All High Courts Case Commentaries

Nishad v. Mumthaz Beegum (2026 KER 13291) — In-Law Liability Requires Specific Proof in Matrimonial Gold/Money Return Claims

Date: Feb 17, 2026

In-Law Liability Requires Specific Proof: Entrustment of Bridal Gold May Be Inferred, but Misappropriation Cannot Be Presumed Against Relatives 1. Introduction Nishad v. Mumthaz Beegum (2026 KER...

NDPS Retesting Bar: A Second Laboratory Test Cannot Be Ordered Merely Because the First Report Is Unfavourable

Date: Feb 17, 2026

NDPS Retesting Bar: A Second Laboratory Test Cannot Be Ordered Merely Because the First Report Is Unfavourable 1. Introduction In MOHAMMAD MANSHA AND OTHERS v. NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU(NCB), ZONAL...

Finality of Review Medical Board in CAPFs Recruitment: No Court-Directed “Third Medical Examination” Absent Malafides or Procedural Illegality

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Finality of Review Medical Board in CAPFs Recruitment: No Court-Directed “Third Medical Examination” Absent Malafides or Procedural Illegality 1. Introduction In Younis Ali v. Union of India Ministry...

ITR-Based Income Must Be Accepted in MACT Claims Absent Rebuttal

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Income Tax Returns as Reliable Proof of Deceased’s Income in MACT Claims (Without Enquiry into “Source”), and Mandatory Alignment with Pranay Sethi Future Prospects and Sarla Verma Multiplier 1....

School Admission Entries Are Not, by Themselves, Proof of Minority Under Section 94 JJ Act: Consequent Non-attraction of POCSO and Kidnapping Where the Girl Voluntarily Elopes

Date: Feb 14, 2026

School Admission Entries Are Not, by Themselves, Proof of Minority Under Section 94 JJ Act: Consequent Non-attraction of POCSO and Kidnapping Where the Girl Voluntarily Elopes 1. Introduction The...

Show-Cause for “Removal & Debarment” Validates Lesser Enlistment Penalties (Downgrading); Past Downgrade Not a Perpetual Bar to Fresh “SS” Registration

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Show-Cause for “Removal & Debarment” Validates Lesser Enlistment Penalties (Downgrading); Past Downgrade Not a Perpetual Bar to Fresh “SS” Registration 1. Introduction This Letters Patent Appeal (LPA...

Rival Claims Are Not a Ground to Deny Interim Custody of Seized Valuables: Custody Should Be Granted on a Prima Facie Basis with Safeguards

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Rival Claims Are Not a Ground to Deny Interim Custody of Seized Valuables: Custody Should Be Granted on a Prima Facie Basis with Safeguards 1) Introduction The Karnataka High Court (Mohammad Nawaz...

Right to Summon Forensic/DNA Experts Despite Section 293 CrPC and “Fast-Track” Disposal Directions

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Right to Summon Forensic/DNA Experts Despite Section 293 CrPC and “Fast-Track” Disposal Directions 1. Introduction Case: Avinash Pandey v. The State Of Madhya Pradesh and Others (Madhya Pradesh High...

Unqualified BPL Fee Exemption Under Section 7(5) RTI Act: Page-Caps in State RTI Fee Rules Are Ultra Vires

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Unqualified BPL Fee Exemption Under Section 7(5) RTI Act: Page-Caps in State RTI Fee Rules Are Ultra Vires 1. Introduction Case: NISHAD SHOBANAN, v. THE UNION OF INDIA (2026 KER 13231), decided by...

Benami Intermediary Does Not Defeat EPF Coverage for Indirect Beedi Workers

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Benami Intermediary Does Not Defeat EPF Coverage for Indirect Beedi Workers: Functional Control and Supply-Chain Reality Prevail 1) Introduction The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court (K....

Paternal School Records Are Highly Probative but Rebuttable; “Lingayat” and “Ganiga” Not Mutually Exclusive in Category II-A Caste Verification

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Paternal School Records Are Highly Probative but Rebuttable; “Lingayat” and “Ganiga” Not Mutually Exclusive in Category II-A Caste Verification Case: T N Jagadeesh v. Chairman / Deputy Commissioner,...

Delayed Challenge to Arrest/Remand and Bail Acquiescence: Compensation Claims for “Illegal Detention” Barred; Arnesh Kumar Compliance Re-emphasised

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Delayed Challenge to Arrest/Remand and Bail Acquiescence: Compensation Claims for “Illegal Detention” Barred; Arnesh Kumar Compliance Re-emphasised Case: LALLAN KUMAR YADAV v. The State of Bihar,...

Equitable Discharge of Airman for Civil Appointment Despite AFO Ineligibility—Conditioned by Monetary Deposit

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Equitable Discharge of Airman for Civil Appointment Despite AFO Ineligibility—Conditioned by Monetary Deposit 1. Introduction In Himmat Kumar Raina v. Union of India th. Secretary Ministry of Defence...

Loans Outside a Co-operative Bank’s Service Area Are Not Per Se Criminal: Quashment Absent Loss, Misappropriation, or Illegal Pecuniary Advantage

Date: Feb 14, 2026

Loans Outside a Co-operative Bank’s Service Area Are Not Per Se Criminal: Quashment Absent Loss, Misappropriation, or Illegal Pecuniary Advantage 1) Introduction Case: LUCY KURIAKOSE v. STATE OF...

Execution of Partition Final Decree: Decree-Holder May Pay Total Stamp Duty to Make Decree Executable, With Liberty to Recover From Co-sharers

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Execution of Partition Final Decree: Decree-Holder May Pay Total Stamp Duty to Make Decree Executable, With Liberty to Recover From Co-sharers 1. Introduction In SANDIP KUMAR SAHA v. SOMNATH SAHA AND...

Duty of Candour in Bail Status Reports: Bail in a Circumstantial Murder Case Where “Last Seen” Identification Fails and Weapon Recovery Mismatches Ballistics

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Duty of Candour in Bail Status Reports: Bail in a Circumstantial Murder Case Where “Last Seen” Identification Fails and Weapon Recovery Mismatches Ballistics 1. Introduction In AMAN@ PRINCE @ BHURA...

Mandatory Opportunity of Hearing Before High Level Technical Committee in Municipal Drainage Works

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Mandatory Opportunity of Hearing Before High Level Technical Committee in Municipal Drainage Works 1. Introduction This order arises out of WP No. 13962 of 2024 (NIDHI PANDE AND OTHERS Vs THE STATE...

Compensation-First Sentencing in Section 138 Revisions: Fine May Be Recalibrated to Twice the Admitted Outstanding Debt Despite Disputed Cheque Liability

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Compensation-First Sentencing in Section 138 Revisions: Fine May Be Recalibrated to Twice the Admitted Outstanding Debt Despite Disputed Cheque Liability 1) Introduction Case: M/S.MEDIAONE GLOBAL...

Article 226 Cannot Be Used to Bypass an Appellate Remedy Against an Appealable Municipal Demolition Order

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Article 226 Cannot Be Used to Bypass an Appellate Remedy Against an Appealable Municipal Demolition Order 1. Introduction In Smti. Kishori Bala Das v. The Andaman and Nicobar Administration and Ors....

Section 20 Presumption Under the PC Act Is Not Automatic: Demand-and-Acceptance Must Be Proved as Foundational Facts

Date: Feb 13, 2026

Section 20 Presumption Under the PC Act Is Not Automatic: Demand-and-Acceptance Must Be Proved as Foundational Facts 1. Introduction In THE STATE v. SHRI. M. HARI KRISHNA (Calcutta High Court,...