Famous Indian Cases & Lawyers | Legal Reasoning for CLAT PDF Download

Justice Tashi Rabstan

Who is Justice Tashi Rabstan?

Justice Tashi Rabstan was born on April 10, 1963, in a family of farmers. He completed his graduation and earned his LL.B degree from the University of Jammu.

Career Journey of Justice Tashi Rabstan:

• Enrolled as an Advocate on March 6, 1990, with the Bar Council of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Practiced law in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and other High Courts, focusing on areas like arbitration, constitutional law, service law, election law, civil, and criminal matters.
• Served as panel counsel for the Union Public Service Commission from April 2008 to December 2011.
• Appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on March 8, 2013.
• Elevated to Permanent Judge of the High Court on May 16, 2014.
• Appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, taking oath on September 21, 2024.

Notable Judgments of Justice Tashi Rabstan:

• Gazetted Aspirants Residents of Ladakh v. State (UT of Ladakh) (2024): Addressed the lack of recruitment for government jobs in Ladakh, treating a letter as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to help distressed local youth.
• Aijaz Ahmad Bund v. State (UT of J&K) (2024): Focused on the rights of the transgender community, demanding better access to medical care and other benefits.
• Paras Kapoor v. State (UT of J&K) (2022): Stated that once someone accepts a compassionate appointment, they cannot later demand a higher post, as these appointments are meant to help families in need, not to elevate their status.
• Mian Abdul Qayoom v. State of J&K (2020): Discussed the limitations of preventive detention, emphasizing that it should not be used as punishment but to prevent future actions.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher

Who is Justice Rajiv Shakdher?

• Born on October 19, 1962.
• Studied at St. Columba's School in Delhi.
• Graduated with a B.Com. (Hons.) from Delhi University in 1984.
• Obtained an LL.B. degree from the Law Faculty at the University of Delhi in 1987.
• Enrolled as an Advocate on November 19, 1987.
• Completed Chartered Accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1987.
• Became an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India on November 29, 1988.
• Pursued an Advanced Course of Law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London in 1994.

Career Journey of Justice Rajiv Shakdher:

• Enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983.
• Designated as a Senior Advocate on December 8, 2005.
• Appointed as a Judge of the Delhi High Court on April 11, 2008.
• Ranked 4th in the All India Seniority list of High Court judges.
• Took oath as the 29th Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.

Notable Judgments of Justice Rajiv Shakdher:

Designarch Consultants Pvt Ltd v. Jumeirah Beach Resort LLC (2024):

• Jumeirah Beach Resort sued Designarch for using the 'Burj' trademark in real estate projects.
• The court initially restricted Designarch from using certain 'Burj' marks but allowed them to keep using 'BURJNOIDA'.
• A settlement was reached between both parties to resolve the trademark dispute.

Abhishek Yadav v. Delhi State Legal Services Authority (2024):

• Established a 2-week timeline for verifying documents submitted by child victims.
• Ensured that compensation is disbursed within 30 days after verification.

Ruchi Wadhwan v. Amit Wali (2024):

• The court allowed a divorce for the wife based on mental cruelty.
• Emphasized the importance of mental well-being over societal stigma regarding divorce.

A v. B (2024):

• The court ruled that children are entitled to maintenance under the Hindu Marriage Act until they become financially independent.
• Clarified that maintenance continues even after the child reaches legal adulthood, as long as they are still pursuing education.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Who is Justice Sanjiv Khanna?

• Born on 14th May 1960.
• His father was Late Justice Dev Raj Khanna, a former judge of the Delhi High Court.
• He is set to become the 51st Chief Justice of India following seniority rules.
• He is the nephew of Justice Hans Raj Khanna, known for his dissent in the landmark case ADM Jabalpur v. Shivakant Shukla (1976).

How was the Career Journey of Justice Sanjiv Khanna?

• Enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983.
• Initially practiced in District Courts in Delhi before moving to the Delhi High Court.
• Handled diverse cases including arbitration, environmental law, and tax appeals.
• Became a Permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court on 20th February 2006.
• Elevated to the Supreme Court on 18th January 2019 after recommendation from the Supreme Court collegium.
• Has never served as Chief Justice of any High Court before joining the Supreme Court.
• Will retire on 13th May 2024, and his term as Chief Justice will last approximately 6 months.

