Here is the Daily Roundup of Important Judgments and Orders from the Supreme Court and the High Courts for August 20, 2026.
Call Detail Records Can't Be Denied Solely On Privacy Grounds If Relevant To Fair Trial, Says Uttarakhand High Court
The Uttarakhand High Court set aside an order refusing CDRs solely on victim privacy grounds, holding that relevant electronic evidence must be considered while balancing privacy with the accused’s right to a fair trial. Read more...
‘Reserved For Ladies’ Sign Must Be In Bold On Women’s Reserved Bus Seats: J&K High Court
The J&K High Court directed transport authorities to ensure reserved seats for women in large and mini buses. It also ordered awareness programmes for drivers and helpers and directed the Transport Department and Traffic Police to establish a complaint and redressal mechanism for women commuters. Read more...
Police Cannot Independently Investigate PCPNDT Act Offences, Supreme Court Clarifies
The Supreme Court has ruled that police cannot ordinarily act as the primary investigators for offences under the PCPNDT Act. The Court held that the Appropriate Authority has the statutory responsibility to investigate complaints, while police can provide assistance when required under the Act. Read more...
Delhi HC Denies Relief to Doctor Whose Cardiology Fellowship Was Cancelled Over Missed Cut-Off Date
Delhi High Court dismissed Dr. Sanchari Ghosh's petition against NBEMS cancelling her cardiac electrophysiology fellowship, ruling she missed the eligibility cut-off, while also fining NBEMS for delayed verification. Read more...
No Vigilance Probe Warranted Against DGP S. Sreejith For Now, Kerala High Court Closes Proceedings
The Kerala High Court closed proceedings concerning allegations against DGP S. Sreejith after the Additional Chief Secretary informed the Court that no Vigilance investigation was warranted as of now. Justice A. Badharudeen also cautioned officials to comply strictly with judicial directions. Read more...
‘Industry’ Definition: Supreme Court 9-Judge Bench Modifies Triple Test Laid Down in 1978 Bangalore Water Supply Case
The Supreme Court’s nine-judge Constitution Bench has modified the 1978 triple test for determining an “industry” under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act. The 5:4 majority made the reformulation prospective, directing that pending cases under the repealed Act continue to follow the earlier Bangalore Water Supply test. Read more...
Calcutta HC Dismisses PIL Alleging Verbal Ban on Loudspeakers at Mosques and Temples in Bengal
Calcutta High Court dismissed a PIL by Md. Danish Farooqui alleging verbal police directions to remove loudspeakers from West Bengal mosques and temples, ruling the claims lacked documentary evidence and specific particulars. Read more...
Tarun Tejpal Moves Supreme Court Against 10-Year Sentence In 2013 Rape Case
Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal has challenged before the Supreme Court the Bombay High Court’s August 6 conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the 2013 case. The High Court had overturned his 2021 acquittal after reassessing the evidence and finding the trial court’s approach legally unsustainable. Read more...
Madhya Pradesh High Court Quashes Recovery Order Against Housing Retired Officer
The Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed a recovery order and appeal rejection against a retired Housing Board Estate Officer, holding both orders were passed without recording reasons, and directed a refund with interest. Read more...
‘Never Expected From Senior Members of Bar’: P&H High Court Expresses Concern Over Advocate’s Remarks During DSP Bail Hearing
Punjab and Haryana High Court granted interim protection from arrest to DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu in two FIRs alleging extortion and corruption, while directing the State to clarify the complainant's role before the next hearing on September 7, 2026. Read more...
Delhi HC Says Social Media Restrictions For Children Are Policy Matter, Leaves Decision To Centre
The Delhi High Court has disposed of a PIL seeking restrictions on children’s social media access and stronger safeguards against CSAM. The Bench held that deciding on bans or restrictions is a policy matter for the government and asked the Centre to consider the petitioners’ suggestions after consulting stakeholders. Read more...
Calcutta HC Questions HDFC Bank Over Abhishek Banerjee Account Block, Orders KYC At Residence
The Calcutta High Court questioned HDFC Bank over restrictions placed on Abhishek Banerjee’s personal account and card facilities. Justice Krishna Rao sought an explanation for requiring his physical presence for additional KYC. The bank agreed to send an official to his residence, while the Court directed completion of the KYC process. Read more...
Delhi High Court dismisses Lalit Modi’s plea challenging arbitration award over Vasant Vihar property
The Delhi High Court dismissed Lalit Modi’s Section 34 challenge to an arbitral award arising from a property dispute with BDR Builders. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that the award was validly made on agreed terms and that the alleged arbitrator non-disclosure did not establish statutory ineligibility or justifiable doubts about impartiality. Read more...
Supreme Court Stays Calcutta HC Ruling Requiring Hotels to Pay Copyright Royalties on Cable TV
The Supreme Court has stayed the Calcutta High Court ruling that required hotels to obtain separate copyright licences for literary and musical works transmitted through cable television in guest rooms. The Bench of Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Arun Palli issued notice to IPRS while hearing the hotel's challenge. Read more...
J&K High Court Upholds Brahmanand Saraswati’s Conviction, Maintains 10-Year Sentence in Minor Rape Case
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court dismissed Brahmanand Saraswati’s criminal appeal against his conviction under Section 376 RPC. Justice M.A. Chowdhary held that the prosecution evidence, including the prosecutrix’s testimony and DNA findings, supported the conviction and maintained the 10-year rigorous imprisonment and fine imposed by the trial court. Read more...
Mother’s Earnings No Ground to Halve Father’s Liability: Supreme Court Restores Rs 60k Maintenance for Daughters
The Supreme Court restored Rs 60,000 monthly interim maintenance for two minor daughters, overturning the Allahabad High Court’s reduction to Rs 30,000. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta held that the mother’s employment alone could not justify halving the father’s liability towards the children. Read more...
Revenue Mutation Cannot Extinguish Property Title: Supreme Court Restores Co-Ownership Rights of Ramprasad’s Legal Heirs
The Supreme Court restored the property rights claimed by Ramprasad’s legal heirs, holding that revenue mutation alone cannot extinguish title. It also ruled that the Madhya Pradesh High Court exceeded its limited second-appellate jurisdiction by disturbing concurrent factual findings without establishing perversity or a legal error. Read more...
