Malika Bhola, Author at SCC Times

Exclusive jurisdiction clause indicates seat of arbitration

Exclusive jurisdiction clause can indicate seat of arbitration: Supreme Court dismisses SLP against Delhi HC order appointing Sole Arbitrator

The Court dismissed a special leave petition challenging the Delhi High Court’s order appointing a Sole Arbitrator under Section 11, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Court upheld the view that an exclusive jurisdiction clause, in the context of arbitration proceedings, can be construed as indicative of the seat of arbitration.

Case Briefs High Courts

“Public View” Is Not Optional: Delhi HC Sets Aside SC/ST Act Charge Over Remarks Made Inside an Office

Delhi High Court ruled that a caste-based insult under Section 3(1)(x), SC/ST Act must occur in a place within public view. Finding this essential ingredient absent, it set aside the charge and remanded the case for consideration under the IPC.

Case Briefs High Courts

Delhi HC’s Threefold Test for AI Training: Why ANI Failed to Stop OpenAI’s Use of Its News Content

Delhi High Court held that OpenAI’s use of ANI’s works for training ChatGPT’s LLMs is prima facie protected under fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act and declined interim injunction.

Section 340 CrPC wrong statement false statement

Case Briefs Supreme Court

“Wrong statement” is not the same as “false statement”: Supreme Court quashes prosecution under Section 340 CrPC against litigant and counsel

The Supreme Court while quashing criminal proceedings under Section 340 CrPC against a litigant and his counsel held that “wrong statement” is not the same as a “false statement”. The Court reiterated that prosecution can be initiated only where a prima facie case of deliberate falsehood exists and the Court records that such action is expedient in the interests of justice.

Case Briefs High Courts

Repeating Class Does Not Violate Right to Education: Delhi High Court upholds detention of EWS student in Class V

Delhi High Court held that an EWS student may be required to repeat Class V under Section 16 of the RTE Act where repeated academic support fails to ensure foundational learning, while directing the school to continue all EWS entitlements.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Mere Call Records Cannot Establish Criminal Conspiracy: Supreme Court Upholds Husband’s Conviction for Wife’s Murder; Acquits Co-Accused

Supreme Court held that while frequent phone calls alone cannot establish criminal conspiracy, a complete and unbroken chain of circumstantial evidence, including recoveries admissible under Section 27, Evidence Act, and the accused’s conduct was sufficient to uphold the husband’s conviction for the premeditated murder of his wife.

Case Briefs High Courts

Letter from separate confidential arbitration cannot be relied upon merely because relevant: Delhi HC upholds exclusion, dismisses S. 34 challenge

Delhi High Court dismissed a Section 34 challenge after holding that an Arbitral Tribunal rightly refused to rely on a letter exchanged between the respondent and DFCCIL in separate arbitral proceedings. The Court ruled that permitting reliance on such material would undermine the statutory confidentiality regime under Section 42-A, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Hot Off The Press News

PIL Filed in Supreme Court Seeking Standard Investigation Procedure and Time-Bound Probe for Paper Leaks; Urges Reconsideration of Selvi Ruling

PIL before the Supreme Court seeks directions to the Centre and States to formulate a uniform investigation framework for paper leak cases, ensure time-bound probes and speedy trials, confiscate proceeds of crime, and reconsider the prohibition on deception detection techniques in light of advances in forensic science and Kathi Kalu Oghad

Legal RoundUp Weekly Roundup

Top Legal Developments [13-19 July]: Samay Raina case, Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike, DHJS Examination 2026 eligibility judgment & Other Key Verdicts & Policy Updates

A quick roundup to cover all the important legal developments and cases this week.

Railway liability for shortage of goods booked at owner's risk

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Supreme Court: Railways not liable for shortage of goods booked at “owner’s risk” unless negligence or misconduct is proved under Section 97, Railways Act

The Supreme Court held that Railways cannot be held liable for shortage of goods booked at “owner’s risk” unless negligence or misconduct is proved under Section 97, Railways Act, 1989. The Court clarified the burden of proof under Section 65(2) and dismissed the compensation claim.