What are the Notable Judgments of Justice Sanjiv Khanna?

• Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024): A 5-judge bench ruled that the electoral bonds scheme violates Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, striking it down.
• Interplay Between Arbitration Agreements (2023): A 7-judge bench clarified that an unstamped arbitration agreement can be inadmissible but not void. Non-stamping is a curable defect.
• Shilpa Shailesh v. Varun Sreenivasan (2023): The Supreme Court allowed divorce on the basis of irretrievable breakdown of marriage, considering factors like cohabitation period and attempts at reconciliation.
• Central Public Information Officer v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2019): This ruling brought the office of the Chief Justice of India under Right to Information, emphasizing that judicial independence requires accountability.
• Anna Mathews v. Supreme Court of India (2023): A division bench addressed the distinction between eligibility and suitability in judicial appointments, noting that suitability is not subject to judicial review.
• ONGC v. Afcons Gunanusa JV (2022): This 3-judge bench ruled that arbitrators cannot unilaterally determine their own fees.

Justice R. Banumathi

Who is Justice R. Banumathi?

• Born on 20th July 1955 in Tamil Nadu.
• She is the sixth woman to serve as a judge on the Supreme Court of India.

Career Journey of Justice R. Banumathi

• Started her career as an advocate in 1981, practicing in civil and criminal law in various local courts.
• Joined the judicial service as a District Judge and served in several districts including Coimbatore, Vellore, and Pudukottai.
• Appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court on 3rd April 2003 and became the chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Committee.
• Active in organizing Lok Adalats for dispute resolution.
• Served as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court starting 16th November 2013.
• Elevated to the Supreme Court on 13th August 2014.
• Second woman to join the Supreme Court collegium in the last thirteen years, following Justice Ruma Pal.
• Authored the book "Hand Book of Civil and Criminal Courts Management and Use of Computers", a guide for judicial officers.

Notable Judgments of Justice R. Banumathi

• Mukesh v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2020): Known as the Nirbhaya judgment, she concurring held that the accused's actions were among the rarest of rare cases, leading to a death penalty.
• Modern Dental College & Research Centre v. State of MP (2016): The court ruled that regulating private educational institutions does not violate Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution. Justice Banumathi emphasized the State's duty to ensure quality education.
• Muniasmythevar v. Dy. Superintendent of Police (2006): The court banned all forms of Jallikattu and similar events deemed cruel to animals, directing police to prevent such cruelty.
• Bobbili Ramakrishna Raju Yadav & Ors v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2016): The court ruled that if a married woman’s belongings are kept by her in-laws, they are considered trustees and must return them within three months after marriage, failing which it constitutes a dowry offence.

Justice N Kotiswar Singh

Who is N Kotiswar Singh?

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh was born on 1st March 1963 in Imphal, Manipur. He completed his schooling in West Bengal and graduated from Kirori Mal College.

Career Journey of N Kotiswar Singh:

• Enrolled as an Advocate in 1986 with the Bar Council of Delhi.
• Served as the Standing Counsel for various public undertakings and government institutions.
• Worked as the Advocate General for the state of Manipur.
• Designated as a Senior Advocate on 31st March 2003 by the Gauhati High Court.
• Elevated to Permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court on 7th November 2012.
• Appointed as a Judge of the Manipur High Court when it was created on 23rd March 2013.
• Made Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on 12th February 2023, sworn in on 15th February 2023.
• Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court on 16th July 2024, took oath on 18th July 2024.
• First judge from Manipur to be appointed to the Supreme Court.

Notable Judgments:

• Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action v. Union of India (2023): The Court emphasized the importance of protecting public health and the environment, stating that pollution must be taken seriously and dealt with strictly.
• Moirangthem Boboi Singh v. District Magistrate (2014): The Court ruled that the detention of a person under the National Security Act was not justified, as there was no proper consideration of the facts.
• Ningombam Rameshwar Singh v. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (2018): This case involved Public Interest Litigation concerning safety at locations storing flammable materials. The Court ordered that licenses for storage should not be issued until safety guidelines were established.

