Criminal Procedure Code – Section 482 – Quashing of FIR – High Court cannot pass a blanket order of protection from arrest – Proceedings ended once High Court declined to quash the FIR – Remedies under CrPC available to accused for protecting liberty – Blanket direction impedes investigation – Appeal allowed, High Court order set aside [Paras 2-11].
Jud...
Criminal Law – Murder by Pouring Kerosene Oil – Dying Declaration – Victim suffered 90% burn injuries and was in a fit condition to make a dying declaration – Dying declaration recorded by Judicial Magistrate found reliable – Family members’ presence in the hospital not a ground to disbelieve the dying declaration – Conviction under Section 302 IPC upheld ...
Criminal Law – Murder by Gunshot – Circumstantial Evidence – Conviction of the accused based on the complete chain of circumstantial evidence leading to the irresistible conclusion of guilt – Motive established by evidence of the deceased's relationship with accused's wife – Recovery of weapon and forensic evidence supporting the prosecution’s case &ndas...
Regular Bail – Smuggling via Drones – Awareness of Misuse – Section 439 Cr.P.C. – Petitioner, an authorized dealer, allegedly supplied drones used for smuggling contraband and arms – Court held even if petitioner supplied drones, awareness of misuse debatable – Petitioner not involved in other cases and in custody for over 2 months – Co-accused granted bai...
Suspension of Sentence – NDPS Act – Stringent Bail Conditions – High Court erred in suspending sentence without complying with Section 37 NDPS Act requirements – Respondent convicted for offences involving commercial quantities of narcotics – Trial Court’s findings indicate respondent’s guilt – Appeal allowed, suspension of sentence set aside, respon...
Penal Code – Murder – Circumstantial Evidence – Absence of Motive – Lack of evidence suggesting violence or struggle – Medical expert did not rule out suicidal death – Post-Mortem report indicated death due to asphyxia by hanging – Absence of motive weighs in favor of the accused – Benefit of doubt given – Appellant acquitted [Paras 1-34].
C...
Habeas Corpus – Custody of Minor – Welfare Paramount – Section 13 of Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act – Petition dismissed – No inherent right vested in husband or his relatives to claim custody of minor girl by filing writ of habeas corpus – Welfare of minor paramount, husband being natural guardian immaterial – Court directed minor to shelter home for...
Criminal Law – Rape – Consent and Misconception of Fact- The relationship between the appellant and the second respondent was consensual and lasted for one and a half years. The appellant's subsequent refusal to marry the respondent does not amount to a false promise at inception, which is necessary to establish a "misconception of fact" under Section 375 IPC. The Supreme...
Criminal Law – Recall of Witnesses – Section 311 CrPC- Section 311 CrPC provides the court with wide discretionary power to summon or recall witnesses if their evidence appears essential to the just decision of the case. The Supreme Court emphasized that the true test is whether the evidence of such person is crucial for resolving the issues in the trial, irrespective of the case&...
Abuse of Process – Inherent Powers under Section 482 CrPC – Quashing of FIR- The inherent powers of the High Court under Section 482 CrPC or Article 226 of the Constitution can be invoked to quash criminal proceedings if it is found that the proceedings amount to an abuse of process of law or are intended to harass the accused. The Supreme Court highlighted that criminal proceedin...