The Bombay High Court held that the Maharashtra Police Academy qualifies as an “industry” under Section 2(j) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, thereby making its employment practices subject to labour law provisions.

Justice Milind N. Jadhav, delivering the judgment, observed that the Academy generates revenue by providing training to private security agencies, as well as offering fee-based amenities like hostels and swimming pools.

The court further held that daily-wage workers, such as clerical staff, constitute “workmen” under Section 2(s) of the Act. It directed the reinstatement of a terminated daily-wage clerk with back wages, continuity, and permanency.

[Maharashtra Police Academy v. Bharati Yashwant Salve]

The Delhi High Court has permitted GST officials to continue parsing digital data from a CPU seized from advocate Puneet Batra, under strict supervision. Earlier attempts on September 11 and 12 gave only partial results.

The Bench directed that parsing be carried out at the National Forensic Sciences University lab, in the presence of local commissioners, the lawyer’s counsel, and two GST officials. 

Parsed data will be copied for the petitioner and preserved securely.

The exercise will run daily from November 17 to 25, ahead of the next hearing on December 4.

[Puneet Batra v Union of India & Ors]

The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over liquor being sold in “pocket-size” packs after Justice Surya Kant initially mistook a sample packet for juice during a trademark dispute hearing.

The Bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said such packaging is “dangerous” and could easily be carried by school or college students, deceiving parents and enabling unsafe consumption.

Noting that governments permit such packs for revenue, the judges said the health costs are far greater and indicated willingness to examine the issue if a public interest litigation is filed.

[John Distilleries v Allied Blenders]

The Calcutta High Court’s Full Bench has held that juveniles (children in conflict with law) can apply for anticipatory bail under Section 438 CrPC.

The Court found no conflict between the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Section 438 CrPC, noting the JJ Act applies after a child is apprehended, while anticipatory bail protects liberty before any arrest

It emphasised that a child’s liberty is as protected under Article 21 as that of any adult, and depriving access to pre-arrest bail would undermine fundamental rights.

[Suhana Khatun & Ors v State of West Bengal]

The Chandigarh Consumer Commission has held BYJU’s liable for deficiency in service after it failed to deliver the complete educational package promised to a parent who had purchased a four-year study plan for his daughter. 

Despite timely cancellation and repeated follow-ups, essential materials, including live classes, books, and the tablet, were not provided.

Relying on NCDRC precedents, the Commission ruled that private coaching services cannot retain fees when services are not delivered. 

The Court directed BYJU’s to refund ₹80,000 with 9% interest and pay ₹20,000 as compensation.

The Delhi State Consumer Commission held Tata AIG liable for unjustified repudiation of a Toyota Fortuner theft claim. 

The insurer denied the claim, alleging “gross negligence” because a spare key was left in the dashboard, but the Commission found this was not a fundamental breach since the vehicle was properly locked. 

The Court directed Tata AIG to pay 75% of the IDV (₹16.56 lakh) plus ₹1 lakh compensation and ₹50,000 costs, with interest applicable for non-compliance.

[Vijay Gupta V Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd]

The Supreme Court has sent the decade-long trademark battle between Allied Blenders (Officer’s Choice) and John Distillers (Original Choice) to mediation. 

Both brands hold registered trademarks, and after conflicting findings by the Madras High Court and IPAB on rectification, the Bench said mediation would offer a faster, effective resolution. 

Former SC judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao will mediate the dispute, which centres on the coexistence and similarity of the word “Choice.”

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that inventions requiring the destruction of human embryos are not patentable under Section 3(b) of the Patents Act, which prohibits patents contrary to public order and morality.

The Court upheld the Patent Office's rejection of a patent application on the grounds that the invention involved the destruction of human embryos and was therefore unethical and contrary to public order and morality.

The court emphasised that ethical considerations override commercial interests in such biotechnological research, aligning Indian patent law with international ethical standards on embryo protection.

The Kerala High Court has directed the GST department to investigate alleged tax evasion by a company that billed frozen chicken at 0% GST instead of the applicable 5% rate.

The court recorded that the petitioner, who is a chicken meat dealer, had highlighted serious allegations of tax evasion in the sale of frozen chicken in Kerala.

The court ordered authorities to examine whether the incorrect classification was intentional, potentially resulting in significant revenue loss, and take appropriate action against violations of tax laws.

The Delhi High Court has issued a dynamic injunction restraining numerous websites from enabling illegal downloads and streaming of Saregama India's copyrighted music catalog.

The order, passed by Justice Tejas Karia on November 10, 2025, specifically prohibits “stream-ripping” i.e., downloading, reproducing or distributing Saregama’s audio content without authorisation. 

It held that each act of stream-ripping causes “grave prejudice” by permanently diverting users away from licensed platforms and deprives Saregama of control over its works.

The injunction is in force until February 27, 2026.