Justice U.U. Lalit

Who is Justice U.U. Lalit?

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit was born on November 9, 1957. He is notable for being the 6th Senior Advocate directly promoted to the Supreme Court and served as the 49th Chief Justice of India.

Career Journey of Justice U.U. Lalit:

• Joined the bar in 1983 and practiced in the Bombay High Court.
• Worked with former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee from 1986 to 1992.
• Designated as a Senior Advocate in 2004.
• Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 2014.
• Assumed office as the Chief Justice on August 10, 2022, becoming the second person appointed directly from the Bar to this position.
• Retired as Chief Justice on November 8, 2022.

Notable Judgments by Justice U.U. Lalit:

• Ravindran v. Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Revenue (2020): The court ruled that failing to follow certain procedures in criminal investigations violates the right to a fair trial.
• Saurav Yadav v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2021): The court clarified how reservation systems work for women in job allocations, ensuring fair representation.
• Union of India v. V. Sriharan (2016): This judgment stated that life imprisonment means the convict spends their entire life in prison, and a death sentence can be changed to a longer life sentence.
• Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017): The court declared the practice of Triple Talaq unconstitutional, stating it violates fundamental rights.
• Amardeep Singh v. Harveen Kaur (2017): The court ruled that the mandatory 6-month waiting period for divorce by mutual consent can be waived under certain conditions, prioritizing the parties' well-being.

Justice Pratibha M. Singh

Who is Pratibha M Singh?

• Justice Pratibha M. Singh completed her 5-year law course at University Law College, Bangalore.
• She received the ODASS scholarship from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust to study LL.M at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Career Journey of Pratibha M Singh:

• Enrolled with the Bar in 1991.
• Worked as a leading Intellectual Property lawyer (IPR) before becoming a High Court judge.
• As the Managing Partner of Singh and Singh, she advised clients on commercial disputes, arbitration, and media laws.
• Invited as an expert to present to Parliamentary Committees on key legislation like the Patents Act and Copyright Amendment Act.
• Member of the IPR Think Tank that drafted India’s first National IPR Policy, released in May 2015.
• Recognized by Managing IP as one of the “50 Most Influential People in IP” in 2021 and 2022.
• First Indian Judge elected as an Honorary Fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.

Notable Judgments of Pratibha M Singh:

• Universal City Studios LLC And Ors v. Dotmovies, Baby And Ors (2023): Established the concept of dynamic injunctions to protect copyrighted works quickly, addressing the issue of rogue websites.
• Dominos IP Holder LLC & Anr v. MS Dominick Pizza & Anr (2022): Granted an injunction against a competing pizza brand due to trademark infringement, confirming that the marks were deceptive and confusing to consumers.
• Hamdard National Foundation (India) & Anr v. Amazon India Limited & Anr (2022): Issued an injunction to protect the ROOH AFZA brand from being misrepresented on e-commerce platforms.
• Anju Jain & Anr v. M/s WTC Noida Development Company Private Limited (2024): Clarified that the term “seat” is not mandatory for determining jurisdiction in arbitration agreements.

Justice Pankaj Mithal

• Birth: Born on June 17, 1961, in Meerut.
• Education: Graduated from the University of Allahabad; obtained a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut in 1985.

Career:

• Enrolled with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh in 1985.
• Handled civil cases involving rent control, land acquisition, education, and constitutional matters.
• Served as a judge at the Allahabad High Court until January 3, 2021.
• Became Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on January 4, 2021.
• Took oath as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on October 14, 2022.
• Elevated to the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023; retirement scheduled for June 16, 2026.

Notable Judgments:

• High Court Bar Association v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2024): Established that the jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution is meant for complete justice and cannot nullify benefits granted by valid judicial orders. It emphasized the importance of not ignoring the substantive rights of litigants who are not involved in the case.
• Dani Wooltex Corporation v. Sheil Properties (P) Ltd. (2024): Clarified that the power under Section 32(2)(c) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act can only be used if the continuation of proceedings is unnecessary or impossible. Abandonment of a claim must be clearly established and cannot be assumed merely from inactivity.
• Ghanshyam v. Yogendra Rathi (2023): Asserted that ownership transfer under the Transfer of Property Act requires proper documentation. The court criticized the practice of transferring property through agreements or powers of attorney without a registered deed.
• SK Golam Lalchand v. Nandu Lal Shaw (2024): Decided that a co-owner cannot transfer the entire property without defining their share, and any sale deed is valid only to the extent of their ownership share.

