Valid Caste Certificate Essential To Prove SC/ST Act Offence; Mere Oral Claim Of Caste Not Enough: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that in cases involving an offence under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, it is imperative for the prosecution to establish that the complainant/victim belonged to the Scheduled Caste/Tribe community, and that the offender does not, thereby making filing of a valid caste certificate a sine...

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma Recuses From Hearing Former AAP MLA Naresh Balyan's Bail Plea In MCOCA Case

Delhi High Court judge, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, on Monday recused from hearing the plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan seeking bail in a case registered against him under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, related to an alleged organised crime.Justice Sharma recused from hearing the case which will now be listed before another...

Disproportionate Assets: Gujarat High Court Upholds Conviction Of Judicial Officer Whose Wife Received ₹7 Lakh 'Gift' From Non-Relative

The Gujarat High Court upheld a trial court order convicting a judicial officer in a disproportionate assets case, after noting the officer could not prove that his wife was legally entitled to receive a gift from a person who was not his wife's blood relation or family member. It was alleged that the appellant while serving as Civil Judge (J.D.) and Judicial Magistrate, First Class at...

Unregistered Gift-Deed Cannot Form Basis Of Declaration Suit, Registration Mandatory U/S 123 Transfer Of Property Act: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has emphasised that in a suit for declaration, “documents are the foundation of litigation”, and thus, placing reliance on an unregistered gift deed would constitute a nullity as per Section 123 of the Transfer of Property Act.For reference, Section 123, TPA provides that for the purpose of making a gift of immovable property, the transfer must be effected by...

No Construction In No-Development Zone: Lakshadweep Administration Assures Kerala High Court In PIL Against Kavaratti Resort Project

The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 17) recorded the submission of the standing counsel for the Lakshadweep Administration that no construction would be done in the No-Development Zone while developing a tourist resort in Kavaratti Islands.The Division Bench of Justice Gopinath P. and Justice Johnson John was considering a public interest litigation preferred by a resident of the...

Unscientific De-Silting Causing Silt Discharge Into River, Harming Marine Life: HP High Court Imposes ₹12 Lakh Fine On Hydro Project

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has held that unscientific de-silting leading to the discharge of excessive silt into river systems and harm to aquatic life warrants the imposition of environmental compensation. The Court observed that economic considerations of power generation cannot override environmental protection and preservation of marine life.A division bench of Chief Justice...

Father Cannot Avoid Duty To Maintain Minor Child Due To Mother's Income Or Personal Liabilities: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court has held that a father cannot evade his statutory obligation to maintain his minor child under Section 125 CrPC on the ground that the mother is earning or by citing personal financial liabilities such as loan repayments or family responsibilities. The Court reiterated that the duty to maintain a minor child stands on a higher pedestal and voluntary...

Tripura High Court Flags “Grave Procedural Impropriety” By State In Stalling ACP Benefits For HC Staff Approved By CJ

The Tripura High Court held that the State Government committed “grave procedural impropriety” by failing to act on a proposal approved by the Chief Justice to grant Assured Career Progression (ACP) benefits to Superintendents and Assistant Registrars facing stagnation. The Court observed that the Finance Department's decision to stall the proposal, without placing it before the Council...

Congress Leader Pawan Khera Moves Gauhati High Court Seeking Anticipatory Bail In FIR By Assam CM's Wife Over Passport Row

Congress leader Pawan Khera has moved the Gauhati High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR filed by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, amid allegations related to her holding multiple passports.As per the case status on the high court website, the petition was filed on Monday (April 20). For context the Telangana High Court had on April 10 granted...

Madras High Court Reserves Verdict On Plea To Debar AIADMK 's Edappadi Palaniswami From 2026 Assembly Polls Over Alleged Derogatory Speeches

The Madras High Court, on Monday, reserved orders on a plea seeking a direction to the Election Commission of India to debar the current Leader of Opposition of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi K Palaniswami, from campaigning and contesting in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections for violating the Representation of People Act and making statements against the Chief Minister and...

Kerala High Court Refuses To Lift Ban On Munnar Glass Bridge, But Directs Collector To Revisit Issue

The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 17) directed the District Collector, Idukki to decide on the issue of re-opening of the glass bridge in Munnar that was erected without any permit from the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society.The Division Bench of Justice Gopinath P. and Justice Johnson John gave the direction while considering an appeal against an interim order of the Single...

HRA, Other Allowances Forming Part Of Deceased's Income Must Be Included To Calculate Motor Accident Compensation: Rajasthan High Court

Rajasthan High Court has reiterated that the amount paid to the deceased in his income towards Higher Duties allowance, City Compensatory Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Washing allowance etc., cannot be deducted while calculating accident compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act. While enhancing the compensation to the claimants, the bench of Justice Sandeep Taneja held that the district...