Delhi High Court Tihar custodial assault

Case Briefs High Courts

Fractured Hand, No Treatment, and a Demand for Protection Money: Delhi HC Orders CCTV Preserved and Independent Medical Examination in Tihar Assault Allegations

The Delhi High Court directed preservation of CCTV footage, an independent medical examination, and detailed reports from jail authorities after a Tihar inmate alleged custodial assault by the Head Warden, denial of medical treatment, and demand for illegal protection money.

Case Briefs High Courts

Delhi HC: Prior declaration as “well-known trade mark” not mandatory to invoke Section 11(2); cancels “ZORA” trade mark for similarity with “ZARA”

Delhi High Court held that a trade mark need not be formally declared as “well-known” to claim protection under Section 11(2), Trade Marks Act, 1999, and that ZARA, being entitled to protection as a well-known mark, could oppose registration of the deceptively similar mark ZORA.

Op Eds OP. ED.

World Day for International Justice 2026: Is International Criminal Justice at a Turning Point?

by Malika Bhola*

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Supreme Court imposes ₹3 lakh costs on Samay Raina and other comedians over alleged brazen violation of undertakings

Supreme Court imposed ₹3 lakh costs each on Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal and others for alleged brazen violation of undertakings and directed them to file compliance affidavits within 15 days.

NSE public servant under Prevention of Corruption Act

Case Briefs High Courts

NSE Discharges Public Duty; Whether Its MD Is a ‘Public Servant’ Under Prevention of Corruption Act Must Be Decided at Trial: Delhi HC

Delhi High Court observes that NSE is a recognised stock exchange performing vital public functions, not an ordinary commercial venture. But whether its MD & CEO, by virtue of that office, qualifies as a “public servant” under Section 2(c)(viii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act is a mixed question of fact and law that must be determined on evidence at trial.

Territorial jurisdiction in passport date of birth correction

Case Briefs High Courts

MEA Is in Delhi, but the Entire Cause of Action Is in UP: Delhi HC Dismisses Passport DOB Correction Writ for Lack of Jurisdiction

Delhi High Court dismissed a passport DOB correction plea, holding that territorial jurisdiction under Article 226 depends on where the cause of action arises, not the location of the MEA.

Delhi HC HMIS audit ICU bed availability

Case Briefs High Courts

70-Year-Old Turned Away from ICU Despite Portal Showing 2 Beds Available: Delhi HC Orders Surprise Audit of 38 Hospitals, Calls ₹15.42 Crore Idle Machine “Gross Waste”

Delhi High Court ordered a State-wide audit of HMIS implementation and ICU bed management systems in 38 Delhi Government hospitals after a patient was denied an ICU bed despite online availability.

crypto dispute commercial matter not writ issue

Case Briefs High Courts

Crypto Exchange Fraud Is Not a Public Law Issue Just Because Many Investors Are Affected: Delhi HC Tells BitBNS Users Their Crypto Dispute Must Be Settled in Civil Court

Delhi High Court dismissed BitBNS users’ appeal, holding that disputes over withdrawal restrictions, alleged fund mismanagement, and compensation must be pursued through civil or consumer remedies rather than writ proceedings

Case Briefs High Courts

Delhi HC Denies Bail to Athar Khan in Delhi Riots Conspiracy Case; Holds He Cannot Claim Parity with Co-Accused Granted Bail by SC

Holding that Athar Khan’s role was prima facie distinguishable from co-accused granted bail by the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court dismissed his second bail appeal in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case under the UAPA.

Delhi High Court Senior Advocate designation 2026

Appointments & Transfers News

Delhi High Court Designates 85 Senior Advocates

Pursuant to the Full Court’s resolution dated 9 July 2026, the Delhi High Court has designated 85 Advocates as Senior Advocates under Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961.