ADOPTION
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | UP Amendment to S. 16 of HAMA does not require registration of adoption deeds executed before 1-1-1977
In a petition challenging an appellate order passed by the Settlement Officer of Consolidation under Uttar Pradesh Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1953 (‘UPCH Act’) , wherein it was held that the adoption deed adduced by the petitioner has not been executed in accordance with the provisions of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 (‘HAMA 1956’), a Single Judge Bench of Chandra Kumar Rai, J. while setting aside the impugned orders and affirming the ruling of the consolidation officer, reiterated that UP amendment to Section 16 of HAMA does not require registration of adoption deeds executed prior to 1-1-1977. Read more HERE
ADVOCATES
JAMMU AND KASHMIR AND LADAKHN HIGH COURT | BCI Rules do not allow women advocates to appear before Court with face coverings
In a petition seeking quashment of proceedings initiated under Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act) and the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s order dated 16-11-2024 by an advocate who appeared with her face covered before the Court, a single-judge bench of Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, J., stated that Bar Council of India (BCI) Rules do not allow women lawyers to appear before the Court with face coverings. Read more HERE
ANIMALS, BIRDS AND FISH
KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘State suffers fatal and serious injuries from attacks by animals and reptiles’; State and KELSA directed to propose measures for redressing victims’ grievances
In a writ petition praying to permit Justice Siri Jagan Committee to continue to receive and assess applications pending before it and to direct the State as well as local authorities to pay victims of attacks by animals and reptiles, the compensation as assessed by the Committee, pending disposal, C.S. Dias, J., directed the State and KELSA to discuss the matter and place on record the proposed measures to be adopted to redress the grievances of the victims of animal and reptile bite attacks before the next posting date.Read more HERE
BAIL
DELHI HIGH COURT | Anticipatory bail denied to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar
In a bail application filed under Section 482 read with Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) by former Indian Administrative Service (‘IAS’) probationer Puja Khedkar seeking release on anticipatory bail in the event of her arrest in regard to First Information Report (‘FIR’) under Sections 420, 464, 465, 471 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’), 66-D of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and 89/91 of the Rights of Person with Disability Act, 2016 lodged against her for alleged cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes (‘OBC’) and disability quota benefits, a Single Judge Bench of Chandra Dhari Singh, J. declined her anticipatory bail. Read more HERE
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | Dangerous public stunt causing death would amount to culpable homicide and not death by negligence; Anticipatory bail of accused rejected
In an anticipatory application filed by the present accused under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Single Judge Bench of Anoop Chitkara, J., held that when a dangerous public stunt causes death, it would come under the ambit of culpable homicide since there was requisite knowledge that such an act would likely cause death and it would not be considered as death by negligence. Holding this, the Court rejected the anticipatory bail application. Read more HERE
CONVICTION
CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | ‘Rape of dead body is horrendous but not rape’: Mother’s plea against acquittal of man for offence under S. 363 and S. 376 (3) of IPC, rejected
In a set of two appeals filed by convicts 1 and 2 challenging their conviction vide the impugned judgment passed by the Trial Court under Section 201 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) and Sections 376(3), 363, 302, and 201 of IPC as well as Section 3(2)(v) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (‘SC-ST Act’) respectively; and a third appeal filed by the deceased’s mother challenging the convict 1’s acquittal for certain other offences, the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha*, CJ and Bibhu Datta Guru, J., upheld the conviction of the two convicts stating that the prosecution had established their guilt and dismissed the appeal of the deceased’s mother saying that although rape of a dead body was a horrendous act, it did not amount to rape since the victim needed to be alive for such conviction. Read more HERE
COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES
KERALA HIGH COURT | Borrowers cannot be coerced into repaying loans through threats of reputational damage or privacy invasion
