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  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Case Title and Citation Rakesh Bhanot v. Gurdas Agro (P) Ltd., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 728 Background and Legal Context The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) was enacted to streamline insolvency resolution and provide a structured mechanism for the revival or liquidation of financially distressed entities and individuals. Central to the IBC is the concept of a moratorium, which temporarily suspends certain legal actions against the debtor to facilitate an orderly resolution process. For companies, Section 14 of the IBC imposes a moratorium upon commencement of the corporate insolvency resolution process, barring legal proceedings against the corporate debtor. For individuals, Section 96 provides for an interim moratorium from the moment an insolvency application is filed under Section 94, typically invoked by personal guarantors. This interim moratorium is designed to halt ongoing or new proceedings in respect of any debt, thereby protecting the debt...

By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Case Title: Rajesh Chaddha v. State of Uttar Pradesh Citation: Criminal Appeal No(s). of 2025 [Arising out of SLP (Crl.) Nos. 2353-2354 of 2019] Bench: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma Factual Matrix The Supreme Court addressed an appeal arising from a protracted dowry-related prosecution, where the appellant, Rajesh Chaddha, had been convicted under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The complainant, Mala Chaddha, had alleged persistent mental and physical harassment for dowry by her husband and in-laws. The prosecution’s case relied primarily on the testimonies of the complainant and her father, with no corroborative medical or documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations of physical cruelty or miscarriage. Procedural History The trial court acquitted the appellant of charges under Sections 323/34 and 506 IPC due to lack of evidence but convicted him under Section 498A IPC and Section 4 of the...

  Author: Abhishek Jat, Advocate The Supreme Court of India has made a decisive move to reshape how future judges are chosen for the lower judiciary. In a landmark ruling, the Court has mandated that anyone wishing to sit for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam must first gain at least three years of hands-on experience in the legal field. This shift signals a renewed emphasis on practical exposure as an essential qualification for those aiming to interpret and apply the law from the bench. This new rule is more than a procedural tweak—it’s a return to a system where real-world familiarity with legal practice is considered indispensable for judicial candidates. The Court’s rationale is clear: firsthand involvement in litigation or working closely with judges as a law clerk equips future judicial officers with a deeper, more realistic understanding of how law operates beyond textbooks. By requiring this period of professional immersion, the judiciary hopes to foster a generation ...

  I. What Happened? The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a significant judgment regarding the enforceability of employment bonds. The matter arose when an employee of Vijaya Bank, Prashant B Narnaware, was required to pay Rs. 2 lakhs to the Bank after resigning before completing the stipulated three-year minimum service period, as per the terms of his appointment. The High Court had earlier invalidated this clause, but the Supreme Court reversed that decision, holding that such contractual provisions are not void for being in restraint of trade. II. Background Under Section 27 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, any agreement that restrains a person from exercising a lawful profession, trade, or business is generally void, except in limited situations such as the sale of goodwill. The legal issue in this case was whether an employment bond, which requires an employee to serve a minimum period or pay liquidated damages if they resign early, violates this provision or is other...

  Overview The Supreme Court of India has recently addressed a pivotal question in the realm of intellectual property and arbitration: Are all trademark disputes excluded from arbitration? The answer, as clarified in the case of K. Mangayarkarasi & Anr. v. N.J. Sundaresan & Anr., is a definitive no—at least when the dispute arises from private contractual arrangements rather than statutory rights. Case Title and Citation Case Title: K. Mangayarkarasi & Anr. v. N.J. Sundaresan & Anr. Citation: SLP (C) No. 13012 of 2025 Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala Factual Matrix The dispute involved family members contesting the right to use the trademark “Sri Angannan Biriyani Hotel.” The plaintiffs sought a permanent injunction and damages, alleging that the defendants had forged assignment deeds and engaged in misconduct. The defendants, in turn, invoked arbitration clauses present in the assignment deeds, seeking referral of the matter to arbitration. Procedural Journey The Co...

