Here is the Daily Roundup of Important Judgments and Orders from the Supreme Court and the High Courts for August 19, 2026.
SEBI Not Obliged To Gather Information From Third Parties Under RTI Act, Bombay High Court Clarifies
The Bombay High Court has set aside CIC orders directing SEBI to obtain information from BSE for RTI applicants. The Court held that the RTI Act does not generally require a public authority to collect or compile information unavailable in its records, relying on Supreme Court precedent. Read more...
Where Life Imprisonment Is Imposed, Other Sentences Must Run Concurrently, Not Consecutively: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has set aside the Madras High Court’s enhancement of Gopi’s life sentence to imprisonment for the remainder of natural life. The Court held that enhancement was impermissible without an appeal by the State, victim or complainant and further directed all sentences to run concurrently. Read more...
Mamata Banerjee-I-PAC Case: Supreme Court Continues Hearing ED’s Plea For CBI Investigation
The Supreme Court continued hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s plea seeking a CBI investigation into alleged obstruction of its I-PAC search operation. The Bench examined arguments on maintainability and merits, with ED officials concluding their submissions. Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy’s arguments remained incomplete, and the matter was posted for September 2, 2026. Read more...
Supreme Court Collegium Approves Appointment of Judges Across Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Gauhati, Calcutta and P&H High Courts
The Supreme Court Collegium, at its August 18, 2026 meeting, approved several judicial appointments across five High Courts. The decisions include appointments of advocates and Judicial Officers, permanent elevation of two Additional Judges, and fresh six-month terms for six Additional Judges of the Calcutta High Court. Read more...
Delhi HC Holds UAPA Accused Cannot Claim Default Bail After 90 Days Under BNSS, Dismisses Jasir Bilal Wani’s Appeal
Delhi High Court ruled that UAPA's reference to Cr.P.C.'s Section 167 must be read as Section 187 BNSS, meaning accused can still be detained up to 180 days, dismissing Jasir Bilal Wani's default bail appeal in the Lal Qila blast case. Read more...
No Discrimination in Temple Prasadam, Theertham and Prabandham Recitation: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court disposed of a PIL alleging discrimination against non-Brahmin Thenkalai devotees at Kancheepuram’s Devaraja Swamy Temple. The Court recorded assurances from the temple administration against discrimination in distributing Theertham, Satari and Prasadam and in allowing devotees to recite Prabandhams during worship, subject to established traditional service rights. Read more...
RPF Constables Cannot Escape Discharge After Concealing Pending Criminal Cases: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court dismissed appeals challenging the discharge of RPF and RPSF constables who failed to disclose pending criminal cases during recruitment. The Bench held that the verification rules and attestation form clearly required such disclosure and found the authorities' decisions consistent with the principles laid down in Avtar Singh. Read more...
‘Speculative Litigation’: Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Challenging Priyadarshini Free Bus Scheme
The Kerala High Court dismissed a PIL against the Priyadarshini Bus Scheme, finding no corroborative material to establish that overcrowding caused accidents. The Bench called the petition speculative but directed the State to adequately safeguard passenger safety in buses operating under the scheme. Read more...
NEET-UG | Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Affidavit on NTA Reforms, Stresses Institutionalising Exam Body to Prevent Paper Leaks
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to file an affidavit detailing implementation of recommendations for National Testing Agency reforms. Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe stressed permanent infrastructure, specialised manpower, technology and institutional memory to ensure examination safeguards remain effective despite changes in personnel. Read more...
Delhi HC Reserves Verdict on Plea Seeking Inclusion of Homeless Persons in SIR Electoral Roll Revision
The Delhi High Court reserved its order on a PIL seeking safeguards for homeless and demolition-displaced persons during SIR electoral roll revision. The Bench questioned whether courts could monitor implementation of an existing policy, while the Election Commission said mechanisms were already available for such voters. Read more...
Karnataka HC Refuses Prosecution Plea to Cross-Examine Renukaswamy’s Mother in Darshan Case
Karnataka High Court dismissed a State petition seeking permission to cross-examine the mother of deceased Renukaswamy in the Darshan murder trial, ruling that her statements did not show hostility warranting such permission under Section 154 of the Evidence Act. Read more...
Kerala High Court Orders Publication of Names of 1,157 Advocates Without Cleared AIBE
The Kerala High Court directed publication of a list of 1,157 advocates who had not cleared the AIBE or obtained a valid Certificate of Practice. The Bench ordered the Bar Council’s ad-hoc committee to verify their status and directed court Registries to follow specified procedures regarding vakalatnamas filed by them. Read more...
