Sansa Law Desk

Filing a complaint against a police officer in India is possible through several clear channels, from approaching a senior officer to invoking the courts and independent oversight bodies. The law does not place police personnel above accountability: any person can set the criminal law in motion against an officer whose conduct discloses an offence, and there are dedicated remedies where a police station refuses to act. This guide explains how to file a complaint against a pol

To quash an FIR in India is to ask the High Court to terminate a criminal case at its root when continuing it would be an abuse of the legal process or would defeat the ends of justice. The power to quash an FIR now flows from Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which preserves the inherent powers of the High Court that earlier existed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This guide explains when an FIR can be quashed, the recognised g

Drafting and Registering a Rental Agreement in India: A 2026 Guide A well-drafted rental agreement is the foundation of any landlord-tenant relationship. It protects both parties by clearly defining the terms of occupancy, rent, maintenance responsibilities, and conditions for termination. In India, the legal requirements for rental agreements vary by state, but certain core principles apply universally. This guide covers the types of rental agreements, essential clauses, the

When a court considers bail in a dowry death case, it cannot ignore the statutory presumption that the law attaches to such deaths. The Supreme Court reinforced this position in 2026 by setting aside a High Court order that had granted bail to an accused in a dowry death case without engaging with the presumption under Section 118 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. The ruling is part of a series of decisions in which the Court has cautioned bail courts against granting

The State bears a heightened constitutional duty to protect the life of every person in its custody, and an unnatural death in custody, even one caused by suicide, attracts public law liability. Applying this principle, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Government to pay Rs 18.44 lakh in compensation to the father of a 19-year-old who died while in police custody. The judgment in Shyam Sundar v. State (NCT of Delhi), reported as 2026:DHC:5226, is a strong reaffirmation

The exemption that allows turban-wearing Sikhs to ride two-wheelers without a helmet is a reasonable classification under Article 14 of the Constitution and does not amount to religious discrimination. The Bombay High Court reached this conclusion in early July 2026, dismissing a petition that challenged the exemption as a violation of the right to equality. The decision explains how the constitutional guarantee of equality permits reasonable distinctions between groups, and

A remission policy framed in exercise of the Governor's constitutional power under Article 161 prevails over a later statutory remission policy issued under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Supreme Court laid down this principle on 1 July 2026 in Parveen Kumar v. State of Haryana (2026 INSC 667), while allowing the appeal of a life convict whose premature release had been decided under a less favourable policy. The judgment clarifies the relationship between constitutional

A Magistrate is not required to record pre-charge evidence under Section 244 (now Section 267, BNSS) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 before committing a complaint case that involves an offence triable exclusively by a Court of Session. That is the effect of a Supreme Court judgment delivered on 1 July 2026 in Neeraj Gupta v. Pardeep Kumar Bansal (2026 INSC 660), which clarifies a point of criminal procedure that frequently arises in private complaint cases involving s

From Blanket Restrictions to Beneficial Ownership Analysis The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released Press Note 2 (2026 Series), introducing a fundamental shift in how India regulates Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from countries sharing a land border. Moving beyond the jurisdiction-based blanket restrictions of Press Note 3 (2020), the new framework centres on beneficial ownership analysis and control-based thresholds to determine when gov

Obtaining a Legal Heir Certificate in India: A Complete 2026 Guide When a person passes away, their legal heirs often need an official document that establishes their relationship to the deceased and their right to inherit. This document is known as a legal heir certificate (also called a legal heirship certificate). It is issued by the local revenue authority and serves as proof that specific individuals are the legitimate successors of the deceased. This guide explains who

Final Central Rules Bring the OSH Code Closer to Full Implementation The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2026, through G.S.R. 345(E) dated May 8, 2026, published in the Gazette of India. These rules provide the implementing regulations for the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code), which came into force on November 21, 2025, as part of India's landmark lab

Filing GST Returns in 2026: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide Every registered taxpayer under the Goods and Services Tax regime in India is required to file periodic returns on the GST portal (gst.gov.in). These returns report outward supplies (sales), claim input tax credit (ITC), and declare the net tax liability for each period. Missing a return or filing it late attracts penalties, interest, and can even result in suspension of the GSTIN. This guide explains the types of GST

Clarifying the Scope of Election Law in Municipal Contests The Supreme Court of India has clarified a significant question of election law by ruling that the penal provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA) do not extend to municipal elections. A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh delivered the judgment in an appeal filed by Chandrikaben Kishor Dafda, who had been facing criminal proceedings for allegedly suppress

A Complete Guide to GST Registration in India for 2026 Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration is the foundational step for any business operating in India that crosses the prescribed turnover threshold or falls into a category that mandates compulsory registration. Without a valid GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number), a business cannot collect GST, claim input tax credit (ITC), or comply with the invoicing and return-filing requirements under the GST law. T

Constitutional Remission Powers Prevail Over Statutory Framework In a significant judgment delivered on July 1, 2026, the Supreme Court of India settled a long-standing question about the interplay between constitutional and statutory remission policies. A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh held that a remission policy framed under Article 161 of the Constitution cannot be overridden by a subsequent statutory remission policy issued