Criminal Law – Murder vs. Culpable Homicide – Sudden Quarrel – Conversion of Conviction – Appellants convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC for causing death by assault with agricultural implement (kudal) – Incident arose suddenly during dispute over cutting of drainage mound between adjoining fields – No premeditation or prior enmity proved – Held: Case falls within Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC – Conviction under Section 302 IPC unsustainable and liable to be converted to Section 304 Part II IPC [Paras 29–31, 41].

Evidence Appreciation – Prompt FIR – Credibility of Eye-Witnesses – FIR lodged within one and a half hours of incident – Explanation for delay satisfactory – Testimonies of P.W.1 (complainant), P.W.2 (father of deceased) and independent witness P.W.4 found consistent and reliable – Presence of witnesses natural and corroborated by site plan, inquest and recovery memos – Conviction cannot be discarded merely because some witnesses were related [Paras 16–19, 27].

Medical Evidence – Corroboration – Nature of Injuries – Post-mortem revealed multiple head injuries caused by blunt weapon – Doctor opined injuries sufficient to cause death due to shock and haemorrhage – Medical evidence corroborated ocular version – Minor discrepancy regarding use of blunt side of kudal immaterial – FIR not expected to be an encyclopedia [Paras 20–25].

Weapon Recovery – Forensic Evidence – Blood-stained kudal and handle recovered from spot – Human blood detected on seized articles – Recovery proved by Investigating Officer and witnesses – Recovery lends assurance to prosecution case [Paras 23–25].

Motive – Role in Criminal Trial – Though motive not conclusively proved – Held: Absence of proof of motive not fatal where direct and reliable ocular evidence establishes commission of offence – Motive only provides additional corroboration [Paras 37].

Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC – Heat of Passion – Sudden Fight – Quarrel occurred on the spur of moment over boundary issue while both parties were working in fields – Assault committed in heat of passion without undue advantage or cruelty – Held: Offence covered under Exception 4 – At best knowledge of likelihood of death attributable, not intention to kill [Paras 29–33, 41].

Sentence – Long Passage of Time – Period Already Undergone – Incident occurred about 26 years prior – Appellants on bail for long duration without misuse of liberty – Held: Ends of justice met by sentencing appellants to period already undergone with substantial fine – No purpose served by re-incarceration [Paras 42–43].

Compensation – Victim’s Family – Out of fine imposed, Rs.1,00,000 directed to be paid to legal heirs of deceased as victim compensation [Para 44].

Decision: Appeal partly allowed – Conviction under Section 302 IPC set aside – Appellants convicted under Section 304 Part II read with Section 34 IPC – Sentence reduced to period already undergone with fine of Rs.50,000/- each – Default sentence of one year RI – Conviction and sentence under Section 506 IPC affirmed – Appeal abated qua deceased appellant – Directions issued for compliance [Paras 43–46].

Criminal Law – Acquittal Appeal – Kidnapping and Outraging Modesty – Respondents acquitted of offences under Sections 366-A, 342, 344, 368, 354, 420, 379 r/w 109 IPC – Prosecution case based primarily on victim’s testimony that she was enticed by A1 and wrongfully confined across various locations for over ten days, forcibly drugged and threatened to marry – Allegations uncorroborated by any independent witness – Babu Rao, in whose house she was allegedly confined, not examined – No medical evidence or recovery of stolen property – Alleged confinement in populous areas without alerting others raises serious doubts – Held: Victim’s version lacked credibility and was riddled with improbabilities – Findings of acquittal by trial court based on thorough appreciation of evidence and cannot be termed perverse [Paras 13–27, 33–39].

Criminal Procedure – Appeal Against Acquittal – Scope of Interference – High Court reiterates settled principles that acquittal can be reversed only if findings are perverse or manifestly illegal – Held: Trial Court rightly appreciated evidence and exercised caution in light of presumption of innocence – No compelling reasons shown to justify appellate interference – Appeal dismissed [Paras 10–12, 34–37].

Evidence – Delay in FIR – FIR filed 22 days after incident despite alleged abduction and theft – No satisfactory explanation offered by complainants – Trial Court held delay unreasonable and suspicious – Held: Unexplained delay in FIR adversely affects prosecution credibility [Paras 28–32].

Criminal Jurisprudence – Standard of Proof – Burden lies entirely on prosecution to prove case beyond reasonable doubt – In absence of independent corroboration, inconsistencies and delay fatal to prosecution – Reaffirmed that if two views are possible, appellate court must lean in favour of acquittal [Paras 35–38].

Decision: Criminal appeal dismissed – Judgment of acquittal dated 08.01.2002 by Assistant Sessions Judge, Tenali in Sessions Case No. 942 of 2000 upheld – No perversity or illegality found in trial court's findings – Miscellaneous applications also stand disposed of [Paras 39–40].

