51. Anticipatory bail -- Complainant induced to part with Rs.3.55 crores towards purchase of property and thereafter property transferred to third party -- Civil remedy no ground to dilute criminal allegations -- Anticipatory bail, cancelled. (SC) Decided on: 26.05.2026

52. Compromise in criminal appeal -- Conviction under Sections 364, 323, 324 r/w 34 IPC -- Long pendency of about 22 years -- Parties settled dispute amicably and complainant not willing to pursue case -- Conviction affirmed but sentence reduced to period already undergone -- Fine maintained. (P&H HC) Decided on: 26.05.2026

53. Regular bail -- Murder -- Long custody since 08.09.2022 -- Key prosecution witness (complainant) not supporting prosecution case -- Only 10 of 29 witnesses examined -- Parity with co-accused already granted bail -- Trial not likely to conclude soon -- Bail granted. (P&H HC) Decided on: 26.05.2026

54. Criminal medical negligence -- Anaesthetist giving telephonic post-operative pain management advice after duty hours cannot be held criminally liable for subsequent procedural lapse committed by staff nurse in administering injection -- Criminal proceedings quashed. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

55. Circumstantial evidence -- Murder -- Recovery of articles -- Recovery of empty phials of calmpose injection, clothes worn and rope at instance of appellant proved through testimony of Investigating Officer -- Viscera report showing diazepham present -- Merely because panch witnesses turned hostile cannot be ground to discard important piece of evidence if recovery is proved through Investigating Officer -- Conviction under Section 302 IPC upheld. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

56. Murder and dowry cruelty -- Deceased subjected to persistent harassment for motorcycle and cash demand -- Medical evidence proving homicidal hanging -- Husband failed to explain injuries sustained by deceased in matrimonial home -- Conviction under Sections 302 and 498A IPC upheld. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

57. Circumstantial evidence -- Acquittal -- High Court found prosecution failed to establish complete chain of circumstances and allowed appeal and set aside conviction --Supreme Court declined interference under Article 136. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

58. Probate of Will -- Criminal investigation -- Testamentary jurisdiction -- High Court while exercising testamentary jurisdiction does not cease to be Constitutional Court possessing inherent and plenary powers and can exercise constitutional powers to protect estate. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

59. MACT -- Negligence -- In a claim under Section 163A, negligence is not required to be proved and it is sufficient that injury is reasonably connected with motor vehicle in question. (SC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

60. Partition of land -- Challenge to concluded partition proceedings under Haryana Land Revenue Act -- No objection raised at stage of mode of partition/Naksha Bey/Naksha Jeem -- Tubewell land already allotted and landlocked khasra not entitled to separate Rasta -- Partition upheld as involving equitable adjustment and not mathematical precision -- Writ petitions dismissed. (P&H HC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

61. Anticipatory bail -- Allegations of caste-based abuse, harassment and threat to kill under BNS and SC/ST Act -- Alleged occurrence not in public view and caste status disputed -- No specific overt act attributed and no recovery required -- Bar under Section 18 SC/ST Act not attracted where prima facie ingredients not made out -- Anticipatory bail granted. (P&H HC) Decided on: 25.05.2026

62. Attempt to murder -- No material suggesting prior planning, preparation or concerted intention to cause death -- Incident having occurred suddenly when complainant intervened in ongoing altercation, prosecution failed to establish requisite intention or knowledge under Section 307 IPC -- Conviction altered from Section 307/34 IPC to Section 325/34 IPC. (SC) Decided on: 22.05.2026

63. Circumstantial evidence -- Murder -- Last seen together theory, extra-judicial confession and recoveries failed to establish a complete chain of incriminating circumstances linking accused to the murder -- Conviction set aside and accused acquitted. (SC) Decided on: 22.05.2026

64. First appeal -- Substantial compliance with Order 41 Rule 31 CPC -- Detailed reappreciation by First Appellate Court sufficient to sustain reversal of Trial Court decree. (SC) Decided on: 22.05.2026

65. Bail -- Earlier bail cancelled by Supreme Court -- High Court granted bail without considering earlier cancellation order, CCTV evidence, eyewitness accounts, recovery of country-made pistol and conduct of accused after cancellation of bail -- Bail cancelled. (SC) Decided on: 22.05.2026

66. Legal aid – Criminal appeal – Amicus curiae -- Legal aid to an accused person must not be a mere ritual or a token formality -- Amicus had no opportunity to interact with appellant lodged in correctional home and appellant was not informed regarding arrangement made for his representation -- Directions regarding effective legal aid not complied with -- Impugned judgment set aside and appeal remanded to High Court for de novo hearing. (SC) Decided on: 22.05.2026

