#Finality of Judgments

The Supreme Court ruled that a High Court cannot invoke its inherent power under Section 482 CrPC to set aside a conviction that has already attained finality before the apex court, even if the accused later proves he was a juvenile under Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice Act. This narrows the scope of Section 482, preserving the finality of appellate judgments and limiting relief avenues for convicted persons claiming subsequent juvenility.

Punjab & Haryana HC reaffirms that writ relief under Article 226 is confined to parties before the court and cannot be extended to non-parties, even if they stand to benefit from a prior judgment. Petitioners who delayed filing for pension benefits for over 20 years were denied relief, reinforcing the doctrine of laches in service law and pension disputes.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court clarified that review petitions under Section 114 CPC cannot be used to reargue promotion orders or reappreciate evidence, even if the outcome seems unfair. Only patent, obvious errors visible without detailed analysis qualify - reinforcing finality in administrative and judicial decisions affecting service benefits.

Madras HC reaffirms the finality of judicially settled Wakf-Alal-Aulad property demarcations, quashing a Government Order that sought to revisit a 25-year-old apportionment. The ruling mandates development of a Women’s Hostel on the public Wakf portion within two years, setting a precedent for the inviolability of long-standing judicial determinations under the Wakf Act 1995.