Supreme Court Weekly Flashback (01–07 February 2026) presents a curated snapshot of the most important decisions delivered by the Supreme Court of India during the week, covering key rulings across arbitration, taxation, constitutional law, commercial disputes, criminal law, service matters, and regulatory issues.
This weekly roundup highlights landmark judgments, significant legal principles, and impactful observations of the apex court that shape the interpretation of law and influence litigation, policy, and governance across the country.
Supreme Court Backs Bombay HC’s Interpretation of ‘Where It Is Possible’ Clause in Service Tax Recovery Law
The Supreme Court dismissed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by ANI Technologies Private Limited, the parent company of ride-hailing platform Ola, challenging a Bombay High Court ruling on the interpretation of service tax recovery provisions under the Finance Act, 1994.
Supreme Court Clarifies Limits of Appellate Interference in Arbitration Matters
The Supreme Court has restored a Rs. 27.06 crore liquidated damages award in favour of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVNL) against Saisudhir Energy Ltd (SEL), setting aside the Delhi High Court Division Bench’s reduction of damages to Rs. 20.70 crore.
Supreme Court To Examine Use of GST Fraud Provision Where No Taxable Supply Is Alleged
A writ petition challenging the invocation of Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017—which empowers tax authorities to raise demands of tax, interest, and penalty in cases involving fraud or suppression—has come up before the Supreme Court in a significant challenge to the scope of GST enforcement powers.
Courts Can Extend Arbitrator’s Mandate Even After Award Is Passed Beyond Statutory Time Limit: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has held that courts have the power to extend the mandate of an arbitrator under Section 29A of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, even after an arbitral award has been rendered beyond the statutory time limit.
No Arbitration If Arbitration Agreement Is Disputed as Forged: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has held that disputes cannot be referred to arbitration where the very existence of the arbitration agreement is seriously disputed on allegations of forgery and fabrication.
High Courts Can’t Interfere in Panchayat Elections Once Process Begins: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has firmly reiterated the constitutional bar on judicial interference in Panchayat elections, holding that High Courts cannot intervene under Article 226 of the Constitution once the election process has commenced and a statutory remedy by way of an election petition is available.
Arbitration Clause Can’t Be Challenged After Court Appoints Arbitrator: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ruled that when an arbitrator is appointed by a court under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 before the 2015 amendments, the existence and validity of the arbitration clause cannot be reopened at later stages of the proceedings.
Lower Pay Amounts To “Forced Labour”: Supreme Court Orders Rs. 17K Honorarium for UP Upper Primary Instructors, Calls
The Supreme Court has directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to pay an honorarium of Rs. 17,000 per month to part-time contractual instructors appointed in Upper Primary Schools under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (now Samagra Shiksha Scheme) and held that paying a stagnant and reduced honorarium of ₹7,000 amounts to economic coercion and “begar” (forced labour), prohibited under Article 23 of the Constitution.
Police Can’t Order Further Investigation After Closure Report Without Court’s Permission: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ruled that once a closure report filed under Section 173(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is accepted by a Magistrate, the police or any executive authority cannot direct further investigation on its own without obtaining prior permission from the competent court. Setting aside the Allahabad High Court’s judgment, the Court quashed orders issued by Uttar Pradesh authorities that had directed a fresh round of investigation nearly seven years after the case was closed.
Leasing a Flat Doesn’t Automatically Make Buyer a ‘Commercial Consumer’: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ruled that merely leasing out a residential flat does not, by itself, take a homebuyer outside the definition of a “consumer” under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Setting aside an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), the Court held that the dominant purpose behind the purchase of the property must be examined before branding the transaction as “commercial”.
Child’s Welfare Can’ Be Decided by Ignoring Broken Promises and Court Orders: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has set aside a judgment of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court that restored the custody of two minor children to their mother, holding that the High Court failed to consider crucial factors such as violation of court undertakings, revocation of custody by a foreign court, and the overall impact of parental conduct on the welfare of the children. The matter has been remanded to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits.
IPS Cadre Allotment Can’t Be Changed Years Later: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer seeking reallocation from the Tamil Nadu cadre to the Rajasthan cadre against an “insider vacancy” arising from the 2004 Civil Services Examination, holding that cadre allocation cannot be reopened after long delays as it would disrupt the finality of the selection process.
