Supreme Court Daily Round-Up : December 19, 2025

Links to today's reports :Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Judicial Officer's Plea Against High Court Calling Her NegligentPermission To Cut Trees Must Follow Definition Of 'Forest' In Godavarman Decision Though Land Not Notified As Forest: Supreme CourtCUSAT Act | When Selected Candidate Resigns, Vacancy To Be Filled By Communal Rotation & Not From Rank List : Supreme CourtWill...

High Courts Must Be Fair In Their Administration : Supreme Court Flays Allahabad HC For Discrimination In Staff Regularisation

The Supreme Court on Friday (December 19) set aside the Allahabad High Court's order which, while regularizing services of a few of its employees, did not regularise services of similarly situated employees. The Court reminded the High Court of its duty to uphold constitutional morality within their own administration.“High Courts, being Constitutional Courts entrusted to uphold equality and fairness, are expected to encompass such principles within their own administrative functioning as well,...

S. 482 CrPC | High Court Cannot Quash Cheque Bounce Cases By Conducting Pre-Trial Enquiry Into Debt Or Liability : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday (December 19) held that it is impermissible for the High Courts to quash cheque dishonour proceedings by undertaking a pre-trial enquiry into disputed facts, particularly when a statutory presumption under Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 operates in favour of the complainant. “we are of the considered view that the High Court committed an error by conducting a roving enquiry, at the pre-trial stage, as regards the cheque being issued for the...

Renewal Of Driving Licence After A Gap Will Not Operate Back From Date Of Its Expiry : Supreme Court

Driving is not merely a qualification on paper but also involves hands-on experience coupled with regular practice, the Court said.

'Child Trafficking A Disturbing Reality': Supreme Court Lays Down Guidelines To Evaluate Evidence Of Victims

Judicial appreciation of victim's evidence must be marked by sensitivity and realism, the Court said.

Corporate Social Responsibility Must Include Environmental Responsibility, Says Supreme Court In Great Indian Bustard Case

The Court recalibrated earlier restrictions on power generators in the regions where the Great Indian Bustard birds fly.

ESI Act | Best Judgment Assessment Under S.45A Can't Be Invoked Saying Records Produced Are Inadequate: Supreme Court

The statutory threshold for Section 45A is not inadequate production but non-production

In Murder Cases, Sessions Court Can't Pass 'Life Imprisonment Without Remission' Sentence : Supreme Court

Only Constitutional Courts can pass a sentence barring the grant of remission, the Supreme Court clarified.

'Last Seen' Theory Alone Can't Sustain Conviction Without Corroborative Evidence : Supreme Court Acquits Murder Accused

The Supreme Court set aside an individual's conviction for murder, holding that a prosecution case resting entirely on circumstantial evidence cannot be sustained solely on the “last seen” theory in the absence of other corroborative evidence. “The present is a case where except for the evidence of last seen together, there is no other corroborative evidence against the appellant. Therefore, the conviction only on the basis of last seen together cannot be sustained.”, observed a bench of...

Forest Land Cannot Be Leased Or Used For Agriculture Without Centre's Prior Approval Under Forest Conservation Act: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that forest land cannot be leased or used for agricultural purposes without the prior approval of the Central Government under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and that any such lease granted in violation of the law is illegal and cannot be continued.“This Court in a catena of decisions has passed numerous mandatory directions prohibiting de reservation of forest. Granting permission to cultivate the forest land would essentially require...

S. 389 CrPC | Gravity Of Offence And Role Of Accused Must Guide Suspension Of Sentence : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court set aside the Patna High Court's order suspending the sentence and granting a bail to the convict, who was convicted for the offence of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, holding that the High Court committed a clear and serious error in granting relief despite the gravity of the offence and the active role attributed to the accused. “…having regard to the relevant considerations such as nature of accusation, events in the crime and even the attribution of role of the...

S. 37 Arbitration | Arbitral Awards Not Liable To Set Aside On Mere Error In Law Or Misappreciation Of Evidence : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 18) overturned the Chhattisgarh High Court's judgment, holding that the High Court had exceeded its jurisdiction under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 by effectively acting as an appellate court, re-appreciating the evidence, and substituting its own interpretation in place of the arbitral award. “High Court, in exercise...