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Weekly Newsletter | LegalWiki | 10th February - 16th February

Legalwiki

17 Feb 2026 — 7 min read

Stay updated with the most recent and relevant developments in your practice area of law.

Constitutional Law

Supreme Court Declines to Entertain Pleas Against Assam CM, Asks Petitioners to Approach High Court

The Supreme Court of India refused to entertain petitions alleging hate speech by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, directing the petitioners to approach the jurisdictional High Court instead. Read more

Supreme Court Declines to Entertain Pleas Against Assam CM, Asks Petitioners to Approach High Court

The Reporters’ Collective, Nitin Sethi Challenge DPDP Act in Supreme Court

Digital news platform The Reporters’ Collective and journalist Nitin Sethi have approached the Supreme Court of India, challenging key provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the 2025 Rules. Read more

No Automatic Relaxation for SC/ST Candidates in SFIO Prosecutor Appointment: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that SC/ST candidates do not possess a vested or enforceable right to seek relaxation of eligibility criteria in appointments to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). Read more

J&K&L High Court Protects Married Couple, Says Blocking Personal Choice Violates Dignity

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh granted protection to a married couple who alleged threats from relatives after marrying against their families’ wishes. Read more

RTE ‘Neighbourhood School’ Norm Cannot be Rigidly Interpreted: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has upheld the shifting and consolidation of certain primary school classes in Lakshadweep, ruling that the Right to Education (RTE) requirement of having schools within “walking distance” cannot be interpreted rigidly. Read more

Statutory Appeal Must be Exhausted Before Invoking Article 226 Against Demolition Order: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court held that a demolition order issued by a municipal authority cannot be directly challenged under Article 226 when an effective statutory appellate remedy is available. Read more

Delhi High Court Grants Bail, Flags Long Pendency of Bail Pleas as Violation of Fundamental Rights

The Delhi High Court granted bail to a murder accused and expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of bail applications. Read more

Civil Law

J&K&L High Court Says Consent Given by Counsel Binds Parties and Bars Later Challenge

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that statements and consent given by advocates, acting as authorised agents, are binding on the parties and operate as estoppel. Read more

Promotion Under Seniority-Cum-Merit Must Follow Cadre Seniority, Not Initial Appointment Date: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court has ruled that where promotions are governed by the principle of seniority-cum-merit, seniority must be determined within the feeder cadre and not from the date of initial appointment. Read more

Supreme Court Dismisses Odisha Government’s Delayed Appeal Calling Explanation Lame Excuse

The Supreme Court dismissed a Special Leave Petition filed by the Odisha government after finding prolonged and unexplained delay in pursuing its appeal against a High Court order. Read more

Delhi High Court Says Rajpal Yadav Jailed for Not Honouring Court Commitment

The Delhi High Court said that Rajpal Yadav is in jail because he failed to honour the commitment he made before the Court in a cheque bounce case. Read more

Priya Kapur Files ₹20 Crore Defamation Suit Against Mandhira Kapur in Delhi High Court

Priya Kapur, widow of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, has filed a defamation case in the Delhi High Court against her sister-in-law, Mandhira Kapur Smith, and podcast host Pooja Chaudhri. Read more

Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Plea to Exclude Doctors from Consumer Protection Act

The Supreme Court sought responses from the Union Ministries of Health and Consumer Affairs on a plea seeking to exclude doctors from the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Read more

Criminal Law

Supreme Court Advises Caution Before Pre-Marital Physical Relationship While Hearing Rape Bail Plea

The Supreme Court orally observed that parties should exercise caution before entering into a pre-marital physical relationship. Read more

Delhi High Court Quashes Case Against DU Student Accused of Stealing Biryani Seller's Phone

The Delhi High Court has quashed an FIR against a student of Ramjas College accused of stealing a biryani seller’s phone and withdrawing ₹89,000 from his bank account. Read more

Allahabad High Court Orders Contempt Proceedings Against Advocate Over Remarks in Court

The Allahabad High Court has directed that contempt proceedings be initiated against Advocate Ashutosh Kumar Mishra for remarks made in a bail hearing. Read more

Madras High Court Upholds Life Sentence of Parents in Child Murder Case

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) upheld the life sentence of parents convicted for administering pesticide to their 9-year-old daughter suffering from mental illness. Read more

Patna High Court Grants Bail to Man Accused of Abusive Remarks Against PM’s Mother

The Patna High Court granted regular bail to a man accused of making abusive and objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister and his deceased mother following a political rally in August last year. Read more

Kerala High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in Rape Case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in one of three rape cases, imposing strict conditions including surrender of his passport, regular police appearances, and full cooperation with the investigation. Read more

