WEEK 1: May 1–9, 2026
Supreme Court of India
Evidence Act — Re-Discovery by Co-Accused Impermissible: The Supreme Court set aside the conviction of two accused in a murder case, holding that under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, once a location or object has been discovered at the instance of one accused, the same fact cannot be “re-discovered” through subsequent or identical statements made by co-accused. The Bench further noted that the journey from “may be true” to “must be true” requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which was absent in this case. It also observed that while the “last seen together” theory is a relevant circumstance, it cannot form the sole basis for conviction when secondary corroborative evidence is legally unsustainable. Anand Jakkappa Pujari v. State of Karnataka (2026 INSC 417), decided April 27, 2026.
Labour Law — ISRO’s Gang Labour Scheme Struck Down: The Supreme Court set aside a restrictive employment scheme — the Gang Labourers (Employment for Sporadic Types of Work) Scheme, 2012 — for daily-wage workers at ISRO’s Mahendragiri unit, ruling that the State cannot bypass final judicial mandates for permanent regularisation through temporary stop-gap arrangements. The Court found it to be in direct contravention of earlier binding orders issued by the Central Administrative Tribunal, observing that the State, as a model employer, cannot be indifferent to the workforce that contributed indirectly to national endeavours.
Pawan Khera — Anticipatory Bail Granted: The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera, observing that the purported allegations appeared to be politically motivated and influenced by political rivalry, not warranting custodial interrogation. The case originated from a Guwahati press conference where Khera alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of the Assam Chief Minister, held multiple international passports and had invested ₹50,000 crores in a U.S.-based company.
Murder Case — Scripted Enquiry Fatal to Prosecution: The Supreme Court acquitted 9 surviving convicts in a 2008 murder case, holding that a scripted enquiry has lethal consequences, particularly when it creates the possibility of totally innocent persons being “crucified.” The Court further clarified that the higher credibility typically accorded to “injured eyewitnesses” is lost when the prosecution fails to prove the very injuries alleged — the absence of medical certificates and failure to match blood samples meant the witnesses could not be granted greater credence than mere chance witnesses. Aman Singh & Anr. v. State of Bihar (2026 INSC 424).
IBC / NCLT
SC Raps Resolution Professional for Defying Possession Order: The Supreme Court directed the Superintendent of Police, Hapur, to break open locks and hand over complete possession of warehouse premises to landlord Prerna Singh, coming down heavily on Naveen Kumar Jain, the Resolution Professional of Xalta Food and Beverages Pvt Ltd and holding his conduct “contemptuous.” A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Vijay Bishnoi issued immediate directions after being told that despite earlier orders, only partial possession had been handed over. The bench warned it would be his “last assignment.” (Prerna Singh v. Committee of Creditors, Civil Appeal No. 2569 of 2022)
NCLAT Upholds Adani’s Resolution Plan for JAL: In its May 5, 2026 judgment, the NCLAT dismissed Vedanta’s appeals challenging the approval of Adani Enterprises’ nearly ₹14,535 crore resolution plan for debt-laden Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), holding that under the resolution framework adopted for JAL, the Committee of Creditors was not bound to approve a plan merely because it carried the highest net present value or scored highest under the evaluation matrix. Adani Enterprises subsequently filed a caveat before the Supreme Court, anticipating an appeal by Vedanta.
SEBI’s Challenge in Pancard Clubs Insolvency Dismissed: The Supreme Court refused to reopen SEBI’s challenge to the Pancard Clubs’ insolvency proceedings, upholding an NCLAT order holding that SEBI’s fraud allegations fell outside the scope of proceedings on condonation of delay. (Securities and Exchange Board of India v. Pancard Clubs Ltd., 2026 LLBiz SC 178)
SC Lifts Corporate Veil — Relief for 4,000+ Home Buyers: The Supreme Court held that project lands leased to subsidiaries may be treated as holding company assets in insolvency where entities are “inextricably connected”, observing that where group companies form part of one concern, the corporate veil must be lifted. The judgment impacted thousands of home and office space buyers in stalled projects since 2016, including 4,229 allottees in Earth Towne (1,878 admitted claims) and 536 units in Earth Copia. The Court also criticised the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) for its “persistent inaction.” (Alpha Corp Development Private Ltd. v. GNIDA, 2026 INSC 449, May 5, 2026)