Justice Augustine George Masih

• Born on March 12, 1963, in Ropar, Punjab.
• Received most of his education in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Career Highlights

• Joined the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana in 1987.
• Served as Assistant Advocate General and Additional Advocate General.
• Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008.
• Made a Permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 14, 2011.
• Served as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
• Took oath as a Judge of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2023.

Notable Judgments

• Juvenile in Conflict with Law v. State of Rajasthan & Anr. (2024): Discussed the law on granting bail to juveniles, stating they should be released unless specific conditions apply.
• Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India (2024): Affirmed that bail is generally granted and jail is the exception; denying bail in deserving cases violates rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Chandigarh Housing Board v. Tarsem Lal (2024): Held that a person recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in one state cannot be recognized as such in another without a Presidential notification.
• Jitendra Paswan Satya Mitra v. State of Bihar (2024): Ruled that once bail is granted, it should be implemented immediately to avoid violating rights under Article 21.
• Abdulmajid Abdulsattar Memon v. State of Gujarat (2024): Granted bail to a man accused under the Indian Penal Code because charges were not framed against him.
• Kanta v. State of Rajasthan (2023): Denied a request to condone a delay of 1500 days due to lack of reasonable explanation for the delay.

Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah

Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was born on May 11, 1963, and graduated with a law degree from Patna Law College.

• He practiced law at Patna High Court in various fields including Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, and Taxation matters.
• Justice Amanullah served as Standing Counsel and Government Advocate for the Government of Bihar.
• He was the Chairman of the Patna High Court Juvenile Justice Monitoring Committee and the Legal Services Committee.
• He was appointed as a judge of Patna High Court on June 20, 2011, and later transferred to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh before returning to Patna.
• Justice Amanullah took his oath as a judge of the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023, without having served as Chief Justice in any High Court.

Notable Judgments

• R Sreenivasa v. State of Karnataka (2023): The court discussed the last seen theory for convicting an accused and ruled that a long gap between the last seen and body recovery doesn't provide definitive evidence.
• Madhab Chandra Pradhan & Ors v. State of Odisha (2024): The Supreme Court held that allowing repeated recall of the victim in POCSO Act trials could defeat the statute’s purpose, upholding lower court decisions against such applications.
• Mansi Khatri v. Gaurav Khatri (2022): The Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to grant a divorce due to an irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
• Nagarathinam & Ors v. State, Rep. By Inspector (2023): The court rejected a plea of grave and sudden provocation for a lesser charge, stating the evidence did not support such a claim under the Indian Penal Code.

Justice Manoj Misra

Justice Manoj Misra was born on June 2, 1965 and earned his law degree from the University of Allahabad in 1988. 

He began practicing law in the Allahabad High Court in 1988, focusing on civil, revenue, criminal, and constitutional matters. 

• On November 21, 2011, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court.
• He became a Permanent Judge of the Allahabad High Court on August 6, 2013.
• Justice Misra was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on February 6, 2023.
• His tenure as a Supreme Court judge will last until June 1, 2030.

Notable Judgments

• Sita Soren v. Union of India (2024): In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court addressed legislative immunity for lawmakers accused of bribery, overturning a controversial precedent from 1988. The Court clarified that bribery cannot be shielded by parliamentary privileges, emphasizing the need for accountability and the integrity of legislative processes.

• In Re Interplay Between Arbitration Agreements Under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 and The Indian Stamp Act 1899 (2023): A 7-judge Bench ruled on the enforceability of unstamped arbitration agreements, stating that such agreements are inadmissible under the Stamp Act but not void. The non-payment of stamp duty is a curable defect, and objections regarding stamping should be addressed by the arbitral tribunal.