In a writ petition filed by Chempazhanthi Agricultural Improvement Co-operative Society (‘Society’) and its Managing Committee challenging the communication issued by the Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies, directing the Secretary to remove the flex board displaying the names and photographs of defaulting borrowers in front of their head office, Murali Purushothaman, J. noting that the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act and Rules do not provide for the display or publication of photographs and other details of defaulting borrowers as a mode of recovery, said that the borrowers cannot be coerced into repaying loans through threats of reputational damage or invasion of their privacy. Read more HERE
CUSTODY
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | State Human Rights Commission lacks jurisdiction over child custody; Specific remedies exist in other statutes
In a petition challenging the orders passed by the Human Rights Commission and seeking a writ of prohibition directing the deceased’s parents not to proceed with case, contending that the State Human Rights Commission (‘SHRC’) overstepped its jurisdiction, particularly concerning the custody of the children, the division bench of Rajan Roy and Brij Raj Singh, JJ. finding that the Commission, prima facie, may not have exceeded its jurisdiction in this matter, as custody is governed by other specific legal remedies, stayed the SHRC’s orders regarding the custody of the children and their production before the Commission. It also clarified that the petitioners must cooperate with the ongoing criminal investigation and that the deceased’s parents could initiate separate custody proceedings as per the law, ensuring that these do not interfere with the criminal case. Read more HERE
ELECTION LAW
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Amol Kirtikar’s petition challenging Ravindra Waikar’s win in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, dismissed
In an application filed under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (‘CPC’) by Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, the winning candidate of Shiv Sena Party from Mumbai’s 27 North-West Constituency in the 2024 General Elections, seeking rejection of an Election Petition (‘EP’) filed byAmol Gajanan Kirtikar, from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Party for declaration of his election as void, a Single Judge Bench of Sandeep V. Marne, J.*, after analysing the EP, held that it failed to disclose any cause of action for making out any of the grounds under Section 100(1)(d)(iii) or (iv) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (‘RP Act’) and did not comply with Section 83(1) (a) of the RP Act. Holding this, the Court allowed the application filed by Ravindra Dattaram Waikar and dismissed the EP. Read more HERE
GST
DELHI HIGH COURT | Telecommunication towers not ‘immovable property’ under Section 17(5)(d) of CGST Act; ₹5454 crore GST demand quashed
A petition was filed by Indus Towers (petitioner) challenging the common show-cause notice issued for pan India 48 GST registrations raising a staggering demand of Rs. 5454,64,35,047/- and characterization of telecommunication towers as immovable property and thus falling within the ambit of Section 17(5) of the CGST Act and being illegible for input tax credit. A division bench of Yashwant Varma and Girish Kathpalia, JJ., set aside the impugned orders and directed the authorities to re-examine the matter, ensuring that the interpretation aligns with the statutory purpose of facilitating seamless input tax credit and avoiding cascading tax burdens. Read more HERE
HEALTH INSURANCE
KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘Medical reimbursement cannot be denied for treatment in hospital unapproved by Insurer’; ESIC directed to reimburse medical expenses
In a writ petition filed by the petitioner-wife seeking reimbursement of medical expenses for her husband’s surgery and processing of her insurance claim, a single judge bench of C.S. Dias, J. allowed the writ petition, pointing out that Employees State Insurance Corporation (‘ESIC’) cannot on the grounds of technicality i.e. demanding an emergency certificate, try to avoid processing the claim. Further, the Court directed ESIC to immediately process the petitioner’s claim and reimburse her for the medical expenses incurred for her husband’s treatment at any rate, within a period of 60 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment. Read more HERE
INDEMNITY
BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Rs 1 Lakh cost imposed on Lalit Modi for seeking indemnification from BCCI against ED’s penalty
In a writ petition filed by businessman Lalit Kumar Modi against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (‘BCCI’) seeking indemnity from a Rs 10.65 Crore penalty imposed by Enforcement Directorate (‘ED’) in 2018, the Division Bench of M.S. Sonak and Jitendra Jain, JJ., imposed costs of ₹1 lakh on the petitioner, directing the amount to be paid to Tata Memorial Hospital, as in matters concerning the alleged indemnification of the petitioner for penalties imposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), there was no question of discharging any public function, and therefore, no writ could be issued to the BCCI in this regard. Read more HERE
INJUNCTION
DELHI HIGH COURT | Notice issued to Marico Ltd. in application for setting aside injunction order against Alpino Health Foods Pvt. Ltd.
