Law & Justice This Week: Big Wins, Court Orders & Legal Milestones [January 12- January 18, 2026]
Key Judicial Developments of the Week In India
1. Supreme Court Issues Notice on ED–I-PAC Plea Involving Mamata Banerjee: The Supreme Court issued notice on ED and I-PAC petitions alleging obstruction during raids linked to a coal scam investigation in West Bengal. The bench flagged concerns relating to rule of law and investigative autonomy.
Read more here
2. Stray Dogs Case: The Supreme Court warned that state authorities may hold dog feeders accountable for stray dog attacks. Court stressed the need to balance animal welfare with public safety concerns.
Read more here
3. Creamy Layer Issue in SC/ST Quota: The Supreme Court granted six weeks to the Centre and states to respond on the issue of applying the creamy layer principle to SC/ST reservations.
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4. No Immediate Relief for Jana Nayagan: The Supreme Court declined to grant interim relief to the makers of Vijay’s Jana Nayagan in their CBFC certificate dispute and sent the matter back to the high court for a fresh hearing on January 20. The bench did not stay the earlier order, leaving the ongoing proceedings undisturbed.
Read more here for SC order and here for Madras HC order
5. Maintenance Rights of Widowed Daughter-in-Law: The Supreme Court held that a Hindu widowed daughter-in-law is entitled to claim maintenance from her father-in-law’s estate. The judgment clarified obligations under personal law when the husband has died and the widow lacks independent means.
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6. Justice Yashwant Varma’s Plea Against Removal Motion: The Supreme Court rejected Justice Yashwant Varma’s challenge to the removal motion initiated against him in Parliament. Court declined to interfere at the stage of parliamentary proceedings.
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7. Solicitor General Flags Concerns Over Podcast Discussions on Court Judgments: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed displeasure over public podcast discussions analysing court judgments. He cautioned that such platforms could distort legal reasoning and impact public perception of the judiciary.
Read more here
8. Delhi Court Convicts Asiya Andrabi in UAPA Terror Conspiracy Case: A Delhi court convicted Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi and two others for terror conspiracy and sedition under the UAPA. The court held that the group actively promoted secessionist ideology and anti-India activities.
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9. Police's Failure to Act on False Complaints: The Allahabad High Court warned that police officials could be held accountable for not taking action against false or malicious complaints. Court stressed that unchecked misuse of criminal law undermines justice delivery.
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10. No Private Committees for Jallikattu: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court held that Jallikattu events are conducted by the State and independent committees cannot organise them. Court declined to grant permission and police protection to a village committee seeking to conduct the event.
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11. ₹35 Lakh Ghee Sale Scam at Sabarimala: The Kerala High Court directed the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau to register a case and conduct an independent probe into alleged misappropriation of nearly ₹35 lakh from the sale proceeds of adiya sishtam ghee at Sabarimala, noting systemic failures in accounting and stock control. Court observed that the shortfall in proceeds could not be dismissed as an accounting lapse and prima facie indicated criminal misappropriation and related offences
Read more here