Here is the Daily Roundup of Important Judgments and Orders from the Supreme Court and the High Courts for August 21, 2026.
Caste-Based Remarks Inside Enclosed Room Do Not Meet ‘Public View’ Requirement Under SC/ST Act: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court quashed proceedings under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act against a school manager, holding that the alleged caste-based remarks were not shown to have occurred within public view. Proceedings concerning the remaining IPC offences were allowed to continue. Read more...
Supreme Court Holds UP Gangsters Act ‘Stillborn’, Quashes Proceedings Against Two Advocates
The Supreme Court has held that the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act, in its present form, does not create an independent criminal offence. The Bench quashed proceedings against two advocates, ruling that a Gang Chart under the Rules cannot create penal liability where the parent statute itself does not create an offence. Read more...
‘If Authorities Jeer at Courts, That’s Very Bad’: Bombay HC Pulls Up BMC Over Football Ground Resolution
The Bombay High Court criticised the BMC for approving a change concerning a Bandra football ground despite an earlier assurance to maintain status quo. The Court raised concerns over the authority’s conduct and directed BMC and other respondents not to take further steps on the August 18 resolution until further orders. Read more...
‘English Native or Foreign?’ Supreme Court Questions CBSE Language Policy, Seeks Reconsideration of Class 6 Rollout
The Supreme Court questioned CBSE’s revised three-language policy, particularly the classification of English as non-indigenous and its implementation for students. The Bench sought reconsideration of possible relief for existing Class 6 students, teacher and textbook availability, and the appropriate starting point. The matter was posted after 10 days. Read more...
Divorce Appeal Becomes Infructuous After Remarriage When Earlier Appeal Was Dismissed For Default: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court dismissed a divorce appeal after finding that the respondent’s remarriage rendered the proceedings infructuous. The Bench also upheld findings of cruelty and constructive desertion, and held that Section 15 loses its effect once an appeal has been dismissed for default in such circumstances. Read more...
Supreme Court Rejects NIRD Professor’s Plea for GPF Pension Benefits, Upholds CPF Scheme
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by K. Suman Chandra seeking coverage under the General Provident Fund-cum-Pension Scheme instead of the Central Pension Fund Scheme. The Court held that his case was covered by its earlier ruling concerning identical regularisation conditions applicable to another NIRD professor. Read more...
Kerala HC Bars Advocate From Virtual Proceedings Over Unauthorised Recording and Uploading of Court Hearings
The Kerala High Court took serious note of unauthorised recording and online publication of its proceedings. Referring to the 2025 Electronic Audio-Video Linkage Rules and a recent Supreme Court interim order, the Bench directed notice to the alleged contemnor and barred participation in Kerala court proceedings through virtual mode until further orders. Read more...
Bombay HC Upholds IBBI’s 0.25% Regulatory Fee Under Regulation 31A, Rejects Challenge by Resolution Applicants Under IBC
The Bombay High Court upheld Regulation 31A of the IBBI Regulations, confirming the Board’s authority to levy a 0.25% regulatory fee in specified insolvency resolution proceedings. The Bench rejected challenges based on statutory authority, taxation, retrospectivity, proportionality and Article 14, and dismissed all four connected writ petitions. Read more...
Supreme Court Restores Recall Plea In Bombay HC, Directs Appointment Of Advocate Receiver In Gujarat Land Dispute
The Supreme Court partly set aside a Bombay High Court order after finding it had exceeded the scope of the appeal. It restored an interim application for consideration according to law. In connected Gujarat proceedings, the Court modified existing orders and directed appointment of an Advocate Receiver to supervise the disputed agricultural land. Read more...
Supreme Court Reduces Civil Judge Entry Practice Requirement From 3 Years To 1 Year, Grants Relaxation Till March 2027
The Supreme Court has reduced the prior legal practice requirement for entry-level judicial service from three years to one year. Candidates covered by the transition period can apply without prior practice until March 31, 2027, but selected candidates must undergo one year of academy training and one year of supervised clerkship. Read more...
Same-Sex Partners Can Live Together, But Why Deny Them Medical Decision-Making Rights? Delhi High Court Questions Centre
The Delhi High Court questioned why same-sex partners should not be allowed to make medical decisions for each other when live-in relationships receive legal recognition. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sought the Centre’s response on the issue and directed it to file its counter affidavit within a week. Read more...
Can Right To Work Become A Fundamental Right? Supreme Court Hears Plea On Rural Employment Minimum Wages
The Supreme Court examined whether statutory rural employment guarantees can be treated at par with the fundamental right to life under Article 21. The Bench also considered minimum wage claims and delayed payment compensation after the new employment law replaced MGNREGA. The Court directed the issues to be raised afresh. Read more...
Supreme Court Says PSC Eligibility Decision Is Final Under Rule 10, Directs Appointment of Selected Registrar
The Supreme Court held that a Public Service Commission's eligibility determination is final under Rule 10 of the Chhattisgarh State Universities Service Rules, 1983. While the State may verify documents and identify obvious deficiencies, it cannot conduct an independent detailed reassessment. The Court directed Dr. Shailendra Kumar Patel's appointment as Registrar. Read more...
