Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Learners

Exercise of Powers by President or Governor Comes Under Judicial Review

By K Rajasekharan 22 April 2025Constitutional law

Every constitutional authority, howsoever high he or she remains, comes under the powers of judicial review of the constitutional courts. The scope of judicial review may vary, but no power is beyond the purview of the courts, says the Supreme Court (SC) in The State of Tamil Nadu v The Governor of Tamil Nadu [2025 INSC 481].

Investigation by CBI may be Ordered in Exceptional Cases, But not as a Routine Manner

By K Rajasekharan 21 April 2025Criminal law

The Supreme Court (SC), in a catena of cases, has set some broad guidelines for transferring cases to the CBI. Kerala High Court also says involvement of CBI should be exercised sparingly and only in exceptional circumstances.

Courts & SROs Must Report Cash Transactions Above ₹2 Lakh to Tax Dept: SC Directs

By K Rajasekharan 17 April 2025Civil law

The Supreme Court directs the Courts and Registration Authorities to report cash transactions exceeding ₹2 lakhs to the Income Tax Department, in a judgement in The Correspondence RBANMS Educational Institution VERSUS B. Gunashekar & Another [2025 INSC 490].

Cancellation of Registered Documents in Kerala by IG of Registration

By K Rajasekharan 16 April 2025Civil law

If someone has falsely personated another, and got registered by a registration officer any deed, which is detrimental to the interest of another person, the registration of such deed can be cancelled by the Inspector General of Registration (IG of Registration) in Kerala, under Section 83 A of the Registration Act, 1908.

Medical Negligence & the Law Relating to It

By K Rajasekharan 16 April 2025Civil law

Simply because the patient has not responded favourably to the surgery or the treatment administered by a doctor or that the surgery has failed, the doctor cannot be held liable for medical negligence straightway by applying the doctrine of Res Ipsa Loquitor unless it is established by evidence that the doctor failed. to exercise the due skill possessed by him in discharging of his duties.

Wife can Claim Maintenance Despite having Compromise Agreement

By K Rajasekharan 15 April 2025Family, Marriage & Divorce

The Kerala High Court in xxx v yyy 2nd February 2023 says a wife is eligible for maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC even if there is an agreement by which a wife waives her right of maintenance. This is because such an agreement is against public policy. Therefore, such an agreement is ab initio void and not enforceable.

A Son, Who attained Majority, has no Right in Father’s Property

By K Rajasekharan 14 April 2025Property & Succession

A legal heir, such as the wife, son daughter etc, has no right in the self-acquired property of any of his/her parents so long as they are alive. The owner of the self-acquired property can dispose of the self-acquired property in any manner he wishes to do.

Civil Miscellaneous Appeal (CMA) or an Appeal from an Interlocutory Order

By K Rajasekharan 14 April 2025Civil law

The Section 104 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) and the Order 43 of the CPC enlists the orders against which appeal can be filed. No other order other than those expressly provided in the above provisions in the CPC can be appealed against before a higher court.

Granting Anticipatory Bail : SC Guidelines

By K Rajasekharan 13 April 2025Criminal law

A great ignominy, humiliation and disgrace is attached to arrest. Arrest leads to many serious consequences not only for the accused but for the entire family and at times for the entire community, says the Supreme Court (SC) in Bhadresh Bipinbhai Sheth v State of Gujarat & Another [ AIR 2015 SC 3090].

Wife holds Some Job is no Ground to Deny her Maintenance: HC

By K Rajasekharan 10 April 2025Family, Marriage & Divorce

The Kerala High Court says, in Jayaprakash E P v Sheney P & Connected Case [2025:KER:5702], that even if the wife holds a temporary job and earns some income, it does not disentitle her from claiming maintenance from her husband, provided she claims that her income is insufficient for her maintenance.

Registration of a Sale Deed Cannot be Declined for Not Producing Prior Deeds

By K Rajasekharan 8 April 2025Property & Succession

For registration of a sale deed, prior deeds are not essential The Registration Act, 1908 does not authorize the Registering Authority to deny registration of a sale or transfer deed on the ground that the seller's title documents are not produced or that the seller’s title is unproven, says the Supreme Court (SC) in K. Gopi v The Sub-Registrar & Others [2025 INSC 462].

When a Party to a Suit dies, any Party can Apply for Substitution

By K Rajasekharan 7 April 2025Civil law

The principles to guide courts while considering applications for setting aside abatement and consequent impleading are laid down by the Supreme Court (SC) Om Prakash Gupta Alias Lalloowa (Now Deceased) v Satish Chandra (Now Deceased) based on the judicial precedents.