LawLine Legal Blog
Indian law and landmark judgments, explained simply
Plain-English guides to your rights, the new criminal laws and the Supreme Court judgments that shape everyday life.
Landmark Judgments
Electoral Bonds Judgement: Why the Scheme Was Struck Down
Understand the electoral bonds judgement, why anonymous political funding failed constitutional review, and what the ruling means for Indian voters.
Rights & Remedies
New Tax Regime vs Old Tax Regime: FY 2025-26 Guide
Compare the new tax regime vs old tax regime for FY 2025-26, with slab rates, rebate rules, salary examples and a practical method to choose the better option.
Family & Succession
Dowry Prohibition Act: Safety, Complaints and BNS 80
Understand the Dowry Prohibition Act, BNS 80 dowry death, cruelty complaints and practical safety steps, including evidence, police and legal aid.
Criminal Law
Section 498A: BNS 85–86 and Arnesh Kumar Guidelines
Understand Section 498A, BNS 85–86 and Arnesh Kumar arrest safeguards, with practical guidance on cruelty complaints, police notices, bail and safe next steps.
Criminal Law
Bail in India: Regular, Anticipatory and Default Bail
Understand bail in India under BNSS: regular bail after arrest, anticipatory bail before arrest, default bail deadlines, conditions and legal aid.
Landmark Judgments
Hindu Succession Act: daughters’ rights in property
Understand daughters’ property rights under the Hindu Succession Act, the Vineeta Sharma ruling, wills, partition and practical steps to claim a share.
Landmark Judgments
Article 370 Judgement: What the Supreme Court Decided
Read the Article 370 judgement explained: the 2019 changes, presidential powers, statehood questions, election directions and their constitutional impact.
Landmark Judgments
Bilkis Bano Case: Remission and Victims’ Rights
Understand the Bilkis Bano case, why the Supreme Court cancelled remission in 2024, and what the ruling explains about lawful release and victims’ rights.
Rights & Remedies
TDS rates chart for FY 2025–26: rates and due dates
Use this TDS rates chart for FY 2025–26 to check common resident-payment rates, revised thresholds, deposit deadlines, return dates, and corrections.
Landmark Judgments
Same Sex Marriage Judgement India: Supriyo Explained
Understand the same sex marriage judgement in India: the Supriyo ruling, civil unions, adoption, personal liberty and the limits of judicial reform.
Rights & Remedies
How to File RTI Online: Fees, Replies and Appeals
Learn how to file RTI online, choose the right public authority, pay the fee, track deadlines and challenge an incomplete reply through RTI appeals.
Landmark Judgments
Section 497: Joseph Shine, Adultery and Divorce
Understand why Section 497 was struck down in Joseph Shine, why adultery is not a crime, and how it can still affect divorce and maintenance claims.
Criminal Law
Zero FIR: Lalita Kumari, e-FIR and Police Refusal
Know your Zero FIR rights, what Lalita Kumari says, how electronic reporting works under BNSS and the steps to take when police refuse to register a case.
Family & Succession
Divorce process in India: mutual consent vs contested
Understand the divorce process in India, mutual consent and contested cases, waiting periods, maintenance, child custody and practical filing steps.
Rights & Remedies
HRA Exemption: Calculation, Rent Proof and PAN Rules
Calculate HRA exemption under the old tax regime, understand rent receipts and the landlord PAN rule, and avoid common errors when claiming rent relief in ITR.
Rights & Remedies
Trademark class list: all 45 classes explained
Explore the trademark class list covering all 45 classes, learn how goods and services differ, and choose filing classes without leaving costly gaps.
Criminal Law
Cheque Bounce Case Procedure: Notice to Compounding
Follow the cheque bounce case procedure, including notice deadlines, court jurisdiction, complaint filing, trial, interim compensation and compounding.
Landmark Judgments
SR Bommai Case: President’s Rule and Federalism
Explore the SR Bommai case, its limits on President’s Rule, the importance of floor tests, judicial review and the protection of Indian federalism.
Rights & Remedies
GST on rent: residential, commercial and reverse charge
Check GST on rent for homes, offices, and shops, including registered tenants, landlord status, reverse charge, input credit, and practical examples.
