Important Judgments of 2025: Legal Bites Year Update

This article highlights several landmark judgments from 2025 that have significantly contributed to the evolving landscape of Indian jurisprudence. From protecting the welfare of senior citizens and resolving disputes in medical education to upholding juvenile rights and reinforcing the right to life, these decisions reflect the Court's commitment to constitutional values and social justice

The author aims to familiarize readers with significant case laws decided by the Supreme Court. Understanding case laws is essential for gaining clarity on various legal subjects, as they help shape the interpretation and application of the law. Through this effort, the author strives to simplify complex legal concepts and highlight landmark judgments that have brought notable changes across different areas of law.

Important Judgments of 2025: Legal Bites Year Update

1. Urmila Dixit v. Sunil Sharan Dixit & Ors. [1]

This case highlights the broader societal issue of neglect and exploitation senior citizens face, emphasizing the importance of a purposive interpretation of welfare legislation. The decision aligns with the constitutional vision of social justice, as highlighted in Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India. It underscores the societal obligation to care for the elderly.

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2. Dr. Sharmad v. State of Kerala and Others. [2]

This case deals with a contentious issue of promotion in the medical education service under the Kerala Health and Family Welfare Department. The dispute centred on the interpretation of eligibility criteria for promotion to the post of Associate Professor, highlighting the interplay between executive orders and general rules such as the Kerala State and Subordinate Services Rules (KS and SSR).

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3. Om Prakash v. Union of India [3]

The Supreme Court, in this judgment, recognized the failure of the judicial system to address his juvenility claim, a constitutional mandate rooted in the principle of reformation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of juveniles. The decision highlights the judiciary's duty to go beyond procedural constraints to uphold the fundamental rights of individuals, especially juveniles in conflict with the law.

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4. S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India & Ors. [4]

The judgment serves as a vital reminder of the intersection between statutory obligations and constitutional rights, emphasizing the State's duty to safeguard human lives. The Court emphasized that denying timely medical treatment during the golden hour violates the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

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5. Dharmendra Kumar Singh & Ors. v. The Hon’ble High Court of Jharkhand & Ors. [5]

The Court, relying on its precedents, clarified that promotions under the 65% quota should not be treated as competitive and emphasized the balance between merit and seniority, ensuring the fair application of promotion rules.

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6. Harshit Harish Jain & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.[6]

The case revolved around the refund of stamp duty under the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958. The judgment addressed the applicability of an amended limitation period for claiming refunds and the statutory powers of the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority (CCRA) to review its orders.

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7. Lalita v. Vishwanath & Ors.[7]

The case of Lalita v. Vishwanath & Ors., decided by the Supreme Court of India on January 30, 2025, concerns an appeal filed by the mother of the deceased against the acquittal of the accused persons by the High Court. The case involves allegations of abetment to suicide and cruelty under Sections 306 and 498A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

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8. Jaya Bhattacharya v. State of West Bengal & Ors. [8]

The Supreme Court of India in Jaya Bhattacharya v. State of West Bengal & Ors. (2025) addressed a long-standing dispute concerning the denial of pensionary benefits to the appellant, Jaya Bhattacharya. The case revolved around allegations of unauthorized absence, non-conduct of a departmental inquiry, and the government’s refusal to grant pension benefits despite regularization of service.

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9. State of Goa & Anr. v. Namita Tripathi [9]

The Supreme Court of India in State of Goa & Anr. v. Namita Tripathi (2025) examined whether the operation of a professional laundry service constituted a "manufacturing process" under Section 2(k) of the Factories Act, 1948, thereby bringing the premises under the purview of "factory" as defined in Section 2(m).

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10. Kanishk Sinha & Another v. State of West Bengal & Another [10]

The case of Kanishk Sinha & Another v. State of West Bengal & Another (2025) revolves around allegations of forgery, fraud, misrepresentation, and criminal conspiracy. The Supreme Court, in its decision, examined the prospective or retrospective application of the procedural requirement laid down in Priyanka Srivastava and held that the High Court was correct in ruling that this procedural safeguard was only applicable prospectively. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed.