67. Circumstantial evidence -- Murder -- Death of wife in matrimonial home -- Medical evidence proving strangulation and not suicide -- Missing ornaments, ligature marks and injury on cheek inconsistent with hanging -- False defence through alleged suicide note -- Failure of husband to explain incriminating circumstances within special knowledge -- Conviction upheld. (SC) Decided on: 21.05.2026

68. Will -- Exclusion of natural heirs -- Mere exclusion of wife and children from inheritance not by itself a suspicious circumstance. (SC) Decided on: 21.05.2026

69. Anticipatory bail -- Fraudulent opening of bank account -- Allegation that accused fraudulently opened bank account in complainant’s name using Aadhaar Card and PAN Card without consent -- Prosecution case resting primarily on documentary evidence -- Custodial interrogation held not necessary -- Accused entitled to anticipatory bail. (SC) Decided on: 21.05.2026

70. Public nuisance -- Illegal encroachment on public street -- Removal of unauthorized ramps and structures -- Maintainability of writ petition -- Efficacious alternative remedy available under Section 152 BNSS, 2023 -- Writ petition dismissed with liberty to avail statutory remedy. (P&H HC) Decided on: 21.05.2026

71. Sarpanch/ Panch/ Panchayat Secretary -- Enquiry -- Alleged misuse of Panchayat funds on private land -- Absence of prima facie material -- Prayer for roving enquiry not maintainable -- Writ petition dismissed. (P&H HC) Decided on: 20.05.2026

72. Senior citizen -- Right to residence -- Son opposed mother’s entry and residence in house owned by deceased husband -- Maintenance Tribunal directed son to vacate one room, construct a separate bathroom and provide basic amenities -- Willingness of petitioner to keep mother with him subject to condition that petitioner’s siblings would not be permitted to enter house in question -- Writ petition dismissed with costs. (P&H HC) Decided on: 20.05.2026

73. Senior citizen -- Maintenance Tribunal/Appellate Tribunal -- Coram non judice -- Tribunals required to comprise three members as per Haryana Government notification -- Orders passed by Sub Divisional Magistrate and District Magistrate alone held without proper coram -- Matter remanded for fresh decision. (P&H HC) Decided on: 20.05.2026

74. Recruitment -- Appointment of Principal -- Waitlisted candidate -- Recommended for appointment in one college but failed to join -- Fresh recommendation for another college on basis of subsequent vacancy held impermissible -- Appointment contrary to statutory scheme. (SC) Decided on: 19.05.2026

75. Bail application -- Scope of jurisdiction -- High Court while deciding bail application issued general directions regarding service of summons and execution of coercive measures, beyond scope of Section 483 BNSS -- Such directions liable to be set aside. (SC) Decided on: 19.05.2026

76. Senior citizen -- Appellate Tribunal -- District Magistrates/Presiding Officers not authorized to sub-delegate quasi-judicial functions and powers vested under Act of 2007. (P&H HC) Decided on: 19.05.2026

77. Senior citizen -- Transfer in favour of minor grandson -- Cancellation of transfer deed -- No obligation of maintenance could reasonably be expected from minor transferee -- Proceedings under Act found to be misuse of process arising out of matrimonial/custody dispute. (P&H HC) Decided on: 18.05.2026

78. Writ jurisdiction -- Challenge to notice issued by District Development and Panchayat Officer under provisions of Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 -- Petitioner relegated to avail statutory remedy by submitting response before competent authority -- Writ petition dismissed. (P&H HC) Decided on: 15.05.2026

79. Attachment of salary -- Execution -- Judgment debtor disclosed no movable or immovable property except one motorcycle -- Executing Court ordered attachment of 1/3rd of salary of judgment debtor employed as TTE in Railway Department for satisfaction of decree -- Order held in accordance with law. (P&H HC) Decided on: 15.05.2026

80. Pleadings -- Material facts and evidence -- Pleadings must contain material facts and not evidence -- Facts constituting proof need not be specifically pleaded. (SC) Decided on: 15.05.2026

81. MACT -- Mediclaim/ medical insurance -- Amount received under Mediclaim policy not deductible from compensation awarded by MACT under head of medical expenses -- Mediclaim contractual benefit flowing from payment of premiums whereas compensation under MVA statutory entitlement -- Principle of “double benefit” not attracted. (SC) Decided on: 15.05.2026

82. Proclaimed offender -- Quashing of order -- Bail -- Petitioner residing in another State and unaware of pending proceedings -- Readiness of petitioner to join proceedings and face trial -- Order declaring petitioner proclaimed offender set aside subject to costs -- Court concerned directed to admit petitioner to bail subject to its satisfaction. (P&H HC) Decided on: 14.05.2026

