Criminal Law – Quashing of Criminal Proceedings – Stage of Framing of Charge – Appellant challenged the High Court's decision to quash proceedings under Section 482 CrPC – Supreme Court held that the High Court should not evaluate the evidence on merits at this stage – Strong suspicion against the respondent based on the FIR and investigation, including recovery o...
Conviction and Appeal – Original Conviction and Subsequent Appeals
The appellants were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment under Sections 341, 302 read with 34 of IPC for the murder of Smt. Keshari Mahato. The High Court affirmed the decision. Special Leave Petition was filed, and leave was granted for A-1 (Bhaktu Gorain) and A-3 (Bandhu Gorain). [Para 2-3]
Circumsta...
Territorial Jurisdiction Dispute – Section 138, 142(2)(a)N.I. Act - The case involves a jurisdictional dispute regarding dishonoured cheques. The Judicial Magistrate, First Class, erroneously held no territorial jurisdiction, denying the appellant a chance to remedy the situation. Procedural defects should not obstruct substantial justice.
Exercise of Constitutional Powers – ...
Quashing of FIR – Inherent Powers of High Court – The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in quashing the FIR under Section 482 CrPC without considering the investigation materials and statements collected. The High Court is not to delve into the merits of the case or conduct a trial while exercising its inherent powers. [Paras 9.1-9.3]
Serious Triable Allegations – T...
Transfer of Cases – Petitioner-wife seeks transfer of multiple cases from Bihar to Mumbai – Complaints pending before various Courts in Bihar – Petitioner's grounds for transfer based on inconvenience and lack of merit in complaints. [Para 2-3]
Grounds for Transfer – Petitioner's claims of not visiting Bihar and inconvenience in contesting proceedings there &ndas...
Criminal Appeal – Bail – Appellant's Bail Conditional on Husband's Surrender – High Court's conditional grant of bail to the appellant, dependent upon the surrender of the main accused, the husband of the deceased, modified by the Supreme Court. The Court holds that bail of one accused should not be dependent on the surrender of another accused.
Unnatural Death &n...
Special Leave Petition – Bail Request – Petitioners charged under FIR No. 342 of 2021 for carrying 100 bottles of Phensedyl Cough Syrup containing Codeine Phosphate – In custody for over 2 years – Trial yet to commence – Petitioners seek bail. [Para 1-3]
Prosecution's Stand – State counsel indicates that 12 prosecution witnesses are scheduled for examinat...
Murder and Arson – Circumstantial Evidence – The appellant was accused of setting fire to a house, resulting in the death of three individuals. The conviction was based on circumstantial evidence, including the appellant's unscathed exit from the house, presence of kerosene stains on the deceased's frock, and alleged motive arising from family disputes. The High Court affirmed ...
Indian Penal Code – Section 302 read with 34 – Murder – Circumstantial Evidence – The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Surajdeo Mahto (Appellant No.1) based on circumstantial evidence, including the last seen theory, recovery of incriminating materials, and motive. Appellant No.1 was the last person seen with the deceased, provided false information about the deceased...
Insecticides Act – Misbranding – Quashing of Complaint – The appellants challenged the criminal complaint on the grounds that the complaint was barred by limitation, that there were procedural delays in sample testing, and that the Magistrate did not follow the prescribed procedure under Section 202 CrPC. The Supreme Court held that the complaint was indeed barred by limitation a...