Supreme Court

1. SC Expands Entertainment Tax Scope in GST Era, Setting Revenue Precedent

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The Supreme Court judgment on entertainment tax establishes significant precedent regarding the scope of entertainment taxation within the Goods and Services Tax framework. The ruling affects state revenue laws and corporate taxation structures across India.

Why it matters: This judgment impacts how states levy entertainment taxes and how corporations navigate dual taxation regimes, affecting business compliance and state fiscal policies.

Source:
Supreme Court of India
 · 20 Apr 2026, 01:00 PM IST
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Constitutional Law

2. SC Recognises Commuter Safety as Fundamental Right; Issues Highway Safety Directions

The Supreme Court has recognized commuter safety as an integral aspect of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, extending beyond mere prevention of unlawful death to mandate positive state action for creating safe environments. The Court issued nationwide interim directions addressing highway accident prevention.

Why it matters: This expands the scope of fundamental rights to include road safety, potentially mandating comprehensive highway safety infrastructure and regulations nationwide.

Source:
Supreme Court of India
 · 20 Apr 2026, 10:30 AM IST
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Criminal Law

3. Ghaziabad Child Sexual Abuse Case: SC to Hear SIT Probe Petition on April 24

The Supreme Court scheduled a critical hearing for April 24 regarding allegations that a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered in Ghaziabad. The Court will examine the father’s petition seeking independent investigation through either a Special Investigation Team or the Central Bureau of Investigation, following concerns about redacted portions in the chargesheet.

Why it matters: This case establishes precedent for court-monitored investigations in high-profile criminal cases and sets accountability standards for investigative transparency in child sexual abuse matters.

Source:
Supreme Court of India
 · 20 Apr 2026, 03:14 PM IST
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Criminal Law

4. SC Schedules April 24 Hearing on Ghaziabad Child Abuse Investigation Plea

Following a Monday hearing on the Ghaziabad child rape-murder case, the Supreme Court scheduled April 24 to hear the father’s petition for court-monitored independent investigation by either SIT or CBI. The petition challenges the adequacy of the current investigation and chargesheet procedures.

Why it matters: Supreme Court intervention in this case establishes benchmarks for investigative independence and oversight in sensitive criminal matters affecting vulnerable victims.

Source:
Supreme Court of India
 · 20 Apr 2026, 02:47 PM IST
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Criminal Law

5. SC Dismisses Umar Khalid’s Review Petition in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case

The Supreme Court rejected activist Umar Khalid’s review petition challenging his bail denial in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case. The Court affirmed that reasonable grounds exist for the allegations against Khalid and his alleged involvement in the riots.

Why it matters: This judgment clarifies bail standards in national security cases and establishes that courts will maintain rigorous scrutiny before reconsidering bail denials in conspiracy matters.

Source:
Supreme Court of India
 · 20 Apr 2026, 03:29 PM IST
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Property Law

6. Chhattisgarh HC: Limitation Act Article 137 Inapplicable to RERA Complaints

Justice Bibhu Datta Guru of the Chhattisgarh High Court held that the provisions of Article 137 of the Limitation Act, 1963, do not apply to complaints filed under Section 31(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. The Court set aside an appellate tribunal order dismissing the complaint on limitation grounds.

Why it matters: This clarifies the applicable legal framework for RERA disputes, ensuring that statutory time limits do not prematurely bar legitimate real estate consumer grievances.

Source:
High Court of Chhattisgarh
 · 20 Apr 2026, 02:59 PM IST
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Corporate Law

7. Bombay HC Restrains NSE Trademark Misuse on Social Media Platforms

The Bombay High Court granted interim relief to the National Stock Exchange (NSE), restraining the misuse of its trademark on social media platforms and directing intermediaries to communicate with content creators for removal of infringing content. The Court established that long-standing channel history or large following does not constitute a valid defence without prior use evidence.

Why it matters: This sets precedent for digital platform liability in trademark enforcement and establishes that social media platforms bear responsibility for infringing content removal.

Source:
High Court of Bombay
 · 20 Apr 2026, 12:30 PM IST
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Civil Law

8. Bombay HC Protects Kartik Aaryan’s Personality Rights; Orders Content Removal

The Bombay High Court protected actor Kartik Aaryan’s personality rights and trademark against unauthorized use, particularly concerning pornographic content misuse. The Court directed removal of infringing content upon intimation, establishing that unauthorized use results in unjust commercial enrichment and reputation harm.

Why it matters: This expands personality rights protection for celebrities in the digital domain and addresses the intersection of reputation, commercial rights, and online content moderation.

Source:
High Court of Bombay
 · 20 Apr 2026, 12:00 PM IST
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High Court

9. Jharkhand HC: Government Cannot Exercise Unfettered Discretion in Tender Process

The Jharkhand High Court quashed an arbitrary bid rejection, establishing that governmental authorities cannot exercise unfettered discretion in tender processes. The Court mandated that discretion must be exercised judiciously with due application of mind and consideration of public interest.

Why it matters: This judgment protects bidders from arbitrary government action and establishes judicial oversight standards for public procurement decisions.

Source:
High Court of Jharkhand
 · 20 Apr 2026, 08:30 AM IST
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Criminal Law

10. Rajasthan HC Reserves Judgment on Asaram’s Life Sentence Appeal in 2013 Case

The Rajasthan High Court concluded marathon proceedings on the appeal of self-proclaimed godman Asaram against his life sentence for sexually assaulting a minor in 2013. The Court has reserved its judgment, concluding hearings within the timeline set by the Supreme Court.

Why it matters: This case addresses accountability for sexual predators in institutional settings and establishes appellate standards for cases involving abuse of religious authority.

