Daily Legal Current Affairs 24 January 2026 for Judiciary Exams by Apoorva Purohit Ma’am

Legal Current Affairs 24 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams highlights key Supreme Court rulings important for constitutional law, criminal procedure, evidence, human rights, bail law, and fundamental rights. 

Supreme Court and High Courts have clarified crucial principles relating to the sanctity of registered documents, fairness in alimony claims, child welfare in custody disputes, and the impact of probation on departmental proceedings. 

These rulings reinforce long-standing legal doctrines while addressing contemporary concerns. Keeping up with such legal developments is crucial for both Judiciary and APO/APP examinations.

Genuineness of Registered Sale Deed

• Case Name: Hemalatha (D) by LRs v. Tukaram

• Court: Supreme Court of India

Facts of the Case

The respondent executed a registered sale deed in favour of the appellant. Later, the respondent claimed that the transaction was not a sale but a mortgage in disguise, arguing that the registered document was merely a sham.

Issues Involved

• Whether a registered sale deed can be easily declared a sham transaction

• Whether registration is only a procedural formality

Legal Principles Involved

• Presumption of validity of registered documents

• Burden of proof on the party alleging sham transaction

• Sanctity attached to registration under property law

Key Observations

• Registration is a solemn and substantive act, not a mere procedural formality.

• A registered instrument enjoys high evidentiary value.

• The burden lies heavily on the party alleging that a registered sale deed is actually a mortgage or a sham transaction.

• The Court also suggested the use of Blockchain technology for digitisation and protection of land records, highlighting the need for technological intervention in property administration.

Alimony Case & Incapability to Earn

• Case Name: Vineeta v. Dr. Ved Prakash Singh

• Court: Allahabad High Court

Facts of the Case

The wife sought maintenance from her husband. However, the husband’s earning capacity had been destroyed due to criminal cases initiated by the wife’s family, which resulted in his inability to earn.

Issues Involved

• Whether a wife can claim maintenance when her actions contribute to the husband’s incapacity to earn

• Scope of fairness and equity in maintenance proceedings

Legal Principles Involved

• Maintenance is based on equity, not automatic entitlement

• Conduct of parties is relevant in deciding alimony claims

Key Observations:

• Maintenance is based on fairness and equity, not automatic entitlement.

• If the husband’s earning capacity is destroyed due to criminal acts initiated by the wife or her family, granting maintenance would cause grave injustice.

• The conduct of both parties must be considered while deciding maintenance claims.

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Child Cannot Be Forced into Boarding School Amid Custody Battle

• Case Name: Dr. Dinesh Kumar Agarwal & Ors. v. State of U.P.

• Court: Allahabad High Court

Facts of the Case

During a parental custody dispute, a direction was sought to send the child to a boarding school, effectively separating the child from both parents amid ongoing litigation.

Issues Involved

• Whether a child can be directed to a boarding school during a custody dispute

• Whether psychological assessment of the child is necessary

Legal Principles Involved

• Paramount consideration of child welfare

• Doctrine of best interest of the child

• Protection of children from being used as tools in litigation

Key Observations

• Before directing a child to be placed in a boarding school during custody disputes, a psychological evaluation of the child is mandatory.

• Courts must assess the child’s mental and emotional response to separation from parents.

• The welfare of the child is paramount and must override parental rivalry.

Probation in Criminal Case Not a Ground to Reduce Departmental Punishment

• Case Name: The Superintending Engineer v. The Labour Court, Madurai

• Court: Supreme Court of India

Facts of the Case

A workman was dismissed from service for impersonation and use of a forged certificate. Though he was convicted in a criminal case, he was released on probation. The Labour Court and Madras High Court reduced his punishment citing probation.

Issues Involved

• Whether release on probation removes the stigma of conviction

• Whether probation can be a ground to reduce departmental punishment

Legal Principles Involved

• Distinction between criminal proceedings and departmental proceedings

• Probation does not wipe out conviction.

• Service discipline and integrity

Key Observations

• Release on probation does not erase the stigma of conviction.

• Probation cannot be the sole ground for reducing punishment in departmental proceedings.

• The Court set aside the Madras High Court judgment that had reduced punishment merely because the employee was released on probation.

• The case involved serious misconduct, including impersonation and use of forged certificates.

Why These Legal Current Affairs Matter for Judiciary Exams?

Legal Current Affairs 24 January 2026 for Judiciary / APO / APP Exams are important because they cover:

• Presumption of validity of registered sale deeds

• Fairness and equity in alimony and maintenance claims

• Child welfare principles in custody and guardianship disputes

• Effect of probation on departmental and service proceedings

• Emerging role of technology (Blockchain) in land record management

These cases are useful for:

• Case-law based MCQs in prelims

• Property law, family law, service law, and constitutional law mains answers

• Interview discussions on recent judicial trends and practical justice.

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