Supreme court
Supreme Court Criticizes Casual Practice Of Declaring Witnesses Hostile For Minor Inconsistencies
The Supreme Court criticized the practice of declaring witnesses hostile merely for minor inconsistencies in their statements, emphasizing that this should be done only in exceptional situations where the witness completely departs from the prosecution's case, gives false testimony, or shows clear hostility towards the party on whose behalf they are testifying. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan cautioned that courts should not routinely or casually invoke their discretionary...
Uncontrolled Use Of Firecrackers Affecting Health Can't Be Permitted Solely Based On Traditions & Religious Norms : Supreme Court
While allowing the limited use of green crackers in the National Capital Region for Diwali, the Supreme Court said that commercial interests and festive celebrations cannot outweigh concerns about public health and the environment, while considering issues related to the manufacture and use of firecrackers.The Supreme Court acknowledged that bursting firecrackers is deeply rooted in India's cultural and religious fabric, often seen as a joyful expression of festive spirit during celebrations and...
Supreme Court Restores Criminal Case Against Ex-MLA For Allegedly Using Fake Caste Certificate In Election
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 14) restored the criminal case against former MLA Rajendra Singh and others accused of fraudulently procuring a Scheduled Caste certificate to contest elections from a reserved constituency of Guna, Madhya Pradesh. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan set aside the MP High Court's Gwalior Bench order, which held a mini-trial, despite having a prima facie case, stating that once a complaint discloses prima facie offenses of cheating, forgery,...
Supreme Court Weekly Round-Up: October 6, 2025 To October 12, 2025
Reports/JudgmentsEither Grant Or Deny Relief; Avoid Passing Adverse Orders Against Litigants On Issues Beyond Pleadings: Supreme Court To High CourtsCause Title: P. Radhakrishnan & Anr. v. Cochin Devaswom Board & Ors.Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 970The Supreme Court set aside certain directions issued by the Kerala High Court that had ordered the Cochin Devaswom Board to re-fix...
Supreme Court Reverses Acquittal Of Man For Daughter-in-Law's Murder In 1997
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 14) has set aside the acquittal of a father-in-law in a case connected to the murder of his daughter-in-law, after noting that the circumstantial evidence pointing towards his guilt, including the chain of circumstances, was complete. A bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe set aside the Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior Bench order, noting that although the appeal against the acquittal carries with it a proof of innocence, the Appellate...
Magistrates Can Direct Witnesses To Give Voice Samples, Not Just Accused; Article 20(3) Not Violated : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court held that a Magistrate can direct the collection of voice samples not only from accused persons but also from witnesses. It ruled that such samples, whether voice, fingerprints, handwriting, or DNA, constitute material evidence rather than testimonial evidence, and therefore do not infringe the constitutional protection against self-incrimination under Article 20(3). A Bench...
Plea Of Lack Of State's Consent For CBI's Investigation Should Be Taken Soon After FIR Registration : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court held that objections regarding the CBI's lack of state consent under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, must be raised at the earliest stage, usually right after the FIR is registered. It clarified that once the investigation is complete, a chargesheet is filed, and a magistrate takes cognizance, such objections cannot be used belatedly to...
Land Acquisition Can't Be Challenged After Accepting Compensation: Supreme Court Rejects Company's Plea To Restore Singur Land
The Supreme Court has overturned the Calcutta High Court's decision to restore land to a private company based on the 2016 Kedar Nath Yadav v State of West Bengal precedent. The Court stated that its 2016 ruling, which quashed the Tata Nano plant acquisition in Singur, provided a targeted remedy for farmers and was not a general right for commercial entities that had accepted the acquisition...
For Lawyers To Double Up As Mediators, They Need To Acquire Different Skills; Listen Than Speak : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court recently commended a Court-appointed mediator for successfully resolving a 40-year-old civil dispute, observing that it is “inevitable” for lawyers to transition into the role of mediators, which demands a shift in approach from adversarial litigation to constructive problem-solving."If lawyers are to double-up and evolve as mediators, a development which we consider...