Amaal Sheikh

When ‘care’ becomes confinement: Why Bombay High Court ordered release of trafficking victim from protective homeSubscriber Only

January 21, 2026 13:54 IST

A magistrate had ordered that the trafficking victim be placed in detention as she had no family or steady source of income, and could potentially return to sex work. Last week, the High Court clarified that protective homes under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act are meant to function as a measure of rehabilitation, not confinement.

Tiger Global case: How Supreme Court drew a line between treaty benefits and tax duesSubscriber Only

January 20, 2026 13:13 IST

The bench held that the investment structure lacked commercial substance and could not claim protection under the India-Mauritius treaty or its grandfathering clause.

Explained: Telangana’s Supreme Court challenge to Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram irrigation projectSubscriber Only

January 18, 2026 14:17 IST

Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram Irrigation Project aims to transform its drought-prone Rayalaseema region into fertile land by transferring water from the Godavari River and creating a reservoir. Telangana has objected to it for multiple reasons.

In Mohanlal gold loan consumer case, what Kerala HC held on celeb endorsementsSubscriber Only

January 17, 2026 10:30 IST

The court addressed a recurring concern in consumer law, on drawing a line between advertising and transactional responsibility.

SC, disability and the fight for priority: How PwD cases lumber through India’s judicial systemSubscriber Only

January 16, 2026 17:43 IST

On December 29, SC issued a circular ordering prioritisation of cases involving people with disabilities. While lawyers welcome the move, they caution that implementation depends on resolving structural problems.

SC allows separate criminal cases from multiple bounced cheques in single dealSubscriber Only

January 13, 2026 07:35 IST

The SC reversed a decision of the Delhi High Court, and held that under Section 138, the cause of action is linked to the cheque, not to the underlying transaction.

How AI is making its case in courts, trimming trials and errorsSubscriber Only

January 08, 2026 17:16 IST

Specially designed tools help Supreme Court and HCs reduce work loads, get around translation delays, sift through documents, with human interface ensuring accuracy

Thiruparankundram: Why Madras HC dismissed TN security fears over ceremonial lamp lightingSubscriber Only

January 07, 2026 08:21 IST

The HC Division Bench called the the apprehension of unrest 'an imaginary ghost created by them for their convenience sake and to put one community against other community under suspicion and constant mistrust.'

SC hands Adani Power a major victory: Why govt cannot tax SEZ electricity as a ‘foreign import’Subscriber Only

January 06, 2026 19:32 IST

The issue pertained to whether electricity wheeled from an SEZ to the DTA could attract customs duty. While electricity imports carried a nil rate of duty, the centre sought to levy duty on electricity cleared from SEZs into the domestic market via a series of customs notifications from 2010

Who are the five granted bail in the Northeast Delhi riots case, what was their roleSubscriber Only

January 05, 2026 14:45 IST

The Supreme Court found that continued custody of the five was ‘not shown to be indispensable to the conduct of a fair trial’. The Indian Express breaks down the case

General category open to all candidates based on merit: What the SC said, and why it is significantSubscriber Only

January 03, 2026 13:21 IST

Upholding a Rajasthan High Court ruling, a Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A G Masih clarified that the open or general category is not a closed compartment reserved for candidates of a particular social group

Why SC said pending criminal cases can’t bar a citizen from obtaining passportSubscriber Only

January 02, 2026 15:48 IST

The Supreme Court has ruled that so long as criminal courts retain the power to permit or prohibit travel on a case-by-case basis, authorities cannot refuse to renew or issue passport to a citizen, who is an accused in a criminal case

Why SC quashed a Rajasthan govt notification that created revenue villages named after individualsSubscriber Only

December 30, 2025 15:34 IST

The Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe last week set aside the order of the division Bench of the Rajasthan High Court that had allowed the villages to retain their names

Probate of will no longer mandatory: How inheritance process may ease, with some exceptionsSubscriber Only

December 28, 2025 16:20 IST

In effect, probate functioned as a pre-emptive filter, forcing scrutiny at the planning stage, before property or assets were distributed. It was mandatory for certain religious communities in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Delhi HC bans unauthorised use of Madhavan’s likeness: How personality rights evolved in IndiaSubscriber Only

December 24, 2025 16:22 IST

India does not have a standalone statute to define personality rights. Courts have assembled these through a combination of intellectual property law and constitutional principles. Here is what to know

Explained: Karnataka’s new Bill for punishing social boycott, including by caste panchayatsSubscriber Only

December 22, 2025 16:27 IST

The Bill also recognises social exclusion beyond the caste factor and penalises discrimination based on “morality, social acceptance, political inclination, sexuality or any other basis”.

By keeping itself out of RTI ambit, why SHANTI Bill has raised transparency concernsSubscriber Only

December 20, 2025 07:35 IST

The issue with Section 39 of the SHANTI Bill is not that the N-power-related information can be withheld — the RTI Act already permits this — but the manner and finality of the exemption.

As SC re-examines Harish Rana case, recalling India’s law on euthanasia and landmark casesSubscriber Only

December 19, 2025 14:27 IST

Describing Harish Rana's condition as “pathetic”, the court indicated it would consider if life-sustaining treatment can be withdrawn. Assisted suicide remains outside constitutional protection, but the legal picture is complex.

Vrindavan’s Bankey Bihari Ji Maharaj temple dispute back in court: Why, what has happened so farSubscriber Only

December 18, 2025 18:01 IST

A writ petition has been filed questioning the functioning of the Vrindavan temple management committee constituted by the court in August. Here's why

In Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai’s conviction, role of China’s National Security LawSubscriber Only

December 16, 2025 14:43 IST

The law is among the various institutional changes that China has introduced to the city in recent years. Lai’s trial became a test of whether editorial direction could constitute criminal conspiracy.

SC allows issuance Scheduled Caste certificate for girl based on mother’s caste: What does the law say?Subscriber Only

December 10, 2025 15:42 IST

During the hearing, the CJI asked a brief but pointed question: 'With changing times, why should caste not follow the mother?' This is the first time a CJI has framed the issue in such direct terms

In alleged religious conversion case, why Scheduled Caste identity came up in Allahabad HCSubscriber Only

December 07, 2025 14:36 IST

How does the Constitution view people from the Scheduled Castes who convert to another religion?

Flat size cannot be the basis for hike in common services fees: What a Bengaluru court ruledSubscriber Only

December 04, 2025 14:35 IST

A Bengaluru resident argued that common services such as security, lifts, lighting, and waste collection are consumed identically by all residents, and the owners of bigger flats should not be charged more for them in residential complexes.

How SC brought down curtains on Sterling Group bank fraud caseSubscriber Only

November 29, 2025 18:49 IST

Last week, the Supreme Court closed all civil and criminal cases against them after promoters Nitin and Chetan Sandesara offered to deposit Rs 5,100 crore. Here’s a breakdown of the case and what the court said.  

SC to hear today constitutional challenge to Online Gaming Act; plea says ban on games of skill violates ‘fundamental right’Subscriber Only

November 26, 2025 10:20 IST

The petitioner has challenged multiple sections of the Online Gaming Act before the Supreme Court and sought a stay on its provisions, besides an order restraining the Centre from taking coercive steps.