Supreme Court of India Judgements

March 8, 2026 11:46 am

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable. Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) — Interest awarded by Arbitral Tribunal — Contractual bar — Where a contract expressly prohibits the award of pre-award and pendente lite interest, an Arbitral Tribunal cannot award such interest, even if termed as compensation, as the arbitrator is bound by the terms of the contract. Contract Act, 1872 — Section 133 — Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract — A variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety only with respect to transactions occurring subsequent to the variance. The surety remains liable for the original amount guaranteed. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 — Committee of Creditors (CoC) — Commercial Wisdom — Legislative intent to vest decisive authority in CoC, which comprises financial creditors who bear economic consequences of failure — Decisions on viability, valuation, and haircuts are commercial, not judicial — Courts do not substitute their assessment for that of the CoC — Adjudicatory authority performs a supervisory role, ensuring statutory compliance and procedural fairness, but refrains from second-guessing economic bodies.

Artificial Intelligence Constitution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Electricity Act

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Artificial Intelligence Constitution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Electricity Act

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Arbitration

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) — Interest awarded by Arbitral Tribunal — Contractual bar — Where a contract expressly prohibits the award of pre-award and pendente lite interest, an Arbitral Tribunal cannot award such interest, even if termed as compensation, as the arbitrator is bound by the terms of the contract.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Corporate Tenders & Contracts

Contract Act, 1872 — Section 133 — Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract — A variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety only with respect to transactions occurring subsequent to the variance. The surety remains liable for the original amount guaranteed.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

I B C

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 — Committee of Creditors (CoC) — Commercial Wisdom — Legislative intent to vest decisive authority in CoC, which comprises financial creditors who bear economic consequences of failure — Decisions on viability, valuation, and haircuts are commercial, not judicial — Courts do not substitute their assessment for that of the CoC — Adjudicatory authority performs a supervisory role, ensuring statutory compliance and procedural fairness, but refrains from second-guessing economic bodies.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Artificial Intelligence Constitution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern.

Electricity Act

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable.

Arbitration

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) — Interest awarded by Arbitral Tribunal — Contractual bar — Where a contract expressly prohibits the award of pre-award and pendente lite interest, an Arbitral Tribunal cannot award such interest, even if termed as compensation, as the arbitrator is bound by the terms of the contract.

Corporate Tenders & Contracts

Contract Act, 1872 — Section 133 — Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract — A variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety only with respect to transactions occurring subsequent to the variance. The surety remains liable for the original amount guaranteed.

Service

Army Rules, 1954 – Rule 13(3)(III)(v) – Discharge from service – Offences for which the red ink entries are awarded, cannot be said to be such gross misconduct which would make the appellant indiscipline and liable to be discharged from service and that too, after a period of long service rendered by him – Order of discharge is wholly unjustified and not sustainable at law – Appeal allowed.

Acquittal

(IPC) – Section 409 – Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent -‘criminal breach of trust’ is defined under Section 405 IPC which provides, inter alia, that whoever being in any manner entrusted with property or with any dominion over a property, dishonestly misappropriates or converts to his own use that property, or dishonestly uses or disposes of that property contrary to law, or in violation of any law prescribing the mode in which such trust is to be discharged, or contravenes any legal contract, express or implied, etc. shall be held to have committed criminal breach of trust

Consumer

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Section 2(d)(ii) – Deficiency in service – Any loss arising out of inaction and negligence on the part of the Bank, such deficiency is compensable under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Service

Termination–Reservation–In advertisement, authorities failed to mention in regard to reservation for handicapped person at the outset–Appellants who were handicapped person were appointed–On Contempt petition State cancelled the selection and terminated the service–Service restored with backwages.

Artificial Intelligence Constitution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern.

Electricity Act

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable.

Arbitration

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) — Interest awarded by Arbitral Tribunal — Contractual bar — Where a contract expressly prohibits the award of pre-award and pendente lite interest, an Arbitral Tribunal cannot award such interest, even if termed as compensation, as the arbitrator is bound by the terms of the contract.

Corporate Tenders & Contracts

Contract Act, 1872 — Section 133 — Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract — A variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety only with respect to transactions occurring subsequent to the variance. The surety remains liable for the original amount guaranteed.

State Laws

Adverse possession–Encroachers, unauthorised occupants or land grabbers–Where an encroacher, illegal occupant or land grabber of public property raises a plea that he has perfected title by adverse possession, the Court is duty bound to act with greater seriousness, care and circumspection–Any laxity in this regard may result in destruction of right/title of the State to immovable property and give upper hand to the encroachers, unauthorised occupants or land grabbers.

Dec 9, 2018 sclaw

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 630 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.S. Singhvi The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly Civil Appeal No. 1569 of…

Constitution

Constitution of India, 1950, Art. 300-A & 136–Pension–Freedom Fighters Pension–Grant of Freedom Fighters’ pension– Respondent’s case had been recommended by two Collectors and the District Level Screening Committee–State Government has not disputed the respondent’s claim on facts–High Court granted pension–SC disinclined to interfere -Appeal by State by dismissed.

