The Supreme Court criticised authorities over delays in a child adoption application, calling the issue bureaucratic red tape. A Bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna questioned CARA’s rejection of the maternal aunt’s plea, observing that a family member seeking adoption should not face unnecessary hurdles.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed a Scheduled Tribe rape survivor seeking compensation under the SC/ST Act to file an affidavit before receiving payment. The Court said public funds cannot be misused and required assurance that she would not compromise or turn hostile.
The Supreme Court allowed a petitioner to approach the Calcutta High Court over allegations that names excluded from West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls were being removed from ration lists. The Bench permitted withdrawal of the petition and granted liberty for further legal action.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that a second wife and daughter dependent on a deceased accident victim cannot be denied compensation. The Court held that dependency, not a narrow definition of legal heirs, determines entitlement under the Motor Vehicles Act and enhanced compensation by Rs 15 lakh.
The Patna High Court granted bail to a 14-year-old boy accused in a POCSO case, holding institutional care should be a last resort. Justice Arun Kumar Jha said bail cannot be denied to a child in conflict with law without statutory grounds under the Juvenile Justice Act.
The Bombay High Court dismissed a review plea filed by an LL.M. student of MNLU Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar seeking permission to appear for exams despite low attendance. The Court held review cannot act as an appeal and rejected attempts to reopen already decided issues.
The Kerala High Court invalidated the oath taken by 20 Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillors, ruling that the swearing-in violated legal procedure. The Court directed them to retake the oath within four weeks as per statutory requirements following a petition challenging the ceremony.
The Pune family court granted interim custody of a minor child to his Singapore-based father, observing that the child’s welfare would be better served in his care. The court noted alleged non-compliance with orders and stressed that custody must focus on the child’s best interests.
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.
A Karnataka auto-rickshaw driver Sharath approached the Supreme Court challenging his conviction under IPC Sections 279 and 304-A in a fatal accident case. The Bench discussed victim compensation, observing that a life lost cannot be valued cheaply and stressed the seriousness of the loss.
