Woman Entitled to Maintenance Even if Marriage Is Void, When Husband Concealed His Existing Marriage: Allahabad High Court
Summary: The Allahabad High Court ruled that a woman cannot be denied maintenance merely because her marriage is later declared void if the husband had concealed his existing marriage. The Court held that a man cannot take advantage of his own fraud to escape his legal obligation of supporting the woman.
Supreme Court Quashes POCSO Case Filed By Wife Against Husband's Sister
Summary: The Supreme Court quashed a POCSO FIR filed against a paternal aunt after finding that the child's own statement contradicted the allegations. The Court observed that criminal cases are often filed against relatives during bitter matrimonial disputes and found the prosecution to be an abuse of the legal process.
Remission Cannot Be Denied Solely Because a Convict Is Young and Physically Fit: Meghalaya HC
Summary: The Meghalaya High Court held that a prisoner's request for remission cannot be rejected simply because he is young and physically fit. Stressing that remission must be decided on the basis of the applicable policy and the prisoner's conduct, the Court directed authorities to reconsider the case after noting the convict had already spent over 19 years in jail.
Allahabad HC Summons UP Principal Secretary in Contempt Case Over Alleged Non-Compliance of Custodial Death Compensation Order
Summary: The Allahabad High Court summoned Uttar Pradesh's Principal Secretary in a contempt case alleging failure to comply with an earlier order directing compensation in a custodial death matter. The Court sought an explanation from the authorities over the alleged non-compliance of its directions.
Summary: The Allahabad High Court upheld the validity of Aligarh Muslim University's statute governing the removal of teachers and rejected a constitutional challenge to the requirement of a two-thirds majority vote. The Court held that the provision does not violate Article 14 and forms part of a valid institutional decision-making process.
Karnataka HC Strikes Down Pan Masala Cess Based on Presumed Production, Upholds Centre's Power to Levy Cess
Summary: The Karnataka High Court held that while Parliament has the authority to impose a cess on pan masala manufacturers, a levy based on presumed production capacity instead of actual production is arbitrary and unconstitutional. The Court struck down the capacity-based levy, holding that it violates Article 14 of the Constitution.
Summary: The Supreme Court heard a plea seeking to conduct NEET through a computer-based test and said it would consider the recommendations of the newly constituted Nandan Nilekani-led expert committee. The Bench emphasized that any shift to online examinations must ensure robust cybersecurity, transparency, and database protection.
Summary: The Rajasthan High Court ruled that mere delay in submitting a case diary cannot attract prosecution under Section 175 IPC unless there is evidence of deliberate or intentional omission. The Court clarified that criminal liability cannot arise from procedural delay alone without proof of wilful disobedience.
Summary: The Supreme Court restored the acquittal of the accused in a 1995 Himachal Pradesh murder case, holding that the High Court erred in overturning the trial court's judgment without first finding its conclusions to be perverse or legally unsustainable. The ruling reiterates the limited scope of appellate interference with acquittals.
Delhi HC Orders Takedown of 'Kala Hiran' Teaser on Salman Khan's Personality Rights Plea
Summary: The Delhi High Court directed the removal of the teaser of Kala Hiran while hearing actor Salman Khan's personality rights plea. The Court granted interim relief after allegations that the teaser made unauthorized use of the actor's identity and persona, raising concerns over the commercial exploitation of celebrity rights.
Ordinary Marital Differences Do Not Amount to Mental Cruelty: Kerala HC Refuses Divorce Plea
Summary: The Kerala High Court refused to dissolve a marriage, holding that routine disagreements, isolated quarrels, and the ordinary wear and tear of married life do not amount to mental cruelty. The Court said only serious and sustained conduct making cohabitation impossible can justify a decree of divorce.
Summary: The Delhi High Court allowed the withdrawal of a PIL challenging the suspension of mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar during recent student protests. The petition became infructuous after the protests were called off, leading the Court to permit its withdrawal.
Summary: The Delhi High Court directed an inquiry into allegations that two advocates misused public interest litigation to extort money from private parties. The Court referred the matter to the Bar Council of Delhi and the Delhi Police, emphasizing that the PIL jurisdiction cannot be used as a tool for personal gain.
