Criminal Law – Section 482 Cr.P.C. – Quashing of Summoning Order – Defamation by Media Telecast – Applicants, Editor, Reporter and Anchor of News18 Punjab, sought quashing of summoning order in complaint alleging defamatory news telecast against an IPS officer – Allegation that applicants projected complainant as receiving illegal money from criminals – Magistra...
Criminal Law – Murder Conviction – Circumstantial Evidence – Acquittal – Accused convicted under Section 302 IPC based solely on circumstantial evidence – On appeal, High Court finds prosecution failed to establish a complete and unbroken chain of circumstances pointing exclusively to guilt – Benefit of doubt granted – Conviction set aside [Paras 70–...
Criminal Law – Dacoity with Firearm – Conviction under Sections 395 and 397 IPC – Acquittal – Appellants convicted for dacoity and causing firearm injury based primarily on testimony of injured witness – On appeal, High Court finds serious contradictions and inconsistencies in prosecution evidence – Conviction set aside [Paras 9–11].
Identification of A...
Criminal Law – Bail – Murder by Poisoning – Grant of Bail on Change in Circumstances – Petitioner (A-2) sought regular bail in a case alleging conspiracy and murder by mixing cyanide poison in alcohol of the deceased – Earlier bail application dismissed on the ground that investigation was at a crucial stage – Subsequent completion of investigation and filing of...
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 – Bail – Section 43D(5) – Statutory Embargo – Appeal under Section 21(4) NIA Act against rejection of bail – Accused alleged to be member of proscribed terrorist organisation Islamic State – Involvement in radicalisation, conspiracy, reconnaissance, arson and terror funding through cryptocurrency – Held: When Cour...
Criminal Law – Recall of Witness – Section 311 Cr.P.C. / Section 348 BNSS – Petitioners sought recall of PW-1 for further cross-examination – Trial court dismissed application holding no sufficient cause for earlier non-cross-examination – PW-1’s testimony earlier closed with remark “Nil. Opportunity given” when accused were unrepresented – Hel...
Criminal Law – Quashing of FIR – Allegation of Civil Dispute – Pendency of Civil Suits – Held: Mere availability or pendency of civil remedy does not bar criminal investigation where allegations disclose prima facie cognizable offences [Paras 9–11].
Forgery and Impersonation – Large Scale Property Fraud – Detailed complaint alleging impersonat...
Criminal Law – Section 295A IPC – Sanction under Section 196 Cr.P.C. – Stage of applicability – Petition seeking quashing of FIR on the ground that prior sanction under Section 196 Cr.P.C. was not obtained – Held: Statutory bar under Section 196 Cr.P.C. operates only at the stage of taking cognizance by the Court and not at the stage of registration of FIR o...
Criminal Law – Murder – Conviction Based on Eye-Witness Testimony – Ocular Evidence Accepted – Appellant convicted under Section 302 IPC for murdering the deceased with a billhook following a long-standing property dispute – Conviction based on the direct and credible testimony of PW2 (daughter of the deceased), who witnessed the attack and heard dying declaration &nd...
Criminal Law - Bail – Cancellation of Bail by Supreme Court – Fresh Bail Application – Maintainability – Petitioner sought regular bail under Section 439 CrPC after bail earlier granted by Supreme Court was cancelled for violation of bail conditions – Held: Where bail granted by the Apex Court is cancelled by the Apex Court itself for breach of conditions and without ...