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11. Angadi Chandranna v. Shankar & Ors. [11]

The case of Angadi Chandranna v. Shankar & Ors. (2025), decided by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on April 22, 2025, addresses critical questions under Hindu joint family law and civil appellate jurisdiction. Central to the dispute were the issues of whether the suit property was ancestral or self-acquired, and whether the High Court was justified in reappreciating facts under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

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12. K.P. Tamilmaran v. State By Deputy Superintendent of Police [12]

The Supreme Court of India, in K.P. Tamilmaran v. State By Deputy Superintendent of Police (2025), delivered a landmark judgment on honour killings and clarified the evidentiary value of hostile and related witnesses. The case arose from the brutal murder of a young inter-caste couple, Murugesan and Kannagi, in Tamil Nadu in 2003.

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13. Workplace Injury Compensation [13]

In the matter of Kamal Dev Prasad v. Mahesh Forge (2025), the Supreme Court of India adjudicated a crucial issue regarding the quantification of compensation for a workplace injury under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923 (formerly Workmen's Compensation Act). The Court reconsidered the statutory disability percentage prescribed in the Schedule to the Act and evaluated the appropriateness of its rigid application when multiple injuries cumulatively affect an employee's functionality.

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14. Chain Collision Liability [14]

The Supreme Court decision in Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Honnamma & Ors. (2025) has clarified critical issues related to fault and insurance liability in such accidents. The court held that if an insured vehicle hits another vehicle which in turn hits a third vehicle, then for the entire chain of accidents, the liability would pass on to the vehicle which was the root cause of the accident.

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15. 3 Years' Bar Practice Mandatory for Civil Judge Exam [15]

The Court in All India Judges Association and Others v. Union of India and Others (2025) addressed long-standing concerns over promotions, quota allocation, and eligibility norms for judicial officers. This judgment marks a significant evolution in judicial policy, especially regarding the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE), minimum practice requirement for judicial entrants, and structured incentives for meritorious service.

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16. One Rank One Pension for judges [16]

The Court in In Re: Refixation of Pension Considering Service Period in District Judiciary and High Court (2025) affirmed that once a person assumes the constitutional office of a High Court Judge, “birthmarks” from previous service should disappear. Whether the judge rose through the Bar, civil service, or the judiciary, their pension must reflect the stature of the office, not the route taken.

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17. Greater Gender Representation in the Judiciary [17]

The Supreme Court of India, in Pinky Meena v. The High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan at Jodhpur & Anr. (2025), not only reinstated a young tribal woman judge who was discharged from service during probation, but also made a powerful case for greater gender representation in the judiciary. This judgment becomes a significant touchstone for institutional introspection on inclusivity and the retention of women judges in India’s legal system.

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18. Public Trust Doctrine in Land Allotment Case [18]

The Supreme Court of India, in Kamla Nehru Memorial Trust & Anr. v. U.P. State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. & Ors. (2025), upheld the cancellation of an industrial land allotment originally granted to the Kamla Nehru Memorial Trust (KNMT) by the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC). The judgment is a strong reaffirmation of contractual obligations, procedural propriety, and the Public Trust Doctrine in matters of public resource allocation.

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19. Supreme Court Cautions Against Overreliance on Circumstantial Evidence [19]

In Vaibhav v. State of Maharashtra (2025), the Supreme Court overturned the appellant’s conviction for murder under Section 302 IPC (Section 103 of BNS), citing insufficient and inconclusive circumstantial evidence. The case involved the death of Vaibhav’s friend Mangesh, allegedly caused by a gunshot from the appellant’s father’s service pistol. The Court noted inconsistencies in the bullet trajectory and the lack of forensic proof linking Vaibhav directly to the firing.

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.................................Additionally, more cases will be added.

References

[1] 2025 INSC 20

[2] Civil Appeal No. 13422 of 2024

[3] Criminal Appeal No. 4229 of 2024

[4] Writ Petition (C) No. 295 of 2012

[5] Civil Appeal No. 299 of 2025

[6] Arising out of SLP (C) No. 21778 of 2024

[7] Criminal Appeal No.1086 of 2017

[8] Arising out of SLP(C) No(s). 8850-8852 of 2024

[9] 2025 INSC 306

[10] Special Leave Petition (Criminal) Nos.: 8609-8614 of 2024

[11] Civil Appeal No. 5401 of 2025

[12] 2025 INSC 576

[13] SLP(C) No. 4974 of 2022

[14] Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 2135 of 2023

[15] Writ Petition (C) No. 1022 of 1989

[16] 2025 INSC 726

[17] Arising out of SLP (C) No. 23529 of 2023

[18] 2025 INSC 791

[19] 2025 INSC 800