  लेखक: एडवोकेट अभिषेक जाट घरेलू हिंसा के कानून महिलाओं की रक्षा के लिए बनाए गए हैं, ताकि वे अपने घर में सुरक्षित और सम्मानित जीवन जी सकें। लेकिन कभी-कभी आपसी मतभेद, पारिवारिक विवाद या अन्य कारणों से घरेलू हिंसा के झूठे आरोप भी सामने आ सकते हैं। ऐसे मामलों में आरोपी व्यक्ति और उनके परिवार को कानूनी प्रक्रिया की पूरी जानकारी और सही रणनीति की आवश्यकता होती है, ताकि वे अपने अधिकारों की रक्षा कर सकें। घरेलू हिंसा क्या है? घरेलू हिंसा (Domestic Violence) का अर्थ है किसी महिला के साथ उसके घरेलू संबंधों में शारीरिक, मानसिक, आर्थिक या यौन उत्पीड़न करना। घरेलू हिंसा अधिनियम, 2005 के तहत शारीरिक मारपीट, मानसिक प्रताड़ना, आर्थिक शोषण, यौन शोषण और मौखिक दुर्व्यवहार सभी शामिल हैं। इस कानून के तहत पीड़िता को सुरक्षा, निवास, मुआवजा और भरण-पोषण जैसी राहतें मिलती हैं। फर्जी केस क्यों दर्ज होते हैं? कानूनों का उद्देश्य महिलाओं की सुरक्षा है, लेकिन कुछ परिस्थितियों में पारिवारिक विवाद, तलाक की प्रक्रिया, संपत्ति के झगड़े, आपसी मतभेद या भावनात्मक तनाव के चलते झूठे आरोप भी लगाए जा सकते हैं। कई बार भावन...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate A recent incident in Kerala has brought to light important questions about workplace conduct and professional relationships within the legal community. A senior advocate practicing in Thiruvananthapuram was accused of physically assaulting his junior colleague at the office following a disagreement over work-related matters. The junior advocate reported that this was not the first occurrence and that she had previously experienced similar behavior, including during a vulnerable period in her life. After the complaint was filed, the senior advocate was taken into custody and faced charges relating to wrongful restraint, assault, and voluntarily causing hurt. The prosecution expressed concerns about the possibility of the accused influencing witnesses, given his position of authority in the office. Despite these concerns, the court granted him bail with strict conditions, including providing sureties, financial bonds, and restrictions on contacting the vic...

In a transformative judgment delivered on May 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India decisively reinstated the requirement of a minimum of three years’ legal practice for candidates aspiring to enter the lower judiciary as Civil Judges (Junior Division). The Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice A.G. Masih, and Justice K. Vinod Chandran delivered this verdict in the case of All India Judges Association and Others v. Union of India and Others (Writ Petition (C) No. 1022 of 1989). Calculation of the Three-Year Practice Requirement A pivotal clarification in the judgment is that the three-year practice mandate is to be computed from the date of provisional enrollment with a State Bar Council, not from the date of passing the All India Bar Examination (AIBE). This period includes the time spent as a provisionally enrolled advocate, provided the candidate subsequently clears the AIBE and obtains permanent registration. The Court further directed that a certificate at...

The Supreme Court of India, in the case of Vijaya Bank & Anr. v. Prashant B Narnaware (Civil Appeal No. 11708 of 2016, judgment dated 14 May 2025), addressed the enforceability of an employment bond that required an employee to pay liquidated damages if they resigned before completing a stipulated minimum service period. The respondent, who initially joined Vijaya Bank as a Probationary Assistant Manager in 1999 and was later promoted, applied for and was appointed to the post of Senior Manager—Cost Accountant in 2007. The appointment was subject to a condition, as stated in Clause 11(k) of the appointment letter, that mandated a minimum service of three years, failing which the employee was required to pay an indemnity of ₹2 lakhs. The respondent accepted the condition, executed the required bond, and joined the new post. However, before completing three years, he resigned to join another bank and, under protest, paid the stipulated amount to Vijaya Bank. Subsequently, the respond...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Understanding the RTI Act The Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) empowers Indian citizens to request information from any public authority, including the police. It is designed to promote transparency and accountability, allowing individuals to access records, documents, and details held by government bodies. This right is especially useful if you believe you have been falsely implicated in a criminal case, such as under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with allegations of cruelty by a husband or his relatives. Why File an RTI in a False 498A Case? False arrests under Section 498A can cause immense distress and legal complications. Filing an RTI application with the police-specifically, the Station House Officer (SHO) or the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned police station-can help you obtain: Copies of the FIR and related documents Details of the investigation process Evidence collected and statements recor...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Introduction The writ jurisdiction under the Indian Constitution is a cornerstone of judicial review and the protection of fundamental rights. Articles 32 and 226 empower the Supreme Court and High Courts, respectively, to issue writs for safeguarding constitutional and legal rights. Article 139 also authorizes the Supreme Court to issue writs in specific cases as provided by parliamentary legislation. This article provides a detailed legal analysis of the five writs – Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto – supported by authoritative judicial precedents and statutory interpretation. 1. Habeas Corpus Legal Principle: Habeas Corpus, meaning "you may have the body," is the most potent safeguard of personal liberty, compelling authorities to produce a detained individual before the court and justify the legality of the detention. Key Judicial Precedents: The Supreme Court has clarified that Habeas Corpus acts as a procedur...

