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Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

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A Singapore family court has ordered a Canadian man to pay nearly S$634,000 in backdated maintenance after ruling that he deliberately quit a high-paying job to avoid supporting his estranged wife and four children.
The man, a senior corporate executive who was earning more than S$860,000 a year in Singapore, resigned in October 2023 shortly after his wife sought monthly maintenance. He later moved back to Canada, claiming personal and professional pressure forced him to leave.
The court rejected that claim, stating that his decision to resign did not release him from his financial responsibilities.
The couple, both Canadian citizens, had been living in Singapore since 2013 with their four children. The husband worked in a multinational corporation under an expatriate contract, while the wife stayed at home and cared for the family. Their children attended international schools.
In August 2023, the marriage broke down after the man moved out of the family home and began living with another woman. Initially, he offered to pay S$20,000 a month in maintenance and cover rent, school fees and transport. This amount was later reduced to S$11,000.
After financial support was cut further, the wife filed a maintenance application in early October 2023, stating that the reduced payments did not meet the family&rsquo;s needs or match their previous standard of living.
Days later, the man resigned from his Singapore job even though he could have continued working under the same contract until mid 2024. He left Singapore in January 2024, which delayed the court proceedings. When he failed to attend a scheduled hearing, a warrant was briefly issued before being lifted later that year.
The man argued that rumours about his separation had damaged his reputation at work and forced him to quit. The court found no evidence that his employer intended to terminate him and ruled that embarrassment did not make the resignation involuntary.
In its decision, the court said earning capacity must be assessed based on what a person is capable of earning, not just current income. Until the man secured a new job in Canada in October 2024, his earning ability was calculated based on his Singapore salary.
The judge noted that instead of finding alternative employment before resigning, the man chose to reduce support and leave a lucrative position.
Only after he began working in Canada at a lower salary did the court recognise a genuine drop in income. From October 2024 onwards, both parents were ordered to contribute equally to household expenses, as the wife was also capable of working.
The court found that the man had failed to properly maintain his family from September 2023 and paid nothing at all for several months. After assessing rent, utilities, groceries, schooling, transport and domestic help, total maintenance for two years was set at S$788,300.
Since he had already paid part of the amount, the remaining S$633,916.19 must be paid as a lump sum by January 15, 2026.
The man has appealed the ruling, and enforcement has been paused until the appeal is decided.

Court Orders Ex-Executive to Pay ₹6 Cr in Dues

Man who quit Singapore job after separation told he cannot escape financial duty to wife

In a strong affirmation of women&rsquo;s rights, the Delhi High Court has ruled that forcing a woman to continue an unwanted pregnancy violates her autonomy, dignity and control over her own body.
The court made it clear that decisions related to pregnancy, motherhood and fertility must rest solely with the woman. It observed that compelling a woman to carry a pregnancy against her will causes deep emotional distress and directly harms her mental health.
The judgment highlighted the harsh social realities many women face, especially during marital breakdowns. It noted that women are often left to deal with pregnancy and child rearing alone, without emotional, financial or social support. In such situations, pregnancy can intensify trauma rather than bring security or stability.
The court stressed that only women bear the physical, emotional and long-term consequences of pregnancy. When a woman is already facing personal or marital conflict, an unwanted pregnancy can place an unbearable burden on her mental and emotional well being.
The case involved a woman who had ended her pregnancy through a medically permitted procedure. Her estranged husband had objected to the decision, leading to criminal proceedings against her. The High Court stepped in and dismissed the case, stating that punishing a woman for making a lawful medical choice would amount to a violation of her fundamental rights.
Importantly, the court rejected the idea that a woman&rsquo;s choice can be overridden by claims made on behalf of the unborn. It observed that a living woman&rsquo;s rights cannot be placed below abstract arguments about potential life, especially when international human rights standards recognise rights from birth.
Calling bodily autonomy a core part of personal liberty, the court reaffirmed that women cannot be reduced to vessels of reproduction. The ruling sends a clear message that motherhood must be a choice, not an obligation enforced through fear, pressure or punishment.

