Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Learners

Members of Scheduled Caste will Lose Benefit When Converting to Other Religion

By K Rajasekharan 16 August 2025Constitutional law

In C. Selvarani vs. The Special Secretary Cum District Collector and Ors., the Supreme Court of India held that a person who converts to a religion with the sole intent of claiming reservation benefits is committing a fraud on the Constitution. Religious conversions undertaken for the purpose of gaining benefits of reservation compromise the integrity of the reservation system.

Power of Attorney Holder’s Role in Family Court Cases

By K Rajasekharan 15 August 2025Family, Marriage & Divorce

An individual involved in a Family Court matter may authorise another person to act as their agent through a Power of Attorney (POA). This instrument empowers the designated agent, or 'holder', to represent the principal's interests and perform specified acts. The legal framework governing this representation is robust, though subject to certain judicial safeguards and inherent limitations, particularly within the sensitive context of family law.

Distinction between Reportable and Non-Reportable Judgments

By K Rajasekharan 13 August 2025Constitutional law

The distinction between reportable and non-reportable judicial decisions is based on their precedential value and legal significance.

Daughter’s Coparcenary Right begins by Birth, even if Father Died Before 2005

By K Rajasekharan 11 August 2025Property & Succession

In Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma [(2020) 9 SCC 1], a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court held that daughters acquire coparcenary rights by birth. Consequently, for a daughter to claim these coparcenary rights, her father need not have been alive when the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, came into force.

Writ Petitions Not Maintainable Against Private Companies in Banking

By K Rajasekharan 11 August 2025Constitutional law

In S. Shobha v. Muthoot Finance Ltd., the Supreme Court of India clarified that a private financial institution, such as Muthoot Finance, is not automatically considered a "State" under Article 12 of the Constitution, even if it is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Consequently, it is generally not subject to writ jurisdiction under Article 226, unless it is performing a public function.

A Registered Society Be Considered a Constructive Trust: SC

By K Rajasekharan 11 August 2025Civil law

In a significant judgment, Operation Asha v. Shelly Batra and others, the Supreme Court considered whether the organization, Operation ASHA, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, met the requirements of Section 92 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) to have a suit filed against it under that provision.

Notional Income of a 5-Year-Old Minor in MACT Case

By K Rajasekharan 10 August 2025Motor Vehicles Act

The High Court of Kerala, in Jyothis Raj Krishna v Sunny George & Ors [2024/KER/81459] addressed the issue of determining the notional income for a 5-year-old minor, Jyothis Raj Krishna, who suffered severe injuries in a motor accident, resulting in a vegetative state.

Setting Aside an Abated or Terminated Suit

By K Rajasekharan 9 August 2025Civil law

Pursuant to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC), a suit abates (terminates) upon the death of a plaintiff or defendant if the cause of action does not survive. Conversely, if the cause of action survives, the legal representatives of the deceased may be substituted to continue the proceedings, as provided under Order XXII, Rules 2 to 4 of the CPC.

Court Can Order a DNA Test Only When Absolutely Necessary

By K Rajasekharan 7 August 2025Family, Marriage & Divorce

The High Court of Kerala, in Gangadharan v. Sreedevi Amma [2024(3) KHC 624], held that a court can order a DNA test only when there is a strong prima facie case (a case that seems valid at first glance), not merely a basic one. This requirement is a sine qua non, or an essential condition.

Jurisdiction in Cheque Dishonour Cases Lies Where the Payee’s Account is Maintained, Not Where the Cheque is Presented

By K Rajasekharan 7 August 2025Negotiable Instruments

The Supreme Court, in Prakash Chimanlal Sheth v. Jagruti Keyur Rajpopat [2025: INSC: 897], has reiterated the principle governing territorial jurisdiction for an offence of cheque dishonour under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (NI Act). Jurisdiction lies with the court within whose limits the bank branch is situated where the payee maintains the account through which the cheque was presented for collection.