  अगर आप कभी एफआईआर (First Information Report) पढ़ रहे हैं और आपको समझ नहीं आ रहा कि कहां से शुरू करें, तो यह लेख आपके लिए है। एफआईआर किसी भी आपराधिक मामले की पहली दस्तावेजी कड़ी होती है, जिसमें घटना की जानकारी पुलिस तक पहुंचाई जाती है। इसे सही तरीके से पढ़ना और समझना जरूरी है, खासकर अगर आप कानून में रुचि रखते हैं या किसी कानूनी मामले से जुड़े हैं। एफआईआर क्या है? एफआईआर वह दस्तावेज है जिसमें किसी अपराध की सूचना सबसे पहले पुलिस को दी जाती है। इसमें घटना का विवरण, समय, स्थान, और शामिल लोगों के नाम आदि होते हैं। यह केस की शुरुआत होती है और आगे की जांच इसी के आधार पर होती है। एफआईआर पढ़ने का सही तरीका 1. सबसे पहले बुनियादी जानकारी देखें किसने दर्ज कराई?   एफआईआर दर्ज कराने वाले व्यक्ति (complainant) का नाम, पता और पहचान जानना जरूरी है। इससे पता चलता है कि शिकायतकर्ता कौन है और उसका घटना से क्या संबंध है। कब दर्ज हुई?   एफआईआर दर्ज होने की तारीख और समय नोट करें। यह देखें कि घटना के कितने समय बाद एफआईआर दर्ज हुई। अगर देर से दर्ज हुई है, तो कारण जानना जरूरी है। घटना क...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Factual Background The case originated from a complaint regarding alleged financial fraud through online betting platforms, wherein the complainant claimed to have lost money via transactions conducted on multiple betting websites using PhonePe as a payment gateway. The police, investigating offences under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Sections 66C and 66D) and the Indian Penal Code (Sections 419 and 420), issued a notice under Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) to PhonePe, seeking detailed information about certain merchants and users suspected of facilitating illegal betting transactions. PhonePe, a prominent digital payments intermediary, challenged this notice, asserting that as a system provider regulated under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, it was bound to maintain the confidentiality of user and merchant data. The company contended that such information could o...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Case Overview Case Title: Thirunagalingam v. Lingeswaran & Anr. Citation: 2025 INSC 672 Bench: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice B.V. Nagarathna Background This matter arose from a dispute over a sale agreement executed on 17 August 2015 concerning immovable property. The appellant initiated a suit for specific performance after the respondent failed to execute the sale deed. During the suit’s pendency, the property was sold to a third party. The defendants, after initially participating, ceased to appear, resulting in an ex parte decree. Execution proceedings followed, leading to the appellant obtaining the sale deed through court intervention. The respondents subsequently filed applications under Order IX Rule 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) to set aside the ex parte decree, accompanied by petitions for condonation of substantial delays (712 and 467 days). The trial court allowed these, but the High Court reversed the decisi...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Introduction The role of an advocate in criminal proceedings is defined by unwavering commitment to professional ethics, impartiality, and the fiduciary responsibility owed to both the client and the court. One of the most critical junctures where these principles are tested is during the bail process. A key ethical boundary is the prohibition against advocates acting as sureties for their own clients. This article explores the rationale behind this prohibition, its implications for the legal process, and the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries. The Ethical Divide: Advocate vs. Surety An advocate’s primary function is to represent and defend the interests of the client within the bounds of the law. When an advocate steps into the role of a surety, they assume a personal and financial stake in the outcome of the case. This duality creates a direct conflict with the advocate’s obligation to remain objective and free from personal intere...