State Cannot Deny Benefits Under Final Order Merely Because Employees Delayed Seeking Its Implementation : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that the State cannot refuse to implement a judicial order that has attained finality merely because the beneficiaries approached the courts belatedly for its enforcement, stressing that the government, as a model employer, cannot take advantage of its own failure to comply with the law.A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi allowed...

Mediclaim Reimbursement Cannot Be Deducted From Motor Accident Compensation : Supreme Court

The Court explained that while medical insurance is a contractual benefit obtained by paying premiums, motor accident compensation is a statutory entitlement.

Supreme Court Quarterly Digest 2026 - Contract Law

Contract Law - Supreme Court Quarterly Digest Jan - Mar, 2026Construction of Documents — Literal Rule vs. Purposive Construction — Supreme Court emphasized that a contract must first be constructed in its plain, ordinary, and literal meaning - If the words are clear, the intention of the parties must be derived directly from the text. Reliance on the ex-post facto conduct of parties (such...

When Can Re-Assessment Be Opened U/s 147, 148 of Income Tax Act? Supreme Court Explains

While dealing with a tax case related to development of a housing project, the Supreme Court recently elucidated the position of law pertaining to reopening of assessments under Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan referred to Section 147 (pre-2012) and Section 148 (pre-2006) of the IT Act and observed that power to reopen assessment is...

Co-Owner Is 'Landlord' Under Bombay Rent Act, Can Maintain Eviction Suit Without Exclusive Title: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that a co-owner of a property qualifies as a “landlord” under the Bombay Rents, Hotel and Lodging House Rates Control Act, 1947, and is therefore entitled to maintain eviction proceedings even without exclusive title or formal partition of the tenanted premises. A bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Manmohan set aside the Bombay High Court's decision that...

'Casual Approach' : Supreme Court Summons Rajasthan Top Officials For Non-Compliance With Orders Against Illegal Mining In Chambal

The Supreme Court on Thursday (May 14) came down heavily on the Rajasthan Government for its failure to adhere to the Court's earlier directions regarding curbing illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. The Court directed several senior Rajasthan bureaucrats, including the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Principal Secretaries of Mining, Finance, Forest, and...

Reliance's Supply Of Gas From KG Basin To UP Is Inter-State Sale; VAT Not Applicable : Supreme Court

The Court held that the transaction came within the Central Sales Tax Act.

'Heinousness Of Crime Alone Not Ground To Deny Remission': Supreme Court Orders Release Of Madhumita Murder Case Convict After 22 Yrs

The Supreme Court on Friday (May 15) has held that the plea for remission of a convict cannot be rejected solely on the ground of the heinousness of the offence; instead, the decision on remission must be based on the holistic assessment of the prisoner's right to be released on fair and reasonable criteria.The Court made the observation, while quashing the Ministry Of Home Affairs (MHA)...

Arbitration Clause Gets Incorporated In Later Contract When Earlier Agreement Is Imported “Body and Soul” : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court observed that when a subsequent contract incorporates, in its entirety, the terms and conditions of an earlier agreement containing an arbitration clause, such incorporation is sufficient to invoke arbitration, and the later agreement need not separately express a clear intention to refer disputes to arbitration or specifically mention the arbitration clause in the...

Students Transferred To Other Private Colleges After Original Institution Lost Recognition Can't Claim Govt Fees : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that students shifted from the defunct Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital (SRMCH), Odisha, to other private medical colleges after the original institution lost recognition cannot claim a “windfall” by paying only subsidised government medical college fees, and permitted recovery of outstanding dues from them at the fee rates applicable at SRMCH.A bench...

Canara Bank Regulations | Joint Disciplinary Proceedings Not Necessary When Multiple Officers Involved In Same Case : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled that a separate disciplinary proceeding is permissible against a delinquent bank employee as per Regulation 10 of Canara Bank Officer Employees' (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 1976, despite multiple officers are involved in a delinquent act, as there's no mandate to hold a joint disciplinary proceeding where more than one officer is involved. A bench of...

Supreme Court Quarterly Digest 2026 - Motor Vehicles Act

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Supreme Court Quarterly Digest Jan - Mar, 2026 Assessment of Disability and Loss of Earning Capacity – Functional Disability vs. Physical Disability – The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's decision to reduce the functional disability of the appellant-claimant from 63% to 30% - held that the High Court failed to provide cogent reasons...