Every day, courts across India decide cases that quietly shape the rights of ordinary citizens and businesses — even when the headlines don’t always make it clear why it matters to you. This short daily digest from Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates picks out a few of the most significant developments from the Supreme Court and High Courts and explains them in plain language, so you know what’s changing and whether it touches your own situation.
Supreme Court Questions Police Posting Photos of Accused Persons Online
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Central government, all state governments, and social media platforms Meta and X on a petition challenging the practice of police departments posting photographs and videos of accused persons on their official social media accounts. The petition points to disturbing examples — accused persons shown handcuffed, tied with ropes, or made to kneel — and asks the Court to direct that such content be taken down and that clear guidelines be put in place for how police use social media.
This matters because being named as an accused is not the same as being convicted, and many people never recover their reputation once images like this circulate online — regardless of the case’s outcome. If the Court eventually lays down guidelines, it could change how police departments across Punjab and the rest of India handle publicity around arrests and investigations. Anyone dealing with a criminal case where personal images, videos, or details have been shared online without their consent should understand that they may have legal remedies, including under cyber crime law.
Source: Bar & Bench
Punjab & Haryana High Court: Collector Cannot Impose Penalty Once Stamp Duty Deficiency Is Assessed
In a ruling with direct relevance for Punjab property owners, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that once a Collector, acting under the Indian Stamp Act, determines that there is a shortfall in stamp duty paid on a property document, his authority ends there — he cannot go further and impose a penalty or personally direct recovery of the amount. The Court set aside the penalty and recovery direction in the case, while leaving it open for the authorities concerned to pursue recovery of the assessed shortfall through the proper legal process.
For anyone buying, selling, or registering property in Punjab, this is a useful reminder that stamp duty disputes have defined procedural limits, and that Collectors cannot simply add penalties on top of a duty shortfall without following the correct channel. If you have received a stamp duty deficiency notice or penalty demand on a property transaction, it is worth having the order reviewed — our property disputes practice regularly handles such matters.
Source: LiveLaw
Bombay High Court Pulls Up FDA Over Sweet Shop’s Licence Suspension Despite 98% Compliance
The Bombay High Court has criticised the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration for keeping a Pune sweet shop’s licence suspended even after a re-inspection found it 98% compliant with hygiene norms. Calling the FDA’s approach “absolute torture,” the Court quashed the suspension order and directed the FDA to pay the shop owner ₹5 lakh in compensation within 30 days for the losses caused by the prolonged, unjustified suspension.
The case is a good example of how courts can step in when a government authority acts unreasonably or drags its feet even after a business has fixed the issues it was pulled up for. Small business owners facing similarly disproportionate action from licensing or regulatory authorities are not without options — as reported by LiveLaw, the High Court was willing to intervene and order real compensation, not just quash the order.
If any of today’s developments touch on a situation you’re dealing with — a criminal matter, a property or stamp duty dispute, or an issue with a government authority — feel free to get in touch with our office in Patiala for a conversation about your options.
This digest is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Advocate Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates, Patiala.