• Cox and Kings Limited v. SAP India Private Limited (2023): The Supreme Court examined the 'Group of Companies doctrine' in arbitration, questioning its statutory basis and application. The Court concluded that the doctrine should reflect parties' mutual intent and be aligned with statutory provisions, ensuring systematic legal development.

• MK Ranjitsinh And Others v. Union of India (2024): The Court recognized the right to be free from climate change impacts as a fundamental right under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. This case highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable species like the Great Indian Bustard in the context of climate change.

Justice S.V. Bhatti

• Justice S.V. Bhatti was born on May 6, 1962, in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.
• He graduated in law from Jagadguru Renukacharya College, Bangalore.

Career

• Enrolled as an Advocate on January 21, 1987, and practiced in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.
• Served as a Special Government Pleader in the Advocate General's office at the High Court from 2000 to 2003.
• Appointed as a judge of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on June 1, 2014.
• After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he became a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and was later transferred to the Kerala High Court.
• Assumed office in the Kerala High Court on March 19, 2019.
• Appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on June 1, 2023.
• Took oath as a Supreme Court Judge on July 14, 2023.
• His appointment was significant for Andhra Pradesh High Court, as it had no representation after the retirement of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana.

Notable Judgments

• H. Vasanthi v. A. Santha (Dead) Through Lrs and others (2023): The case involved a woman claiming her rights as a coparcener under the amended Hindu Succession Act. The court ruled that property can be partitioned without a written instrument, as long as the law's requirements are met.
• Dr. Kavita Yadav v. Secy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2023): This case addressed maternity benefits, where the court stated that benefits extend beyond the term of employment, even if the employee is dismissed during pregnancy.
• Saranya v. Jyothi Basu (2020): The Kerala High Court focused on the welfare of a child in custody issues, granting the mother custody for specific periods, emphasizing the child's best interests.
• PRS Hospital v. P Anil Kumar (2020): In a negligence case, a young man lost his speech following surgery. The court applied the principle of res ipsa loquitor, ruling that the hospital failed to prove there was no negligence.

Justice Sanjay Karol

Who is Justice Sanjay Karol?

• Justice Sanjay Karol was born on August 23, 1961, in Garli village, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
• He studied law at Himachal Pradesh University.

Career Journey of Justice Sanjay Karol:

• Practiced as an advocate in Delhi and other High Courts.
• Served as the Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh in 1998.
• Designated as a Senior Advocate in 1999.
• Elevated to the Himachal Pradesh High Court as a Judge on March 8, 2007.
• Served as Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh.
• Appointed Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court on November 9, 2018.
• Transferred to the Patna High Court and became its Chief Justice on November 11, 2019.
• Elevated to the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023.

Notable Judgments of Justice Sanjay Karol:

• National Highway Projects v. State of Bihar (2022): The court ruled that the state must provide basic amenities on highways, emphasizing the right to sanitation under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Gene Campaign and Another v. Union of India (2024): In a split verdict, Justice Karol stated that banning genetically modified (GM) crops was not justified, as regulatory processes were properly followed.
• Maharaj Singh & Ors. v. Karan Singh (2024): The court ruled that if a property agreement is registered, subsequent buyers can't claim ignorance, allowing the original buyer to enforce specific performance against them.
• Alifiya Husenbhai Kesharaiya v. Siddiq Ismail Sindhi (2024): The court decided that someone awarded compensation can still appeal for more, as their status as an indigent person remains unchanged.
• Bijay Kumar Manish Kumar HUF v. Ashwin Bhanulal Desai (2024): The court held that a tenant who remains after losing their right to occupy must compensate the landlord for that period.

Justice K V Viswanathan

Who is Justice K V Viswanathan?

Justice K V Viswanathan was born on May 26, 1966, in Coimbatore, where his father served as a public prosecutor. He completed his schooling at Pollachi Arokia Matha Matriculation School.

Career Journey of Justice K V Viswanathan

• He earned a five-year integrated law degree from Coimbatore Law College, Bharathiyar.
• Enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu in 1988.
• Worked as a junior advocate under K.K. Venugopal and C.S. Vaidyanathan.
• Appointed as the Additional Solicitor General of India in 2013.
• Assisted the Court as amicus curiae in various cases.
• He is the 10th advocate to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court.