Source:
High Court of Rajasthan
 · 20 Apr 2026, 02:31 PM IST
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Criminal Law

11. Bombay HC Quashes Arrests in Two Cases Against Sheetal Tejwani; Upholds Third

The Bombay High Court quashed arrests of Sheetal Tejwani in two criminal cases while upholding arrest in a third case. The arrests stemmed from alleged irregularities in a land deal involving a firm linked to Parth, the son of late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, with the first arrest made by Khadak police in 2025.

Why it matters: This judgment examines arrest procedures and evidence standards in property dispute cases, establishing scrutiny standards for arrest validity.

Source:
High Court of Bombay
 · 20 Apr 2026, 08:50 PM IST
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High Court

12. Allahabad HC Judge Recuses from Rahul Gandhi Case Due to Petitioner Bias

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Allahabad High Court recused himself from hearing a dual citizenship petition against Rahul Gandhi (Application U/S 528 BNSS No. 673 of 2026) after the petitioner published social media posts that raised concerns about judicial impartiality. The recusal emphasizes the importance of perceived neutrality in proceedings.

Why it matters: This establishes that judges will proactively protect judicial independence and public confidence by recusing when petitioner conduct raises bias concerns.

Source:
High Court of Allahabad
 · 20 Apr 2026, 03:10 PM IST
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Criminal Law

13. Allahabad HC Grants Bail to Fake Embassy Operator in Ghaziabad Fraud Case

The Allahabad High Court granted bail to an accused charged with operating a fraudulent embassy in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad, without permission from the Ministry of External Affairs. The scheme involved hoisting foreign flags and displaying diplomatic number plates on vehicles to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

Why it matters: This case addresses sophisticated fraud schemes involving diplomatic credentials misuse and national security implications of unauthorized embassy operations.

Source:
High Court of Allahabad
 · 20 Apr 2026, 10:00 AM IST
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Legislation

14. Weekly Legal Roundup: Constitution 131st Amendment Withdrawal and Legal Aid Reform

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SCC Times published a comprehensive weekly roundup covering significant legal developments between April 13-19, 2026, including withdrawal of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and reforms to legal aid frameworks. The roundup encompasses multiple legislative and judicial developments across Indian jurisprudence.

Why it matters: This summary provides practitioners with consolidated updates on critical legislative changes affecting constitutional law and access to justice frameworks.

Source:
SCC Online Blog
 · 20 Apr 2026, 11:30 AM IST
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Corporate Law

15. Analysis of On-Market Purchase Amendments in Indian Competition Law

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SCC Times published an analysis of recent amendments to on-market purchase provisions under Indian competition law, authored by Rohan Arora, Ritesh Puri, and Khushi Dharewa. The analysis examines implications of these amendments for merger control standards and market conduct regulations.

Why it matters: These competition law amendments reshape how corporations conduct market purchases and affect merger control scrutiny, impacting M&A strategies.

Source:
SCC Online Blog
 · 20 Apr 2026, 09:30 AM IST
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Constitutional Law

16. Bombay HC Dismisses PIL on RSS Chief Bhagwat’s Z-Plus Security

The Bombay High Court dismissed a public interest litigation petition challenging RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Z-Plus security cover, observing that the plea lacked adequate research and did not constitute a matter of genuine public interest. The Court set standards for PIL admissibility requiring substantive factual foundation.

Why it matters: This judgment establishes stricter standards for PIL admissibility and defines the boundaries of public interest litigation in security and administrative matters.

Source:
High Court of Bombay
 · 20 Apr 2026, 10:35 PM IST
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Constitutional Law

17. Legal Challenge: Women’s Reservation Linked to Delimitation Unconstitutional

G. Ramakrishnan contested provisions linking women’s reservation in legislatures with delimitation exercises, arguing this linkage violates constitutional principles. The legal challenge suggests that the Centre strategically linked these issues to generate electoral opposition in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Why it matters: This raises critical gender justice and electoral law issues regarding the constitutional validity of conditional women’s reservation frameworks.

Source:
Legal Commentator
 · 20 Apr 2026, 09:23 PM IST
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Regulatory

18. Report: 404 Tamil Nadu Election Candidates Face Serious Criminal Charges

Tamil Nadu Election Watch released a report documenting that at least 404 candidates in Tamil Nadu elections face serious criminal cases against them. The report was coordinated by TNEW State coordinator P. Joseph Victor Raj and received by Arappor Iyakkam representative Jayaram Venkatesan.

Why it matters: This report highlights electoral integrity concerns and establishes data on candidate eligibility standards, informing public discourse on criminal accountability in politics.

Source:
Tamil Nadu Election Watch
 · 20 Apr 2026, 09:16 PM IST
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Criminal Law

19. Unnao Rape Survivor’s Plea for Death Penalty Against Sengar Dismissed

The court dismissed a plea filed by the Unnao rape survivor seeking capital punishment for Kuldeep Sengar, former BJP legislator sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2019. The dismissal addresses standards for enhancing sentences in sexual assault convictions.

Why it matters: This judgment clarifies capital punishment thresholds in sexual assault cases and victim rights in sentencing proceedings.

Source:
Court of Law (unspecified)
 · 20 Apr 2026, 05:19 PM IST
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Property Law

20. Chhattisgarh HC: Limitation Act Article 137 Does Not Apply to RERA Complaints

The Chhattisgarh High Court clarified that Article 137 of the Limitation Act, 1963, does not apply to complaints filed under Section 31(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. Justice Bibhu Datta Guru set aside the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal’s order that had dismissed a complaint on limitation grounds.

Why it matters: This reinforces that RERA disputes operate under specialized statutory frameworks distinct from general civil limitation provisions, protecting consumer grievances.

Source:
High Court of Chhattisgarh
 · 20 Apr 2026, 03:01 PM IST
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