Delhi High Court Restrains Zepto Finance From Using 'Zepto' Trademark, Grants Interim Injunction
Summary: The Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Zepto by restraining Zepto Finance from using the "Zepto" trademark. The Court found a prima facie case of trademark infringement and held that continued use of the mark could cause consumer confusion and irreparable harm to the plaintiff's brand.
Supreme Court Issues Notice on Kapil Sibal's Plea Challenging Tenth Schedule Merger Interpretation
Summary: The Supreme Court issued notice on a petition filed by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal challenging the interpretation of the merger provision under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The plea raises significant questions regarding the anti-defection law and the legal framework governing political party mergers.
Summary: The Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh SIT to submit a fresh status report on the alleged irregularities in Ayodhya Ram Mandir donations. To ensure transparency, the Court also ordered the inclusion of forensic auditors in the investigation, emphasizing a thorough and impartial probe into the financial allegations.
Summary: The Supreme Court modified restrictive conditions imposed on police custody in the Andhra Pradesh custodial death case, holding that while the rights of the accused must be protected, investigation conditions should not become impractical. The Court balanced constitutional safeguards with the need for an effective criminal investigation.
Summary: The Supreme Court issued contempt notices to 15 States for failing to comply with its earlier directions aimed at eliminating manual scavenging and preventing sewer and septic tank deaths. The Court expressed concern over the continued loss of lives despite repeated judicial interventions and sought accountability from the concerned governments.
Summary: The Supreme Court ruled that the moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code does not automatically protect promoters and other non-corporate respondents from legal proceedings. The Court permitted homebuyers to continue their consumer complaint against such parties, clarifying the limited scope of the IBC moratorium.
Summary: The Supreme Court clarified the legal position regarding purchasers who acquire property while litigation is already pending. The Court held that such purchasers remain bound by the outcome of the dispute but may assert the rights available to them under law, and accordingly partly allowed the appeal.
Summary: The Bombay High Court reduced interim maintenance from ₹50,000 to ₹25,000 per month, observing that when both spouses are earning, the financial responsibility of maintaining the family's lifestyle must be shared. The Court also directed the Family Court to decide the pending maintenance case within nine months.
Summary: The Telangana High Court ruled that the State Human Rights Commission has no jurisdiction to entertain complaints against private companies unless the allegations involve a public servant or negligence by a public authority. The Court held that statutory bodies cannot exercise powers beyond those granted under the Protection of Human Rights Act.
Summary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the release of two protest detainees after finding that the bail condition requiring a government employee as surety was unreasonable and effectively denied their liberty. The Court observed that bail conditions must be practical and should not make release virtually impossible.
Madras HC Quashes Tamil Nadu Jobs for Karur Stampede Victims' Families, Cites Articles 14 and 16
Summary: The Madras High Court struck down the Tamil Nadu government's decision to provide government jobs to the families of victims of the Karur stampede. The Court held that such appointments violated Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution by bypassing the principles of equality and equal opportunity in public employment.
Summary: A Delhi court reserved its verdict on the sentence of former councillor Tahir Hussain after Delhi Police sought the death penalty in the 2020 Delhi riots murder case. The Court will pronounce the sentencing order on July 31, following arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.
Summary: The Karnataka High Court upheld a trial court's order granting police assistance to enforce a subsisting injunction, holding that every fresh act of obstruction gives rise to a fresh cause for seeking police aid. The Court observed that judicial orders must be effectively implemented and cannot be reduced to mere "paper declarations."
Summary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld the discharge of a college chairman and Head of Department in a medical student's suicide case. The Court ruled that a dispute over academic fees, without evidence of instigation or intentional provocation, is insufficient to establish the offence of abetment to suicide.
Summary: The Orissa High Court granted bail to a woman accused in the High Court vehicle fire case, relying on the special protections available to women under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The Court observed that statutory safeguards must be given due effect while deciding bail applications.
Registration Certificate Alone Can't Decide Interim Custody of Seized Vehicles: Supreme Court
Summary: The Supreme Court held that ownership reflected in a vehicle's registration certificate cannot be the sole basis for deciding interim custody of a seized vehicle. The Court directed that all relevant facts, including possession and competing claims, must be considered before passing appropriate custody orders.
Summary: The Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to stay the ongoing Bar Association election process, observing that election schedules should not be interrupted without compelling reasons. However, the Court directed that all objections to the provisional voter list be decided before the publication of the final electoral roll.