Notable Judgments of Justice K V Viswanathan

Ramji Lal Jat v. State of Rajasthan (2024):

• The case involved a Police Constable's candidature being rejected for having more than two children after June 1, 2002, based on Rule 24(4) of the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989.
• The Court referenced a previous ruling (Javed v. State of Haryana, 2003) stating that such a disqualification was constitutional as it aimed to promote family planning.
• The Court declined to interfere with the decision.

Naeem Ahmed v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2023):

• This case involved an appeal against the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant bail under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• The Supreme Court granted bail, noting the appellant had spent significant time in custody.

Prabhu v. State (2024):

• The High Court refused to quash criminal proceedings against the appellant related to Sections 417 and 306 of the Indian Penal Code and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.
• The Court stated that casual remarks made during a heated argument did not constitute abetment of suicide.
• It was determined that there was no case for cheating under Section 417 of the IPC.

Aditya Khaitan & Ors v. IL and FS Financial Services Limited (2023):

• The High Court did not allow a party to file a written statement because the deadline had expired on March 8, 2020.
• However, the Supreme Court referenced a previous order that allowed for the extension of limitation periods due to the impact of COVID-19, and therefore condoned the delay.

SBI v. A.G.D. Reddy (2023):

• The Court ruled that in disciplinary proceedings, the burden of proof depends on the nature of the charges and the explanations provided by the respondent.
• It stated that the burden could shift to the respondent based on their explanation.
• The Court noted that there is limited scope for judicial review in such proceedings.

Justice PV Sanjay Kumar

Career

• Justice P V Sanjay Kumar was born on 14th August 1963. He graduated from Nizam College, Hyderabad and later earned his law degree from Delhi University in 1988.
• Justice P V Sanjay Kumar began his career in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, working in his father's office, P. Ramachandar Reddy.
• He later practiced independently, representing various reputable organizations, including the Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
• From 2000 to 2003, he served as a Government pleader.
• He was appointed as an Additional Judge in Andhra Pradesh, serving until 19th January 2010.
• He then became a Permanent Judge from 20th January 2010 to 13th September 2019.
• Justice Kumar was transferred to the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on 14th January 2019.
• He then served as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court from 14th February 2021.
• Justice P V Sanjay Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 4th February 2023 and assumed office on 6th February 2023.

Notable Judgments

• Rahul Gandhi v. Purnesh Ishwarbhai Modi (2023): Justice P V Sanjay Kumar was part of a three-judge bench that stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, emphasizing the broader implications for public representation.
• Food Corporation of India Executive Staff Union v. Food Corporation of India (2023): The court ruled that the retrenchment of 21 casual workers was unjustified, allowing their appeal against the Food Corporation's actions.
• Siby Thomas v. Somany Ceramics Ltd. (2023): The judgment clarified that only individuals in charge of a company's operations can be held liable for dishonoured cheques under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
• Sachin Garg v. State of U.P. (2024): The court ruled that magistrates must ensure there are sufficient grounds before issuing summons, and the reasoning should be clear and not vague.
• Shaik Farid v. Government of A.P. (2012): The court determined that the terms of Wakf Board members do not end with the expiry of their terms in Parliament or State Assemblies.
• Anju Bala v. State of Punjab (2021): The court allowed a woman to terminate her pregnancy due to severe congenital malformations, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Justice P.B. Varale

Justice P.B. Varale was born on June 23, 1962, in Nipani. He earned his degrees in Arts and Law from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

Career

• Justice Varale became an Advocate on August 12, 1985.
• He worked with S.N. Loya, gaining experience in various legal matters.
• From 1990 to 1992, he was a Law Lecturer at Ambedkar Law College, Aurangabad.
• He served as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the High Court Bench in Aurangabad.
• On July 18, 2008, he was appointed to the Bombay High Court.
• On October 15, 2022, he became the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
• After his appointment, the Supreme Court had three judges from the Scheduled Castes for the first time: Justices BR Gavai, CT Ravikumar, and Varale.