Constitutional Law – 74th Amendment – Autonomy of Urban Local Bodies – Article 243P to 243ZG, Constitution of India – State Interference – The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, introduced Part IXA to the Constitution, granting constitutional status and autonomy to Municipalities to function as vibrant democratic units of self-government, free from State interference – The Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, was enacted to conform with this mandate, providing for decentralization, autonomy, and accountability of urban self-government – Any direct interference by the State Government in the internal administrative affairs of urban local bodies, such as the Ranchi Municipal Corporation, by deputing ineligible personnel or overriding statutory provisions through executive instructions, constitutes a betrayal of this constitutional mandate and frustrates the very purpose of the 74th Amendment – The Court emphasized that once a statute is enacted and assented to by the Governor, neither the Minister nor the Chief Minister can interfere with its proper execution – The Court found direct interference by the State in the RMC's affairs through the deputation of ineligible engineers as Town Planners and the Principal Secretary's obstruction of the Administrator's undertaking – The Court held that such interference is unconstitutional and detrimental to good governance [Paras 66, 67, 74, 75, 95-100, 104, 108, 109, 119, 121(H), 121(K)].

Service Law – Eligibility Criteria – Deputation – Town Planners – Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011 – Nullity of Decisions – The Court held that engineers deputed from other State departments to function as Town Planners in the Ranchi Municipal Corporation cannot discharge such duties if they lack the requisite eligibility criteria and experience as per the statutory recruitment rules for Town Planners – The Court found that the deputed engineers did not possess the mandatory educational qualifications (Master's Degree in Planning with specialization or Associate Membership of Institute of Town Planners) – Allowing such ineligible persons to participate in the map sanctioning process renders their decisions null and void, leading to impropriety and potential miscarriage of justice for the public – The State's justification based on pay scale differences or lack of experience for regularly appointed Assistant Town Planners (ATPs) was rejected, especially when ATPs were performing similar duties in other urban local bodies – The Court directed the restraint of these ineligible deputed Town Planners and the assignment of duties to the regularly appointed ATPs [Paras 33-36, 39, 86, 87, 121(A), 121(C), 121(E), 121(G), 127(I), 127(II)].

Administrative Law – Statutory Powers – Executive Instructions – Sanction of Building Maps – Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, Sections 427, 429 – Executive instructions or flow charts cannot override or supplant statutory provisions – The Court ruled that a flow chart conferring power upon Town Planners to sanction building maps up to two storeys cannot prevail over the express statutory provisions of Sections 427 and 429 of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, which vest such power in the Municipal Commissioner or Executive Officer/Authority – Any action taken contrary to the prescribed statutory manner is a nullity in the eye of law – The State failed to demonstrate any statutory provision in the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011, empowering Town Planners to sanction maps – The Court emphasized that administrative decisions must adhere strictly to statutory provisions, and any deviation or reliance on irrelevant considerations renders the decision unlawful and subject to judicial review – The Court criticized the sanctioning of building plans by individuals without statutory authority, deeming it a "fraud upon the Statute and the Constitution" [Paras 40-45, 79-85, 89-91, 121(B), 121(I), 124].

Contempt of Court – Undertaking to Court – Non-compliance – Rule 393, High Court of Jharkhand Rules – The Court found prima facie contempt by the Administrator, Ranchi Municipal Corporation, for flouting an undertaking given to the Court to issue orders regarding the utilization of services of Town Planners and In-charge Legal Section within a specified time – The Court also found the Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, to be obstructing the implementation of this undertaking – While contempt proceedings were initiated, the Court prioritized exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 to prevent ongoing illegality and constitutional crisis over merely punishing individuals [Paras 25, 26, 53-55, 59, 66, 102, 103, 121(J)].

Judicial Review – Article 226, Constitution of India – Public Interest – The High Court, under Article 226 of the Constitution, has a solemn duty to protect the rights of individuals and act as a defender against illegal intrusion by the State or its functionaries – The Court affirmed that judicial restraint does not amount to judicial abdication, especially when gross illegality or error is committed by the State at the cost of the interest of the people at large – The Court held that it must exercise its extraordinary powers to restrain unconstitutional actions, such as the State's interference in urban local bodies and the sanctioning of maps by ineligible personnel, to prevent the perpetuation of illegality and miscarriage of justice, thereby upholding its constitutional obligation [Paras 93, 94, 100, 120, 123, 125, 126].

Decision: Appeal disposed of – Prohibitory order issued – Paras [127].

Judicial Review – Tender Matters – Disputed Questions of Fact – Writ Jurisdiction under Article 226 – Petitioner sought cancellation of tender and award in his favour alleging higher revised bid and violation of tender conditions – Rival parties produced mutually contradictory documents regarding the amount of revised bid submitted – Held: Where adjudication requires examination of disputed and contested facts and authenticity of documents, High Court would not exercise writ jurisdiction – Parties relegated to civil remedies [Paras 11–14].

