1. Supreme Court • Criminal Procedure
Written Grounds of Arrest now universal; must be given at least 2 hours before remand
Why it matters: Standardises due-process protection beyond special laws to all arrests and gives defence a clear tool to challenge illegal remand.
Key point: Police must furnish the written grounds of arrest, in a language understood by the accused, for all offences; failure to do so renders the arrest and remand illegal.
2. Supreme Court • Environment & Property
SC: Mere notice under Indian Forest Act won’t vest land as “private forest” under Maharashtra law
Why it matters: Clarifies the bar for environmental classification impacting development rights while preserving the State’s power to re-initiate proceedings with due process.
Key point: The Court set aside a High Court view enabling classification of many plots as “private forests” without full statutory procedure under the Maharashtra Private Forests Acquisition Act.
3. Delhi High Court • Domestic Violence Act
Wife owning separate flat cannot continue to receive rent as interim maintenance for “alternate accommodation”
Why it matters: Offers guidance to trial courts on structuring interim reliefs under the D.V. Act when the housing status of the aggrieved person changes mid-proceedings.
Key point: Once the aggrieved person has acquired her own residence, interim rent directed as maintenance for alternate accommodation should cease.
4. Madhya Pradesh High Court • Media & Censorship
Plea to stay release of film inspired by Shah Bano case dismissed
Why it matters: Reaffirms the route of challenge under the Cinematograph Act before resorting to writ jurisdiction.
Key point: The Court declined to halt the film Haq, noting it is a dramatized, fictional adaptation and that statutory remedies under certification law are available.
5. Supreme Court • Matrimonial Settlement
SC grants divorce; ₹1 crore permanent alimony ends 14-year dispute
Why it matters: Illustrates the Court’s use of settlement-based finality to reduce long-running matrimonial litigation.
Key point: The Supreme Court dissolved the marriage and recorded a settlement under which the husband pays ₹1 crore permanent alimony; all pending cross-cases were quashed.
6. Parliament & Policy
Bills snapshot: IBC & Tax amendments this session; Shipping documents law revamped
Why it matters: Businesses must keep track of rule-making under these Acts once notified for compliance readiness.
Key point: Amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and taxation statutes, as well as the new Bills of Lading Act, 2025 to modernise shipping-document rules, are moving through Parliament.