The Supreme Court held that forgery and use of forged documents in judicial proceedings are serious offences but stressed proportional sentencing. The Bench reduced a five-year sentence after considering custody period, case delay, accused’s role and circumstances while maintaining the gravity of the offence.
The Supreme Court directed a petitioner challenging exclusion of individuals from West Bengal’s ration distribution system to approach the Calcutta High Court. The Bench observed that the issue involved a separate cause of action concerning welfare benefits and was better suited for High Court consideration.
The Delhi High Court ruled that a parent cannot be denied access to children merely because they reside abroad. The Court granted businessman Amritesh Jatia interim custody of his two children in London during their summer vacation, stating parental time cannot be restricted without justification.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the word “may” in an arbitration clause does not make arbitration optional. Justice Deepak Khot ruled that parties’ intention must be examined from the agreement as a whole, allowing appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11(6).
The Gujarat High Court quashed a 2019 criminal case, including attempt to murder charges, against Surat advocate Mohammed Bilal Kagazi after CCTV footage proved his absence from the alleged crime spot. The Court held that surveillance evidence weakened the prosecution’s allegations significantly.
The Supreme Court declined to entertain a petition by Himachal Pradesh judicial officer Arvind Malhotra seeking consideration of his name for High Court judge appointment. Malhotra alleged that junior officers were recommended by the Collegium while his candidature was not considered for elevation.
A special court in Mumbai acquitted all accused in the 2006 murder case of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar after a 20-year trial. The case involved former NCP MP Padamsinh Patil and others accused in the killing near Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai.
The Rajasthan High Court ordered disciplinary inquiry against Tehsildar Tejpal Pareek for allegedly not releasing a detainee despite suspension of sentence. The Court directed him to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation and kept him attached to revenue headquarters until completion of the investigation.
The Karnataka High Court dismissed a plea challenging a three-year-old compromise decree, ruling that a party cannot withdraw after accepting settlement benefits. Justice Suraj Govindaraj imposed Rs 25,000 costs on the petitioner, calling the delayed challenge an abuse of the legal process.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel approached Mumbai Police over alleged threatening letters sent to him and his family linked to his 2024 Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute verdict. The complaint mentions repeated threats, including a letter sent to London.
