Faith, Morality and Law: When courts referred to religious texts in 2025

Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad quoted the book of Psalms from the Bible while granting relief to the student and said, “The petitioner, having acknowledged his fault, calls for lenient consideration. An honest apology ordinarily dilutes the guilt, says the Bible (Psalm 32:5).”

The court observed that justice of the case warranted regularisation of student’s admission to the next level and subsequent publication of the examination results to complete the course in a peaceful way.

2) ‘Pay the worker before his sweat dries’

Justice Swaminathan referred to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. (Image enhanced using AI)

Referring to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, the Madras High Court has come to the aid of a lawyer struggling to recover his unpaid legal fees from a municipal corporation, observing that the principle of fairness should equally apply to labour and service jurisprudence.

The court was hearing the plea of a former counsel, P Thirumalai, who claimed that the corporation failed to pay his due amount of Rs 13.05 lakh. Previously, the high court directed the corporation to consider the counsel’s representation, after which an order was passed rejecting a substantial part of the claim, leading to the present case.

The court directed the corporation to settle the fee bills without interest in two months without interest citing the delay of 18 years in challenging the non- payment by the petitioner.

Justice G R Swaminathan, referring to the prophetic principle- ‘pay the worker before his sweat dries’, observed, “This principle is only a facet of fairness and is eminently applicable in labour jurisprudence.”

3) ‘Realisation of guilt followed by sincere repentance leads to redemption’

Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra referred to Bhagavad Gita while quashing the case. (Image enhanced using AI)

The Orissa High Court quashed a cheating case registered against a man who was accused of taking compensation against the acquisition of land in a case involving mistaken identity. As the accused had returned the money after realising the mistake, the court referred to Bhagavad Gita saying, “Realisation of guilt followed by sincere repentance and devotion leads to redemption and peace.”

The court said that returning money especially when it was received mistakenly or unfairly demonstrated bona fide.

“It not only reflects honesty but also a sense of ethical responsibility. In legal and moral context, such action strengthen trust and shows that person has no intention of wrongful gain,” the court said while discharging the accused of all charges.

4) Ramayan, Guru Granth Sahib, Bible, Quran

The special judge, Liladhar Solanki referred to Hindu, Islamic, Biblical and Sikh scriptures while passing the judgment. (Image enhanced using AI)

Drawing heavily from Hindu, Islamic, Christian and Sikh scriptures, a district court in Madhya Pradesh sentenced a man to death for murdering his mother, observing that if a protector turns destroyer, “why would parents want to raise such a child?”

The accused had made a missing complaint regarding his mother after claiming she had left for the hospital and never returned. However, inconsistencies in the accused’s statements led to deeper police interrogation, during which he allegedly confessed to murdering his mother.

Quoting the Ramcharitmanas, the judge recalled Lord Rama’s reverence for his parents: “‘Listen mother, how fortunate are those who sleep. Those who are fond of obeying their father’s and mother’s words,” he said.

Turning to Sikh teachings, the court cited verses from the Guru Granth Sahib to state that “one who serves mother and father knows his own salvation. “One who serves mother and father is called a true brave person. Without such brave people, how can the lineage continue?”

Borrowing from the Quran, the court said, “It is written that your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not…rebuke them, but speak to them respectfully”.

From the Bible, it cited Matthew 15:4, saying, “Honour your father and mother, and whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death”. From the book of Exodus, the court said, “Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. Whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death”.

5) ‘Even God gave hearing to Adam and Eve’

While emphasising the principles of natural justice, the Orissa High Court referred to the story of Adam and Eve from the Bible and said that even God gave an opportunity of hearing to Adam and Eve after they consumed the proscribed apple in the Eden garden.

In this case a recovery order was made however the petitioners had alleged that the order was passed without giving opportunity of hearing.

After hearing the counsel for the parties, the court held that an order without compliance with the principles of natural justice is unsustainable.

The court therefore remitted the matter back for considering it afresh, after giving an opportunity of hearing to all the stakeholders, including the petitioners.