Real judgements, distilled
Court judgements broken down into the case type, how the decision played out, and the lesson worth remembering, with the full judgement available as a PDF.
Civil Appeal · 2026 INSC 1094
An older qualification must still satisfy the eligibility rules governing the appointment sought. Here, the certificate's early date did not secure reinstatement, and rejection of eligibility should not be confused with a conclusive finding that the certificate was forged.
Civil Appeal · 2026 INSC 1095
A party benefiting from a conditional stay must meet its deposit requirement or face enforcement. The additional ₹15 crore deposit secures the pending dispute; it does not settle the land's final compensation or amount to an immediate payment to the landowners.
Criminal Appeal · 2026 INSC 1093
An alleged attempt to kill does not become a lesser offence simply because the victim avoided a fatal injury. Restoring this charge means the accusation must be tried; it does not establish that the accused is guilty.
Civil Appeal · 2026 INSC 1090
For the assessment in this case, assistance reducing ordinary manufacturing costs was taxable even though the government wanted to encourage industry. The purpose and actual operation of the particular subsidy mattered more than its general development label.
Criminal Appeal · 2026 INSC 1091
Proof that someone caused a serious injury does not by itself prove the additional ingredients of robbery. A court can substitute a lesser offence supported by the evidence; the sentencing reduction here depended on Appa's particular circumstances.
Special Leave Petition (Civil) · 2026 INSC 1092
Someone challenging an election must ensure that the personal-presentation requirement is met and can be proved. Merely entering the court building does not establish compliance, and a filing defect can end the challenge before the election allegations are examined.
Civil Appeal · 2026 INSC 1088
An employee who retires on 30 June may be entitled to the increment that falls due on 1 July after completing a year of service. Authorities that delay paying the amounts due must pay interest after the deadline set by the court.
Civil Appeal · 2026 INSC 1089
Recruitment must follow the qualifications stated in the advertisement and the governing Recruitment Rules. A court will not override a merit-based eligibility decision made under those rules merely because the candidate concerned was higher in the written test.
Writ Petition (Criminal) · 2026:DHC:8797
A person who occupied property only because of employment has no independent right to remain once the employment and decree end. Even when a petition fails, courts can make practical arrangements to let a person recover personal belongings.
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Log in to see moreIn 2005, the appellant, then aged about 26, was riding his scooter when a car allegedly driven rashly and negligently by the first respondent hit him, causing a head injury that left him paralysed. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded him about Rs.4,56,340/-, which the Rajasthan High Court partially enhanced to about Rs.8,45,120/- on appeal. Unsatisfied with the extent of enhancement, he approached the Supreme Court seeking a higher amount.
The Supreme Court upheld the notional monthly income of Rs.2,400/- (the prevailing minimum wage for skilled labour in 2005) and the multiplier of 16 based on his age of 35 as recorded in his discharge ticket, since the appellant could not prove he earned more. However, it held that future medical expenses (Rs.7,00,000/-), attendant charges (recalculated at Rs.6,72,000/- given his 100% permanent disability requiring lifelong assistance), and loss of amenities (Rs.2,00,000/-, not previously awarded) had been assessed too low or omitted altogether. The Court recalculated the total compensation upward to Rs.23,69,996/-, with 6% annual interest from the date the claim petition was filed, payable within twelve weeks.
In cases of total (100%) permanent disability from an accident, compensation must realistically account for lifelong needs (future medical treatment, attendant care, and loss of amenities of life) not just lost income; courts will correct awards that understate these heads.
