#Statutory Obligation

The Bombay High Court has imposed a strict 12-week timeline for state reimbursement to private schools under RTE Section 12(2), requiring recommendations within two weeks, eligibility determination within eight weeks, and disbursement within two weeks thereafter. This enforces a binding procedural framework to prevent chronic delays in statutory payments, directly impacting hundreds of unaided schools across Maharashtra.

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that insurers must compensate victims even when a vehicle is driven by an unlicensed minor, upholding the statutory 'pay and recover' obligation under the Motor Vehicles Act. In a landmark clarification, the court mandated that the notional income of deceased minor victims be calculated using the minimum wage, significantly raising compensation ceilings for families of young victims in motor accident claims.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that an insurer cannot escape liability under the Employees Compensation Act merely because the employer violated policy terms-so long as the worker’s death occurred during employment. The insurer retains a right to recover from the employer later, but the statutory duty to compensate dependents is absolute and non-negotiable, reinforcing the welfare-centric intent of the law.

Madhya Pradesh High Court reaffirms that insurers remain statutorily liable to compensate third parties in motor accidents even if the driver lacks a valid licence, with the right to recover the amount from the vehicle owner/driver. The ruling enhances compensation to Rs. 50,000 and underscores the insurer’s obligation under Section 149 MV Act, protecting victims’ rights while balancing insurer recourse.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that land submerged due to dam construction triggers statutory compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, regardless of whether formal acquisition proceedings were initiated. This sets a critical precedent for displaced landowners in infrastructure projects, mandating authorities to identify, demarcate, and pay compensation within 150 days - reinforcing Article 300A’s protection against arbitrary deprivation of property.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that under Section 21 of the Contract Labour Act, principal employers cannot evade statutory wage obligations merely by outsourcing labour. Even when contractors fail to pay minimum wages, the principal employer remains secondarily liable - ensuring workers’ rights are protected regardless of contractual arrangements. This reinforces the Act’s protective intent and expands accountability across supply chains.

The Supreme Court ruled that a husband’s voluntary repayment of loans used to acquire assets cannot be counted as a reduction in his disposable income when calculating spousal maintenance under BNSS Section 144. This reinforces that maintenance must reflect true earning capacity and uphold the wife’s dignity, not shield assets through financial engineering.

Bombay High Court reaffirms that insurers must compensate motor accident victims under Section 149 of the Motor Vehicles Act, even if the policy terms are breached. The insurer retains the right to recover the paid amount from the at-fault party, reinforcing the Act’s victim-centric mandate over contractual technicalities.

Chhattisgarh High Court rules that insurers cannot raise policy exclusions for the first time at the appellate stage if not pleaded before the Claims Tribunal. The court upheld Rs. 5,05,600 compensation, reinforcing statutory obligations under motor insurance liability.

Bombay HC rules that shipping lines must comply with court-issued demurrage waiver certificates, even if contrary to contractual terms. The judgment establishes that judicial orders supersede private detention agreements, ensuring importers' right to cargo release upon court directive.

The Bombay High Court ruled that when a developer exhausts the full Floor Space Index of a plot, the cooperative society is entitled to land proportional to the built-up density, not just the plinth area. This sets a precedent for fair land allocation in deemed conveyance cases, ensuring societies benefit from the actual development potential utilized by promoters.

Bombay High Court holds that promoters under MOFA must convey entire right, title and interest in land to housing societies, regardless of private lease arrangements.

Bombay High Court holds that promoters must convey title to individual housing societies within four months of registration, irrespective of apex body formation under MOFA.

Calcutta High Court directs municipal authorities to provide sanctioned water connection despite third-party obstruction, emphasizing compliance with statutory obligations.

Chhattisgarh High Court holds insurers liable to indemnify third parties even if policy was issued post-accident, provided issuance occurred on same day, reinforcing statutory duty under MV Act.