Keeping Pace with Legal Change
The Supreme Court said that state governments can’t invalidate Form C under the Central Sales Tax Act of 1956. It said that Rule 17(20) of the Rajasthan Sales Tax Rules is not legitimate because it goes against Central Rules. The decision keeps the federal balance in taxes.
The Supreme Court said in the case of Rikhab Birani v. State of Uttar Pradesh that civil problems like breach of contract cannot be considered criminal cheating unless there is proof that the person who broke the contract was dishonest from the start.
The Supreme Court will remain closed on June 6 if the Government declares Bakrid on that date, aligning its holiday schedule with official moon-sighting announcements to provide clarity for litigants, lawyers, and staff while ensuring procedural consistency across the judiciary.
Justice Yashwant Varma faces India’s first judicial impeachment after a probe uncovered burnt currency at his residence, leading Parliament to consider removal proceedings. This unprecedented move tests constitutional safeguards, balancing accountability against independence and setting a milestone in judicial ethics.
Justice Surya Kant distinguished copyright and design protection in industrial IP disputes, ruling that artistic works lose copyright protection once industrially applied beyond the Designs Act’s threshold. The Supreme Court emphasized statutory limits, prioritizing design law to prevent overlap and ensure clarity in IP enforcement.
Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan cancelled bail for 13 accused in a child trafficking case, criticizing the Allahabad High Court’s callous approach. The Supreme Court mandated six-month trial completion and victim protection, emphasizing societal security and parental vigilance against trafficking gangs.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta reinstated a trial court’s verdict in a land partition dispute, overturning the High Court’s dismissal. The Supreme Court emphasized evidence-based adjudication, restoring the original decree and ensuring equitable division of ancestral property, reinforcing procedural fairness in civil disputes.
In revising IPC’s mandatory death penalty under Section 303, Section 104 of the BNS restores judicial discretion between death and life imprisonment for murder by life-convicts. This alignment with “rarest of rare,” plus reasoned judgments, and likely ensures constitutional validity.
Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K. Vinod Chandran upheld the use of Urdu alongside Marathi on municipal signboards, affirming linguistic diversity under the Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022. The ruling emphasizes Urdu’s Indian roots, rejecting claims of its foreignness, and promotes cultural unity through language inclusivity.
Justices Pankaj Mithal and S.V.N. Bhatti ruled that time-barred will disputes under the Limitation Act cannot proceed, emphasizing that the limitation period starts when the cause of action arises, not upon full knowledge. Ancillary reliefs also become unenforceable if the primary relief is time-barred.