Delhi HC: Pregnancy Choices Belong to Women

Court says forcing motherhood violates dignity, autonomy and mental well being

The Supreme Court has made sharp observations on what it described as a growing tendency among wealthy accused to question laws only after being booked under them, instead of facing trial like ordinary citizens.
The remarks came while a Bench led by Supreme Court of India was hearing a petition filed by Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan, who is accused in a money laundering case linked to the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked that individuals with financial means often approach courts to question the law itself once prosecution begins. He said such accused should face trial in the same manner as any other citizen, instead of attempting to stall proceedings by raising broader legal challenges.
Khaitan&rsquo;s counsel argued that parts of the law under which he has been charged are unfair and should be reconsidered. The court, however, was not persuaded to take up the issue at this stage. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who was also part of the Bench, agreed that the case was not the right forum to decide such questions.
The Bench noted that similar issues are already pending before the Supreme Court in other cases. Given this, it declined to hear Khaitan&rsquo;s petition, saying the larger questions can be examined separately when the court takes up those matters.
The judges also pointed out that this was not the first time such an attempt had been made. In the past, the court had taken a similar view when another prominent political leader challenged the powers of enforcement agencies while facing investigation.
At present, the Supreme Court is already reviewing its earlier rulings on various aspects of the money laundering law. Until that review is concluded, the court indicated that individual accused persons cannot use such arguments to delay or derail their cases.
The observation is likely to have wider implications, especially for high-profile economic offence cases, as it sends a clear message that financial status should not determine how one responds to criminal charges.

Face trial like others: Supreme Court to accused

Top court rebukes money laundering accused for challenging law instead of facing trial

BJP national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam has approached the Delhi High Court after social media posts and political statements linked him to the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, allegations he has strongly denied.
Gautam has filed a defamation suit against the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and several individuals, arguing that online content has falsely portrayed him as connected to the crime. He has asked for the removal of posts, videos and statements that name or hint at him in connection with the case.
According to his plea, a fresh wave of online claims surfaced in late December, reviving speculation around an alleged &ldquo;VIP&rdquo; angle in the Ankita Bhandari murder. Gautam has said that these claims have no basis in the investigation and amount to a targeted attempt to damage his reputation.
The Ankita Bhandari case had shocked the country in 2022. The 19 year old worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand and was killed after allegedly being pressured to provide special services to guests. Three men, including the resort owner, were later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. While rumours about the involvement of a powerful outsider circulated widely at the time, investigators did not name any such person in the chargesheet.
Gautam&rsquo;s suit names political parties as well as individuals who shared or amplified content on social media platforms. He has said the repeated circulation of these claims has led to public harassment, political attacks and a trial by social media, despite there being no official finding against him.
The controversy has also taken a political turn. The Congress and AAP have criticised the BJP over the Ankita Bhandari case in recent weeks, accusing the ruling party of shielding influential figures. BJP leaders, on the other hand, have dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
By moving the court, Gautam has sought to draw a clear line between the facts established by the investigation and what he describes as unverified claims being presented as truth online. The matter is expected to come up for hearing in the coming days.

Ankita Bhandari case: BJP leader moves court

Dushyant Kumar Gautam seeks removal of posts linking him to 2022 murder

In a significant change to how court hearings are conducted, the Supreme Court of India has introduced a new procedure that requires lawyers to plan and limit the time they take to present arguments. The move is aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring that more cases are heard each day.
Under the new system, lawyers arguing cases after notice has been issued, as well as those in regular hearings, must now inform the Court in advance about how much time they will need to present their arguments. This information must be submitted online at least one day before the scheduled hearing.
The decision was formalised through a circular issued on December 29 under the directions of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Court said the step is meant to ensure better use of court hours and smoother case management across different benches.
In addition to declaring argument time, lawyers will also be required to submit brief written notes summarising their main points. These notes must be limited to five pages and filed at least three days before the hearing. Copies must also be shared with the opposing side to avoid surprises during arguments.
The Court has made it clear that lawyers are expected to strictly stick to the time slots they request and conclude their submissions within the approved duration. This structured approach is expected to help judges plan proceedings more effectively and reduce delays caused by lengthy or repetitive arguments.
By introducing pre-fixed time slots and short written summaries, the Supreme Court hopes to bring greater predictability to hearings and move cases faster, addressing long-standing concerns about pendency and courtroom delays.

