September 2025 - Page 2 of 2 - Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Learners

No Prior Approval Needed for Arrests in Anti-Corruption Trap Operations

By K Rajasekharan 9 September 2025Corruption & Bribery cases

In Reena N v. State of Kerala [2025:KER:49923] the Kerala High Court has clarified that the requirement for prior approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, does not apply when a public servant is arrested during a trap operation.

Recognition of Foreign-Notarized Documents in India

By K Rajasekharan 8 September 2025Uncategorized

The High Court of Kerala, in Margret @Thankam v. Joseph Mathew Chettupuzha [2025: KER:56880], has clarified the conditions under which Indian courts can recognize documents notarized in a foreign country.

Loss of Consortium includes Spousal, Parental, and Filial Rights

By K Rajasekharan 8 September 2025Motor Vehicles Act

The law was clarified by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court in The New India Assurance Company v. Somwati (2020). Relying on the principles established by a two-judge bench in Magma General Insurance Company Limited v. Nanu Ram & others [(2018) 18 SCC 130], the Court recognized three distinct categories of consortium: spousal, parental, and filial.

Prior Title Deed Not a Prerequisite for Registering a Sale Deed

By K Rajasekharan 7 September 2025Property & Succession

In K. Gopi v. The Sub-Registrar & Others [2025 INSC 462], the Supreme Court has held that a Registering Authority under the Registration Act, 1908, is not empowered to refuse the registration of a sale deed on the ground that the executant has failed to produce prior title documents.

Landmark Judgements on Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation

By K Rajasekharan 6 September 2025Motor Vehicles Act

A series of landmark judgments from the Indian judiciary has been instrumental in shaping a just, equitable, and standardized framework for compensating victims of motor vehicle accidents. These rulings have clarified key principles in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, ensuring that the claims process is victim-centric.

Motor Vehicle Compensation Must be Decided based on Functional Disability, but not Medical Disability

By K Rajasekharan 5 September 2025Motor Vehicles Act

In Anoop Maheshwari v. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd [2025 INSC 1076], the Supreme Court held that the disability to be assessed for the purpose of awarding compensation in motor vehicle compensation is the functional disability.

Void Document is a Legal Nullity: It Needs No Cancellation

By K Rajasekharan 4 September 2025Property & Succession

The Kerala High Court, in K.M. Cherian v. Ammini [2025:KER:49425] has reiterated the well-established legal principle that a document which is void ab initio (void from the beginning) is a legal nullity (non-est) and does not need to be formally set aside or declared void by a court.

Legal Status of Property Purchased by a Husband in his Wife’s Name

By K Rajasekharan 1 September 2025Property & Succession

When a husband purchases property using his own funds but registers it in his wife's name, Indian law presumes it to be a gift to the wife, making her the absolute owner. This legal principle is known as the "presumption of advancement."