Every day, courts across India decide cases that quietly affect ordinary people, families, and businesses — often without most of us ever hearing about them. Our Daily Legal Digest is a short, plain-English round-up of the Supreme Court and Punjab & Haryana High Court developments from the last day or two that are worth knowing about, brought to you by Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates, Patiala.
Supreme Court Backs Ex-Servicemen in Disability Pension Fight
The Supreme Court has dismissed around 271 appeals filed by the central government against retired Army officers who had been granted disability pensions. The Court held that it is ordinarily the government’s job to prove that a soldier’s disability was not caused or worsened by their military service — not the other way around — as long as the pension claim is made within 15 years of leaving service. Only after that window does the burden shift to the veteran to prove their case.
Why it matters: this is a significant relief for thousands of ex-servicemen and their families who often spend years fighting for pension benefits they are entitled to. It also sets a clear precedent that will guide how similar claims are decided going forward.
Source: Bar & Bench
Punjab & Haryana High Court Strikes Down Tax Reassessment Provision — Centre Heads to Supreme Court
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has struck down Section 147A of the Income Tax Act — a provision the government had inserted with retrospective effect to allow local (“jurisdictional”) tax officers, and not just the faceless assessment centre, to reopen old income tax assessments. The High Court held that Parliament cannot simply declare a legally flawed procedure valid after the fact without actually curing the defect in it. The central government has now moved the Supreme Court against this ruling, and the top court has agreed to take up the matter urgently.
Why it matters: this affects taxpayers who received reassessment notices from local income tax officers rather than the faceless centre. Until the Supreme Court has the final word, there is likely to be continued uncertainty around such notices.
Source: LiveLaw
Punjab & Haryana High Court: No Protection for a Live-In Relationship When Both Partners Are Already Married
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has refused to grant police protection to a live-in couple after finding that both the man and the woman were already legally married to other people, with children from those marriages. The Court held that using its writ jurisdiction to shield a relationship formed while existing marital ties were still in place amounted to misusing the legal process, and dismissed the plea.
Why it matters: it’s a reminder that Indian courts continue to draw a firm line between live-in relationships between consenting, unmarried adults — which do enjoy some legal protection — and relationships involving people who are still legally married elsewhere. Family situations like this are rarely straightforward, and the specific facts of your case can make a real difference to the outcome. If you’re facing a matrimonial, separation, or live-in relationship dispute, our divorce and family law team can help you understand where you stand.
Source: LiveLaw
Have a legal question about a similar issue — a family dispute, a tax notice, or anything else affecting your rights? Get in touch with Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates for a confidential consultation.
This digest is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Advocate Sukhdeep Singh Khaira & Associates, Patiala.