Supreme Court Sets Time Limits for Lawyers

New rules aim to speed up hearings and bring better time discipline in courtrooms

Cash, luxury vehicles and other high-value assets were seized during coordinated raids across Delhi, Gurugram and Rohtak in connection with a money laundering probe linked to a wanted criminal believed to be based in the United Arab Emirates.
The searches, carried out on December 26 and 27 at 10 locations, led to the seizure of five luxury cars, bank lockers, ₹17 lakh in cash, digital devices, documents and other data connected to Inderjit Singh Yadav and his associates. The action is part of an ongoing investigation under anti-money laundering laws involving Inderjit, his alleged accomplices, Apollo Green Energy Ltd and other related entities.
Investigators said Inderjit had developed and operated a website that facilitated loan settlements between corporate borrowers and private financiers. It was also found that several movable and immovable assets were acquired in the names of Inderjit and his family members using proceeds allegedly generated from criminal activities.
The probe stems from 15 FIRs and multiple chargesheets registered in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh under various legal provisions, including laws related to arms, organised crime and financial offences. The cases allege Inderjit&rsquo;s involvement in serious crimes such as murder, extortion, coercive loan settlements, fraud, illegal land grabbing and other violent offences. He is also linked to Gem Records Entertainment Pvt Ltd, which operates under the name &lsquo;Gems Tunes&rsquo;.
According to investigators, the money laundering case focuses on Inderjit&rsquo;s alleged role as a strongman and enforcer who coerced corporate borrowers into settling high-value loans with private financiers. These settlements, some running into hundreds of crores, were allegedly secured through threats, intimidation and the use of armed gangs, with links to organised crime syndicates operating from abroad.
It is further alleged that Inderjit earned commissions amounting to hundreds of crores from such transactions, which were used to acquire luxury vehicles, immovable properties and to fund an extravagant lifestyle, while declaring minimal income in tax returns.

Cash, luxury cars and documents seized in Delhi, Gurugram and Rohtak raids  Keywords

Luxury cars, cash seized in multi-city raids

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the controversy surrounding the definition of the Aravalli hills and is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday. According to the cause list, a three-judge vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih, is likely to hear the case titled In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues.
The apex court had, on November 20, approved a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges and imposed a ban on the grant of fresh mining leases across Aravalli regions spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat until expert reports are submitted. The decision was taken to safeguard the Aravallis, regarded as the world&rsquo;s oldest mountain system.
The court accepted the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which proposed that an &ldquo;Aravalli Hill&rdquo; be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above the local relief. An &ldquo;Aravalli Range&rdquo; was defined as a cluster of two or more such hills located within 500 metres of each other.
The committee further clarified that the entire landform enclosed by the lowest contour line, including supporting slopes and associated features irrespective of gradient, would be deemed part of the Aravalli Hills. Similarly, landforms and associated features lying between two Aravalli hills within the prescribed distance would form part of the Aravalli Range.
The Supreme Court delivered a detailed 29-page judgment in the suo motu proceedings, which stemmed from long-running environmental litigation. The bench accepted the committee&rsquo;s recommendations on prohibiting mining in core and inviolate areas, while allowing limited exceptions. It also approved measures for sustainable mining and steps to prevent illegal mining in the Aravalli hills and ranges.
The court directed authorities to identify areas where mining could be permitted and to clearly demarcate ecologically sensitive, conservation-critical and restoration-priority zones within the Aravalli landscape where mining would either be strictly prohibited or allowed only under exceptional, scientifically justified circumstances. It further ordered that no new mining leases be granted until a comprehensive mining plan is finalised by the environment ministry in consultation with the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.
At the same time, the bench allowed existing mining operations to continue, subject to strict compliance with the committee&rsquo;s recommendations. Emphasising the ecological importance of the Aravallis, the court described the range as a vital green barrier that prevents the eastward spread of the Thar desert and supports rich biodiversity, underscoring the need for a clear and scientific definition to ensure effective environmental protection and regulation of land use.