83. Medical education -- Transfer of students -- Fee liability -- Interim Government-rate fee arrangement to protect academic continuity did not create a permanent entitlement -- Students transferred from a defaulting private medical college remained liable to pay outstanding fees at rates applicable to the original institution -- Retention of subsidised fee benefit after completion of the course would amount to unjust enrichment. (SC) Decided on : 14.05.2026

84. Arbitration agreement -- Incorporation by reference -- Development Agreement containing arbitration clause -- Later Permanent Alternate Accommodation Agreements incorporating all terms and conditions of earlier Development Agreement -- Arbitration clause held binding upon parties to later agreements. (SC) Decided on: 13.05.2026

85. Recruitment -- Regular appointment -- Advertisement issued for regular post -- Candidate found suitable and selected through regular selection process -- Appointment of candidate on contractual basis alone, without assigning any reason, held arbitrary and discriminatory. (SC) Decided on: 13.05.2026

86. Watercourse -- Change of alignment -- Challenge to orders passed by Canal Authorities directing restoration of sanctioned watercourse on common watt (boundary) between lands of parties -- Dismissal of civil suit on account of failure to prove demarcation report does not negate existence of sanctioned watercourse. (P&H HC) Decided on: 13.05.2026

87. MACT -- Interest -- Rate of interest @ 7.5% per annum is reasonable and in accordance with settled judicial practice. (P&H HC) Decided on: 13.05.2026

88. Hostile witness -- Evidence of the hostile witness is admissible, once it gets strengthened with the help of other evidence. (SC) Decided on: 13.05.2026

89. Adverse possession – Mere long and continuous possession does not ripen into ownership unless possession is proved to be hostile, open and in denial of title of true owner. (P&H HC) Reserved on: 04.05.2026 Decided on: 12.05.2026

90. NCLAT – Appeal without certified copy of impugned order -- Filing of appeal, without even applying for a certified copy of the order, practically meant that there was no filing of an appeal in the eyes of law. (SC) Decided on: 12.05.2026

91. Senior citizen -- Reversion of property -- Absence of maintenance clause in transfer deed and failure to prove neglect or refusal to maintain -- No ground to declare transfer void. (P&H HC) Decided on: 12.05.2026

92. Will -- Suspicious circumstances -- Attesting witnesses admitted that testator had not affixed thumb impression in their presence -- Unregistered Will executed three days prior to death of testator -- Natural heir excluded without explanation despite evidence of love and affection -- Space between signatures and heading “attesting witness” also found suspicious -- Will disbelieved. (P&H HC) Decided on: 12.05.2026

93. Cruelty and desertion -- Wife pursuing professional career and residing separately for welfare and upbringing of minor child -- Cannot be construed as cruelty or desertion. (SC) Decided on: 12.05.2026

94. Execution -- Enhanced compensation – Proforma respondents -- Petitioners impleaded as proforma respondents in Regular First Appeal seeking enhancement of compensation -- Benefit of enhanced compensation granted to petitioners. (P&H HC) Decided on: 11.05.2026

95. Interim injunction -- Observations made while deciding application under Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 CPC are only tentative in nature – Trial Court to decide the suit de hors the observations made. (P&H HC) Decided on: 11.05.2026

96. Family settlement – Oral family arrangement – Validity -- Property found to have fallen to share of defendant No.1 in family settlement -- Defendant No.1 constructed houses from his own funds and remained in settled possession -- Concurrent findings of fact not liable to be interfered with in second appeal. (P&H HC) Reserved on: 11.02.2026 Decided on: 11.05.2026

97. Pre-emption – Co-sharer – Right of kinsfolk co-sharer -- Plaintiff being co-sharer in joint khewat was entitled to exercise right of pre-emption even though he was related to vendor -- Declaration of Section 15(2) of Punjab Pre-emption Act as unconstitutional did not take away right of co-sharer under Section 15(1)(b). (P&H HC) Decided on: 11.05.2026

98. Lambardar -- Appointment -- Collector found respondent more suitable candidate and appointed him as Lambardar -- Concurrent findings recorded by Collector, Commissioner and Financial Commissioner upheld -- No illegality or perversity found -- Writ petition dismissed. (P&H HC) Decided on: 11.05.2026

99. Partition proceedings -- Clubbing of partition proceedings relating to different khewats -- Mere convenience of some co-sharers not sufficient to direct clubbing of khewats having different co-sharers -- Clubbing permissible only with consent of all co-sharers. (P&H HC) Decided on: 11.05.2026

100. Rejection of plaint -- Limitation involving question of knowledge of fraud held to be mixed question of law and fact requiring evidence -- Suit not ex facie barred by limitation – Application dismissed. (P&H HC) Reserved on: 07.05.2026 Decided on: 08.05.2026