State Authorities Bound To Register Marriages Solemnized Under Christian Marriage Act; Rajasthan 2009 Law No Bar: High Court

In a significant order passed last week, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the State authorities to mandatorily accept, record and register all Christian marriages solemnized in accordance with the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 (ICM Act), in respect of which a certificate has been issued under the Act. In its detailed order, a Bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sangeeta Sharma has sought to clarify the prevailing confusion in the state regarding the interplay...

Managing Director Who Signed Dishonoured Cheques & Handled Day-To-Day Affairs Vicariously Liable U/S 141 NI Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently clarified that the managing director, who signed the dishonoured cheques and was in charge of the day-to-day affairs of a company accused of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, is vicariously liable in the offence.Justice M.B. Snehalatha dismissed a revision petition filed by the 2nd accused in a cheque bounce case for which he was found guilty along with the accused company in which he was the managing director.The petitioner, as managing director, was...

Orissa High Court Orders Creation Of State Level Task Force For Checking Misuse Of 'State Emblem', Issues Directions

Taking misuse of the State Emblem of India seriously, the Orissa High Court has directed the State Government to create a State Level Task Force to monitor and review any suggestion, objection and/or report the misuse of the Emblem. Additionally, the Court also issued a slew of directions for preventing institutional as well as individual misuse of the Emblem.A Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak put much emphasis on the need to honour the Emblem which...

Delhi High Court Protects Personality Rights Of Actor Vivek Oberoi, Restrains Unauthorized Deepfake & Persona Misuse

The Delhi High Court has passed a john doe interim order protecting the personality rights of actor and entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi.Justice Tushar Rao Gedela granted an ex-parte ad-interim dynamic injunction in favour of the actor, while restraining multiple defendants and unidentified (John Doe) entities from misappropriating and exploiting his personality and publicity rights, including his name, image, voice, likeness and other distinctive attributes, through artificial intelligence and other...

Kerala High Court Expresses 'Exasperation' Over Reappearing Illegal Poles & Flags, Orders Statewide Drive To Prevent Reoccurrence

The Kerala High Court on Friday (February 6) directed the Joint Directors of Local Self Government Department (LSGD) to initiate a comprehensive drive within their respective jurisdictions and issue necessary instructions to the Secretaries ensuring no further illegal installations of flags, poles etc. occur in public places in the State.Justice Devan Ramachandran was considering a review petition filed in connection with a plea against illegal and unauthorized flags and banners.The Court had...

Registration Of Offence Under Repealed Foreigners Act 'Ex Facie Illegal': MP High Court Sets Aside FIR Over Delay In Form-C Filing

The Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed an FIR registered against a private house owner for allegedly failing to submit Form-C within 24 hours regarding the stay of a foreign national, holding that prosecution under the repealed Foreigners Act, 1946 is legally unsustainable after the coming into force of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.Justice Himanshu Joshi observed that once the 1946 Act stood repealed with effect from September 1, 2025, neither the Act nor the Registration of...

Delhi High Court Upholds Termination Of Probationary DHJS Judge Over Viral Video, Says Action Not Stigmatic

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a probationary officer of the Delhi Higher Judicial Service (DHJS) challenging the termination of his services following circulation of a viral courtroom video, holding that the decision was a termination simpliciter based on overall unsuitability, and not a punitive or stigmatic action.A Division Bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Amit Mahajan upheld the validity of the notification dated October 10, 2024 and the...

'Toilet Facilities Are Basic Human Rights Under Article 21: Bombay HC Directs Civic Body To Improve Sanitation In Mumbai's Slum Areas

The Bombay High Court has held that access to adequate sanitation and toilet facilities constitutes a basic human right forming an integral part of the right to life and dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, even in slum areas created by encroachment on municipal land. The Court observed that once large populations reside in slums, whether authorised or unauthorised, the Municipal Corporation cannot abdicate its statutory and constitutional obligations to provide and maintain...

Allahabad High Court Imposes ₹1 Lakh Cost Over 'Reckless' Claim That Judge Issued NBW On An Advocate's Persuasion

Taking a stern view against two litigants who claimed that the Trial Judge had issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against them under the 'persuasion' of the complainant's advocate brother, the Allahabad High Court has dismissed a transfer plea with an exemplary cost of Rs. 1 Lakh. A bench of Justice Samit Gopal observed that the applicants had sworn the affidavit on a "perusal...

"Entire Auction & Bidding Process Was Rigged": Bombay High Court Quashes Sale Of Property, Orders Forfeiture Of Deposit By Bidders

The Bombay High Court has ordered a fresh 'revaluation' of a prime property at Mumbai's Vile Parle area after finding that the initial process of auction of the plot was 'rigged' with bidders coming a 'syndicate' and 'under-bidding' for the property.Single-judge Justice Madhav Jamdar therefore while ordering fresh auction, ordered forfeiture of the Rs 10 lakh each Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) by five bidders, till further orders. The bench dealt with a report of the Deputy Sheriff of Mumbai,...

'Can't Turn Nelson's Eye To Minor Victim's Ordeal': Bombay High Court Refuses To Reduce Sentence Of 83 Yr-Old Rape Convict

The Bombay High Court (Goa Bench) recently upheld the conviction and refused to reduce the 10-year sentence awarded to an 83-year-old man convicted of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in 2012. A bench of Justice Shreeram V Shirsat said that the age of the Appellant could not be a mitigating circumstance to reduce the sentence in such offences as the Court can't "turn a Nelson's eye" to the age of the victim and the ordeal the victim has undergone. In its 63-page order, the High...

POCSO Probes Must Be Child-Friendly; Sensitise Investigators To Ensure 'Truth Emerges Without Ambiguity': Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court has stressed that investigations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act must be conducted with sensitivity and strict adherence to child-friendly procedures, observing that failure to provide counselling support, appoint support persons and record clear, specific statements may defeat the very cause of justice. The Court cautioned that defective or casual investigations not only prejudice the accused but may also result in acquittals even where...