Dec 9, 2018 sclaw

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 628 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harjit Singh Bedi The Hon’ble Mr. Justice T.S. Thakur Civil Appeal No. 4400 of…

Dowry Death

Indian Penal Code, 1860, S.304-B~Dowry Death-Soon before Death- What must be borne in mind is that the word “soon” does not mean “immediate”–A fair and pragmatic construction keeping in mind the great social evil that has led to the enactment of Section 304-B IPC would make it clear that the expression is a relative expression—Time-lags may differ from case to case—All that is necessary is that the demand for dowry should not be stale but should be the continuing cause for the death of the married woman under Section 304-B.

Dec 7, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2735 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1607 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Gogoi Hon’ble Mr. Justice Navin Sinha Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.M.…

Constitution

Suspension of Sentence—Elected Members—Disqualification—Once the conviction has been stayed during the pendency of an appeal, the disqualification which operates as a consequence of the conviction cannot take or remain in effect

Dec 7, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2726 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1606 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Chief Justice Dipak Misra Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. M. Khanwilkar Hon’ble Mr.…

Murder

Indian Penal Code, 1860, S.302–Murder–Motive–Son killed his father–Son nursed grudge against his father because of his share in the agricultural land—Motive to kill stood established—Conviction upheld.

Dec 7, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2724 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1605 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjan Gogol Hon’ble Mr. Justice Navin Sinha Hon’ble Mr.…

Murder

Murder—Death Penalty—Four members of a family including a child aged 3 years were killed with gunshot injuries—Case does not fall under rarest of rare case—Death sentence modified to life imprisonment.

Dec 7, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2713 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1604 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mrs. Justice R. Banumathi Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vineet Saran Criminal Appeal Nos. 21-22…

Constitution

Right to Information—Reason for Information—Even private documents submitted to public authorities may, under certain situations, form part of public record. RERA— Layout Plans—Directions issued to display such sanction plan/ layout plans at the construction site also We, thus, dismiss the appeals with costs quantified at Rs.2.50 lakhs (Rupees two lakhs & fifty thousand), payable by the appellant to respondent No.3 (though hardly the actual expenses!)

Dec 4, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2701 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1603 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kurian Joseph Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Kishan Haul Civil Appeal Nos.…

State Laws

Panchayat Law—Disqualification—Encroachment—When a member of Gram Panchayat shares a government property which has been encroached even though by any one by residing there and there is continuance, he/she has to be treated as disqualified.

Dec 4, 2018 sclaw

2018(4) Law Herald (SC) 2687 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 1602 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Chief Justice DipakMisra Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar Hon’ble Mr. Justice…

Murder

Murder–Death sentence–Murder of five innocent persons committed for ransom– Accused were not named in the FIR–FIR was lodged against unknown persons–Name of the appellants came into light during investigation–Appellants in prison for the last 14 years–Death sentence commuted into that of life imprisonment–Despite the nature of the crime, death penalty can be substituted with life sentence. Test Identification Parade–Merely because there was delay, the outcome of the identification parade cannot be thrown out if the same was properly done after following the procedure

Dec 1, 2018 sclaw

Mulla v. State of U.P. 2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 609 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice P. Sathasivam The Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu Criminal…

Arbitration

Interest–The expression ‘appeal’ used in Section 7 of the Interest Act includes an application to set aside the arbitral award filed under Section 34 of the Arbitration Act, 1996.

Dec 1, 2018 sclaw

2010(1) LAW HERALD (SC) 596 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tarun Chatterjee The Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.S. Sirpurkar Civil Appeal No. 10 of 2010…

You missed

Artificial Intelligence Constitution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Use in Legal Proceedings — Reliance on AI-generated judgments by a court is a serious matter concerning the integrity of the judicial process — Such judgments, if non-existent or fake, amount to misconduct rather than a simple error of judgment — Supreme Court orders examination of consequences and accountability for such practices — Notice issued to the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and Bar Council of India to address this institutional concern.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Electricity Act

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Power Supply Agreement (PSA) — Interpretation of Contract — Surrounding Circumstances — Evidence Act, 1872, Sections 92, 94, 95 — Contractual terms can be clarified by attending circumstances and conduct of parties, even if contract is reduced to writing, to give meaning to terms that may otherwise be meaningless or unworkable.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Arbitration

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) — Interest awarded by Arbitral Tribunal — Contractual bar — Where a contract expressly prohibits the award of pre-award and pendente lite interest, an Arbitral Tribunal cannot award such interest, even if termed as compensation, as the arbitrator is bound by the terms of the contract.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw

Corporate Tenders & Contracts

Contract Act, 1872 — Section 133 — Discharge of surety by variance in terms of contract — A variance made without the surety’s consent in the terms of the contract between the principal debtor and the creditor discharges the surety only with respect to transactions occurring subsequent to the variance. The surety remains liable for the original amount guaranteed.

Mar 4, 2026 sclaw