August 2026 Judgments

1. Civil Law: Multiplier Method vs. Fair Compensation in Non-MV Act Claims Case: Karnataka Power Transmission Corpn. Ltd. v. RekhaBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: The Apex Court held that compensation in electrocution and public liability tort cases must be assessed on the basis of “just, reasonable, and fair compensation” rather than mechanically applying the statutory multiplier method prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act.

2. Civil Law: Preliminary Issues Under Order 14 Rule 2(2) CPCCase: John Mathew v. Santha PaulBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: The Court held that once a trial has commenced on all issues, one issue cannot subsequently be isolated and tried as a preliminary issue under Order 14 Rule 2(2) CPC. The provision contemplates prospective ordering of trial and does not authorize retrospective severance of issues from an ongoing composite trial.

3. Civil Law: Compulsory Retirement Standard & AssessmentCase: S.S. Das v. Union of IndiaBench: Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel NaguKey Holding: Quashing a compulsory retirement order under Fundamental Rule 56(j), the Court ruled that an objective assessment resulting in a recent promotion cannot be reconciled with a sudden finding of unsuitability shortly thereafter. The Court directed an honorable farewell and awarded compensation.

4. Criminal Law: Safeguards in Cruelty & Marriage Claims (Section 498A)Case: Lokesh B.H. v. State of Karnataka / Connected AppealsBench: Justice Sanjay Karol and BenchKey Holding: Where a man induces a woman to believe she is lawfully married and subjects her to cruelty, he cannot evade criminal responsibility under Section 498A IPC on the technical plea that no valid marriage existed in law. Simultaneously, the Court directed trial courts to frame charges within 60–90 days to prevent prolonged harassment.

5. Criminal Law: Section 299 CrPC & Evidence Against Absconding AccusedCase: Mahendra Singh v. State of ChhattisgarhBench: Supreme Court of India Key Holding: The Court held that evidence recorded against a co-accused during trial cannot be used against an absconding co-accused unless a specific order recording evidence under Section 299 CrPC (or corresponding BNSS provisions) was formally passed by the court.September 2026 Judgments

6. Civil Law: Nullification of Orders Based on AI-Generated Fake CitationsCase: Vijay Ghanshyam Gadiya v. Union of IndiaBench: Supreme Court of India Key Holding: Setting aside a ₹425.28-crore penalty order passed by a customs authority, the Court ruled that adjudication built upon AI-hallucinated or fictitious precedent citations is bad in law. The Court remitted the matter for fresh adjudication by a different officer.

7. Civil Law: Determination of the "Seat" in ArbitrationCase: GSCO Infrastructure (P) Ltd. Cases / Related AppealsBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: Reaffirming arbitration jurisprudence, the Court held that the mere conduct of arbitral proceedings or holding hearings at a particular location does not automatically make that place the legal “seat” of arbitration. Jurisdiction for Section 34 challenge petitions remains determined by the designated seat or governing contract terms.

8. Criminal Law: Civil Monetary Disputes Weaponized as Criminal OffencesCase: Yogesh Premjibhai Suvariya v. State of GujaratBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: Quashing criminal proceedings involving cheating and criminal breach of trust (Sections 420/406 IPC), the Apex Court sternly held that police authorities cannot act as recovery agents in civil disputes. A mere breach of contract or contractual withholdings cannot be converted into a criminal offence.

9. Criminal Law: Additional Safeguards for Re-Arrest Under Article 22Case: Jaskaran Jeet Singh Deol v. State of PunjabBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: Where an arrest is invalidated due to a breach of Article 22 safeguards, re-arrest requires explicit judicial imprimatur. The Court ruled that the gravity of an alleged offence cannot serve as an independent excuse to relax mandatory constitutional guarantees, such as production before a magistrate within 24 hours.

10. Criminal Law: Section 69 BNS / False Promise to Marry vs. Consensual SexCase: Kunal Rameshbhai Kalyani v. State of GujaratBench: Supreme Court of IndiaKey Holding: Interpreting Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Court held that a subsequent failure to fulfill a promise of marriage without initial deceitful intent does not constitute an offence. Consensual relationships without bad faith at inception cannot be criminalized under the new penal code.