The Supreme Court upheld divorce between two doctors who had lived separately for over fifteen years, holding that denial of conjugal relations, failure to perform matrimonial obligations, and prolonged separation amounted to mental cruelty. The Court further exercised Article 142 powers to dissolve the marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown.
Courtroom Chronicles
SC CLARIFIES TENANTS-IN-COMMON STATUS UNDER SECTION 8 OF THE HINDU SUCCESSION ACT
The Supreme Court in Darubai v. Kamalabai (2026) reaffirmed that property devolving under Section 8 of the Hindu Succession Act is inherited in an individual capacity. Legal heirs become tenants-in-common with defined shares, and one heir cannot act as karta to alienate the entire property on grounds of legal necessity.
SUPREME COURT VICTIM PROTECTION PLAN FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASE ANALYSIS
The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Prajwala v. Union of India recognized rehabilitation as a constitutional right of trafficking victims and introduced a comprehensive Victim Protection Plan governing rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and victim-centric justice.
SC ON NATURAL JUSTICE, REMOVAL OF MATHADHIPATI AND ARTICLE 142 POWERS
The Supreme Court held that the removal of the Mathadhipati of Sri Swamy Hathiramji Mutt was illegal due to denial of natural justice, non-supply of relied-upon documents, procedural bias, and defective inquiry proceedings. Exercising powers under Article 142, the Court constituted an independent one-man inquiry committee.
SC REAFFIRMS RIGHTS OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES IN PENSION AND PAY WEIGHTAGE CASE
The Supreme Court in Bency John v. Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd held that railway employees remain Central Government servants despite having separate service rules. The Court restored pension and pay-weightage benefits granted to the appellant and clarified the constitutional status of railway servants under Articles 309 and 311.
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS COURT-MONITORED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN TESTAMENTARY DISPUTE
The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court’s direction for a court-monitored criminal investigation in a probate dispute involving rival wills and alleged diversion of estate funds. The Court ruled that High Courts retain plenary constitutional powers under Article 215 to protect estates in custodia legis and prevent abuse of judicial process.