Supreme Court Cancels Bail in Alleged Dowry Death Case, Terms Allahabad HC Order ‘Shocking & Disappointing'

The Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad High Court order granting bail to a man accused of strangling his wife within three months of marriage, terming it “most shocking and disappointing.” Read more

Kerala Court Grants Bail to Influencer Shimjitha Musthafa in Deepak Suicide Case

A Sessions Court, Kozhikode, granted bail to content creator Shimjitha Musthafa, who was booked for abetment of suicide after posting a video accusing U Deepak of misconduct during a bus ride. Read more

Mumbai Court Orders Takedown of CarryMinati’s Allegedly Defamatory Videos on Karan Johar

A Mumbai sessions court has restrained YouTuber Ajey Nagar (CarryMinati) and others from publishing or circulating allegedly defamatory content against filmmaker Karan Johar. Read more

Pen Drive Evidence Cannot be Filed Late in Trial Without Proof of Relevance: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court refused to allow a pen drive allegedly containing the deceased’s voice recording to be introduced at a late stage in a forgery trial. Read more

Arbitration

High Court Cannot Invalidate Earlier Arbitral Proceedings While Substituting Arbitrator: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that a High Court cannot declare earlier arbitral proceedings null while exercising powers under Section 15(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Read more

IPR

Supreme Court Allows Patent Mapping in Cancer Drug Dispute Between Squibb and Zydus

The Supreme Court allowed ER Squibb to carry out a “product-to-claim mapping” exercise in its patent dispute with Zydus over a cancer drug. Read more

Madras High Court Upholds Rejection of 7-Eleven’s ‘Big Bite’ Trademark in India

The Madras High Court upheld the rejection of 7-Eleven’s “Big Bite” trademark application, ruling that international reputation alone cannot establish goodwill in India for a passing off claim. Read more

Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar Moves Supreme Court in ‘Veera Raja Veera’ Copyright Dispute

Dhrupad vocalist Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court Division Bench order that set aside interim relief granted in his copyright dispute with AR Rahman over the song Veera Raja Veera from Ponniyin Selvan II. Read more

Family Law

Rajasthan High Court Refuses to Dissolve 58-Year Marriage, Says Normal Wear and Tear Not Cruelty

The Rajasthan High Court refused to dissolve a 58-year marriage, holding that “trivial irritations, quarrels and normal wear and tear of married life” do not constitute cruelty sufficient for divorce. Read more

J&K&L High Court Protects Married Couple, Says Blocking Personal Choice Violates Dignity

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh granted protection to a married couple who alleged threats from relatives after marrying against their families’ wishes. Read more

Karnataka High Court: Mother has No Inheritance Right if Son Dies Intestate Leaving Wife And Children

The Karnataka High Court held that when a son dies intestate leaving behind a wife and children, his mother has no right to inherit under Sections 32 and 33 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. Read more

Supreme Court Refuses Interim Ban on Talaq Via WhatsApp, Says Issue Needs Detailed Hearing

The Supreme Court declined to issue a blanket prohibition on pronouncing talaq through WhatsApp, email, or other electronic modes, observing that the matter requires a detailed hearing. Read more

Women’s Rights

Orissa High Court Says Daughter’s Marriage Not a Bar to Compassionate Appointment

The Orissa High Court held that a daughter’s marital status cannot disqualify her from compassionate appointment following the death of a government employee. Read more

'Protecting Women Employees from Sexual Harassment at Workplace is Public Duty': Madras High Court

The Madras High Court pulled up the Railway Employees Cooperative Credit Society for its handling of a sexual harassment complaint by a woman employee. Read more

Can Muslim Woman Invoke Khula & Terminate Marriage Without Husband's Consent ? Supreme Court to Consider

The Supreme Court has appointed Senior Advocate Shoeb Alam as amicus curiae to assist in an appeal against a Kerala High Court ruling that upheld a Muslim woman's right to invoke khula and end her marriage without her husband's consent. Read more

Environmental Law

Bombay High Court Clears Kanjurmarg Land Transfer for Metro Line 6 Depot

The Bombay High Court has dismissed a challenge to the Maharashtra government’s transfer of 15 hectares at Kanjurmarg to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority for the Metro Line 6 car depot. Read more

Rahul Narwekar: Maharashtra Assembly to Hold Dedicated Environmental Debate Each Session

Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, said that at least one dedicated discussion on environmental issues will be held in every Assembly session. Read more

NGT Tells BMC to Focus on Protecting Bhoj Wetland, Not Decide Land Titles

The National Green Tribunal has reminded the Bhopal Municipal Corporation that its role is to protect the Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar-designated site, and not to adjudicate land rights in an encroachment matter near Upper Lake. Read more