Criminal Law – Murder Conviction – Appellant convicted and sentenced for the pre-meditated murder of his wife – Trial court’s judgment affirmed by High Court – Court dismisses the appeal, emphasizing the consistent chain of circumstantial evidence proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt – Issues of procedural deficiencies in the trial court regarding witness ident...
Mental Health – Competence to Stand Trial – Petitioner, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia with 95% mental disability, found unfit to stand trial – Multiple medical reports and testimonies confirm severe mental disorder – Court directs postponement of trial against the petitioner and continuation against co-accused – Emphasis on provisions under Sections 328, 329, ...
Criminal Procedure – Bail Application – Petitioners filed third bail applications under Section 439 Cr.P.C. – Previously rejected twice – Argument that no prima facie case against petitioners based solely on co-accused’s confessional statement during police custody – Confession not falling within the ambit of Section 27 of Indian Evidence Act as no discovery of ...
Criminal Law – Circumstantial Evidence – Prosecution’s reliance on extra-judicial confession to Village Revenue Officer – Accused’s confessions led to discovery of blood-stained clothes, weapons – Fingerprint evidence corroborated accused’s presence at scene – All circumstances conclusively pointing to guilt of accused – Convictions upheld [Par...
Criminal Law – Conviction and Sentencing – Appellants challenged the conviction under Sections 307, 324, 34 RPC, and Section 4/25 Arms Act – Conviction under Section 307 RPC reduced from seven years to three years, other sentences upheld – Conviction under Section 4/25 Arms Act set aside due to lack of evidence regarding weapon dimensions – Appellants directed to surr...
Criminal Law – Conviction for Gang Rape – Appellants convicted under Sections 376-D/34 and 376-DA/34 IPC, and Sections 4 & 6 of POCSO Act, 2012 – Sentenced to life imprisonment and fines – Trial Court’s decision based on victim’s testimony and forensic evidence – Appeals challenge credibility of victim and adequacy of medical evidence [Paras 1-12].
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Criminal Law – Territorial Jurisdiction – Section 498-A IPC, Sections 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, Section 3(1)(x) of SC & ST (POA) Act – Appellants sought discharge on grounds of lack of territorial jurisdiction, contending harassment occurred in Kurnool, not Visakhapatnam – Special Judge found continuous offence and dismissed discharge petitions – High Co...
Criminal Law – Circumstantial Evidence – Dying Declaration-Conviction based on the dying declaration alleged to have been made by the deceased before the second wife (P.W.15), implicating the appellant – Court observed inconsistencies in the testimonies and contradictions in the statements of key witnesses – Evidence of dying declaration found unreliable due to lack of corr...
Protection of Life and Liberty – Minor’s Right to Choose – Petition filed under Article 226 by a minor girl seeking protection from family coercion after refusing arranged marriage – Father (Respondent no. 4) evicted minor from home, used physical violence – Representation to police ignored – High Court directs police to consider threat perception and provide pr...
Rape and Criminal Intimidation – Conviction of Grandson for Raping Grandmother – Appellant challenged conviction for rape and criminal intimidation – Prosecution provided consistent evidence from the victim and corroboration from her daughter and neighbors – Appellant’s history of substance abuse considered – Delay in filing FIR deemed justified due to familial ...