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 moreFIR No. 0359/2024 of P.S. Harsh Vihar, Delhi, was registered under Sections 498A/406/34 IPC and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, after a marriage in December 2021 and the parties' separation in 2023. The parties settled through mediation at the Delhi Mediation Centre, Karkardooma Courts, on 26.12.2025, with the husband agreeing to pay Rs 11,10,000. A divorce by mutual consent was granted on 13.02.2026, and the complainant confirmed she had received Rs 7 lakh with a demand draft for the balance Rs 4.1 lakh handed over in court.
The High Court quashed the FIR and the chargesheet against all the petitioners. The Court acknowledged that the offences under Section 498A IPC and the Dowry Prohibition Act are non-compoundable, but held that it may quash such proceedings under its inherent power preserved by Section 528 BNSS where the parties have genuinely settled, the marriage has ended, and continuing the case would only be protracted and pointless. The Court relied on Supreme Court decisions in B.S. Joshi, Gian Singh and Narinder Singh, and recorded that the complainant had acted voluntarily and had no objection.
Even though some matrimonial offences cannot be formally compromised, a High Court can close the criminal case after a genuine settlement, divorce and payment. Settlement must be voluntary, and the complainant's consent is central to the decision.
