#judicial directions

Bombay High Court directs Maharashtra to establish a State Level Grievance Redressal Committee under the Maharashtra Project Affected Persons Rehabilitation Act, 1999, to address rampant illegal land allotments and pending grievances of project-affected persons (PAPs). The ruling mandates uniform criteria for land allotments to prevent arbitrariness and ensure statutory compliance.

Madhya Pradesh High Court reinforces that Section 14 SARFAESI Act applications are administrative in nature, requiring no borrower notice. District authorities must dispose of such applications within 10 days, failing which secured creditors face undue delays in debt recovery.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that detained councillors cannot be barred from taking oath or participating in municipal elections, ensuring their right to vote under the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994. The Court mandated videography of the election process and directed the Deputy Commissioner to comply within 10 days, reinforcing transparency and procedural fairness in local governance.

The Bombay High Court has mandated that Land Acquisition Officers must decide pending Section 28A applications for enhanced compensation within six months, ending decades-long delays that denied landowners timely justice. This directive ensures enforceable timelines for statutory remedies under the 1894 Act, directly impacting thousands of pending claims across Maharashtra.

The Bombay High Court has mandated that competent authorities must decide pending compensation applications within six weeks of closure for orders, treating prolonged administrative silence as a violation of procedural fairness. This binding timeline empowers claimants facing indefinite delays in state-led compensation processes and sets a new benchmark for accountability in public administration.

Andhra Pradesh High Court reinforces that police must strictly follow Arnesh Kumar guidelines and BNSS Section 35(3) before arresting accused in offences punishable with imprisonment up to seven years, ensuring procedural safeguards against arbitrary detention. The ruling mandates prior scrutiny of necessity and proportionality of arrest, impacting law enforcement practices in non-heinous offences.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that banks cannot rely on previously issued warrants of commission under SARFAESI Section 14 if they have ignored prior judicial directives. A fresh application with full compliance is now required, reinforcing that procedural adherence is not optional but a precondition for enforcement. This impacts all financial institutions pursuing recovery through coercive possession orders.

Supreme Court reinforces that judicial directions for permanent regularisation of daily wage workers are binding on the state, mandating immediate creation of posts within four weeks. The ruling extends benefits to all similarly situated workers, framing regularisation as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary scheme.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that government employees occupying service quarters under public housing schemes acquire no ownership rights, even after 15 years of continuous occupation. Upon retirement, occupancy ceases automatically, and eviction may follow after a 12-week notice period, reinforcing that such accommodation is a privilege tied to service, not a property right.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that contempt proceedings cannot be initiated based solely on judicial observations unless there is an explicit direction issued by the court. The judgment clarifies that passive remarks or general instructions do not meet the threshold for contempt, impacting public interest litigants and government authorities enforcing court orders.

Telangana High Court mandates constitution of a Medical Board within 24 hours to assess the feasibility of abortion for a 13-year-old POCSO victim, reinforcing victim rights under the MTP Act and constitutional guarantees. The ruling sets a precedent for expedited medical evaluations in cases involving minors and advanced pregnancies.

The Bombay High Court has mandated that the Collector of Stamps and the Pay & Accounts Department must process and issue court fee refunds within four weeks of receiving a server copy of the order, closing a systemic delay that undermines litigants' access to justice. This binding directive applies to all pending and future refund requests, holding state departments accountable for procedural compliance under judicial oversight.

Bombay High Court directs Divisional Joint Registrar to decide pending appeals under Section 23(2) of Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act within four weeks, emphasizing timely disposal.

Madhya Pradesh High Court directs prompt demolition of unauthorised constructions within 200 metres of Shipra River, reinforcing environmental protection under Master Plan 2025.