Security Deposit Cannot Be Forfeited Without Hearing: Himachal Pradesh High Court Orders Refund Of ₹15.67 Lakh To Contractor

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside an order forfeiting over ₹15 lakh from a contractor's security deposit related to the Kullu Dussehra festival, holding that the action was taken in violation of the principles of natural justice as the contractor was never issued a show-cause notice.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. S. Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj allowed...

Employee Governed By CCS Pension Rules Can't Claim Gratuity Under Payment Of Gratuity Act : Delhi HC

A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan held that an employee governed by statutory rules providing for gratuity (such as CCS (Pension) Rules) is excluded from the definition of “employee” under Section 2(e) of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, and therefore cannot claim gratuity under the 1972 Act. Further it was held...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Refuses Pre-Arrest Bail To Man Accused Of Writing 'Main Choor Hoon' On Man Who Was Later Allegedly Killed

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has refused anticipatory bail to a man accused in a case where a person allegedly died after being humiliated by having half of his head forcibly shaved and being chased to the roof by the accused persons. The Court held that the nature of allegations and the stage of investigation warranted custodial interrogation.Justice Sumeet Goel passed the order...

Kerala High Court Issues Directions To Travancore Devasom Board To Ensure Transparency In Padi Pooja At Sabarimala Temple

The Kerala High Court has recently issued directions to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure transparency and better utilisation of the available days for conducting Padi Pooja in Sabarimala temple.The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar issued the directions while considering a suo motu petition initiated on the basis of monthly report of...

“Appalled” That PIL On Illegal Constructions In Patnitop Has Lingered For Nearly A Decade; J&K&L High Court Directs CEO To Join Proceedings

Expressing serious concern over the prolonged pendency of a public interest litigation relating to alleged illegal constructions in the tourist destination of Patnitop, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh observed that it was “appalled that even though the matter is pending for nearly a decade, but the same is not being pursued in the right earnest,” and consequently directed...

Transfer Of Matrimonial Case At Advanced Stage Of Trial Unjustified: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that a transfer of a matrimonial case at the advanced stage of trial was unjustified and improper while set aside an order transferring a matrimonial case from the Family Court, Kollam, to the Family Court, Punalur,A Division Bench comprising Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar delivered the judgment while allowing a transfer appeal filed...

Appointment To Higher Post On Compassionate Grounds Not Matter Of Right, Purely Discretionary Power: J&K&L High Court

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held that appointment to a higher post on compassionate grounds cannot be claimed as a matter of right and that the power to grant such appointment lies exclusively with the Government and is purely discretionary.The Court observed that while the rules permit the Government in the General Administration Department to appoint a dependent of...

Plea Raises Data Protection Concerns Over 'Digi Yatra', Kerala High Court Seeks Response Of Centre, Digi Yatra Foundation

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (5 March) issued notice to the Digi Yatra Foundation in a public interest litigation (PIL) raising concerns over the protection of passengers' personal data collected at airports through digital systems such as Digi Yatra.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. was hearing a PIL which alleges potential risks in...

S.7 POCSO Act | Squeezing & Pulling Breast Of Minor Girl Without 'Skin-To-Skin' Contact Amounts To Sexual Assault: Orissa High Court

The Orissa High Court has held that squeezing and pulling the breast of a minor girl, even though the same were done without making any “skin-to-skin” contact, would amount to 'sexual assault' as defined under Section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('POCSO Act') which is punishable under Section 8 thereof.While upholding the finding of guilt against...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Dera Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim in 2002 Journalist Chhatrapati Murder Case

The Punjab & Haryana High Court today acquitted the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief in Chatarpati murder case.The Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Aggarwal pronounced the judgment on the appeals filed against the conviction.In its decision, the Court upheld the conviction and life sentence of the other three accused — Kuldeep, Nirmal, and Krishan Lal. The Central...

Ex-DGP Sreelekha Moves Kerala High Court To Quash FIR For Allegedly Disclosing POCSO Victims' Names On YouTube Channel

Former Director General of Police (DGP) and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor Sreelekha R. has moved the Kerala High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered against her for allegedly disclosing the the names of victims in three rape cases through her YouTube channel and blog.Sreelekha is arrayed as the sole accused in a crime registered by the Museum Police for the offences...

Kerala High Court Notifies New Rules For Designating Senior Advocates

The Kerala High Court recently notified the new rules for designating senior advocates, namely, the High Court of Kerala (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2026, which are to come into force at once.These Rules have replaced the High Court of Kerala (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2018 in view of the Supreme Court decision in Jitender @ Kalla v. State (Govt.) of NCT of Delhi...