Supreme Court of India judgments

A resignation accepted without statutory authority becomes effective only after the Board of Management ratifies it, after which the employee cannot retract the resignation or claim back wages. This limits resignation withdrawals to cases where a competent authority has validated the acceptance, affecting staff of public universities.

Conviction can justify termination of a government employee even when Section 12 of the Probation of Offenders Act is invoked. The Supreme Court also awarded Rs 5 lakh compensation for the earlier illegal discharge, underscoring that Section 12 offers no protection against service termination.

The Supreme Court held that an Order XVIII Rule 17 application is limited to court-identified clarification and cannot be used to recall a witness or reopen evidence after trial closure. Litigants can no longer seek post-trial witness recall through this provision.

The Supreme Court ordered insurers to honour motor-accident claims and insisted that every vehicle carry a valid third-party policy under Section 146. It also directed a standardized four-layer policy covering driver, passengers and vehicle, with technology-enabled enforcement and extended policy periods. The ruling impacts insurers, vehicle owners and regulators nationwide.

A live-in partner can now be treated as a ‘husband’ under Section 498A if cruelty is established, extending the law’s protection beyond formal marriage. This interpretation covers cohabiting couples who share marital attributes.

The Supreme Court raised the award for a child with 90% disability to Rs 83.38 lakh, using an 18-year multiplier, functional disability assessment and 9% interest from the claim date. The ruling clarifies the calculation of ‘just compensation’ for severely disabled child victims under the Motor Vehicles Act, benefiting minors and their guardians in similar accidents.

The Supreme Court upheld the 1955 mutation of Haiderpur land, holding that because the revenue record marks it shamilat deh, Section 2(g)(1) of the Punjab & Haryana Common Lands Act automatically vests it in the gram panchayat. The ruling overturns the High Court and confirms shamilat deh land as statutory common property, affecting owners, developers and local authorities in Haryana and Punjab.

An insurer cannot be forced to pay compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act if the driver at fault did not possess a valid licence on the accident date. This places the burden on vehicle owners to verify licence validity before granting coverage.

The Supreme Court reversed the High Court, ruling that land registered in the names of a deceased husband’s wives is their separate property, not part of his estate. Consequently, a sale deed executed without the wives’ consent is void, limiting heirs’ claims under the Indian Succession Act. This clarifies ownership rights for widows in succession disputes.

The Supreme Court overturned Karnataka High Court orders that had quashed six corruption-related FIRs, holding that Section 482 CrPC authorises only a prima-facie check and cannot be used to conduct a mini-trial before investigation. This limits High Courts’ power to dismiss FIRs and safeguards the investigative process for accused officials.

Promotees in Uttarakhand can treat ad hoc promotions under Rule 24(4) as seniority-bearing, provided the promotion fits the vacancy quota. The Supreme Court also clarified that the Public Service Commission’s consultation requirement is merely directory, not fatal. This ruling expands seniority rights for civil servants appointed on a temporary basis.

An undivided half-share in jointly owned land, not being coparcenary property, may be gifted without the other co-owner’s consent. Thus a claimant’s right is limited to possession of that specific share, not the whole property. This clarifies gift-deed transfers among co-owners under the Hindu Succession Act.

A judicial officer reinstated after wrongful discharge is entitled to Selection Scale arrears from July 2018 and Super Time Scale arrears from July 2021, despite six missing ACRs. The SC ordered payment within three months, holding that missing ACRs do not bar entitlement to higher pay grades on reinstatement, impacting service-law employees with similar gaps.

Supreme Court affirmed that a victim can invoke the proviso to Section 372 CrPC to appeal an acquittal, treating a criminal revision as an appeal. The Court upheld the trial court’s acquittal on grounds of insufficient evidence, clarifying victims’ procedural standing in murder and other IPC cases.

The Supreme Court ruled that the statutory absolute limit on police-custody duration under the BNSS is invalid, allowing police to question accused persons outside prison premises. However, the right of an accused to have an advocate present is confined to narrowly defined situations, reshaping investigative practice nationwide.

The Supreme Court ruled that the IBC’s Section 14 moratorium restrains only the corporate debtor, not the promoters, directors or landowners, allowing the NCDRC to pursue the consumer complaint. This preserves homebuyers’ recourse even during insolvency proceedings.

Supreme Court clarifies that interim custody of seized property under CrPC Sections 451 and 457 hinges on prima facie possession, not registration. Vehicles registered in a director’s name were granted to the company in actual possession, setting a precedent for disputes over seized assets.

Supreme Court rules that even erroneous fact-based orders bind parties under res judicata unless jurisdictional defects exist. Clarifies impleadment of transferees pendente lite under CPC Order I Rule 10 and Order XXII Rule 10, impacting property dispute litigants.

Supreme Court bars states from downgrading the mandatory Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) certificate to a mere preference for ITI instructor posts. The ruling reaffirms the Centre’s 1996 directive and directs Uttar Pradesh to recruit eligible candidates despite delays.

Supreme Court clarifies TRAI's power to issue regulatory directions under Section 13 of the TRAI Act does not encroach upon TDSAT's exclusive adjudicatory jurisdiction under Section 14. The ruling preserves the separation of regulatory and dispute-resolution functions in telecom disputes.

Supreme Court dismisses writ petition seeking quashing of multiple cyber fraud FIRs across states, reiterating Article 32 jurisdiction is extraordinary and mandates proof of fundamental rights violation. The ruling underscores the high threshold for invoking constitutional remedies against FIRs.

Supreme Court invalidated Uttar Pradesh's 2014 ITI Instructor Rules for diluting the mandatory CITS certificate requirement, holding arbitrary cut-off marks fixation unconstitutional. Affected candidates must be recruited against current vacancies, reinforcing central government vocational training standards.

Supreme Court rules stamp duty for mining leases must be computed on anticipated royalty under Section 26 proviso of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, rejecting dead rent as the basis. The decision impacts lease valuation and stamp duty liability for mining operators nationwide.

Supreme Court rules that promotions within the same Grade Pay in a cadre's hierarchy must be counted for MACPS financial upgradation under Paragraph 8, overruling contrary tribunal and high court orders. The decision impacts railway employees seeking MACPS benefits beyond Grade Pay Rs.4200.