Here is the daily roundup of important judgments and orders from the Supreme Court and the High Courts for August 13, 2026.
Delhi HC Imposes ₹25K Costs On Litigant For Seeking Case Transfer Based On Trial Judge’s Oral Remarks
The Delhi High Court dismissed a transfer petition after finding that apprehension based on oral courtroom observations was insufficient. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that allegations against a judicial officer require adequate material and cannot rest merely on a litigant’s interpretation of courtroom exchanges. Costs of Rs. 25,000 were imposed. Read more...
Allahabad High Court Refuses to Quash Notice Over Mosque on Land Recorded as Qabristan
The Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition challenging a Section 67 notice concerning alleged occupation of land recorded as Qabristan. Justice Alok Mathur held that the petitioner’s grounds were matters of defence before the competent revenue authority. The Court directed that his reply be considered before any final order. Read more...
Appellate Court Cannot Substitute Trial Judge’s Discretion on Interim Injunction Unless Order Is Perverse: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court restored an interim injunction in a family estate dispute, holding that appellate courts should not substitute their discretion for that of the trial court unless the order is arbitrary or perverse. The Bench also cautioned against deciding contested questions of title, undue influence and statutory interpretation at the interim stage. Read more...
Supreme Court Examines Whether Legislative Split Can Percolate Into Political Party In Shiv Sena Symbol Dispute
The Supreme Court examined whether a split originating in a political party's legislative wing can subsequently extend into its organisation and primary membership. The Bench also questioned the relevant date for assessing the Election Commission's jurisdiction under Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order while hearing the challenge to the Shiv Sena symbol decision. Read more...
‘Kill a Mosquito With a Sword’: Bombay HC Pulls Up Maharashtra FDA Over Hasty Regulatory Action
The Bombay High Court cautioned Maharashtra FDA against disproportionate enforcement while hearing matters involving Amazon Retail India and Cadila Pharmaceuticals. The Division Bench stressed that regulatory authorities must follow prescribed procedures and exercise statutory powers judiciously. The Court recorded undertakings concerning FDA action and issued further directions in both matters. Read more...
J&K High Court Rejects ₹50 Lakh Compensation Plea After NDPS FIR Closed For Lack Of Evidence
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court dismissed a petition seeking compensation of ₹50 lakh each after an NDPS FIR was closed for lack of sufficient evidence. Justice Shahzad Azeem found that the FIR was lawfully registered and the investigation followed due process, with no proven mala fide conduct or fundamental rights violation. Read more...
Supreme Court Orders CBI Probe Into Chhattisgarh Custodial Death, Directs ₹25 Lakh Interim Compensation Amid Serious Questions Over Investigation
The Supreme Court directed the CBI to investigate Shravan Suryavanshi’s custodial death in Chhattisgarh after questioning the State’s failure to act on a judicial inquiry report. The Bench also ordered ₹25 lakh interim compensation to his family, while directing examination of the conduct of officials involved in handling the matter. Read more...
Tripura HC Refuses to Quash FIR Against Content Creator Madhabi Biswas Over Alleged Remarks Against PM Modi
The Tripura High Court declined to quash FIRs and charge-sheets against content creator Madhabi Biswas Chakraborty over alleged defamatory social media remarks. The Bench held that the allegations disclosed a prima facie case and ordered further investigation, directing the Investigating Officer to submit a supplementary charge-sheet before the trial court. Read more...
Supreme Court Says GST Arrest Order Under Section 69 Must Be Communicated Before Arrest, Sets Aside One-Week Protection
The Supreme Court held that a Section 69 CGST arrest authorisation must be communicated before arrest, enabling the concerned person to seek legal remedies. It also ruled that courts cannot grant interim arrest protection after dismissing a pre-arrest bail application. The Court set aside the Bombay High Court’s protection order. Read more...
Delhi HC Restores Look-Out Circular Against Vikas Chaudhary, Says Courts Cannot Reassess Economic Interest Material
The Delhi High Court allowed the Income Tax Department’s appeal against the quashing of a Look Out Circular issued against Vikas Chaudhary. The Bench held that judicial review does not permit courts to reassess whether investigative material is sufficient, particularly in economic matters. It restored the LOC and dismissed his writ petition. Read more...