Madras HC Issues Notice on Arun IPS’s ₹1 Crore Defamation Suit Against Savukku Shankar
The Madras High Court has issued notice on IPS officer A Arun’s defamation suit against YouTuber Savukku Shankar. Arun seeks ₹1,00,05,000 in damages and restraint against alleged defamatory publications. Justice K. Govindarajan Thilakavadi has also issued notice to Google, YouTube and X Corp. Read more...
Mere Credit of Alleged Fraud Proceeds Cannot Establish Guilt: MP High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Retired IFS officer
The Madhya Pradesh High Court granted anticipatory bail to 78-year-old retired IFS officer Govindappa Jayaramaiah in an alleged cheating and forgery case. Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari held that credit of alleged crime proceeds into his account alone did not establish knowing involvement, particularly when the transactions could be investigated through banking and electronic records. Read more...
Delhi HC Dismisses Khan Market Welfare Association Plea Seeking Uniform Property Tax Assessment Method
The Delhi High Court dismissed Khan Market Welfare Association’s writ petition seeking a uniform method for NDMC property-tax assessment and an expert committee. The Bench held that Article 226 could not be used to prescribe an assessment methodology or create an administrative mechanism, while leaving individual assessees free to pursue statutory remedies. Read more...
Delhi HC Rejects Bail To Man In Case Alleging Wife’s Killing, Body Chopped And Dumped In Septic Tank
The Delhi High Court dismissed Ashu Pal's regular bail plea in a 2019 murder case, observing that delay in trial is only one factor in bail consideration. Justice Girish Kathpalia noted the circumstances alleged by the prosecution and declined bail after considering the overall facts placed before the Court. Read more...
1989 Double Murder Case: Supreme Court Overturns Conviction After Finding Gaps In Child Witness And Circumstantial Evidence
The Supreme Court acquitted Ravi Kumar Singh Malhotra in a 1989 double murder case after finding the prosecution's evidence insufficient. The Bench noted doubts surrounding the child witness, recoveries, forensic material, last-seen evidence, motive and delayed FIR, holding that suspicion could not substitute proof beyond reasonable doubt. Read more...
Madras HC Seeks Report On Vacant Vice-Chancellor Posts In 14 Tamil Nadu Universities
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court declined to entertain a challenge to the Registrar (In-charge) of Madurai Kamaraj University. However, Justice B. Pugalendhi sought a government report after submissions that nearly 14 Tamil Nadu universities had remained without Vice-Chancellors for several years. Read more...
Delhi HC Dismisses Jockey Association’s Plea Against Delhi Race Club Eviction Order
The Delhi High Court dismissed the Jockey Association of India’s challenge to the Delhi Race Club eviction order. Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that the association was not the lessee and that the club had already invoked the statutory appellate remedy against the Estate Officer’s order. Read more...
Supreme Court Refuses to Quash Defamation Case Against Sukhbir Singh Badal Over AKJ-BKI Remarks
The Supreme Court dismissed Sukhbir Singh Badal’s plea against criminal defamation proceedings initiated over alleged remarks linking Akhand Kirtani Jatha with Babbar Khalsa International. The Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu declined to quash the proceedings, which had earlier survived challenge before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Read more...
Insurer Company Can't Deny Fire Compensation On Technical Policy Interpretation Without Leading Evidence: Gujarat High Court
The Gujarat High Court dismissed Oriental Insurance's appeal against a ₹2 lakh fire-loss award in favour of Pooja Paper Tube Industries. Justice J. C. Doshi held that the insurer's technical interpretation of policy terms could not prevail when it had failed to produce evidence supporting its defence, while the policy covered stock-related risks. Read more...
Supreme Court Directs Expedited Completion of Vaniyambadi Limited Use Subway, Orders Compliance Affidavits
The Supreme Court directed Tamil Nadu authorities and Southern Railway to expedite remaining work for the Limited Use Subway at Vaniyambadi Level Crossing No. 81. The Court prescribed directions for land acquisition, tender completion, Railway work, Highways approvals and compliance affidavits within eight months. Read more...
Former Client Becomes Adversary, But Advocate Cannot Reveal Confidential Information: Supreme Court Upholds Two-Year Suspension
The Supreme Court upheld a two-year disciplinary suspension imposed on advocate Rizwan Siddiquee after finding that his television interview disclosed confidential communications with a former client. The Court dismissed all connected appeals and imposed ₹5 lakh costs each on both parties, while refusing to enhance the disciplinary punishment. Read more...
Supreme Court Closes The Kerala Story Pleas, Leaves CBFC Certification Question Open
The Supreme Court disposed of three proceedings concerning The Kerala Story. Two petitions challenging its CBFC certification became infructuous, while the producers withdrew their West Bengal ban plea. The bench left the wider legal question open and allowed parties to pursue appropriate proceedings concerning general guidelines. Read more...
