Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary Exams by Apoorva Purohit Ma’am

Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams highlights key Supreme Court rulings important for criminal, constitutional, and procedural law. The Court clarified that abusive language alone does not attract the SC/ST Act unless there is a clear caste-based intent to humiliate in public view.

The Court also held that High Courts cannot grant indirect interim protection by directing compliance with Section 41A CrPC while rejecting FIR quashing. Additionally, it strongly cautioned against the misuse of AI-generated and fabricated evidence in matrimonial disputes, emphasizing mediation, counselling, and ethical litigation practices.

Abusive Language and SC/ST Act

One of the most important Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams relates to the scope of offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Case Details

• Case Name: Keshav Kumar Mahto v. State of Bihar & Anr.

• Court: Supreme Court of India

• Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Alok Aradhe

Facts of the Case

• An FIR was registered alleging abuse and assault at an Anganwadi centre.

• The complainant belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.

• The appellant was charged under IPC provisions and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act.

• There was no clear allegation of caste-based insult in the FIR or chargesheet.

• The allegations did not state that the incident occurred in public view.

Issues Involved

• Whether abusive language alone attracts the SC/ST Act.

• Whether the ingredients of Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) were satisfied.

Legal Principles Involved

• Section 3(1)(r), SC/ST Act: Intentional insult with intent to humiliate on the basis of caste in public view.

• Section 3(1)(s), SC/ST Act: Abuse using caste name in public view.

• Mere insult is not an offence unless there is specific intent to humiliate because of caste.

• The Court relied on Shajan Skaria v. State of Kerala.
  
  

Judgment

• The Supreme Court held that abusive language alone is not an offence under the SC/ST Act.

• Specific intent to humiliate a person because of caste is mandatory.

• In the absence of such intent, the offence is not made out.

• The High Court order was set aside.

This case is extremely important for SC/ST Act interpretation in Judiciary and APO exams.

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Section 41A CrPC and Limits on High Court Powers

Another major highlight of Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams deals with Section 41A CrPC and misuse of interim protection.

Case Details

• Case Name: Practical Solutions Inc. (Through Authorized Representative) v. State of Telangana & Ors.

• Court: Supreme Court of India

• Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma

Facts of the Case

• Accused persons filed a petition before the Telangana High Court seeking quashing of FIR under Section 482 CrPC.

• The High Court refused to quash the FIR.

• However, it directed the police to comply with Section 41A CrPC.

• The accused were directed to appear before the Investigating Officer.

• The complainant challenged this order before the Supreme Court.

Issues Involved

• Can a High Court, while rejecting a quashing petition, direct compliance with Section 41A CrPC?

• Does such a direction amount to granting indirect interim protection from arrest?
  
  

Law / Legal Provisions Involved

• Section 41A CrPC: Notice of appearance instead of arrest when arrest is not immediately required.

• Equivalent to Section 35 of BNSS.

• Section 482 CrPC: Inherent powers of High Court.

Legal Principles Laid Down

• Direction to comply with Section 41A CrPC amounts to interim protection.

• Once an accused regularly appears under Section 41A, arrest is barred.

• Such protection is interim in nature.

• Interim relief cannot be granted indirectly while rejecting quashing.

• High Court can grant interim relief only when:
  
  

• A prima facie case for quashing exists, or

• Exceptional circumstances exist with reasons recorded.

Judgment

• The Supreme Court set aside the Telangana High Court’s order.

• Held that the High Court erred in granting indirect interim protection.

• Direction to comply with Section 41A CrPC was impermissible.

This case is very important for CrPC, arrest law, and High Court powers.

AI-Fabricated Evidence in Matrimonial Cases

One of the most sensitive Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams relates to misuse of technology in family disputes.

Case Details

• Case Name: Neha Lal v. Abhishek Kumar

• Court: Supreme Court of India

• Bench: Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan

Court Observations

• The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over fabricated and AI-generated evidence in matrimonial disputes.

• Parties misuse technology to create false allegations.

• Evidence is sometimes created only to “teach the other side a lesson.”

• False allegations are becoming common in the AI era.

Background Facts

• The couple cohabited for only about 65 days after marriage in 2012.

• They remained in litigation for more than a decade.

• Filed over 40 cases against each other.

• Disputes included divorce, maintenance, domestic violence, Section 498A IPC, execution petitions, perjury cases, writ petitions, and transfer petitions.

Court’s Guidance

• Courts should not become battlefields for couples.

• First effort should be pre-litigation mediation.

• Lawyers should guide parties toward settlement.

• Counselling may be required in some cases.

• Even after litigation begins, mediation should be explored.
  
  

This case is very relevant for family law, ethics, and judicial approach.

Why These Legal Current Affairs Matter for Judiciary Exams

Legal Current Affairs 22 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams are important because they cover:

• SC/ST Act interpretation

• Arrest and procedural safeguards

• Limits on High Court powers

• Misuse of technology in litigation

These cases are useful for:

• Case-law based MCQs

• Criminal law and constitutional law mains answers

• Interview discussions
  
  

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