Mere Non-Payment Of Electricity Dues Not 'Electricity Theft' Without Proof Of Meter Tampering: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that mere non-payment of electricity dues does not amount to electricity theft under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, where there is no material to show that the connection had actually been disconnected or that the consumer had tampered with the meter.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar observed that while the consumer could be liable to pay...

RTI Applicant Not Conversant With Language Of Info Can't Be Accompanied By 'Third Party' To Inspect Records: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court recently observed that if an RTI applicant seeking certain information is not conversant with the language or the contents of the information sought, then permitting another person accompanying the applicant during inspection of records would prima facie amount to providing information to a third party. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 218]In doing so the court permitted an...

Chotanagpur Tenancy Act | Restoration Proceedings Must Be Initiated Within Reasonable Time; Final Orders Cannot Be Reopened: Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has held that although Section 71A of the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act does not prescribe a limitation period, restoration proceedings must nevertheless be initiated within a reasonable time. The Court also held that once an order passed in a restoration proceeding has attained finality, it cannot be reopened in subsequent proceedings.A Single Judge Bench of Justice...

'Restore Heritage Of Pink City': Rajasthan High Court Orders Crackdown On Illegal Constructions In Jaipur

The Rajasthan High Court has directed the authorities to take immediate steps to stop illegal constructions in Jaipur and restore the heritage character of the Pink City.A division bench of Justice Inderjeet Singh and Justice Sandeep Taneja, hearing a petition seeking action against illegal constructions in the Walled City of Jaipur, directed the Commissioner, Nagar Nigam Jaipur, to look into...

'Wholly Unwarranted': Kerala High Court Criticizes Trial Court's Adverse Observations About Lawyer's Drafting Skills

The Kerala High Court recently criticized a trial court's adverse observations regarding the skills of a lawyer in drafting a petition before it. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 433]Justice Easwaran S. opined that trial court's remarks about the lawyer's competence was completely uncalled for and the same required judicial scrutiny:“the manner in which consideration was undertaken by the trial court...

Work Order Can't Be Cancelled Without Hearing Successful Bidder After Contract Is Awarded: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that once a tender culminates in a concluded contract through issuance of a Letter of Acceptance, execution of a work order and signing of an agreement, the successful bidder cannot be deprived of those contractual rights without being given an opportunity of hearing.A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Rajesh Kumar Verma observed that...

Mere Marking Of Document As Exhibit Is Not Proof Of Contents : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday (August 7) held that objections to the admissibility of a document that is prima facie relevant to the adjudication of a suit cannot ordinarily be decided at the threshold stage merely because the document has been exhibited. The Court said that a mere exhibition of a document, during the initial stage of a trial, does not amount to proof of its contents; as...

Municipal Bodies Can't Recover Rent Dues As Arrears Of Land Revenue, May File Civil Suit: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has held that arrears of rent due to a Nagar Palika Parishad from its tenant cannot be recovered as arrears of land revenue, as such rent is a contractual due and not a tax.Section 173-A of the Uttar Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1916 permits a Municipality to apply to the Collector for recovery, as if it were an arrear of land revenue, of any sum due to a board on...

Once Claimant Files Affidavit On Deceased Carrying Valid Ticket, Burden To Disprove Claim Shifts On Railways: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court has reiterated that mere absence of a railway ticket would not negate an individual's claim of being a bonafide passenger or entitlement to accident compensation. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 216]The court said that once claimant files an affidavit on deceased carrying a valid ticket, the burden of disproving the same would fall on the Railways. Justice JC Doshi referred to...

Res-Judicata Bars Different Trustees From Relitigating Same Trust Property Dispute: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court has held that a trust application regarding a dispute over trust property cannot be maintained if the dispute has already been conclusively decided in an earlier proceeding, even if the subsequent suit is brought by a different set of trustees. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 213]Justice JC Doshi was hearing an appeal by trustees of Shri Agarwal Samaj Trust, challenging the order...

Debarment And Blacklisting Are Distinct; Cannot Blacklist Bidder Where NIT Only Provided For Debarment: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that a tendering authority cannot blacklist a bidder where the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) only provides for debarment. It held that blacklisting carries wider civil consequences and cannot be substituted for a contractual debarment merely because a bidder failed to execute the agreement.The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice...

Rajasthan High Court Flags 'Gross Negligence' In Restoring Ramgarh Lake Near Jaipur, Directs Action Against Encroachments

The Rajasthan High Court has observed that there has been "gross negligence" on the part of the administration in restoring Ramgarh Lake, the main water resource for Jaipur and nearby districts, while hearing a batch of public interest litigations concerning the protection of rivers, lakes and water bodies. The bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Bhuwan Goyal...