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 moreThe complainant (respondent no. 2) sought the Magistrate's permission under Section 302 of the CrPC to personally conduct the prosecution against the appellants for offences under Sections 498A and 406 IPC (cruelty and criminal breach of trust, arising from a matrimonial dispute). The Magistrate declined permission without giving reasons, but the Bombay High Court reversed this and granted permission solely on the ground that the applicant was an "aggrieved party."
The Supreme Court held that a Magistrate is not bound to grant permission to a private party to conduct a prosecution merely because that party is the aggrieved victim. Surveying precedent (including Shiv Kumar, J.K. International, and Mallikarjun Kodagali), the Court held a victim does have a right to assist the court, but permission should only be granted after the Magistrate considers whether the victim is capable of assisting the court and whether the case's complexity allows it. Since the High Court had granted permission mechanically without applying these parameters, the Supreme Court set aside both the High Court's and the Magistrate's orders and remitted the matter to the Magistrate to decide afresh, applying the correct legal test.
Being a crime victim gives you a right to participate in and be heard during a criminal trial, but it does not automatically entitle you to personally take over the prosecution from the Public Prosecutor: a court must specifically weigh whether that would serve the interests of justice.
