#Jurisdictional Transfer

Kerala High Court rules that raising a defence under Section 22(4) of the Designs Act, 2000-challenging the validity of a registered design-automatically transfers the case to the High Court, bypassing lower court jurisdiction. This holding reinforces the exclusive jurisdiction of High Courts in design validity disputes, impacting litigants and practitioners in IP enforcement.

MP High Court transfers divorce proceedings to the wife’s jurisdiction, prioritizing the minor child’s welfare and the wife’s financial dependence on her parents over the husband’s procedural objections. The ruling reaffirms that jurisdictional transfers under Section 24 CPC must account for the child’s custody and the caregiver’s hardship, not just spousal convenience.

Orissa High Court rules that administrative reallocation of territorial jurisdiction does not absolve public officials from enforcing existing court orders. The Sub-Registrar was held in contempt for refusing to register a deed despite a prior judicial directive, reinforcing that jurisdictional continuity binds officials until formal transfer of records. This sets a precedent for strict compliance with court orders regardless of bureaucratic reshuffling.

Chhattisgarh High Court holds that offences under IPC Sections 489-A to 489-E committed before 2019 NIA Amendment remain triable by Special Court (NIA) with trial continuing from existing stage.