Latest Supreme Court Judgments

Landmark Supreme Court of India rulings, explained in clear, plain language.

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Motor & Insurance

Showing 11 of 11 judgments

Does a compassionate job reduce an accident victim's entitlement to full disability compensation?

Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd. vs Priyanka Das and Others

Motor Accident Compensation / Insurance Law

The Supreme Court ruled that accident compensation for a bachelor must use a multiplier based on the deceased's age, and functional disability is evaluated on open-market employability, not a compassionate job.

$M/S ABC Express vs. State of Gujarat$

Can police keep your seized vehicle rotting in the station forever?

M/S ABC Express vs. State of Gujarat

Criminal Law / Interim Custody of Seized Vehicles

The Supreme Court ruled that police cannot keep a seized vehicle rotting in the station indefinitely and must release it to the owner on interim custody during the trial, even if caught with illegal liquor.

Can railways deny compensation to an accident victim's family if the ticket is lost?

Lata vs. Union of India

Railway Compensation / Accident Claim

The Supreme Court ruled that a family cannot be denied railway accident compensation just because the ticket was lost during the accident.

Do you need a ready vehicle to apply for a bus permit?

Ajit Singh vs State of Rajasthan & Ors.

Motor Vehicles and Writ Jurisdiction

The Supreme Court ruled that litigants can appeal a Single Judge's tribunal order to a larger High Court bench, and applicants do not need to own a physical vehicle when applying for a bus permit.

$Sameem Begum vs. K. Venkat Swamy$

Can every dependent family member get separate compensation for losing a loved one's companionship?

Sameem Begum vs. K. Venkat Swamy

Motor Accident Compensation

The Supreme Court ruled that every dependent family member (spouse and children) is individually entitled to receive a separate compensation amount of ₹48,400 for the loss of their loved one's companionship.

Can courts reduce accident compensation using only a rough site map of the crash?

Reena vs. The Managing Director, KSRTC

Motor Accident Claims / Tort Law

The Supreme Court ruled that a site map alone cannot prove a victim's negligence in an accident, and increased the widow's compensation to Rs. 50.81 Lakhs by holding the government bus fully responsible.

Can insurance companies cover accidents if the premium was paid after the disaster?

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. M/s Louis Dreyfus Commodities India Pvt. Ltd.

Insurance Law / Consumer Protection

The Supreme Court ruled that an insurance company cannot cover a loss if the premium was not paid in advance, and its officers cannot promise coverage that violates this legal requirement.

Is a heavy container-lifting machine inside a closed yard a motor vehicle?

Container Corporation of India Limited vs Rishi Ranjan Mishra & Ors.

Motor Vehicles Act / Accident Compensation

The Supreme Court ruled that a Reach Stacker used in a closed container depot is not a motor vehicle, and the depot is not a public place under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Can you get accident compensation if there is no proof linking the vehicle?

Dilip Agarwal vs Rajshri Agarwal & Ors.

Motor Vehicles Law / Accident Claims

The Supreme Court ruled that a motor accident claim cannot be allowed unless there is a clear connection showing that the death or injury was caused by using the vehicle.

$National Insurance Co. Ltd. vs Smt. Thungala Dhana Laxmi & Ors.$

Does a comprehensive car insurance policy cover the vehicle's owner traveling as passenger?

National Insurance Co. Ltd. vs Smt. Thungala Dhana Laxmi & Ors.

Motor Accidents and Insurance

The Supreme Court ruled that comprehensive insurance covers car occupants and ordered major technology-driven changes to stop people from driving uninsured vehicles.

How should courts calculate fair compensation for a child disabled in an accident?

Gayatree Pattnaik vs. Arundhati Sahoo

Motor Accident Compensation / Insurance Law

The Supreme Court significantly increased the accident compensation for a severely disabled infant to over ₹83 lakh, ruling that child victims must receive fair and dignity-supporting financial security.