Sansa Law Desk

The Supreme Court of India on July 30, 2026, delivered a significant ruling on the devolution of property under Christian succession law. In Shakuntala and Others v. Robert Anthony and Others, a bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh clarified that property purchased by a husband in the name of his wife remains the wife’s exclusive property. Consequently, upon her death, succession to such property must be determined on the basis of her

In a significant ruling clarifying the scope of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Supreme Court has held that a Reach Stacker, a heavy container-handling machine used within Inland Container Depots, is not a "motor vehicle" under Section 2(28) of the Act. Consequently, an accident victim injured by such a machine cannot approach a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) for compensation. The bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh allowed the appea

In a strong rebuke to state governments across India for their persistent failure to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, the Supreme Court on July 29, 2026, directed eleven states and union territories to appoint State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities within four weeks. A bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan passed the directions while hearing a public interest litigation filed by disability rights act

Donating to charitable causes not only supports social welfare but can also provide significant tax benefits under Indian income tax law. Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 allows taxpayers to claim deductions for donations made to specified funds, institutions, and charitable organizations. The deduction ranges from 50 percent to 100 percent of the donated amount, depending on the type of recipient, and may be subject to a qualifying limit based on the taxpayer's adjust

Central government employees in India have the option of seeking voluntary retirement before reaching the age of superannuation. The Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules provide two distinct pathways for voluntary retirement: Rule 48, which applies to employees who have completed 30 years of qualifying service, and Rule 48A, which applies to employees who have completed 20 years of qualifying service. Each pathway has different eligibility criteria, approval requirements, a

The Supreme Court of India has upheld the constitutional validity of sentences directing imprisonment for the remainder of a convict’s natural life without remission. In a judgment cited as 2026 INSC 764, a bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Augustine George Masih dismissed a batch of writ petitions filed by four sets of convicts, including death row prisoners whose sentences had been commuted by constitutional authorities or modified by courts. The ruling reaf

Unauthorized construction is a widespread issue across Indian cities, often resulting from deviations from sanctioned building plans, construction without proper approvals, or violations of local building bylaws. While demolition is the default legal consequence for unauthorized structures, several state governments have introduced regularization schemes that allow property owners to bring their constructions within the legal framework by paying compounding fees and meeting p

Filing an appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) often involves a significant financial obligation. Under Section 254(2A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended by the Finance Act 2020, an assessee seeking a stay of the disputed tax demand must deposit at least 20 percent of the demand amount or furnish equivalent security. However, in cases of genuine financial hardship, the ITAT has the power to waive or reduce this requirement. This article explains the le

If you have received an unfavorable order from a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and believe the decision was incorrect, you have the right to file an appeal before the next higher forum. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides a structured appellate hierarchy that allows aggrieved parties to challenge orders on grounds of both fact and law. This article explains the complete process of filing an appeal, including the applicable time limits, mandatory pre-deposit re

The Kerala High Court, in Santhosh v. E.A. Sainaba & Ors. (MACA No. 947 of 2011, decided on July 28, 2026), held that the compensation awarded to a third-party pillion rider in a motor accident case cannot be reduced on the ground that the rider of the motorcycle on which the pillion rider was travelling was guilty of contributory negligence. Justice Anil K. Narendran set aside the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal's order that had apportioned 50 percent contributory negligence

Indian citizens who have voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country automatically lose their Indian citizenship under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. However, the Act provides a pathway for such former citizens to regain Indian citizenship through registration under Section 5(1)(f). This provision is particularly relevant for members of the Indian diaspora who wish to return permanently and reacquire full citizenship rights. This guide explains the complete p

The Delhi High Court on July 27, 2026, granted a dynamic injunction against 30 groups of rogue websites in a copyright infringement suit filed by Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) and its co-plaintiffs in Home Box Office Inc. v. Streamzy.to & Ors. (CS(COMM) 740/2026). Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued the ad-interim order restraining the identified websites from streaming, hosting, or making available HBO's copyrighted films and television programmes, while simultaneously craftin

When a customs officer assesses a higher duty on your imported or exported goods than you believe is correct, the law provides a structured appellate mechanism to challenge such assessments. The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) is the specialised quasi-judicial body that hears appeals against orders passed by customs authorities across India. Whether the dispute involves classification of goods, valuation, rate of duty, or the legality of confiscati

In a unanimous and far-reaching verdict delivered on July 29, 2026, the Supreme Court of India struck down the Central Government’s 2021 Office Memorandum (OM) that had created an administrative mechanism for granting post-facto (retrospective) environmental clearances to projects that commenced construction or operations without obtaining prior environmental approval. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul

The writ of habeas corpus, meaning "you shall have the body," is the most powerful constitutional remedy against unlawful detention in India. When a person is detained without legal authority, held beyond the authorized period of custody, or confined in violation of their fundamental rights, a habeas corpus petition compels the detaining authority to produce the detained person before the court and justify the legality of the detention. Under Article 226 of the Constitution o