Case Title:Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty and Another v. Union of India
Summary: The Constitution bench, headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, unanimously denied recognition of same-sex marriage. While Justices Bhat, Kohli, and Narasimha rejected civil unions, CJI Chandrachud and Justice Kaul, in the minority opinion, supported recognizing civil unions and adoption rights for same-sex couples.
Impropriety in Case Assignment:
Case Title:Ambalal Parihar v. State of Rajasthan and Others
Summary: Justices Oka and Mithal emphasized the impropriety of judges taking up cases not assigned by the Chief Justice, imposing a ₹50,000 cost on litigants engaged in forum shopping.
Reforms for Speedy Disposal of Civil Cases:
Case Title:Yashpal Jain v. Sushila Devi and Others
Summary: Justices Bhat and Kumar advocated urgent reforms to address delays and clear civil case backlogs, stressing the need to combat procrastination and bureaucratic inefficiency.
Eradication of Manual Scavenging:
Case Title:Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India and Others
Summary: Justices Bhat and Kumar issued 14 directions to eradicate manual scavenging, highlighting the battle’s significance for human dignity and emphasizing constitutional obligations for cleaner’s safety.
Sexual Harassment Committees Mandate:
Case Title:Initiatives for Inclusive Foundation v. Union of India
Summary: Justices Bhat and Datta mandated internal complaints committees for sexual harassment reporting in hospitals, sports institutes, and other relevant entities, suggesting amendments to strengthen the implementation of existing rules.
Abortion Plea Rejection:
Case Title:X v. Union of India and Others
Summary: CJI Chandrachud and Justices Pardiwala and Misra rejected an abortion plea beyond 24 weeks, adhering to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act’s limitations, citing viability and legal constraints.
Setback to Hasty Trial:
Case Title:Naveen @ Ajay v. State of Madhya Pradesh
Summary: Justices Gavai, Narasimha, and Mishra set aside a death sentence due to a hasty 15-day trial, emphasizing the importance of ‘judicial calm’ and directing a fresh trial with senior counsel for the accused.
Acquittal Based on Privacy Rights:
Case Title:Indrakunwar v. State of Chhattisgarh
Summary: Justices Oka and Karol acquitted a woman accused of killing her newborn, criticizing lower courts for disregarding privacy rights and lacking solid evidence.
Donor Gametes in Surrogacy:
Case Title:Arun Muthivel v. Union of India and Others
Summary: Justices Nagarathna and Bhuyan allowed gestational surrogacy with donor gametes, rejecting a complete ban as against Surrogacy Act rules and granting relief to a woman unable to produce her own eggs.
Witness Reputation Assessment:
Case Title:Harvinder Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh
Summary: Justices Sundresh and Pardiwala set aside a murder conviction, highlighting that courts must not assume good reputation solely based on education or religious faith, emphasizing the relevance of conduct under the Indian Evidence Act.
Delayed Appointment Rectification:
Case Title:Union of India vs Uzair Imran and Others
Summary: Justices Trivedi and Datta ordered the appointment of a 50-year-old as a postal assistant, rectifying a two-decade-long delay and attributing responsibility to the Central government’s arbitrary actions.
Omission in Charges Not a Bar:
Case Title:Paranagouda and Another v. State of Karnataka
Summary: Justices Bhat and Kumar ruled that framing charge omissions do not hinder convicting for proven offenses, convicting parents-in-law for abetting suicide despite missing charges under Section 306 IPC.
Consensual Act in Rape Case:
Case Title:Manak Chand v. State of Haryana
Summary: Justices Kishan Kaul, Ravikumar, and Dhulia acquitted a rape accused, deeming the act consensual and the girl above the age of consent, highlighting discrepancies in the survivor’s age determination.
Restoration of Election Verdict:
Case Title:Dasanglu Pul v. Lupalum Kri
Summary: Justices Bopanna and Narasimha restored Dasanglu Pul’s 2019 election, overturning the Gauhati High Court’s decision and allowing her to resume legislative assembly participation.
Telangana VAT Act Unconstitutional:
Case Title:State of Telangana and Others v. Tirumala Constructions
Summary: Justices Bhat and Kumar upheld the Telangana High Court’s verdict, declaring the Telangana Value Added Tax (Second Amendment) Act, 2017 unconstitutional, citing legislative competence issues post-GST regime implementation.