In an application filed by Alpino Health Foods Pvt. Ltd. (‘Alpino Health’) under Order 39, Rule 4 read with Section 151 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (‘CPC’) to seek vacation/setting aside of the ex-parte ad interim injunction order dated 29-08-2024, a Single Judge Bench of Mini Pushkarna, J. issued notice to Marico Limited (‘Marico’) and allowed it to file a reply within four weeks. Read more HERE
INTELLECTUALPROPERTY RIGHTS
DELHI HIGH COURT | Ex-parte ad-interim injunction granted in favour of Mankind Pharma Ltd. to restrain infringement of trade mark
In a suit filed by Mankind Pharma Ltd. (‘Mankind’) against Sepkind Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (‘Sepkind’) seeking permanent injunction to restrain the infringement of their trade mark “MANKIND”, copyright, passing off, unfair trade practice, rendition of accounts, damages, etc., a Single Judge Bench of Mini Pushkarna, J. granted an ex-parte ad-interim injunction to Mankind and barred Sepkind from usage of the impugned trade mark. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | Injunction granted in favor of IKEA in trademark infringement case against IKEY
A suit was filed by Inter IKEA Systems BV (plaintiff) seeking permanent injunction restraining infringement of trademark, passing off, rendition of accounts, damages, and delivery up, etc. Mini Pushkarna, J., restrained defendant 1, its partners, their legal heirs, proprietors, employees, servants, agents, representatives and all others in active concert or participation with them, from selling/ advertising/ importing/ exporting or in any other way dealing in goods and providing services under the impugned mark ‘IKEY’, ‘IKEY and/or any other deceptively similar mark, in any manner which amounts to infringement of the plaintiff’s IKEA trademark and amounting to passing off of the defendant 1’s products as that of the plaintiff. Read more HERE
DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘JV Evergreen Sweets and Treats’ restrained from infringing ‘Evergreen’ mark
A suit was filed by Evergreen Sweet House (plaintiff) seeking relief of permanent injunction restraining the defendants from infringing the trademarks of the plaintiff and passing off their business as that of the plaintiff and other ancillary reliefs. Amit Bansal, J., restrained defendant 1 from using “JV Evergreen Sweets & Treats” or any other mark, trade dress, packaging/marketing material which bears the mark “Evergreen” or any other mark which is identical or deceptively like the mark “Evergreen”, in any manner whatsoever, till the final adjudication of the suit. Read more HERE
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | No bar on Public Trust to file application under Order I Rule 10 CPC for impleadment as necessary party in appeal
In a civil writ petition challenging the Commissioner’s order which rejected the petitioner’s application under Order I Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (CPC) to implead the Public Trust as a party to the appeal, a single-judge bench of Nupur Bhati, J., set aside the Commissioner’s order and directed the impleadment of the Public Trust in the appeal pending before the Commissioner. Read more HERE
PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | [Devotees Castration Case] Order of SJM directing CBI to produce documents requested by Ram Rahim, set aside
In a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (‘CBI’) under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) seeking an order to set aside the order dated 16-02-2019 by the Special Judicial Magistrate (SJM), CBI Haryana, Panchkula whereby CBI was directed to place on record and supply certain witness statements and documents mentioned in applications dated 25-01-2019 and 31-01-2019 preferred by Gurmeet Ram Rahim (‘Ram Rahim’) (respondent 1) and respondent 2 respectively, a Single Judge Bench of Kuldeep Tiwari*, J. held that the impugned order failed to pass the test of legality and remanded the matter back to the Special Judicial Magistrate for deciding the matter afresh in line with legal principles laid down herein within four weeks. Read more HERE
PUBLIC SAFETY
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Suo-motu cognizance taken of massive fire on Jaipur-Ajmer-Kishangarh-Bhankrota Highway
While taking suo motu cognizance of massive fire on Jaipur-Ajmer-Kishangarh-Bhankrota Highway to find out the solutions to overcome such unfortunate incidents of fire at public places in the interest of public at large, a single-judge bench of Anoop Kumar Dhand, J., issued notice to the respondents as to why the directions related to urgent need for coordinated government actions to prevent such tragedies, including strict law enforcement, improved infrastructure, and public safety measures, should not be issued against them. Read more HERE
QUASHMENT OF FIR/PROCEEDINGS
DELHI HIGH COURT | FIR against DU professor for derogatory tweet on ‘Shiva Ling’ found at Gyanvapi Mosque, Varanasi, refused to be quashed