Top court to review Aravalli definition row and mining ban in key states

SC to hear suo motu case on Aravalli hills

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The Supreme Court will hear the Central Bureau of Investigation&rsquo;s appeal against the bail granted to former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case on December 29. The matter will be taken up by a three-judge vacation bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Sengar was convicted in December 2019 for the rape of a minor and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹25 lakh. Although the Delhi High Court recently suspended his life sentence pending appeal and granted him bail, Sengar will continue to remain in prison as he is serving a separate 10-year sentence in another CBI case related to murder.
Earlier, the CBI moved the Supreme Court by filing a Special Leave Petition challenging the Delhi High Court&rsquo;s December 23 order that granted Sengar bail and suspended his sentence.
Meanwhile, the rape survivor and her mother met CBI officials in New Delhi on Saturday and submitted a complaint alleging serious misconduct during the investigation. They claimed that the investigating officer colluded with a judge to favour the accused and undermine the victim&rsquo;s case.
After the meeting, the survivor said she had sought to meet a senior official but was informed it was a holiday. A junior official, however, accepted her complaint and assured that a senior officer would meet them on Monday. She alleged that the investigating officer acted against her interests and deliberately weakened the case to ensure that the accused benefitted.
The victim&rsquo;s mother also expressed concern over the handling of the case, stating that the family is prepared to approach the Supreme Court for justice. She said their trust in the investigative agency would depend on whether it stands by them during the proceedings before the apex court.
The case continues to draw national attention amid legal scrutiny over the bail order and fresh allegations raised by the survivor against the investigation process.
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Top court to examine CBI challenge to bail in Unnao rape case on December 29

SC to hear CBI plea on Sengar bail on Dec 29

The Delhi High Court has sharply questioned the Centre&rsquo;s handling of Delhi&rsquo;s air pollution crisis, saying that if authorities cannot ensure clean air, they should at least make air purifiers more affordable for the public.
Hearing a petition on Wednesday, the Court said the government must seriously consider reducing the 18 percent Goods and Services Tax on air purifiers. It suggested a temporary cut or exemption, calling the pollution situation an emergency that directly affects public health.
The judges pointed out that breathing clean air is a basic necessity. If the state is unable to provide it, the least it can do is reduce the financial burden on people who are forced to rely on air purifiers to protect their health. The Court asked the government to respond with clear instructions later the same day.
In strong remarks, the Bench underlined how often people breathe every day and warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air causes serious harm. It stressed that the situation cannot be treated casually and requires urgent action.
The plea was filed by advocate Kapil Madan, who argued that air purifiers are no longer luxury items in Delhi&rsquo;s current conditions. He said they have become essential for maintaining safe indoor air, especially for children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems.
The petition further stated that air purifiers should be treated like health-support equipment, as they help reduce exposure to toxic air and support safe breathing during severe pollution episodes. Taxing them at the highest slab, it argued, makes them unaffordable for many families and worsens health risks.
The Court agreed that the issue deserves serious consideration, noting that public health must take priority in a city grappling with recurring air quality emergencies.

If air is unsafe, cut GST on purifiers: HC

Delhi High Court questions high tax on air purifiers amid worsening pollution crisis

The Bombay High Court has put a temporary stop to fraud-related action initiated by three public sector banks against Anil Ambani, raising serious concerns over the validity of the forensic audit that triggered the move.
Justice Milind Jadhav restrained Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank and Indian Overseas Bank from acting on show-cause notices and other steps based on a forensic audit report prepared in 2020 for Reliance Communications and related companies.
The Court noted that the audit report, prepared by BDO LLP, could not be relied upon because it was not signed by a qualified chartered accountant. Under the Reserve Bank of India&rsquo;s updated fraud guidelines issued in 2024, any forensic audit used for fraud classification must be conducted and signed by professionals holding statutory qualifications.
The judge observed that banks cannot take harsh action using reports that do not meet basic professional standards. He also criticised the delay, pointing out that banks sought to examine financial records from 2013 to 2017 only in 2019, long after the period in question.
According to the Court, such delayed and irregular action weakens trust in the system and can have wider economic consequences. It stressed that regulatory rules are meant to be followed strictly, not applied at convenience.
Ambani, a former non-executive director of Reliance Communications, challenged the bank actions by arguing that the audit firm functioned only as an accounting consultant and that the report&rsquo;s signatory was not legally qualified to conduct such an audit. He also claimed the earlier management was not given a chance to participate in the forensic process.
The banks opposed the stay, arguing that the fraud classification was done years ago and that earlier rules did not require forensic auditors to be chartered accountants. They warned that accepting Ambani&rsquo;s arguments could affect similar cases across the banking sector.
However, the Court took the view that once the RBI clarified auditor eligibility in 2024, banks could not continue relying on reports that failed to meet those standards. The request by banks and the audit firm to pause the Court&rsquo;s order was rejected.
For now, all further action linked to the disputed audit has been halted.

Bombay HC halts banks’ fraud action on Ambani

Court pauses bank action after finding flaws in forensic audit used against Anil Ambani

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