Supreme Court Issues Notice on Vedanta’s Appeal Against Denial of Interest on Export Duty Refund
The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued notice in a civil appeal filed by Vedanta Limited, challenging a ruling of the Calcutta High Court that denied the company interest on a delayed refund of export duty paid on iron ore exports.
Supreme Court Grants Bail in NDPS Case, Says Trial Courts Must Inform Accused of Right to Legal Aid Before Witness Examination
The Supreme Court of India has granted regular bail to an accused in a narcotics case after noting that she had remained in custody for more than four years and that a similarly placed co-accused had already been granted bail. The Court also issued important directions to trial courts across the country to ensure that accused persons are informed of their right to legal representation and legal aid before witness examination begins.
Properties Acquired During Joint Family May Be Treated as Joint Property Unless Self-Acquisition Is Proved: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed an important principle of Hindu law, holding that where ancestral property and a functioning joint family are established, properties acquired during that period may be treated as joint family property unless the person claiming exclusive ownership proves self-acquisition with clear evidence.
Delayed Payment Alone Can’t Be a Ground to Deny Membership in a Cooperative Housing Society: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has ruled that delayed payment of contribution cannot, by itself, be used to deny membership in a cooperative housing society when the occupant’s entitlement had already been recognized and possession of the flat was undisputed.
Consensual Relationship Can’t Be Criminalised After Break-Up: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has quashed a rape case filed under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), holding that a consensual relationship between adults cannot be turned into a criminal prosecution merely because the relationship later turns sour.
Dearness Allowance Not a Fundamental Right: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has held that Dearness Allowance (DA) cannot be claimed as a fundamental right, and that financial constraints of a state government are a relevant factor in determining payment of such allowances.
Supreme Court Expands Transgender Advisory Committee to Strengthen Policy Framework
In a move to ensure continuity and deepen expertise within its specialized Advisory Committee on transgender rights, the Supreme Court of India on Friday appointed Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, Senior Associate at the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR), as a new member.
SC Appoints Former Chief Statistician As Consultant For Student Suicide Data Analysis
The Supreme Court of India has directed the immediate appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, the former Chief Statistician of India, as a Technical Consultant to the National Task Force (NTF).
Supreme Court Quashes 2008 Review Order, Restores 1971 Land Vesting Against Jai Hind Pvt Ltd
The Supreme Court of India has set aside a 2012 Calcutta High Court judgment that had allowed Jai Hind Private Limited to retain over 211 acres of agricultural land.
Consumer Protection Law | Unproven Claims Can’t Justify Crores in Compensation: Supreme Court Reduces Award Against ITC
The Supreme Court has substantially reduced the compensation awarded against ITC Limited in a consumer dispute arising from an alleged deficient haircut service at a luxury hotel salon, holding that huge damages cannot be granted without reliable and proven evidence of loss.
Future Prospects Can’t Be Denied in Motor Accident Claims: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has substantially enhanced compensation payable to the family of a motor accident victim, reiterating that future prospects are a mandatory component of “just compensation” even for fixed-salary employees, and clarifying that loss of love and affection cannot be granted as a separate head after Pranay Sethi.
Injunction Can’t Be Granted Without Proving Possession; SC Upholds Absolute Ownership of Property Granted to Widow for Maintenance
The Supreme Court of India has reaffirmed the fundamental principles governing suits for perpetual injunction and recovery of possession, holding that mere assertions of title or stray evidence cannot substitute for specific pleadings establishing possession or dispossession.
Notarised Photocopy Of Power Of Attorney, Without Following Mandatory Procedure For Leading Secondary Evidence, Can’t Confer Authority To Sell Immovable Property: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has dismissed a civil appeal challenging the Kerala High Court’s decision that invalidated two property sale deeds executed on the strength of a disputed Power of Attorney (PoA) and held that a notarised photocopy of a Power of Attorney, without following the mandatory procedure for leading secondary evidence, cannot confer authority to sell immovable property.
Read More: Service Tax Weekly Flashback: 01 To 07 February 2026
