Supreme Court Daily Round-Up : July 17, 2026

Links to the reports of July 17 :After Courtroom Ruckus, Supreme Court To Ask Party-In-Persons To Forego Live-Streaming & Video Recording If Appearing PhysicallySupreme Court Asks Producer To Release 'Mahaprabhu Jagannath' Movie After Puri Rath YatraKerala Wakf Board Moves Supreme Court Challenging HC Order Restraining It From Taking Major DecisionsSupreme Court Admits Somnath Bharti's Appeal Challenging Election Of Satish Upadhyay In 2025 Delhi Assembly PollsLok Sabha MP Moves Supreme Court...

When Accused Is In Jail, Court & Prosecution Have Duty To Expedite Trial: Supreme Court

The Court granted bail after a 9-year delay in the trial shocked its judicial conscience.

Mere Swear Words & Vulgar Expletives Not Obscenity : Supreme Court Explains Scope Of S.294(b) IPC

Holding that "use of mere swear words, profanities and vulgar expletives, however distasteful or uncivil they may be, cannot be equated with obscenity", the Supreme Court has ruled that abusive or vulgar language by itself does not constitute the offence of obscenity under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Court clarified that obscenity in law is distinct from vulgarity, abuse or profanity and requires proof that the words are lascivious, appeal to prurient interests and have a...

Nominated Town Panchayat Members Cannot Vote In Legislative Council Polls : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that nominated members of Town Panchayats are not entitled to vote in elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council from Local Authorities' Constituencies, ruling that their inclusion in the electoral roll is contrary to the constitutional scheme.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi dismissed a batch of appeals challenging the Karnataka High Court's orders, which had held that nominated members...

Railways Not Liable For Short Delivery Of Consignment Booked At Owner's Risk Unless It Counted Or Weighed Goods: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that the Railways cannot be held liable for the short delivery of a consignment booked at the "owner's risk" rate unless it had itself counted or weighed the goods before transportation, thereby assuming a duty of care over the quantity entrusted to it.A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi dismissed an appeal filed by M/s Bajaj Trading Company, which sought compensation for the alleged shortage of 1,742 bags of salt transported from Gujarat to...

LiveLaw Supreme Court Half Yearly Digest 2026: Administrative Law

Accelerated Promotion – Counter-Extremism/Naxal Activities – Parity in Treatment – Judicial Review of Committee Decisions – The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's direction to grant accelerated promotion to a police constable (Respondent) who resisted a Naxalite attack on a police station - The State had denied the promotion claiming the Respondent's role was "nominal"...

Supreme Court Daily Round-Up : July 16, 2026

Links to reports of July 16 :Appellate Courts Must Give Independent Reasons, Can't Simply Overturn Trial Court Verdict As Erroneous: Supreme CourtSupreme Court Disapproves HC Direction To Send Sub Judge For Training, Says Appellate Courts Must Act As 'Friend, Philosopher & Guide''Mahaprabhu Jagannath' Movie Makers Approach Supreme Court Against Orissa High Court's Ban On Its...

Is Application For Probate Of Will Time-Barred If Not Filed Within 3 Years Of Testator's Death? Supreme Court Answers

The Supreme Court has held the probate of Will need not be necessarily filed within three years of the testator's death. The Court added that right to apply for probate accrues when it becomes necessary to do so i.e., when an action hostile to the position established by the Will was taken.“The right to apply would therefore accrue from the date that it becomes necessary to apply....

Refund Clause In Agreement To Sell Doesn't Bar Purchaser's Right To Seek Specific Performance : Supreme Court

The clause providing for refund of earnest money does not discharge the seller of the obligation to execute the sale deed.

Supreme Court Orders States/UTs To Frame Policy For Early Release Of Elderly And Terminally Ill Prisoners

The Supreme Court today directed all States and Union Territories to prepare and notify, within three months, a policy governing the early or premature release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners, while also prescribing a technology-based framework to process such cases.A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued the directions in a PIL filed by the National Legal...

Supreme Court Disapproves HC Direction To Send Sub Judge For Training, Says Appellate Courts Must Act As 'Friend, Philosopher & Guide'

The Supreme Court has set aside a Kerala High Court direction requiring a Principal Sub Judge to undergo training after the High Court criticised the trial judge's understanding of a will dispute, observing that appellate courts should guide subordinate courts through reasoned judgments rather than wield "the heavy-handed baton of superior authority."A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and...

Appellate Courts Must Give Independent Reasons, Can't Simply Overturn Trial Court Verdict As Erroneous: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that a first appellate court cannot overturn a trial court's judgment merely by declaring it erroneous without independently evaluating the evidence and recording its own reasons. Stressing the duty cast upon appellate courts while reversing findings of fact, the Court observed that they must act as "a friend, philosopher and a guide" to subordinate courts rather...