A petition was filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”) earlier Section 482 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by the petitioner seeking to quash the FIR registered for the offences punishable under Sections 153-A and 295-A of Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). Chandra Dhari Singh, J., refused to quash the FIR as prima facie, the actions and tweet/post made by the petitioner created disturbance of the harmony of the society with intent to hurt the sentiments of a large number of the society. Read more HERE
RIGHTS OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED/ DISABLED PERSONS
MANIPUR HIGH COURT | Report sought from State on making public buildings accessible to PwD and elderly persons
In a public interest litigation for public buildings situated in Churachandpur District, Manipur accessible to people with disability and elderly persons by providing Ramps & Toilets as prescribed under Section 45(1) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 read with Rule 15(a) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, the Division Bench of D. Krishnakumar, CJ*. and Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, J. directed the State Government to file a report before the Court regarding the action taken in this behalf before the next hearing. Read more HERE
SCs, STs, OBCs AND MINORITIES
DELHI HIGH COURT | Children should not be penalized because their father chose abandonment over divorce; Directed fresh representation
A petition was filed by a minor seeking issuance of a Scheduled Caste certificate under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) (Union Territories) Order, 1951. Sanjeev Narula, J., directs the petitioner to submit a fresh representation enclosing therewith all the relevant documents to support the application, including the caste certificate of his mother, and detailing the circumstances that entitle him to avail the benefit of the circulars dated 20-07-2020 and 13-07-2022. Read more HERE
SERVICE LAW
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Compassionate appointment can only be granted after DIOS approval, not by Management of the Institution
In a writ petition praying to direct the District Inspector of Schools, Kasganj (‘DIOS’) to grant approval to the petitioner’s appointment as a Clerk with the Sant Tulsidas Municipal Inter College, Kasganj (‘Institution’) made by the Management on 06.-3-2024 under the Dying-in-Rules, the single judge bench of J.J. Munir, J*. issued a mandamus to the Manager of the Institution to report all necessary particulars regarding the death of the petitioner’s father to the DIOS within seven days of receiving the order. The DIOS was then directed to process the petitioner’s case in accordance with Regulations 104 and 105 under the Uttar Pradesh Intermediate Education Act, 1921 (‘Act, 1921’) and present it to the Committee for consideration. The Committee was instructed to make a decision regarding the petitioner’s appointment within one month of receiving the particulars. After the Committee’s recommendations were made, DIOS was to issue the necessary instructions for the petitioner’s appointment within another month. Read more HERE
SLAUGHTERHOUSES
MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | ‘Mandsaur is a Religious City’ argument against the establishment of Slaughterhouse, rejected
In a writ petition challenging the Chief Municipal Officer’s order refusing to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for slaughtering buffaloes and trading in meat in Mandsaur, a single-judge bench of Pranay Verma, J., directed the respondent authorities to issue an NOC for the petitioner to establish a temporary slaughterhouse, pending approval for the modern facility. Read more HERE
WATER POLLUTION
KERALA HIGH COURT | “Embarrassment for the whole city”: Suo motu cognizance taken and directions issued after food poisoning at Ponnurunni Anganwadi
In a suo motu writ petition initiated by High Court, after seeing news visuals about the food poisoning incident in an Anganwadi in Ponnuruni, the division bench of Bechu Kurian Thomas* and Gopinath P, JJ. instructed the Secretary of the Kochi Corporation, or the responsible authority, to file an affidavit detailing the steps being taken to clear the filth from the city’s drains and prevent the accumulation of plastic and other waste in these areas, as well as in the rivers and backwaters. Additionally, the Secretary of the Local Self Government was directed to submit an affidavit regarding the agencies responsible for waste collection and disposal from local authorities, hospitals, and other bulk waste generators. The Court emphasized the importance of tracking how these agencies manage and dispose of the waste they collect. Furthermore, the Amicus Curiae was asked to submit a brief report identifying areas that require the Court’s attention concerning the accumulation of waste in drains. Read more HERE