⚖️ WEEK 2: May 10–17, 2026
Supreme Court of India
IBC – Bank Cannot Invoke IBC for Loan Disbursed Directly to Builder: The Supreme Court ruled that a bank cannot invoke IBC against a debtor over a loan that was directly disbursed to a builder and linked to construction progress, addressing a key question of financial creditor classification in builder-buyer loan structures.
CJI Surya Kant – ‘One Case, One Data’ System Announced: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced the ‘One Case, One Data’ system for integrated case data management across the judiciary, a major digital reforms initiative for the court system.
Supreme Court’s Suggestions for Faster Bail Disposal: The Supreme Court provided institutional suggestions to High Courts for faster disposal of bail pleas, addressing the long-standing concern of undertrial prisoners languishing in custody.
Education in Mother Tongue – Fundamental Right: The Supreme Court held that the right to receive education in one’s mother tongue is an intrinsic facet of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, as meaningful participation in society requires information to be imparted in a comprehensible form. The Court directed the State of Rajasthan to transition from its technical reliance on the Eighth Schedule and proactively recognise Rajasthani as a regional language for educational purposes in both private and government schools. It observed that education must be intelligible to be considered “quality education” under Article 21A, and that language barriers in early schooling inflict a cruel strain on children. Padam Mehta v. State of Rajasthan (2026 INSC 476, May 12, 2026)
Regular Appointment Cannot Be Withheld After Valid Selection Process: Granting relief to an IIT Allahabad Assistant Professor, the Supreme Court held that denying a regular appointment to a candidate who is selected through a regular selection process is patently illegal and unconstitutional. Lokendra Kumar Tiwari v. Union of India (2026 INSC 487, May 13, 2026)
Dual Police Job Fraud — Criminal Proceedings Directed: The Supreme Court directed initiation of criminal proceedings against a constable accused of securing appointments in both the Jharkhand and Bihar Police under different identities using forged credentials, observing that public employment, particularly in the police service, cannot be converted into an instrument of fraud. State of Jharkhand v. Ranjan Kumar (2026 INSC 466, May 8, 2026)
SIT Probe into Spiritual Regeneration Movement Land Fraud: The Supreme Court directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to conduct a fact-finding enquiry into alleged unauthorised sale and transfer of lands belonging to the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India, directing the Registrar of Societies to be made a member of the SIT. Shrikant Ojha v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2026 INSC 482, May 12, 2026)
Signed Order Alone is Final – Court Reaffirms: The Supreme Court reaffirmed that an order dictated in open court remains a draft until it is signed and uploaded, serving as a skeletal framework subject to correction and refinement in chambers. The Court imposed an exemplary cost of ₹2,000 each on applicants who sought to declare an in-court dictation as final and binding, calling such a prayer “thoroughly misconceived.” Fakir Mamad Suleman Sameja v. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (2026 INSC 483, May 12, 2026)
Natural Gas Taxation – UP Cannot Levy VAT on Inter-State Sale: The Supreme Court held that when a contract of sale occasions the movement of natural gas from one state to another through a common carrier pipeline, the transaction must be characterised as an inter-state sale under Section 3(a) of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. Consequently, Uttar Pradesh could not levy VAT on Reliance Industries’ contractual gas movement via a common carrier pipeline. State of Uttar Pradesh v. Reliance Industries Limited (2026 INSC 491, May 15, 2026)
Caste Fraud – FIR Quashed After 33 Years: The Supreme Court quashed an FIR against a retired employee in a false Scheduled Tribe caste claim case, after noting that despite claiming ST status in 1993, the accused was unable to obtain any actual benefit from the wrongly claimed status. Madan Gopal v. State of U.P. (2026 INSC 501, May 14, 2026)
West Bengal SIR – TMC Tells SC Vote Gap Less Than Pending Appeals: In the ongoing West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR) matter, the Trinamool Congress told the Supreme Court that the vote gap with the BJP in the disputed results was less than the number of pending appeals, urging the court to stay the election results.
High Courts
Delhi HC – Yamuna Floodplain Colonies Impermissible: The Delhi High Court observed that residential colonies in Delhi’s Yamuna floodplain area, classified as Zone ‘O’, are “completely impermissible”, while noting that 91 unauthorised colonies in the area continue to enjoy temporary protection from punitive action till December 31, 2026, under the NCT of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011.