Supreme Court Weekly Roundup: April 13, 2026 To April 19, 2026

Judgments'Justice Should Also Be Seen To Be Done' : Supreme Court Directs Another Disciplinary Authority To Decide After Employee Alleged BiasCase Details: National Bal Bhawan & Anr. v. Khazan Chand & Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 363Reaffirming the foundational principle of procedural fairness, the Supreme Court has held that a disciplinary authority against whom an employee has previously levelled allegations of bias must recuse from the proceedings, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also appear to be done.A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan upheld the invalidity of the disciplinary proceedings conducted by an authority against a delinquent employee, who had earlier expressed a lack of faith in her. The Court emphasized that where a disciplinary authority has already been the subject of allegations by the employee, the authorities must exercise caution to ensure that the process remains beyond reproach."We are reminded of the maxim that “justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done," the Court observed,Courts Cannot Re-Adjudicate Settled Issues In Contempt Jurisdiction, Can Only Examine Compliance : Supreme CourtCase Details: Jalim Singh v. Nand Kishore & Ors.Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 364The Supreme Court has observed that, while exercising contempt jurisdiction, it is impermissible for the concerned courts to transgress their limits by re-adjudicating issues already decided in the original proceedings, and they must confine themselves to ensuring compliance with binding directions.“The jurisdiction in contempt proceedings is confined to examining compliance with the directions issued and does not extend to re-adjudication of issues which stand concluded.”, observed a bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta.The Bench was hearing a matter where the appellant–employee, despite having secured a favourable order from the Allahabad High Court granting full salary and benefits for the suspension period, was not paid his retiral dues, compelling him to initiate contempt proceedings before the High Court. However, instead of limiting its inquiry to ensuring compliance with its earlier directions, the High Court dismissed the contempt petition by re-adjudicating the issues and holding the appellant ineligible for retirement benefits.Discrimination Is The Other Name Of Injustice: Supreme Court Grants Promotion Relief To Employee Denied RelaxationCase Details: Kamal Prasad Dubey v. State of Madhya Pradesh and OthersCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 365The Supreme Court has set aside a Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment that denied promotion to a cooperative society employee, holding that the refusal to grant relaxation in educational qualification despite granting similar relaxation to others amounted to discriminatory treatment violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.A Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria observed that “discrimination is the other name of injustice” and emphasized that substantive justice requires adherence to the doctrine of equality in public employment.Spouse Cannot Withdraw Consent For Mutual Divorce After Agreeing For It In Settlement Of Claims : Supreme CourtCase Details: Dhananjay Rathi v. Ruchika RathiCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 366The Supreme Court has observed that while a spouse is legally entitled to withdraw consent for the grant of divorce on mutual agreement, such consent cannot be withdrawn when the parties had earlier agreed to dissolve their marriage in full and final settlement of all disputes.The Court made this observation while coming down heavily on a wife for attempting to back out of a court-approved mediation settlement.A bench of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi was hearing an appeal by the husband challenging an order of the Delhi High Court, which had permitted continuation of domestic violence proceedings despite a mediation settlement that expressly barred future litigation between the parties.Supreme Court Suspends PC Act Sentence Of Ex-Jharkhand Minister Anosh Ekka; Flags 'Overlapping' CBI ProsecutionsCase Details: Anosh Ekka v. State Through Central Bureau of InvestigationCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (SC) 367The Supreme Court (April 13) granted relief to former Jharkhand Cabinet Minister Anosh Ekka in a disproportionate assets case by releasing him on bail during the pendency of his appeal, after being apprised of dual prosecutions by the CBI based on the same set of allegations.A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta set aside the Jharkhand High Court's decision, which refused to allow his Section 389 Cr.P.C. application seeking a suspension of sentence pending an appeal. The Court said that the High Court is expected to take note of the fact while hearing an appeal that whether two separate prosecutions could continue against the Appellant in light of overlapping allegations.“A fervent contention has been raised on...

Supreme Court Weekly Roundup: April 13, 2026 To April 19, 2026

Amisha Shrivastava

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