Supreme Court: What are considerations for grant of bail in case of offence by unlawful assembly?

In this backdrop, clearly, the approach adopted by the High Court at the stage of considering bail recording that the prosecution was required to indicate the individual role of the Accused in the incident, and that failure to do so, entitled the Respondents-Accused to bail, is erroneous on the face of record. In a case where the offence is committed by an unlawful assembly, each member of the assembly is equally responsible for the acts committed in furtherance of the unlawful object.  {Para 27}

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Criminal Appeal No. 1100 of 2026

Decided On: 23.02.2026

Shobha Namdev Sonavane Vs. Samadhan Bajirao Sonvane and Ors. 

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:

Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, JJ.

Author: Sandeep Mehta, J.

Citation: 2026 INSC 181,MANU/SC/0176/2026

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Supreme Court: Motor Accident Claim: No Deduction Of Employer-Provided Group Insurance Benefits From Compensation

  In view of the foregoing discussion, and in light of the settled principles laid down by this Court in Helen C. Rebello(Supra), United India Insurance Co. Ltd. (supra) and Sebastiani Lakra (Supra), It is clear that amounts received by the dependants of the deceased under employer-provided group insurance or other contractual or social security benefits cannot be treated as "pecuniary advantages" liable to be deducted from compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Such benefits arise out of an independent contractual relationship and lack the requisite nexus with the statutory compensation payable for death in a motor vehicle accident. The principle of balancing loss and gain cannot therefore be invoked to diminish the statutory entitlement of the claimants to just compensation. {Para 16}

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Civil Appeal Nos. 5490-5491 of 2025 and 5492-5493 of 2025

Decided On: 16.03.2026

The Managing Director, KSRTC Vs. P. Chandramouli and Ors.

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:

Pankaj Mithal and P.B. Varale, JJ.

Author: P.B. Varale, J.

 Citation: 2026 INSC 241, MANU/SC/0233/2026.

Read full judgment here: Click here.

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Supreme Court: Non impleadment of driver in motor accident claim petition is not fatal

In Civil Appeal NO'S. 5492-5493 Appellant pointed out certain procedural lapses particularly for not adding driver as a party. Both tribunal and High court not accepted the said contention. This Court in Rajo Devi and Anr. Etc. v. Manjeet Kaur and Ors.   MANU/SC/0741/2025 : 2025:INSC:741 speaking through one of us (P.B Varale J) observed thus "it must be kept in mind that the provision of providing compensation to the injured/dependants in accident cases under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is a beneficial provision to enhance social justice. Accordingly, the rigours of procedure cannot be allowed to defeat its purpose as the trial in such cases is summary in nature". {Para 11}

12. In view of the proposition laid down in above the tribunal and the High court rightly discarded procedural objection of Appellant.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Civil Appeal Nos. 5490-5491 of 2025 and 5492-5493 of 2025

Decided On: 16.03.2026

The Managing Director, KSRTC Vs. P. Chandramouli and Ors.

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:

Pankaj Mithal and P.B. Varale, JJ.

Author: P.B. Varale, J.

 Citation: 2026 INSC 241, MANU/SC/0233/2026

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Kerala HC: Manner Of Attack & Injury Relevant To Ascertain If Accused Intentionally Attempted To Commit Murder U/S 307 of IPC

It is the well settled law that, in order to attract the offence under Section 307 of IPC, there must be an intentional attempt to commit murder. In the instant case, going through the manner in which the incident occurred and the attack at the instance of the 1st accused, either intention or knowledge to cause death of PW1 could not be found and the 1st accused only caused one injury that also on the shoulder of PW1, as borne from the wound certificate. Therefore, on no stretch of imagination, it is safe to conclude that the 1st accused committed the offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC. {Para 13}

 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

Crl. A. No. 972 of 2014

Decided On: 05.03.2026

Moosantepurakkal Manaf Vs. State of Kerala

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:

A. Badharudeen, J.

Citation: MANU/KE/0922/2026,2026:KER:20486

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