Common Areas in Flat Complexes Cannot be Sold under Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act

In the landmark case of Nahalchand Laloochand v. Panchali Co-op Housing Society [2010 INSC 563], the Supreme Court ruled that open or stilt parking spaces are "common areas" intended for the use of all residents. Consequently, these spaces cannot be sold as independent units. In practice, these areas must be handed over to the housing society and shared among the apartment owners.

Beneficial Nominee Can Claim Life Insurance Proceeds Over Legal Heirs

The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2015, introduced the concept of the Beneficial Nominee. Under this provision, if a nominee is an immediate family member—specifically a spouse, child, or parent—they are considered the absolute owner of the proceeds. This status allows them to keep the funds, overriding the claims of other legal heirs.

A Registered Will Is Presumed to Be Genuine

The Supreme Court, in Metapalli Lasum Bai v. Metapalli Muthaih [2025 INSC 879], reaffirmed that a Will, if registered, carries a presumption of genuineness. The burden to prove otherwise lies on the party challenging the Will, who must demonstrate that it was not executed properly or that suspicious circumstances cast doubt on its validity. The Supreme Court stated categorically that the Will in this case is a registered document and thus there is a presumption regarding genuineness thereof and as the Will is a registered document, the burden would lie on the party who disputed its existence thereof. 

Transit Anticipatory Bail Can Be Granted in Genuine Cases, Despite Having No Provision

In Priya Indoria v. State of Karnataka and Ors [2023 0 INSC 1008], the Supreme Court held that Courts have the power to grant Transit Anticipatory Bail for an FIR registered outside their territorial jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the Hon’ble Supreme Court warned the Courts to exercise the authority to grant Transit Anticipatory Bail judiciously and only in exceptional situations.