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...

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...

Registration Of Offence Under Repealed Foreigners Act 'Ex Facie Illegal': MP High Court Sets Aside FIR Over Delay In Form-C Filing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failing to submit Form-C within 24 hours regarding the stay of a foreign national, holding that prosecution under the repealed Foreigners Act, 1946 is legally unsustainable after the coming into force of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.Justice Himanshu Joshi observed that once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...

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...

'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,...

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)...

'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...

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...

Municipality Cannot Benefit Private Party At Cost Of State; Disposal Of Public Property Must Be In Public Interest & Free From Bias: Gujarat HC

The Gujarat High Court has held that the State and municipal authorities cannot act in a manner that benefits a private party at the cost of public property, and that any such action would be unreasonable and contrary to public interest. The Court observed that public authorities are bound by the doctrine of public trust and cannot alienate municipal land in an arbitrary manner.A Single...

Ensure Day-To-Day Recording Of Testimony In POCSO Trials To Prevent Witness Pressure: Delhi High Court To Trial Courts

The Delhi High Court has directed all trial courts in the national capital to ensure that testimony of witnesses already being examined should be recorded on day-to-day basis till its conclusion, in order to minimise the possibility of pressurising witnesses .Justice Girish Kathpalia said that the trial courts should also ensure that such trials should preferably be conducted on day-to-day...

UAPA | Order Barring Disclosure Of Witness Statements Must Record Reasons For Each Witness: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has clarified that an order passed under Section 44 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act barring disclosure of witness statements must separately consider materials relating to each witness and record reasons for its decision.The Division Bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan was considering a petition preferred under Section...