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 moreFollowing the murder of a Hindu Front spokesperson in Coimbatore, communal violence broke out across the region, leading to over 230 related cases including stone-pelting, arson, and attacks on a mosque, shops, and police. The case was transferred to the NIA, which arrested the respondent as the fourth accused. When his 90-day detention period neared expiry, the Special Court extended it for another 90 days based on the prosecutor's reasons, but the Madras High Court held those reasons legally inadequate, set aside the extension, and granted the accused statutory default bail, prompting the Union of India to appeal.
The Supreme Court held that the Special Public Prosecutor's report, detailing over 350 witnesses examined, thousands of call records and CCTV footage still being analysed, forensic examination of seized electronic devices, and ongoing international mutual-legal-assistance requests, did contain specific reasons satisfying Section 43D(2)(b) of the UAPA, and that the High Court was wrong to overturn the Special Court's recorded satisfaction. Nonetheless, noting that a chargesheet had since been filed against all four accused, that the other three co-accused were already out on bail without any cancellation sought by the prosecution, and that the respondent had not breached any bail condition, the Court declined to disturb the default bail already granted. It left open the prosecution's right to seek cancellation of bail if future circumstances warranted, and directed the Special Court to expedite and conclude the trial by March 2020.
In serious cases involving extended pre-trial detention under special anti-terror laws, courts weigh not just whether the original legal procedure was followed correctly, but also practical developments since then (a filed chargesheet, parity with co-accused already on bail, and good compliance with bail conditions) before deciding whether to disturb bail already granted.