Landmark Judgments
Right to Privacy in India: Puttaswamy Judgment (2017)
Right to privacy in India explained through K.S. Puttaswamy v Union of India (2017): the nine-judge ruling, three-part test, Aadhaar link and what it means.
Landmark Judgments
Shayara Bano Case: Triple Talaq and the 2019 Act
Understand the Shayara Bano case, why instant triple talaq is invalid, and how the 2019 Act addresses complaints, bail, allowance and child custody.
Criminal Law
Section 506 IPC: BNS 351 and Criminal Threats
Learn how section 506 IPC maps to BNS 351, what makes a threat criminal intimidation, the punishments, bail position and practical reporting steps.
Rights & Remedies
PF Withdrawal Process: Forms 19, 31, 10C and Tax
Follow the PF withdrawal process online, choose between Forms 19, 31 and 10C, prepare your UAN and KYC records, and understand tax on an early EPF withdrawal.
Rights & Remedies
Right to Education Act: The 25% Admission Quota
Understand the right to education act, the 25% entry-level quota, eligibility, documents, school duties and practical complaint routes for parents in India.
Rights & Remedies
Stamp Duty in Maharashtra: Charges and Women’s Concession
Check stamp duty in Maharashtra, property registration charges, women’s concessions and valuation rules before paying for a sale deed or agreement.
Criminal Law
Section 420 IPC Is Now BNS 318: Cheating Complaints
Learn how Section 420 IPC maps to BNS 318(4), when cheating differs from a contract dispute, possible punishment and how to report fraud with useful proof.
Rights & Remedies
Domestic Violence Act: protection and how to file
Understand relief under the Domestic Violence Act, including protection, residence, maintenance and custody orders, plus practical steps to seek help.
Rights & Remedies
GST rate list after the 2025 slab changes
Understand the GST rate list after the September 2025 rationalisation, including 5%, 18%, and 40% slabs, classification checks, invoices, and credits.
Landmark Judgments
Olga Tellis Case: Right to Livelihood Under Article 21
Understand the Olga Tellis case, how Article 21 protects livelihood, why eviction still remained possible, and what fair procedure means for residents.
Constitutional Law
Directive Principles of State Policy: A Practical Guide
Explore directive principles of state policy, Articles 36–51, their relationship with fundamental rights, major judgments and practical legal relevance.
Landmark Judgments
Indra Sawhney Case (1992): OBC Reservation and 50% Cap
Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992) explained: the Mandal case, 27% OBC reservation, creamy layer exclusion, the 50% ceiling and its impact today.
Rights & Remedies
Startup India registration: DPIIT and 80-IAC guide
Understand Startup India registration, current DPIIT recognition criteria, supporting documents, available benefits, and separate 80-IAC tax approval.
Landmark Judgments
Section 377: What the Navtej Singh Johar Case Changed
Learn what Section 377 and the Navtej Singh Johar judgment mean for consenting adults, privacy, police complaints and LGBTQ+ rights in India today.
Rights & Remedies
Gratuity Rules: Eligibility, Formula and Tax Exemption
Understand gratuity rules under the Payment of Gratuity Act, including service eligibility, the salary formula, tax exemption and remedies for delayed payment.
Rights & Remedies
RERA Act 2016: Homebuyer Rights and Delay Complaints
Understand RERA Act protections, delayed possession remedies, project checks and complaint steps, including refunds, interest and state procedures.
Criminal Law
Section 354 IPC: BNS 74, Punishment and Bail
Understand section 354 IPC and BNS 74, including the offence, punishment, consent, evidence, reporting safeguards and bail for complainants and accused.
Rights & Remedies
Article 32: Writ Petitions and Article 226 Remedies
Learn how article 32 and Article 226 writ petitions work, the five writs, court choice, urgent relief and documents needed for constitutional remedies.
Criminal Law
Section 307 IPC Is Now BNS 109: Attempt to Murder
Understand Section 307 IPC and BNS 109, including intention, injury, punishment, bail, evidence and practical steps after an attempt-to-murder allegation.
Family & Succession
Power of attorney in India: types, fees and registration
Learn how a power of attorney works in India, general versus special powers, state stamp duty, registration rules and the Suraj Lamp judgment limits.
