While partly allowing the appeal by acquitting some appellants due to lack of evidence, the Bench upheld the conviction of the main accused for trespass and related charges, though his sentence was reduced.
NCDRC Holds Ludhiana Hospital and Doctors Accountable for Surgery Without Confirmed Diagnosis
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a 2018 order of the Punjab State Consumer Commission holding Ludhiana Hospital, its surgeons, and pathologists from Dayanand Medical College liable for medical negligence.
The case concerned a radical facial surgery for suspected cancer conducted solely on a pathology report that was merely “suggestive of malignant melanoma” and clearly required immunohistochemistry confirmation.
The procedure resulted in permanent facial disfigurement and lasting trauma to the patient.
While affirming liability, the NCDRC declined to enhance the ₹55 lakh compensation, excluded one surgeon due to limited involvement, and increased litigation costs to ₹5 lakh.
[Kanwalpreet Kaur v. Dayanand Medical College & Ors.]
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Jammu & Kashmir High Court Directs Police Protection for Woman Fearing Forcible Marriage
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court directed the police to ensure protection for a woman who expressed apprehension of harm due to an alleged attempt to forcibly marry her.
The Court noted that the woman and her family had raised concerns about threats from the proposed groom’s relatives. It ordered the Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, and the Station House Officer, Mendhar, to ensure that she is not subjected to any harm.
The Court further said that if the woman faces any threats or harassment, the police must promptly inquire into the complaint and provide necessary security.
The petition was initially filed in 2023 through her elder sister when she was a minor.
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Supreme Court Exempts Kerala Journalist from Surrender in Sexual Remarks Conviction Case
The Supreme Court has granted interim relief to Kerala-based journalist Aravindan Manikoth by exempting him from surrendering in a 2013 case involving sexually coloured remarks against a woman political leader.
The Court noted that Manikoth had already paid the compensation awarded by the trial court and that the sentence imposed was imprisonment until the court rose.
Issuing notice to the State of Kerala, the Court said the interim protection would continue until the State files its reply.
The conviction under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code was upheld earlier by the trial court, Sessions Court, and the Kerala High Court.
[Aravindan Manikoth v. State of Kerala]
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Kerala High Court Denies Parole to TP Chandrasekharan Murder Convict for Cousin’s Funeral
The Kerala High Court refused to grant emergency parole to Jyothi Babu, a life convict in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case, to conduct the funeral rites of his cousin.
The plea was filed by Babu’s wife after jail authorities rejected her request for emergency leave.
The Court observed that no material was placed to show that Babu was the only person capable of performing the rituals. It further noted that the deceased was not a close relative, as he was the son of the convict’s paternal uncle.
The Court held that granting unwarranted leniency in parole matters, especially in a murder conviction, would be undesirable and dismissed the petition.
[Smitha P.G. v. State of Kerala & Ors.]
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Kerala High Court Holds Police Stations Covered Under ‘House Trespass’ u/s 442 IPC
The Kerala High Court held that police stations qualify as “house” under Section 442 of the Indian Penal Code because they are used for the custody of official records, arms, ammunition, and other property.
The ruling came in an appeal arising from an election-related incident where the accused were convicted for trespassing into a police station, rioting, and allied offences.
The Court observed that the statutory structure and functions of a police station involve the safekeeping of property, bringing it within the scope of house trespass.
[Binu Thankappan & Ors. v. State of Kerala]
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Bombay High Court Holds Emergency Hearing at Chief Justice’s Residence Over Court Staff Election Duty
The Bombay High Court conducted an emergency hearing from the Chief Justice’s residence after learning that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner had directed subordinate court staff to report for election duty during court vacations.
Taking note of a 2008 decision of the High Court’s Administrative Judges’ Committee exempting judicial staff from election duties, the Court observed that the High Court exercises complete control and superintendence over subordinate courts and their staff.
The Bench restrained the Municipal Commissioner from acting on the communication and from issuing any such directions in the future. It also directed the Commissioner to file a personal affidavit explaining the authority under which the order was issued.
The matter will be heard further on January 5.
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Consideration for Promotion Is a Fundamental Right & Not Promotion: P&H High Court
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that promotion is neither a vested nor a fundamental right, and that only the right to be considered for promotion is protected under law.
The petitioner filed a writ plea under Article 226, seeking directions for her promotion as Senior Town Planner in the Department of Town and Country Planning, Punjab, before retirement. Her representation for promotion had not been considered.
While the Court upheld the rejection of her promotion claim, it noted that she had discharged the duties of a Senior Town Planner.
Accordingly, it granted her the applicable pay scale and allowances from July 21, 2023 till her retirement, treating it as a monetary entitlement.
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Finance Ministry Discusses Faster Case Disposal and Higher Recoveries Through DRTs
The Finance Ministry has discussed measures to speed up case disposal before Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), with a focus on faster recovery in high-value cases.
The deliberations took place during a colloquium involving Chairpersons of Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals, Presiding Officers of DRTs, public and private sector banks, and the Indian Banks’ Association.
The meeting reviewed procedural reforms, monitoring mechanisms for banks, and best practices followed by high-performing DRTs. Proposals for amendments to the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 and the SARFAESI Act, 2002 were also considered.