Notable Judgments

• Uniworld Logistics Pvt. Ltd v. Indev Logistics Pvt. Ltd. (2024): The Supreme Court ruled that claims for mesne profits and possession are different legal actions, allowing a subsequent suit for arrears of rent.
• State of Punjab v. Pratap Singh Verka (2024): The court emphasized that a public servant cannot be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act without necessary sanctions.
• P. Sasikumar v. The State (2024): The court stated that if a witness does not know the accused, identification in court without a Test Identification Parade (TIP) is not reliable evidence.
• State of Maharashtra v. Shatrughna Baban Meshram (2015): The Bombay High Court confirmed a double death sentence for the rape and murder of a two-year-old girl, under Section 376-A of the IPC.
• Sandip Baburao Waidande v. State of Maharashtra (2021): The court clarified that there is no specific number of circumstances required to establish a case based on circumstantial evidence.
• Karnataka Power Transmission Corpn. Ltd. v. S Kiran (2023): The court reinstated an employee dismissed for 632 days of unauthorized absence due to mental health issues.

Chief Justice Manmohan

Chief Justice Manmohan was born on December 17, 1962, in Delhi, and attended Modern School for his education.

• He became an Advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1987 and began practicing mainly in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, focusing on Civil, Criminal, Constitutional, Arbitration, and Taxation cases.
• In 2003, he was appointed a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court.
• He actively participates in extrajudicial activities and has attended numerous national and international seminars and conferences.
• He has represented in significant cases such as the Dabhol Power Company, Hyderabad Nizam’s Jewellery Trust, and the Claridges Hotel dispute.
• In 2008, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court.
• He became a permanent judge of the High Court in 2009.
• Currently, he serves as the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.

Notable Judgments

• Presiding Officer Delhi School v. Govt. Of NCT of Delhi (2013): The court ruled that it also has the power to revive cases under the Industrial Dispute Act, setting aside an earlier order that only the Delhi School Tribunal had jurisdiction.
• State v. Kaishar Ali (2018): The court upheld a decision by an Additional Session Judge not to intervene in a case where a woman misrepresented her age and had consensual sex with the respondent.

Recent Judgments

• Bhushan Oil and Fats Pvt Ltd v. Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetables Pvt Ltd (2023): The court decided that no appeal can be made against a refusal to reject a plaint under Order VII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code.
• Dharampal Satyapal Limited and Anr v. Union of India (2023): The court supported regulations from the Food Safety and Security Authority of India that require larger warning labels on Pan Masala packaging.

Justice Dipankar Datta

Justice Dipankar Datta was born on February 9, 1965, into a Bengali family. He is the son of Justice Salil Kumar Datta, a former Calcutta High Court Judge, and is related to Justice Amitava Roy, a former Supreme Court Judge.

Career

• He earned his LL.B. degree from Hazra Law College, University of Calcutta in 1989.
• Enrolled as an advocate on November 16, 1989, he served as a junior Standing Counsel for the State of West Bengal for two years.
• During a 16-year advocacy career, he represented various educational bodies, including the University of Calcutta.
• Served as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court from June 22, 2006, to April 27, 2020.
• Later became the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
• Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court on December 12, 2022.

Notable Judgments

• Unibros v. All India Radio (2023): The Supreme Court ruled that an award may be set aside if it violates India's public policy, emphasizing that claims for loss of profit must have convincing evidence.
• Ameena Begum v. State of Telangana (2023): The Court established guidelines for reviewing the legality of preventive detention orders, including the necessity of the detaining authority's satisfaction being based on relevant facts.
• Sheo Raj Singh v. Union of India (2023): Discussed the court’s discretion to condone delays under the Limitation Act, distinguishing between 'excuses' and 'explanations.'
• Premchand v. State of Maharashtra (2023): Summarized principles regarding the accused's rights during trial, particularly under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Recent Judgments

• Asma Lateef v. Shabber Ahmad (2024): The Court clarified that Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Code is not mandatory and decisions must consider the court's jurisdiction.
• Maya Gopinathan v. Anoop S.B. (2024): Reinforced that a woman has exclusive rights over her 'stridhan' (personal property) and her husband has no ownership rights.
• State of Karnataka v. M.N. Basavraja (2024): Highlighted issues regarding witness reliability in cases involving domestic violence laws.
• Jay Shri v. State of Rajasthan (2024): The Court stated that a mere breach of contract is not cheating unless fraudulent intent is proven.

