 SCC 1.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/42L90IU1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 141.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wn451cRT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, S. 82.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/Members\/SearchResult.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024 SCC OnLine MP 2711<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/X60R9B23\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SFIO<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine P&amp;H 7252.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tg4hS0uO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2022) 10 SCC 51.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/X60R9B23\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aditya Sarda<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SFIO<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine P&amp;H 7252.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/jeRCN9VL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Companies Act, 2013, S. 212(6).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tg4hS0uO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2022) 10 SCC 51.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4wdg8fRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 576.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/AlPu1dRB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/b9KP311K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002, S. 19.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4wdg8fRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 576.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4wdg8fRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 576.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/d19TH88G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 8 SCC 254.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/M11S873T\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/t2G0lOD1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 269.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/AlPu1dRB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn49\" href=\"#fnref49\">49.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/nq91W8wm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 599.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn50\" href=\"#fnref50\">50.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4wdg8fRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 576.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn51\" href=\"#fnref51\">51.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4wdg8fRG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 576.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn52\" href=\"#fnref52\">52.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/AlPu1dRB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 22(1).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn53\" href=\"#fnref53\">53.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6oVsz2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 61.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn54\" href=\"#fnref54\">54.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn55\" href=\"#fnref55\">55.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1S8rMc81\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 764.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn56\" href=\"#fnref56\">56.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/nq91W8wm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2024) 7 SCC 599.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn57\" href=\"#fnref57\">57.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7L080DyB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India, Art. 145(1).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn58\" href=\"#fnref58\">58.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6gfGXCFY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Bengal Immunity Co. Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Bihar<\/span>, 1955 SCC OnLine SC 2.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Arpit Goel*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":352311,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[27634,19471,84669,84670,84668,34169],"class_list":["post-352292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-companies-act","tag-constitution","tag-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment","tag-erosion-of-judicial-discipline","tag-precedent-in-peril","tag-supreme-court-of-india"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#039;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#039;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-03T11:30:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-03T12:03:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"889\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#039;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/\",\"name\":\"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC's Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline | SCC Times\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-03T11:30:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-03T12:03:03+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe\"},\"description\":\"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp\",\"width\":889,\"height\":590,\"caption\":\"Critical Examination of SC's Judgment\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#8217;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"SCC Times\",\"description\":\"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_4\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC's Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline | SCC Times","description":"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC's Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline","og_description":"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes","og_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/","og_site_name":"SCC Times","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/","article_published_time":"2025-07-03T11:30:10+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-03T12:03:03+00:00","og_image":[{"width":889,"height":590,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC's Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/","name":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC's Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline | SCC Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp","datePublished":"2025-07-03T11:30:10+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-03T12:03:03+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe"},"description":"Supreme Court of India, as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the final arbiter of legal disputes","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp","width":889,"height":590,"caption":"Critical Examination of SC's Judgment"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/03\/precedent-in-peril-a-critical-examination-of-scs-judgment-in-sfio-v-aditya-sarda-and-the-erosion-of-judicial-discipline\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Precedent in Peril: A Critical Examination of SC&#8217;s Judgment in SFIO v. Aditya Sarda and the Erosion of Judicial Discipline"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/","name":"SCC Times","description":"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_4\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/oped02-3.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":252414,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/08\/09\/doctrine-of-precedent\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":0},"title":"Doctrine of Precedent","author":"Editor","date":"August 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Sunil\u2020","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Op Eds&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Op Eds","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/op-ed\/legal-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-82.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-82.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-82.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-82.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-82.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":291023,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/01\/supreme-court-allows-scribe-to-judicial-services-aspirant-with-writers-cramp-legal-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":1},"title":"SC&#8217;s direction to Uttarakhand Public Service Commission to provide scribe helps Judicial Service aspirant with writer&#8217;s cramp in appearing Preliminary Examination","author":"Editor","date":"May 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The Court noted that the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences had issued a certificate to the petitioner indicating that he is suffering with writers\u2019 cramp.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"scribe to judicial services aspirant","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/scribe-to-judicial-services-aspirant.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/scribe-to-judicial-services-aspirant.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/scribe-to-judicial-services-aspirant.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/scribe-to-judicial-services-aspirant.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":271842,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/08\/18\/justice-nagarathna-calls-the-period-post-1950-as-the-age-of-issue-formation-and-decoupling-indian-laws-from-their-colonial-roots-says-sccs-pre-69-series-is-highly-relevant-from-historical-a\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":2},"title":"&#8220;Highly relevant from historical and academic perspective&#8221;, Justice BV Nagarathana on the release of SCC Pre 69 volumes","author":"Editor","date":"August 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Address delivered by Hon\u2019ble Mrs. Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Supreme Court of India at the Release ceremony of the\u00a0 of Supreme Court Cases Pre 69 Series, at the Claridges Hotel, New Delhi on 10th August 2022. A very good evening, At the outset, I thank the entire team of Eastern\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events\/Webinars&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events\/Webinars","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/news\/events-and-webinars\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-83.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-83.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-83.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/MicrosoftTeams-image-83.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":291382,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/06\/not-everything-said-in-a-judgment-constitutes-precedent-supreme-court-legal-research-legal-news-updates\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":3},"title":"Does everything said by a Judge while giving judgment constitute a precedent? Supreme Court explains","author":"Apoorva","date":"May 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Supreme Court said that the distinction between obiter dicta and ratio decidendi in a judgment, as a proposition of law, has been examined by its several judgments.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"supreme court precedent","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/supreme-court-precedent.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/supreme-court-precedent.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/supreme-court-precedent.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/supreme-court-precedent.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":288077,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/03\/28\/high-courts-have-jurisdiction-to-adjudicate-upon-orders-passed-by-armed-forces-tribunal-supreme-court-overrules-its-judgement-legal-news-legal-research-updates\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":4},"title":"High Courts have jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the Orders passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal, Supreme Court overrules its 2015 judgement","author":"Editor","date":"March 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cIf there is a denial of a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution or there is a jurisdictional error or error apparent on the face of the record, the High Court can exercise its jurisdiction\u201d, stated the Supreme Court","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Armed Forces Tribunal","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-906.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MicrosoftTeams-image-906.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":252380,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/08\/06\/principle-against-double-jeopardy\/","url_meta":{"origin":352292,"position":5},"title":"Bom HC | Do principles laid under S. 300 CrPC and principle of double jeopardy under Art. 20(2) of Constitution differ? Explained","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"August 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Bombay High Court: Manish Pitale, J., while setting aside an impugned order explained the slight difference between principles laid down under Section 300 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 from the principle of double jeopardy under Article 20 (2) of the Constitution of India. Petitioner invoked the principles of nemo\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67011"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/352292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/352311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}