Keeping Pace with Legal Change
On July 2, 2025, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant judgment clarifying that legal heirs of a driver who dies due to his own rash and negligent driving are not entitled to compensation from insurance companies under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Gujarat High Court has initiated contempt proceedings against senior advocate Bhaskar Tanna for allegedly sipping beer during a virtual hearing. This incident highlights the critical need to maintain judicial decorum in digital spaces, underscoring that virtual courtrooms demand the same respect as physical ones.
In Govt. of NCT of Delhi vs Udai Singh, the Delhi High Court upheld the termination of a constable who had been taking unauthorized leave repeatedly over the course of many years. Despite producing medical certificates, the Court held them vague and without corresponding procedures. It held habitual absenteeism in disciplined services such as the police as habitual misconduct. Overriding the CAT’s reinstatement order, the Court underscored the supremacy of discipline and strict adherence to leave procedures in police forces.
On July 1, 2025, the Rajasthan High Court—which was established by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand—provide a important ruling stressing on…
In Amazon vs. Lifestyle Equities, the High Court examined whether Amazon’s “Symbol” polo logo infringed Beverly Hills Polo Club’s trademark. The court highlighted consumer confusion and stressed fair procedure, staying the hefty damages award until Amazon could fully defend itself.
In a high-value commercial contract dispute, the Delhi High Court analyzed the jurisdiction of a writ petition from Ambuj Hotel and Real Estate Pvt. Ltd. against IRCTC in respect of the wrongful demand of extra license fee for onboard catering. The contention revolves around the number of train coaches and contractual interpretation, raising important questions on promissory estoppel, jurisdiction, and the boundaries of Article 226 in commercial cases.
The Calcutta High Court has increased temporary spousal support for cricketer Mohammad Shami, requesting him to pay ₹1.5 lakh to his estranged wife Hasin Jahan and ₹2.5 lakh to their daughter. The ruling mirrors the huge earnings of Shami—about ₹60 lakh per month in FY 2021—and is an attempt to sustain the family’s pre-separation standard of living. Earlier, a district court had ordered a total of just ₹1.3 lakh; Jahan had initially asked for ₹10 lakh.
In Murli Jai Ganesh v. State of Andhra Pradesh, the High Court granted 17-day interim bail to a life convict pursuing a B.Com LL.B. degree to appear for his final semester exams. Convicted under Section 302 IPC, the appellant sought bail under Section 430(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Acknowledging his academic record and absence of backlogs, the Court balanced penal objectives with rehabilitative justice, allowing bail solely for educational purposes with strict conditions.
In The Registrar (Judicial) v. State of Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) initiated a Suo Moto PIL based on a newspaper report revealing that girls in observation homes were being shifted to other districts upon attaining majority due to lack of local facilities. The Court emphasized the right to education and mental well-being of such girls, directing authorities to provide data and explore existing shelter home capacities. This PIL seeks systemic reform in post-care rehabilitation for orphan girls.
Hyderabad: A direction was issued by the Telangana High Court to Hyderabad district collector to compensate the legal heirs of a petitioner, whose land was acquired illegally under the Urban Land Ceiling Act. The court stressed the significance of consistency with previous holdings to maintain the authority of the judiciary.
