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 respondent, a daily-wage helper employed by the Punjab State Power Supply Corporation from 1997-98, was terminated and successfully challenged his termination before the Industrial Tribunal, which found the employer had not complied with Section 25-F of the Industrial Disputes Act and ordered reinstatement with 40% back-wages. This was upheld by a Single Judge and then a Division Bench of the High Court, and by an earlier Supreme Court order the respondent was already reinstated and partially paid.
The Supreme Court noted that back-wages for a violation of Section 25-F are not automatic even where non-compliance is established, and that 40% back-wages spread over 13 years would impose a heavy financial burden on the Corporation. Balancing these considerations, and given the peculiar facts, the Court directed the Corporation to pay the respondent a lump sum of Rs. 1,50,000 in full and final settlement of the back-wages claim, instead of the 40% ordered by the lower fora. The appeal was partly allowed on this specific limited basis, with the Court clarifying the order was not to be treated as a precedent.
Even where a worker's termination is found unlawful, back-wages are not automatic: courts can convert a percentage-based back-wages award into a capped lump-sum amount based on the practical financial impact and facts of the case.