Supreme Court Rejects Plea By Labour Tribunal Judges Seeking 6th Pay Commission Benefits
Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition by two re-employed Presiding Officers of Central Government Industrial Tribunals seeking 6th Pay Commission scales, ruling their pay classification alongside District Judiciary was reasonable and non-arbitrary. Read more...
Rahul Gandhi Moves Supreme Court Against Allahabad HC Orders Directing CBI, ED to Verify Disproportionate Assets Allegations
Rahul Gandhi has moved the Supreme Court against Allahabad High Court directions concerning a plea alleging disproportionate assets. The High Court had asked the CBI and ED to verify the allegations and report progress. Gandhi has also filed a transfer petition, with both matters listed before the Supreme Court on August 17. Read more...
Electrocution Compensation Cannot Be Decided on Disputed Facts Through Writ Petition, Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court set aside Karnataka High Court compensation orders in two electrocution cases, holding that disputed factual issues could not be properly decided through writ proceedings. It held electricity authorities may face strict liability, subject to exceptions, while compensation must be assessed on a just and reasonable basis. Read more...
Calcutta HC Seeks West Bengal’s Response on Alleged Removal of Loudspeakers from Mosques
The Calcutta High Court sought instructions from the West Bengal Government on allegations that police officials pressured mosques to remove loudspeakers used for Azaan. The Bench questioned the lack of specific instances and declined immediate interim relief, directing the State to respond before the next hearing. Read more...
₹20 Lakh Cyber Fraud Case: Supreme Court Stays Rajasthan HC Direction to Recover Investigation Cost from Victim
The Supreme Court stayed Rajasthan High Court observations directing recovery of police investigation expenses from a government teacher who allegedly lost ₹20 lakh in cyber fraud. Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran also sought responses from the State and other respondents after the teacher challenged the direction. Read more...
Breach of Contract Is Not Cheating Without Fraudulent Intent From Start, Supreme Court Quashes FIR
The Supreme Court quashed an FIR arising from a camphor distributorship dispute, holding that the allegations did not show dishonest intention at the beginning of the transaction or entrustment required for criminal breach of trust. Read more...
Delhi High Court Orders Fresh Audit of 38 Hospitals, Seeks Action on ICU Bed and Unused Equipment Gaps
The Delhi High Court reviewed an NIC audit of 38 government hospitals and found gaps in digital hospital systems, emergency communication and medical equipment use. The Bench directed Delhi authorities to address deficiencies, clarify the common helpline arrangement, examine unused equipment and submit comprehensive status reports before the next hearing. Read more...
Kerala HC Questions Suspension of Teacher Over Savarkar Quiz Question, Seeks State’s Explanation
The Kerala High Court sought the State’s response to a teacher’s challenge against his suspension over a quiz question identifying V.D. Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the maximum punishment from the British. Justice Viju Abraham questioned whether suspension could operate as punishment while disciplinary proceedings continued. Read more...
Supreme Court Upholds Taxi Driver’s Murder Conviction, But Spares Life Sentence Due to Juvenility
Supreme Court upheld Dinesh Kumar's conviction for a 1998 murder in Haryana but ruled his life sentence void since he was a juvenile at the time, ordering no further custody as he had already served the maximum permissible period. Read more...
Delhi HC Allows Dabur to Sell Existing Cool King Stock, Makes Recall of Unsold Products Mandatory
The Delhi High Court allowed Dabur to dispose of its existing Cool King stock under strict conditions, while rejecting its request to avoid recalling unsold products. The Bench held that once the injunction was affirmed on appeal, any variation had to come from the appellate court. The appeal was allowed. Read more...
Supreme Court Clarifies Interest Maintained in Suspense Account Forms Part of Bank Debt, Restores PNB’s ₹54.90 Lakh Claim
The Supreme Court restored the DRAT’s determination of ₹54.90 lakh as payable to Punjab National Bank, holding that the Orissa High Court had wrongly ignored interest maintained in a separate suspense account after the loan became an NPA. The Court set aside the High Court’s ₹29.55 lakh settlement order. Read more...
