Author: Anvita Dwivedi

In a significant intervention expanding the contours of accessibility rights, the Supreme Court of India has emphasised that public transport cannot be considered accessible unless “first and last mile” connectivity for persons with disabilities is ensured, urging authorities to consider wheelchair-friendly and specially modified cabs as an integral part of inclusive mobility. The observations came from a bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking measures to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in accessing public transport systems. The PIL highlights a structural gap in India’s transport framework while buses,…

In a significant ruling on the intersection of reservation policy and merit-based selection, the Supreme Court of India has held that candidates belonging to reserved categories can be considered for unreserved (general) category posts on merit even if they have availed relaxation in qualifying criteria provided the recruitment rules do not prohibit such migration. The judgment, delivered by a bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, settles a recurring controversy in public employment law and reinforces the principle that eligibility concessions do not dilute merit in final selection. The case arose from a teacher recruitment process in Maharashtra…

In a development that has once again brought the functioning of India’s insolvency regime under judicial and public scrutiny, the Supreme Court of India has taken note of a resolution process involving companies of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), where claims amounting to approximately ₹2983 crore were settled for a mere ₹26 crore under proceedings governed by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC). The matter, arising out of insolvency proceedings concerning ADAG-linked entities, highlights the recurring concern of “haircuts” taken by creditors under resolution plans, and the extent to which commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors (CoC)…

In a sharp and introspective critique of India’s litigation culture, Justice B. V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India has highlighted what she termed a “paradox” at the heart of the justice system the government simultaneously expressing concern over judicial delays while being the largest contributor to case backlog. Speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Association’s National Conference 2026 on “Reimagining Judicial Governance,” Justice Nagarathna underscored that the State, instead of acting as a model litigant, often fuels pendency through routine and excessive litigation. Justice Nagarathna pointed out that the government’s conduct reflects a structural contradiction: the State “publicly…

In a development reflecting the judiciary’s cautious approach to regulating law enforcement communication in the digital age, the Supreme Court of India has disposed of a public interest plea seeking guidelines to regulate police social media postings of accused persons, observing that the issue is already under consideration in a broader framework concerning police media briefings. A bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi declined to issue immediate directions, instead indicating that the petitioner should await the outcome of guidelines being framed pursuant to an earlier judicial mandate on police–media interactions. The petition raised serious…

In a sharp and introspective critique of India’s litigation culture, Justice B. V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India has highlighted what she termed a “paradox” at the heart of the justice system the government simultaneously expressing concern over judicial delays while being the largest contributor to case backlog. Speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Association’s National Conference 2026 on “Reimagining Judicial Governance,” Justice Nagarathna underscored that the State, instead of acting as a model litigant, often fuels pendency through routine and excessive litigation. Justice Nagarathna pointed out that the government’s conduct reflects a structural contradiction: the State “publicly…

In a high-stakes constitutional confrontation between a central investigative agency and a state government, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday commenced hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) petition against the State of West Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged interference in searches conducted at the offices of political consultancy firm I-PAC. The matter, which has rapidly escalated into a major federal and political flashpoint, is being heard by a bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice N. V. Anjaria. The Court has already indicated the seriousness of the issue, refusing to defer proceedings and underscoring that litigants cannot…

In a significant ruling strengthening customer rights in banking transactions, the Supreme Court of India has held that banks are strictly bound to follow the explicit instructions of their customers and cannot unilaterally divert funds, even under regulatory or procedural considerations. The judgment came in Canara Bank Overseas Branch v. Archean Industries Pvt. Ltd., where a bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan dismissed appeals filed by the bank and affirmed its liability for a wrongful remittance of USD 100,000 to an unintended third party. The dispute arose from a commercial transaction involving Archean Industries Pvt. Ltd., which…

In a significant reaffirmation of victim-centric compensation principles, the Supreme Court of India has held that amounts received under employer-provided group insurance schemes cannot be deducted from compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The ruling came in a batch of appeals led by The Managing Director, KSRTC v. P. Chandramouli & Ors., where the Court upheld the Karnataka High Court’s approach and dismissed challenges seeking deduction of such benefits from the final compensation payable to victims’ families. The central legal question before the Court was whether financial benefits received by dependents from employer-provided group insurance or similar schemes…

In a significant ruling impacting property rights and procedural fairness in Jammu & Kashmir, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has held that “surrender of possession” under the migrant property law includes not just actual physical possession, but also constructive and symbolic possession. The judgment, delivered by a Division Bench comprising Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Sanjay Parihar, interprets proviso (b) to Section 7 of the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997 in a manner that preserves the statutory right of appeal and prevents the provision from becoming…