Author: Anvita Dwivedi

In a significant ruling on the scope of amendment of pleadings under civil procedure law, the Allahabad High Court has held that the restrictive proviso introduced to Order VI Rule 17 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) through the 2002 amendment does not apply to suits that were instituted before the amendment came into force. Allowing an amendment application in a suit filed in 1997, Justice Manish Kumar Nigam observed that courts must apply the legal framework that existed at the time when the suit was instituted. Since the proviso restricting amendments after the commencement of trial was introduced…

In a significant ruling reinforcing consumer rights in the automobile sector, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II, Chandigarh held Ford India Pvt. Ltd. and its authorised dealer Saluja Motors Pvt. Ltd. liable for deficiency in service after a consumer faced persistent problems with a newly purchased vehicle. The Commission directed the company and the dealer to jointly pay ₹4 lakh as compensation to the aggrieved car owner. The order was passed by a bench comprising Amrinder Singh Sidhu (President) and B.M. Sharma (Member), who observed that repeated mechanical faults in a new vehicle and the failure to effectively resolve them…

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and other accused while hearing a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging their discharge in the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. The case was taken up by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who issued notice seeking responses from the accused and fixed the matter for further hearing. The Court also granted interim relief to the investigating agency by staying certain adverse observations made against it by the trial court in the discharge order. The development follows a significant order passed…

In a sharp rebuke against what it termed a frivolous public interest litigation, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition seeking directions to conduct scientific research into whether onions and garlic possess a “tamasic” or negative nature. The Court expressed concern that such litigation could unnecessarily hurt religious sentiments and waste judicial time. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, who strongly criticised the petitioner an advocate appearing in person for filing the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. The plea asked the Court to direct authorities to constitute a committee to…

In an important clarification on procedural rights, the Supreme Court of India has reiterated that individuals who were not parties to a case but are adversely affected by the judgment are not left without remedy. Such persons may seek a review of the judgment or challenge it before the appropriate forum, provided they can demonstrate that they are genuinely aggrieved by the decision. The observation was made by a bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Aravind Kumar while deciding appeals arising from a dispute concerning promotions in the Kerala Technical Education Service. The Court emphasised that judicial decisions can…

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has advocated for greater use of technology to strengthen judicial systems and expand access to justice, suggesting a series of technology-driven reforms for Bhutan’s judiciary during his recent visit to the Himalayan nation. Delivering a keynote address at the Royal University of Bhutan in Thimphu, the CJI emphasised that modern judicial systems must harness digital tools to ensure that courts remain accessible, efficient and people-centred in the 21st century. Speaking on the theme “Access to Justice in the 21st Century: Technology, Legal Aid and People-Centred Courts,” the CJI highlighted that technological innovation is reshaping…

In a significant ruling reinforcing consumer rights in the real estate sector, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh has held the developer of the World Trade Center (WTC) project in Mohali liable for failing to deliver possession of a commercial unit within the stipulated time. The Commission observed that homebuyers cannot be compelled to wait indefinitely for possession, particularly when a substantial portion of the sale consideration has already been paid. The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Raj Shekhar Attri (President) and Preetinder Singh (Member), who held WTC Chandigarh Development Company Pvt. Ltd. guilty of deficiency…

In a significant ruling on tax classification of food products, the Supreme Court of India has held that the iconic beverage Rooh Afza manufactured by Hamdard Laboratories (Wakf) must be treated as a “fruit drink/processed fruit product” under the Uttar Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2008. The Court ruled that the product is liable to 4% VAT instead of the higher 12.5% tax applied under the residuary entry, thereby overturning the earlier judgment of the Allahabad High Court. The decision resolves a long-standing tax dispute between the Uttar Pradesh tax authorities and Hamdard concerning the proper classification of the popular…

Mumbai, 5 March 2026: The Bombay High Court has declined to grant permission to taxi, autorickshaw and app-based cab drivers seeking to offer namaz near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, holding that security considerations at a high-sensitivity zone such as an airport must take precedence over religious accommodation. The order came while the court was hearing a petition filed by the Taxi-Rickshaw Ola-Uber Men’s Union, which sought restoration of a prayer space or the creation of a temporary shed near the airport premises so that Muslim drivers and passengers could perform prayers during the holy month of…

New Delhi, 5 March 2026: In a rare and extraordinary move highlighting concerns over judicial delays, the Supreme Court of India has transferred a set of criminal revision petitions pending before the Allahabad High Court to itself after noting that the High Court had reserved judgment nearly six years ago without delivering a verdict. The apex court said such prolonged inaction had the potential to infringe the litigants’ fundamental rights and warranted exceptional intervention. The case arose from a petition filed before the Supreme Court complaining that the Allahabad High Court had reserved orders in three criminal revision petitions in…