Disciplinary Authority Cannot Override Enquiry Officer’s Clean Chit Without Hearing the Employee: Madhya Pradesh High Court Remands Termination for Procedural Lapse Appointment Secured by Misstating Marks Is Void Ab Initio; Human Error No Excuse Where Advantage Gained: Allahabad High Court Appeal Maintainable Despite Modified MACT Award — Kerala High Court Clarifies Scope of Appellate Review in Motor Accident Claims No Notice, No Blacklist: Calcutta High Court Quashes Debarment Over Breach of Natural Justice Prosecution Must Elevate Its Case From Realm Of ‘May Be True’ To Plane Of ‘Must Be True: Orissa High Court Strict Compliance Is the Rule, Not Exception: Himachal Pradesh High Court Dismisses Tenant's Plea for Late Deposit of Rent Arrears When Accused Neither Denies Signature Nor Rebuts Presumption, Conviction Must Follow Under Section 138 NI Act: Karnataka High Court A Guardian Who Violates, Forfeits Mercy: Kerala High Court Upholds Natural Life Sentence in Stepfather–POCSO Rape Case Married and Earning Sons Are Legal Representatives Entitled to Compensation: Punjab & Haryana High Court Enhances Motor Accident Award to ₹14.81 Lakh Driver Must Stop, Render Aid & Report Accident – Flight from Scene Is an Offence: Madras High Court Convicts Hit-And-Run Accused Under MV Act Delay May Shut the Door, But Justice Cannot Be Locked Out: Gauhati High Court Admits Union of India’s Arbitration Appeal Despite Time-Bar Under Section 30 PC Act | Mere Recovery of Money Is Not Enough—Demand and Acceptance Must Be Proved Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Delhi High Court Allahabad High Court Slams Bar Council of U.P. for Ex Parte 10-Year Suspension of Advocate Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to End Discrimination Against Ad-Hoc Employees in Allahabad High Court: Orders Reinstatement and Regularizationi Supreme Court Declares CSR a Constitutional Duty to Protect Environment: Orders Undergrounding of Powerlines in Great Indian Bustard Habitat A Minor’s Sole Testimony, If Credible, Is Sufficient for Conviction: Supreme Court Upholds Child Trafficking Conviction Under IPC and ITPA You Can’t Invent Disqualifications After the Bid: Supreme Court Holds Joint Venture Experience Can’t Be Ignored in Tenders

"CRIMINAL LAW" Digest

Criminal Law - Extradition Proceedings in Matrimonial Dispute – Non-appearance in Quasi-Criminal Proceedings – Section 26 of the Domestic Violence Act – Extradition Order Set Aside – The appellant’s passport was impounded due to multiple cases filed by the respondent – The Trial Court ordered the initiation of extradition proceedings against him due to his failu...

Maintenance under Section 125 CrPC – Second Wife’s Entitlement – Relief Granted – The appellant-wife was denied maintenance by the High Court on the ground that her first marriage was not legally dissolved, rendering her second marriage void – The Supreme Court held that maintenance laws must be interpreted with a focus on social justice and preventing destitution &nd...

Criminal Law - Appeals against the conviction - Sections 498-A and 306 IPC  -Cruelty and Harassment – Demand for Dowry – No Specific Evidence – Acquittal – The prosecution alleged that the deceased was harassed and beaten by her husband and mother-in-law for bringing insufficient dowry – Witnesses made general and vague allegations without specific instances of c...

Murder – Common Intention – Section 149 IPC – Conviction Upheld – The appellants were part of an unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons—The deceased was attacked with swords, gandasis, and datars, sustaining fatal injuries—The High Court held that the attack was premeditated and all accused shared a common intention—Held: Conviction of Ajit Singh, Bal...

Criminal Writ - Preventive Detention – Detention of Person Already in Custody – Validity of Detention Order – Petitioner challenged the preventive detention order under the PITNDPS Act, arguing that he was already in judicial custody and there was no compelling necessity for preventive detention – The Court held that detention orders can be issued even for persons in custod...

Criminal Law – Protection of Public Servants – Sanction under Section 197 CrPC – Proceedings Partially Quashed - Petitioners were police officers accused of misconduct during their official duty at a public event – A private complaint was filed against them after they registered an FIR against the complainant’s husband – Trial court took cognizance of multiple o...

Dishonour of Cheque – Scope of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Conviction Upheld – Sentence Remanded – The petitioner issued a cheque for Rs. 19,00,000 in favour of the respondent, which was dishonoured with the remark "Account Closed" – Legal notice was served, but payment was not made – The Trial Court convicted the petitioner under S...

Criminal Law - Murder Trial – Appeal against conviction under Section 302 IPC - Circumstantial Evidence – Guilt Not Proved Beyond Reasonable Doubt – Acquittal Ordered – The appellant was convicted for the murder of his wife based on a dying declaration recorded by the Magistrate – The prosecution alleged that the appellant poured kerosene oil on the deceased and set h...

Maintenance – Enhancement Beyond Claimed Amount – Judicial Discretion Permissible - The respondent-wife, aged 63, sought an increase in maintenance due to financial hardship—The Family Court enhanced maintenance from ₹1,500 to ₹10,000 per month despite the wife's claim being ₹7,000—Held: While courts generally cannot award more than claimed, judicial discretion al...

Quashing of FIR – Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings – Section 299 BNS – FIR Not Quashed – The petitioner, a political spokesperson, was accused of tearing pages of the holy book "Manusmriti" during a live television debate – The petitioner contended that the act was neither intentional nor malicious and relied on precedent ...