Supreme Court Judgments

Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage Warrants Divorce; Permanent Alimony Must Ensure Financial Dignity of Spouse and Child

Sonia Virk v. Rohit Watts (2025 INSC 1390)

Supreme Court upholds divorce on ground of irretrievable breakdown and enhances permanent alimony to ₹50 lakh, emphasising financial dignity, child welfare, and fair settlement in long-separated marriages.

Leasing of residential premises as hostels for long-term stay qualifies as renting of residential dwelling for use as residence under GST exemption

State of Karnataka & Anr. v. Taghar Vasudeva Ambrish & Anr. (2025 INSC 1505)

Supreme Court holds that leasing residential premises for use as hostels providing long-term accommodation qualifies for GST exemption as renting of residential dwelling for use as residence prior to the 2022 amendment.

Criminal proceedings alleging cheating and criminal intimidation cannot be quashed at the threshold where prima facie allegations disclose essential ingredients of the offences

Rocky v. State of Telangana & Anr. (2025 INSC 1384)

Supreme Court holds that criminal proceedings alleging cheating and intimidation cannot be quashed at the threshold where prima facie allegations disclose the essential ingredients of the offences.

Contempt jurisdiction cannot be declined where prior judicial directions are clear and alleged non-compliance requires factual examination

Bhaskar Govind Gavate (Deceased) through Legal Heirs v. State of Maharashtra & Others (2025 INSC 1379)

Supreme Court holds that contempt jurisdiction cannot be declined where prior judicial directions are clear and allegations of non-compliance require factual examination.

Employees Who Retire On Last Day Of Month Are Entitled To Pay Revision Effective That Date, Supreme Court Holds

Mukut Das v. Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. & Ors. (2025 INSC 1403)

Supreme Court holds that employees retiring on the last day of a month are entitled to pay revision effective that date, clarifying the scope of Fundamental Rule 56(a) and revised pay rules.

A second special leave petition is not maintainable after withdrawal of an earlier challenge without liberty

Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Limited v. The Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Pensioners Welfare Association (Regd.) & Ors. (2025 INSC 1416)

Supreme Court holds that a second special leave petition is not maintainable after withdrawal or dismissal of an earlier challenge without liberty, reinforcing finality and procedural discipline in litigation.

Public examination authorities must ensure meaningful accessibility for persons with disabilities and cannot allow procedural rigidity to defeat equal opportunity

Mission Accessibility v. Union of India & Others (2025 INSC 1376)

Supreme Court directs UPSC to ensure meaningful accessibility in public examinations by permitting change of scribe requests and planning implementation of assistive technologies for candidates with disabilities.

Intra-Court Appeal By Non-Party Is Maintainable Where Single Judge Order Adversely Affects His Rights: Supreme Court

Abhishek Gupta v. Dinesh Kumar & Ors. (2025 INSC 1406)

Supreme Court holds that an intra-court appeal by a non-party is maintainable where a writ order prejudicially affects his rights, emphasising natural justice and access to justice.

Supreme Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings Where FIR and Chargesheet Disclose No Strong Suspicion or Essential Ingredients of Offences

Tuhin Kumar Biswas @ Bumba v. State of West Bengal, Criminal Appeal No. 5146 of 2025

The Supreme Court quashes criminal proceedings in a property dispute, holding that FIR allegations under Sections 341, 354C, and 506 IPC disclosed no strong suspicion, and reiterates discharge principles under Section 227 CrPC. Supreme Court Explains Discharge Standards and Misuse of Criminal Process in Property Disputes

Integrated Textile Processing Using Power Bars Excise Exemption: Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of “Manufacture” Under the Central Excise Act

Commissioner of Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax, Rajkot v. Narsibhai Karamsibhai Gajera & Ors.,

The Supreme Court clarifies that excise duty exemption for cotton fabrics is unavailable where any integral stage of an integrated manufacturing process uses power, even if carried out across separate units. Legal Judgment Explainer

Slum Land Cannot Be Acquired When Owner’s Preferential Right to Redevelop Remains Intact

Jyoti Builders v. Chief Executive Officer, Slum Rehabilitation Authority & Ors. (2025 INSC 1372)

Supreme Court holds that rehabilitation of slum dwellers does not confer land rights on developers; land acquisition under the Slum Act cannot proceed without first extinguishing the landowner’s preferential right and following statutory procedure.

Conviction May Be Sustained While Sentence Is Reduced to Period Already Undergone Where Proportionality and Subsequent Settlement Justify Leniency

Venkatesh & Another v. State represented by the Inspector of Police (2025 INSC 1383)

Supreme Court upholds conviction but reduces sentence to period already undergone, holding that proportionality, substantial incarceration, and subsequent settlement can justify leniency at the sentencing stage.