Justice Surya Kant

• Date of Birth: 10th February 1962, Hisar, Haryana
• Education: Graduated from Government Post College, Hisar (1981); Bachelor's degree in Law from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak (1984)

Career Path:

• Started legal practice at the District Court in Hisar in 1984
• Moved to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice in Punjab and Haryana High Court
• Appointed Advocate General of Haryana on 7th July 2000
• Designated as Senior Advocate in March 2001
• Became Permanent Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court on 9th January 2004
• Became Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court on 5th September 2018
• Elevated to the Supreme Court on 24th May 2019

Notable Judgments:

• In Re: Arbitration Agreements (2023) - The Court decided that an arbitration agreement is still valid even if the underlying contract is not stamped. It stated that issues about stamping should be handled by the arbitral tribunal, not the courts.
• In Re: Article 370 (2023) - The Court upheld the government's decision to repeal Article 370, confirming that the President had the power to do so without needing the state's concurrence.
• S.G. Vombatkere v. Union of India (2022) - The Court ordered that the government should refrain from using Section 124A of the IPC (related to sedition) for investigations or registering FIRs, declaring it unconstitutional due to violations of fundamental rights.
• Kalamani Tex v. P. Balasubramanian (2022) - The Supreme Court ruled that if signatures on a cheque are admitted, it should be presumed that the cheque was issued for a valid debt.

Recent Judgments:

• Arvind Kumar Pandey v. Girish Pandey (2024) - The Court recognized the crucial role of a homemaker, stating her income should be valued at least at the minimum wage for daily workers in Uttarakhand.
• Government of NCT of Delhi v. M/S BSK Realtors LLP (2024) - The Court emphasized the need for a flexible approach in legal matters impacting public interest, allowing the Delhi government to pursue appeals despite previous rulings.
• Mariam Fasihuddin & Anr v. State by Adugodi Police Station (2024) - The Court clarified that to prove cheating under Section 420 of IPC, it must be shown that the accused induced the victim to deliver property through deceitful actions.

Justice C.T. Ravikumar

• Born on January 6, 1960, in Peermadu, Kerala.
• Father, Sri K.Devarajan, was a Bench Clerk at Changanassery Magistrate Court.

Career Highlights

• Enrolled as an Advocate in July 1986 and began practicing in Mavelikkara courts.
• Served as Government Pleader from 1996 to 2001 and became Senior Government Pleader in 2006.
• Appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Kerala on January 5, 2009; became a Permanent Judge on December 15, 2010.
• Served as the Executive Chairman of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority and organized Lok Adalats.
• Presided over the Kerala Judicial Academy and the Kerala State Mediation and Conciliation Centre.
• Currently serving a four-year tenure in the Supreme Court, retiring in 2025.
• Fifth Judge elevated directly to the Supreme Court from the High Court of Kerala.

Notable Judgments

• Gurmail Singh & Anr v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2022): The Supreme Court ruled that the death of co-accused does not eliminate the liability of remaining accused under IPC Section 149.
• Sukhbiri Devi & Ors v. Union of India & Ors (2022): The Court decided that limitation issues can be addressed as a preliminary issue when facts are admitted, allowing courts to postpone other issues.
• Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay v. Union of India (2022): The Court stated that offering "freebies" can lead to a financial crisis for state governments, highlighting that such practices utilize taxpayer money for political gain.
• State of Maharashtra v. Maroti (2022): The Court held that individuals must report knowledge of offences under the POCSO Act, with failure to do so leading to liability.

Recent Judgments

• Child in Conflict with Law through its Mother v. State of Karnataka (2024): The Supreme Court determined that the three-month limit for assessing a child's capacity under juvenile law is not strict and set a 30-day limit for appeals against assessments.
• Shazia Aman Khan and Anr v. The State of Orissa (2024): The Court granted custody of a child to her aunt, emphasizing that the child's welfare takes precedence over personal laws.
• Basavaraj v. Indira and Others (2024): The Court ruled that changing the nature of a lawsuit, such as from a partition suit to a declaration suit, is not permissible if it alters the suit's essence.