January 2025 witnessed several crucial rulings and landmark judgments across various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India. These rulings have significant implications for matrimonial laws, live-in relationships, LGBTQIA+ rights, domestic workers' rights, and criminal justice reforms. This article summarizes the most crucial legal decisions of the month and their broader impact on Indian society.
Also, staying informed on legal developments is essential for those preparing for judicial services, CLAT, or any law-related exams. Here’s a curated list of the top legal news updates of the month for your preparation.
1. Supreme Court Orders End to Manual Scavenging in 6 Metro Cities
The Supreme Court directed six major metropolitan cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad—to completely eliminate manual scavenging and adopt mechanized alternatives.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on February 19, marking a significant step towards enforcing mechanized alternatives and ensuring dignity for sanitation workers.
Case Name: Dr. Balram Singh v. Union of India and Ors
2. Laws for Domestic Workers’ Rights
The Supreme Court has directed the Union Government to consider enacting a law to protect the rights of domestic workers, highlighting the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for their welfare.
The court instructed the Ministry of Labour & Employment, along with other relevant ministries, to form an expert committee to examine the feasibility of such a law and submit a report within six months.
Case Name: Ajay Mallik v. State of Uttarakhand
3. Supreme Court Rejects Review of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
The Supreme Court has dismissed review petitions challenging its 2023 verdict, which refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages in India.
The court maintained that legislative intervention is required for any reforms in marriage laws concerning LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Case Name: Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty and another v. Union of India
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4. PIL on Chemical Castration for Rapists
In a crucial development, the Supreme Court has granted the Central government a six-week deadline to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking nationwide reforms of sexual crimes against women, children, and transgender persons protection, including chemical castration as a penalty for rapists.
Case Name: Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association v. Union of India
5. Wife Can Claim Maintenance Despite Not Living with Husband
The Supreme Court reaffirmed that a wife is entitled to claim maintenance even if she refuses to live with her husband despite a decree for restitution of conjugal rights.
The bench emphasized that a wife’s refusal to return to her matrimonial home does not automatically disqualify her from seeking maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). It is a fundamental right of a wife as long as she has a valid reason for living separately.
Also Read: Can Males claim maintenance?
Case Name: Rina Kumari @ Rina Devi @ Reena v. Dinesh Kumar Mahto @ Dinesh Kumar Mahato and another
6. No Divorce Within a Year Without ‘Exceptional Hardship’
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a Hindu marriage cannot be dissolved within one year of marriage on the grounds of mutual incompatibility unless there is exceptional hardship or depravity, as provided under Section 14 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
The court reinforced that the mandatory one-year waiting period serves a critical purpose in preserving the sanctity of marriage.
Case Name: Sri Nishant Bhardwaj v. Smt. Rishika Gautam
7. Rajasthan High Court Makes Contract Mandatory for Live-In Relationships
In a progressive move, the Rajasthan High Court mandated that individuals in live-in relationships must sign a legal contract outlining financial responsibilities and child care provisions.
This ruling aims to safeguard the interests of partners and children born out of such relationships.
Case Name: Reena & Anr. v. State of Rajasthan
8. Husband Presumed Legal Father of Child Despite Wife’s Adultery
The Supreme Court ruled that a husband is legally presumed to be the father of a child born within a valid marriage unless non-access is proven.
The Court held that a DNA test cannot be ordered based solely on allegations of adultery, as it would infringe upon an individual's right to privacy and dignity. The ruling reinforces that the burden of proof lies on the party challenging legitimacy, and non-access—not multiple access—must be proven to rebut the presumption.
Case Name: Ivan Rathinam v. Milan Joseph
9. Police Cannot Serve Notices via WhatsApp or Electronic Means
The Supreme Court ruled that police cannot serve notices under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) or Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, through WhatsApp or any other electronic means.
Case Name: Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI
10. Domicile-Based Reservation in PG Medical Courses is Unconstitutional
The Supreme Court has held that domicile-based reservations for postgraduate (PG) medical courses are impermissible as they violate the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.
The Court clarified that while domicile reservations may be allowed in MBBS courses to a limited extent, extending such a policy to specialized medical education is unconstitutional.
However, the Court also noted that its judgment would not affect candidates who have already been granted domicile-based reservations in ongoing PG medical programs. With this decision, the Supreme Court has reinforced the principle of merit-based selection in higher medical education while upholding the constitutional right to equality.
Case Name: Tanvi Behl v. Shreya Goyal and Others
11. Forcing Spouse to Convert is Cruelty, Grounds for Divorce
The Madras High Court ruled that compelling a spouse to convert to another religion constitutes mental cruelty and violates their fundamental rights.
The court dissolved a marriage where a husband repeatedly pressured his wife to convert, reinforcing that religious freedom must be preserved in interfaith marriages.
Case Name: Syed Saleem Batcha v. Devi
12. High Court Issues Notice on PIL Seeking Cancer Warning on Alcohol
Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Maharashtra government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in response to a PIL seeking mandatory cancer warning labels on alcohol bottles, citing public health concerns.
Case Name: Yash Chilwar v. Union of India & Ors.
13. Tax Liability on House Property Income Depends on Beneficiary, Not Mere Ownership
The Delhi High Court has held that tax liability on income from house property should be determined based on who actually derives the financial benefit from the property, rather than merely being a signatory to the conveyance deed.
The High Court clarified that under the Income Tax Act, 1961, ownership alone does not establish tax liability. The Court emphasized that Section 22 of the Act focuses on the recipient of the income, not just legal title. It ruled that taxability must be determined based on who actually enjoys the financial benefits from the property.
Case Name: Shivani Madan v. Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi
14. Temporary Employment Does Not Disqualify Wife from Maintenance
Kerala High Court has ruled that a wife with temporary employment is still entitled to maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC if her income is insufficient to maintain the standard of living she had during her marriage.
The court also clarified that an adult daughter can claim maintenance under Section 20(3) of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act (HAMA) but not under CrPC.
Case Name: Jayaprakash E P v. Sheney P
15. Allahabad High Court Calls for Framework on Live-In Relationships
Observing the increasing prevalence of live-in relationships, the Allahabad High Court urged the government to establish a legal framework to regulate such relationships and prevent misuse.
Case Name: Akash Keshari v. State of UP and Another
Conclusion
These judgments reflect the evolving legal landscape in India, addressing the concerning social issues such as women’s rights, religious freedom, LGBTQIA+ rights, live-in relationships, and criminal justice reforms. As these rulings shape legal precedents, they also reinforce the judiciary's role in balancing societal norms with constitutional principles. Moving forward, it remains crucial for legislative bodies to respond proactively to these judicial directions, ensuring that laws evolve to meet the changing needs of society.