The Supreme Court held that criminal proceedings against a deceased employee’s widow cannot be a ground to deny compassionate appointment to the son. Allowing Atul Chauhan’s appeal, the Court directed consideration of his claim under applicable Haryana service rules.
The Telangana High Court annulled a marriage after finding that the husband had misrepresented his date of birth on an online matrimonial platform. The Court held that the incorrect age details misled the wife regarding horoscope compatibility, leading her to consent to marriage under a mistaken belief.
The Supreme Court held that injuries caused by a falling tree branch on a stationary autorickshaw do not automatically qualify as a motor vehicle accident. However, invoking Article 142, the Court enhanced compensation for the claimant, emphasizing that a proximate connection between the vehicle and accident is necessary.
The Delhi High Court quashed the EOW FIR and ED’s ECIR against NewsClick and founder Prabir Purkayastha, holding that allegations concerning FDI and financial irregularities disclosed no cognisable offence. The Court termed the proceedings mala fide and an abuse of power targeting independent journalism.
A Baghpat Chief Judicial Magistrate Court concluded a 27-year-old criminal case after the accused admitted guilt and sought leniency. The 65-year-old villager was sentenced till the rising of the court and fined Rs 1,000, bringing an end to proceedings arising from allegations of abuse and criminal intimidation dating back to 1999.
The Supreme Court set aside the conviction of a KSRTC bus driver, holding that following a conductor’s signal to move the vehicle cannot by itself amount to criminal negligence. The Court ruled that a driver acting on the conductor’s instructions performs a normal duty and cannot be faulted without evidence of recklessness.
The Bombay Bar Association condemned alleged threats, intimidation, and attacks targeting retired Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel and his family over the Dawoodi Bohra succession judgment. Calling it a direct assault on judicial independence and the rule of law, the Association demanded accountability and protection.
The Delhi High Court held that daughters cannot claim inheritance or partition rights in agricultural land where succession opened before the 2005 Hindu Succession Act amendment, ruling that such cases remain governed by the Delhi Land Reforms Act, under which male lineal descendants receive preference in succession.
The Allahabad High Court held that Lok Adalats and District Legal Services Authorities cannot grant divorce decrees, ruling that only family courts possess jurisdiction to dissolve marriages, while Lok Adalats are limited to facilitating settlements and lack authority to exercise judicial powers in matrimonial disputes.