Supreme Court of India judgments

The Supreme Court ruled that a plaintiff seeking specific performance must disclose all material agreements, including hidden loan arrangements, to satisfy the 'clean hands' doctrine. Failure to reveal a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) showing the transaction as a loan-security deal rather than a genuine sale agreement disentitles the plaintiff from equitable relief under contract law.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the territorial reorganisation of states under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 takes absolute precedence over the deeming provision in Section 103 of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, rendering cooperative societies operating within a single post-reorganisation state ineligible for multi-state status. This decision directly impacts hundreds of agricultural cooperatives in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, resolving long-standing ambiguity over asset ownership and regulatory jurisdiction after state bifurcation.

Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to a businessman linked peripherally to a spurious liquor racket, emphasizing absence of direct evidence, no raid on his premises, and his cooperation. The ruling reinforces that custodial interrogation is unwarranted where the accused’s role is limited to supplying ancillary materials without active involvement in the crime.

The Supreme Court has ruled that vague, repetitive dowry allegations raised after divorce, identical to those against another family member, amount to abuse of process and must be quashed under Section 482 CrPC. This reinforces that Section 498A IPC cannot be weaponized through boilerplate complaints, protecting in-laws from collateral harassment in matrimonial disputes.

The Supreme Court barred appellate courts from admitting additional evidence under Order XLI Rule 27 CPC to salvage title claims rooted in unsubstantiated assertions of ancestral ownership, reinforcing that trial courts are the sole forum for establishing title and that procedural negligence cannot be remedied on appeal. This sets a critical precedent for property litigants and practitioners handling title disputes where possession is contested without documentary proof.

Supreme Court affirms that Committee of Creditors' commercial decisions in IBC resolution plans are immune from judicial review unless statutory violations exist.

Supreme Court holds that sureties are liable only for the original sanctioned loan amount under Section 133 of the Indian Contract Act, not for subsequent overdrawals without consent.

Supreme Court holds that contractual bars on pre-award interest are enforceable under Section 31(7)(a) of the Arbitration Act, but post-award interest is statutory and cannot be contracted out.

Supreme Court holds that cancellation of coal block and enactment of Coal Mines Act, 2015 constitute Change in Law under PPA, entitling seller to compensation with carrying costs.

Supreme Court holds that financial creditors may initiate parallel CIRPs against principal debtors and corporate guarantors under IBC, affirming co-extensive liability and rejecting doctrine of election.

Supreme Court holds that public servants filing official complaints need not undergo Section 202 CrPC inquiry before summoning accused, clarifying statutory exemptions in drug regulation cases.

Supreme Court mandates expansion of Open Correctional Institutions, uniform minimum standards, and gender-inclusive access to fulfill Article 21 rights and reduce prison overcrowding.

Supreme Court upholds concurrent findings that respondents are hereditary pujaries of Amogasidda temple, emphasizing documentary evidence and conduct over century-old decrees.

Supreme Court holds that statutory regularisation of unauthorized occupation under Section 123 of U.P. Z.A. & L.R. Act prevails over private purchase and Section 143 declaration, establishing non-obstante effect of socio-economic land reform provisions.

Supreme Court quashes FIR in joint venture dispute, holding that civil contract breaches cannot be converted into criminal offences without proof of dishonest intent at inception.

Supreme Court holds that non-recovery of murder weapon does not invalidate conviction when ocular and medical evidence are consistent and reliable.

Supreme Court holds Sharbat Rooh Afza qualifies as fruit drink under UPVAT Act Entry 103; Revenue failed to discharge burden of proving residuary classification.

Supreme Court holds that failure to deposit full auction amount within 15 days under Rule 107(11)(h) of Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Rules renders sale a nullity, not merely an irregularity.

Supreme Court cancels bail granted to accused in SC/ST Act case, holding that courts cannot evaluate evidentiary credibility at bail stage when unlawful assembly and grave offences are involved.

Supreme Court clarifies that amounts under Haryana's 2006 Compassionate Rules cannot be deducted from motor accident compensation unless receipt is proven on record.

Supreme Court holds that unilateral negotiations with one debenture holder cannot alter DTD terms; financial default established when statutory procedures for modification are unmet.

Supreme Court holds that delayed, non-compliant SOA under Companies Act cannot override IBC proceedings; Section 238 mandates priority for corporate revival.

Supreme Court holds that NCLT lacks jurisdiction to review Benami Act attachment orders; sovereign confiscation proceedings override IBC moratorium and liquidation estate claims.

Supreme Court cancels bail granted to accused in SC/ST Act case, holding that courts must not evaluate evidentiary credibility at bail stage when unlawful assembly is established.