Landmark Judgments
Maneka Gandhi Case (1978): Fair, Just, Reasonable Procedure
Maneka Gandhi v Union of India (1978) explained: passport impounding, Article 21, why procedure must be fair, just and reasonable, and its impact today.
Constitutional Law
Article 14: Equality and the Arbitrariness Test
Understand article 14, reasonable classification and arbitrariness, with key judgments, evidence tips and practical remedies against unequal State action.
Rights & Remedies
Rent Agreement in India: Registration, Stamp Duty and Rights
Learn when a rent agreement needs registration, why 11 months is not a universal exemption, and how stamp duty, deposits and tenancy rules vary.
Landmark Judgments
MC Mehta Case: Oleum Gas Leak and Absolute Liability
Learn how the MC Mehta case developed absolute liability for hazardous industries, why it differs from strict liability, and what victims must prove.
Landmark Judgments
Minerva Mills Case (1980): Fundamental Rights vs DPSPs
Minerva Mills v Union of India (1980) explained: how the Supreme Court struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment and balanced Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.
Landmark Judgments
Shah Bano Case: Muslim Women’s Maintenance Rights
Explore the Shah Bano case, Danial Latifi and Abdul Samad rulings, and learn how Muslim women can seek maintenance under Indian law today through courts.
Rights & Remedies
Advance Tax Due Dates and Interest Under 234B and 234C
Check advance tax due dates for FY 2025-26, understand the ₹10,000 threshold, and see how interest under sections 234B and 234C works through examples.
Criminal Law
Rights of Arrested Person: D.K. Basu and BNSS
Understand the rights of an arrested person in India, including arrest reasons, lawyer access, family notification, medical care and BNSS safeguards.
Criminal Law
IPC 302 Is Now BNS 103: Murder, Punishment and Bail
Learn how IPC 302 maps to BNS 103, what murder means, the available punishments, bail principles and immediate steps for families facing a criminal case.
Family & Succession
Succession certificate: when you need it and how to apply
Understand when a succession certificate is needed, which court to approach, the application documents, objections, fees and limits of the certificate.
Constitutional Law
Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Learn how article 21 protects life, liberty, dignity and privacy, when fair procedure is required, and how to seek practical constitutional remedies.
Landmark Judgments
Golaknath Case (1967): Can Parliament Amend Fundamental Rights?
Golaknath v State of Punjab (1967) explained: the facts, the 6–5 ruling on Article 368, prospective overruling, and how Kesavananda Bharati changed it.
Rights & Remedies
Consumer Court in India: Which Commission Should You Choose?
Understand consumer court jurisdiction, complaint filing, evidence, fees and appeals, and choose the right District, State or National Commission.
Rights & Remedies
POSH Act: Workplace Rights and Vishaka Guidelines
Understand the POSH Act, Vishaka guidelines, workplace complaint deadlines, Internal Committee duties and practical steps to seek protection safely.
Criminal Law
New Criminal Laws: BNS, BNSS and BSA Explained
Understand India’s new criminal laws, their old-law equivalents, FIR rules, arrest safeguards, electronic evidence and which law applies to your case.
Family & Succession
Legal heir certificate: documents, process and uses
Learn who issues a legal heir certificate, which documents you may need, how to apply, and when a court-issued succession certificate is required.
Rights & Remedies
Form 16 Explained: Part A, Part B and ITR Filing
Understand Form 16 Part A and Part B, how to get it from your employer, and how to check salary and TDS figures before filing an accurate income tax return.
Rights & Remedies
How to register a company in India: 2026 guide
Learn how to register a company in India, prepare incorporation documents, use SPICe+, estimate costs, and manage essential post-registration duties.
Criminal Law
How to File FIR Online and Report Cybercrime in India
Learn how to file an FIR online, report cybercrime, preserve evidence, track your complaint and escalate police refusal under India’s BNSS safeguards.
Constitutional Law
Fundamental Rights in India: Articles 12–35 Explained
Understand fundamental rights in India under Articles 12–35, who can claim them, lawful limits, key judgments and practical routes to court remedies.
Landmark Judgments
Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973): Basic Structure Doctrine
Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala (1973) explained: facts, the 7–6 verdict, what the basic structure doctrine protects, and why it still matters today.