The Ministry emphasised capacity-building initiatives, including structured training for tribunal staff and authorised bank officers, to improve efficiency and recovery outcomes.
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Chennai CBI Court Convicts Company, Four Directors In ₹5.75 Crore Andhra Bank Fraud Case
A Special CBI Court in Chennai has convicted M/s D.N. International Ltd. and its four directors in a ₹5.75 crore bank fraud case linked to Andhra Bank’s Mowbrays Road Branch during 1999–2000.
The Court found that the company had fraudulently availed credit facilities and diverted the sanctioned funds for purposes other than those approved, causing wrongful loss to the bank.
Following the CBI’s investigation, directors Ketan A. Shah, Mukesh A. Shah, Ashwin H. Shah and Rashmikant Shah were each sentenced to five years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹4 lakh.
The company was also fined ₹4 lakh.
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Discharge During Probation Not Punitive Merely Due to Pending Criminal Case: Himachal Pradesh High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by a Peon challenging his discharge during the probation period, holding that such discharge was not punitive merely because a criminal case was pending against him.
The Court observed that the order was passed strictly in accordance with the terms of appointment and service rules, based on the employer’s dissatisfaction with the employee’s performance during probation.
It noted that the discharge order did not refer to the criminal proceedings and therefore could not be treated as stigmatic or punitive.
The Court further clarified that suspension following custody for more than 48 hours was in line with service rules and did not vitiate the discharge.
[Faqeer Chand v. High Court of Himachal Pradesh]
a day ago
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Delhi High Court Temporarily Injuncts Sale of Copycat “Little Hearts” Biscuits, Grants Relief to Britannia
The Delhi High Court granted an ad-interim injunction in favour of Britannia Industries Limited, restraining Shri Swastik Organics and its associates from manufacturing, selling, or marketing biscuits under the name “Little Hearts” or using an identical heart-shaped design.
The Court found that the defendants had dishonestly adopted Britannia’s mark, product shape, and trade channels, creating a likelihood of consumer confusion. It observed that the case involved “triple identity” of mark, product, and consumers, and that denial of interim relief would cause irreparable harm to Britannia.
The Court also directed Amazon to remove infringing listings from its platform.
The injunction will continue until further orders, with the matter listed next on May 21, 2026.
[Britannia Industries Ltd v. Shri Swastik Organics & Ors.]
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Gauhati High Court Upholds ART Age Limit Under Section 21(g) Citing Mother–Child Welfare
The Gauhati High Court upheld Section 21(g) of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, confirming the policy-based upper age limit for couples seeking ART services.
The case arose from a writ plea filed under Article 226 by a married couple after a hospital declined IVF treatment, citing age eligibility.
The Court held that the age criteria applies equally to all couples, is grounded in medical and ethical policy, has a direct link to the welfare of the mother and child, and does not violate Articles 14 or 21 of the Constitution of India.
The petition was dismissed as being devoid of merit.
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CCPA Fines China Gate ₹50,000 For Forced Service Charge & Orders Software Changes
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹50,000 penalty on China Gate Restaurant Private Limited and directed the removal of the default service charge from bills issued at its Bora Bora outlet.
The penalty arose from a consumer grievance on the National Consumer Helpline alleging a forced 10% software-added service charge despite the 2022 CCPA guidelines upheld by the Delhi High Court in NRAI v Union of India in March 2025.
It held that software-embedded commands made the charge involuntary. Despite issuing refunds and displaying “no service charge” notices, the default billing continued.
The authority directed modification of the billing software and submission of a compliance report within 15 days.
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WinZo Co-Founders Face Split Bail Outcome in ED’s PMLA Probe
Bengaluru Sessions Court Grants Bail to WinZo Co-Founder Saumya Rathore, Denies Bail to Paavan Nanda in ED PMLA Case
The case arose from ED proceedings after the co-founders were arrested in November 2025 following multi-state searches based on FIR-linked predicate offences.
The Court held that Saumya Rathore is covered under Section 45(1)(ii) PMLA, which exempts a woman-accused from the twin bail conditions. She was ordered to be released on a ₹5-lakh bond with two sureties, surrender her passport, and cooperate with the probe.
The Court ruled Paavan Nanda did not meet the threshold for bail and allowed ED custody for 4 days, while ensuring protection from ill-treatment and granting daily access to counsel.
[Enforcement Directorate v. Saumya Singh Rathore & Paavan Nanda]
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Bengaluru Court Discharges HD Revanna In Sexual Harassment Case Over Delay In Complaint
A Bengaluru court has discharged JD(S) MLA HD Revanna from a sexual harassment case, citing an unexplained four-year delay in filing the complaint.
The trial court held that the delay could not be condoned under Section 473 CrPC and declined to take cognisance of the offence under Section 354A IPC.
The order was passed pursuant to a remand by the Karnataka High Court, which had directed the trial court to specifically examine the question of limitation.
In the absence of any satisfactory explanation for the delay, the court concluded that the proceedings could not continue. Consequently, Revanna stands discharged from the sexual harassment charge in the case.
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