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 appellant (plaintiff) sued for a permanent injunction over a property, but the defendant's right to file a written statement was closed by the trial court, leaving him unable to present his defence or any documentary evidence: he could only cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses. The trial court decreed the suit in the plaintiff's favour, the first appellate court upheld it, but the Delhi High Court later allowed the defendant's second appeal and set the decree aside.
The Supreme Court found that denying the defendant any opportunity to file a written statement or lead evidence had caused real prejudice and that all parties to a suit are entitled to a fair opportunity to contest it on the merits in accordance with law, regardless of who the outcome ultimately favours. It allowed the appeals, set aside the High Court's order, and restored the suit to the trial court for a fresh trial on merits, directing that the defendant be permitted to file a written statement, both sides be allowed to lead additional evidence, and the trial be completed within one year, while expressing no opinion on the underlying merits.
A court decision reached without giving a party a genuine chance to put forward its defence is not sustainable, no matter which side initially benefits from it: procedural fairness to both sides is essential and can require restarting a case from the trial stage even years later.