Supreme Court Asks Centre To Consider Permanent Commission For Woman Coast Guard Officer Priya Tyagi
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider permanent commission for Coast Guard officer Priya Tyagi under its new policy. The Bench questioned the basis for denying women permanent commission and stressed that differences between the Coast Guard and other forces cannot completely exclude women from such opportunities. Read more...
Kerala HC Calls for Full-Fledged Food Testing Lab at Pamba for Sabarimala Food Safety
The Kerala High Court has sought steps toward establishing a fully equipped food testing laboratory at Pamba. The Bench noted that existing facilities were inadequate for continuous testing of Sabarimala food items. Authorities were directed to provide details on infrastructure, manpower, feasibility and the proposed timeline for starting the facility. Read more...
‘We Can’t Tolerate This’: Supreme Court Gives Odisha Final Chance to Decide Dara Singh’s Remission Plea
The Supreme Court has given Odisha’s Sentence Review Board another opportunity to decide Dara Singh’s remission plea. The Bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Vijay Bishnoi expressed displeasure over repeated delays and directed the Board to take a decision before the matter is heard again on September 2, 2026. Read more....
CrPC | Rejection of S. 156(3) Application Does Not Bar Subsequent FIR on Same Allegations: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled that rejection of a Section 156(3) CrPC application does not prevent subsequent FIR registration on the same or similar allegations. The Court held that such rejection is not a final merits decision and does not extinguish the police’s statutory duty to register a cognizable offence. Read more...
Repeated Pursuit, Threats and Marriage Interference Prima Facie Show Abetment: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court rejected a plea seeking quashing of proceedings against Naveen G. Justice M. Nagaprasanna held that allegations of repeated pursuit, threats, interference with marriage prospects and continuation of the conduct after an earlier suicide attempt prima facie warranted a full trial. Read more...
KSRTC Road Accident Case: Supreme Court Removes 50% Negligence Deduction, Awards Rs 50.81 Lakh Compensation
The Supreme Court overturned a 50% contributory negligence finding against a Santro driver, restored the Tribunal’s negligence finding against the KSRTC bus driver, reassessed the deceased’s income at Rs 70,000 monthly, and awarded Rs 50.81 lakh compensation with 6% annual interest. Read more...
Kerala High Court Allows Christian Women to File Divorce Cases Where They Currently Reside
The Kerala High Court has held that a Christian wife can file a divorce petition before the Family Court having jurisdiction over her present residence. The Division Bench interpreted Section 3(3) of the Divorce Act in light of constitutional gender equality and allowed the writ appeal. Read more...
Recovery of Money Cannot Sustain Corruption Conviction Without Proof of Bribe Demand: Supreme Court Acquits Two Gujarat Panchayat Employees
The Supreme Court acquitted two Gujarat Panchayat employees in a 1996 corruption case, holding that the alleged ₹120 demand was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. The Court found recovery of ₹20 insufficient without proof of demand and also held the prosecution sanction against the Talati-cum-Mantri invalid. Read more...
Delhi HC Seeks NALSA Response on Free Forensic Help for Legal-Aid Litigants Under BSA Electronic Evidence Rules
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from NALSA and the Central Government on a PIL seeking free forensic assistance for legal-aid beneficiaries required to comply with Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, for electronic evidence. Read more...
TVS Motor's 'Referral Charges' From Banks Are Taxable, But No Penalty As Tax Was Already Paid: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ruled TVS Motor's referral charges from banks and an insurer are taxable as Business Auxiliary Service. Since the company paid its tax dues before the show cause notice, the penalty imposed on it was set aside, partly allowing the appeal. Read more...
No Valid Settlement Without Consent of All Claimants: Supreme Court Quashes Lok Adalat Awards in Land Compensation Case
The Supreme Court set aside Lok Adalat awards concerning compensation for acquired land, holding that rival title claims could not be settled without participation and signatures of all disputing claimants. It remanded the matter to the Principal District Judge, Khammam for fresh adjudication of the compensation apportionment dispute. Read more...
‘Parity Is Not a Mechanical Mathematical Formula’, Specific Role of Each Accused Must Be Examined While Considering Bail: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court refused bail to Rajendra Prasad, holding that bail granted to co-accused does not automatically establish parity. The Bench considered the petitioner’s alleged specific role, ongoing trial, witness concerns and prolonged custody, while directing attention to recording evidence of eight sensitive witnesses within one year. Read more...
