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 moreA former IPS officer petitioned under Article 32 seeking transfer of two FIRs, one under the Indian Penal Code and one under the Information Technology Act, to the CBI or an independent agency. He argued the FIRs were filed to intimidate him as a witness in the 2002 Gujarat riot cases. He also asked for a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT), contempt action over e-mail exchanges involving the then Additional Advocate General, and directions to service providers to preserve e-mails.
The Court dismissed the writ petitions and all connected applications. It held that no case had been made out for a fresh SIT. The earlier SIT had already completed its investigation and filed its final report, and under the principle laid down in the Jakia Jafri case the Court does not need to keep monitoring a case once a charge-sheet is filed. Transfer of an investigation after a charge-sheet is allowed only in extraordinary cases, and this was not one. The Court said the petitioner had not come with clean hands and must face investigation like anyone else. On contempt, the e-mail exchanges did not amount to substantial interference with justice, and the prayer was barred by the one-year limitation under the Contempt of Courts Act. The interim stay was lifted so the trial court could proceed and the IT Act investigation could be completed quickly. No costs were awarded.
Courts will not take over a criminal investigation simply because a party alleges bias or harassment; the allegations must show a real reason, and transfers after a charge-sheet are rare. Contempt complaints about court-related conduct must generally be filed within one year, so delay can defeat them.
