Criminal Law – Kidnapping with Intent to Murder – Respondents acquitted by the trial court – Prosecution’s case based on the testimony of PW2-Dharmendra Kumar and other witnesses – Trial court found no evidence of intent to kill or to dispose of the victim in a manner that endangered his life – Acquittal affirmed by High Court due to lack of substantial evidence...
Criminal Law - Post Settlement FIR - Mutual Settlement – Quashing of FIR – Abuse of Process Prevented - The matrimonial disputes between petitioner No.1 and Prabhjot Kaur, including spousal support and custody, were resolved in Australia, where both parties are citizens. Respondent No.2’s initiation of criminal proceedings in India was held to be an abuse of process, as mutual se...
Criminal Law – Rape Conviction – Sentencing Reduced – Appellant convicted under Sections 451, 376, and 506 IPC for committing rape, trespass, and criminal intimidation – Trial Court sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment: 1 year for Section 451, 3 years for Section 506, and 7 years for Section 376 IPC, with fines imposed – High Court upheld the conviction but reduced ...
Criminal Law – Conviction Modified – Appellants charged under Sections 302, 324, 326, and 114 of IPC for murder of a co-worker during a sudden quarrel while playing cards – Trial court convicted under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment – High Court re-examined evidence and held the offence falls under Section 304 Part II IPC as there was no premeditation &nd...
Criminal Law – Bail - Prolonged Undertrial Incarceration – Right to Liberty – Article 21 of the Constitution – Bail Granted with Conditions – The Appellant, a former Minister of West Bengal, sought bail citing prolonged incarceration of over two years, health ailments, lack of recovery of cash from him, and alleged mitigating circumstances, including parity with co-ac...
Criminal Law – Unauthorized Abortion – Conviction under Section 314 IPC – Appellant accused of conducting an abortion leading to the death of the victim – Trial court’s conviction based on witness testimony and medical evidence – Appeal filed under Section 374 Cr.P.C. challenging conviction and sentence – High Court upheld the conviction but modified the s...
Service Recognition – Cancellation of Recognition – Petitioner’s service as Assistant Teacher initially recognized but later canceled without proper notice or enquiry – Court held cancellation invalid due to procedural deficiencies and prior court orders recognizing service – Cancellation order set aside – Respondents directed to reassess recognition considering...
Criminal Law – Separation of Trials – Common Verdict for Separated Sessions Cases – Impermissibility – Appellants convicted under Sections 148, 302, 324, 323 IPC read with Section 149 IPC, Section 201 IPC, and Section 27 Arms Act – Separate Sessions trials titled State v. Davender and State v. Kartar Singh and Others impermissibly joined – Evidence recorded in o...
Discharge of Accused – Lack of Evidence – Section 227 of Cr.P.C. – The petitioners (Accused Nos. 9 & 10) sought discharge, claiming that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence linking them to the crime – Held: The prosecution's case against Accused Nos. 9 & 10 was based solely on the statements of CW41 and CW42, who claimed to have seen the accu...
Criminal Procedure – Second Application for Pardon – Section 306 Cr.P.C. – Maintainable with Changed Circumstances – The Court held that a second application for pardon under Section 306 of the Cr.P.C. is maintainable only when there are changed circumstances – Here, A1 alleged threats to his life as a fresh circumstance for seeking pardon – Held: Second applica...