Tender Process – Financial Bid – Alleged Non-Consideration of Revised Bid – Petitioner claimed submission of revised bid of Rs. 62,22,222/- whereas tendering authority asserted last valid revised bid was Rs. 11,00,000/- – Both sides relied upon separate acknowledgments and bid documents – Court held that determination of which document was genuine required leading of evidence – Such controversy not amenable to adjudication under Article 226 [Paras 12–13].

Tender Conditions – Clause 6.3 of RFP – Mandatory Notice of 7 Days for Opening of Financial Bids – Admitted infraction by tendering authority – Effect of Violation – Held: Mere violation of tender condition does not ipso facto vitiate tender process unless serious prejudice is demonstrated – Petitioner failed to establish prejudice caused due to non-issuance of notice, especially in light of disputed facts regarding presence of petitioner’s representative and bid amount – No ground for annulment of tender or grant of contract [Paras 15–18].

Natural Justice – Prejudice – Requirement of Proof – Even where procedural lapse is admitted, Court must be satisfied that such lapse resulted in real and demonstrable prejudice to the complaining party – In absence of clear proof of prejudice, extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 ought not to be exercised [Paras 16–18].

Decision: Writ petition dismissed – No interference with tender process or award in favour of successful bidder – Liberty implicit to petitioner to pursue appropriate civil remedies – No order as to costs – Pending applications disposed of.

Criminal Law – Quashing of FIR - Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – Section 13(1)(d) – Allegation of Criminal Misconduct – Revenue officials alleged to have illegally compounded offences by collecting lesser amounts – Held: In absence of a prescribed minimum compounding fee during the relevant period, levy of a lesser amount by itself does not constitute criminal misconduct or cause pecuniary loss to the State [Paras 3–5, 15].

Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules – Power to Compound – Change of Competent Authority – Prior to 05.06.2015, revenue officials were empowered under S.R.O. No.860/1995 – After issuance of G.O.(P) No.77/2015/ID dated 05.06.2015, power vested exclusively with officers of the Mining and Geology Department – Revenue officials ceased to have authority thereafter [Paras 5–6, 14].

Repeal and Re-enactment – Saving of Notifications – Sections 6 and 24, General Clauses Act – Continuation of earlier notifications only if not inconsistent with the re-enacted provisions – Held: On introduction of KMMC Rules, 2015 and issuance of fresh Government Order, earlier notification stood superseded and ceased to operate from 05.06.2015 [Paras 6–7, 14].

Quashment of FIR – Accused Nos.4 and 7 – Acts Prior to 05.06.2015 – Offences compounded before coming into force of new Government Order – Held: Accused Nos.4 and 7 were competent authorities at the relevant time and no minimum fee existed – No offence made out – Proceedings quashed [Paras 12, 17].

Quashment of FIR – Accused No.2 – Acts After 05.06.2015 – Compounding of offences after loss of authority under new Government Order – Held: Compounding in seven cases without jurisdiction – Investigation justified – Quashment refused [Paras 13, 16–17].

Absence of Minimum Compounding Fee – Effect – Minimum compounding fee prescribed only in 2017 – Even duly authorised Geologists levied nominal amounts prior thereto – Held: No automatic inference of pecuniary loss or corrupt intent in such circumstances [Paras 4, 11, 15].

Inherent Powers of High Court – Section 528 BNSS – Partial Quashment – Court entitled to distinguish between accused based on period, authority and nature of acts – Partial quashment permissible and justified [Para 17].

Decision – Petition partly allowed – Entire proceedings quashed against Accused Nos.4 and 7 – Quashment declined in respect of Accused No.2 – Interim stay vacated – Investigation to proceed against Accused No.2 in accordance with law [Paras 17–18].

Criminal Law – Rape/Aggravated Sexual Assault – Section 376 IPC, Section 4/6 POCSO Act – Conviction Sustained in Part – The victim's initial statement (fard beyan) implicated only Bijali Yadav for penetrative sexual assault, while her subsequent Section 164 Cr.P.C. statement implicated all three appellants for gang penetrative sexual assault – The Court found the charge of penetrative sexual assault established beyond doubt against Bijali Yadav based on consistent victim testimony and medical evidence – However, due to discrepancies in the initial statement regarding the involvement of Chhedan Yadav and Rajo Sah in penetrative sexual assault, they were acquitted of charges under Section 6 POCSO Act and Section 376(g) IPC – The principle of "falus in uno, falus in omnibus" is not applicable in criminal cases, requiring the court to sift grain from chaff – Solitary evidence of the prosecutrix, if trustworthy and inspiring confidence, can be sufficient for conviction, especially when corroborated by medical evidence and other witnesses – Medical examination confirmed hymen rupture, blood oozing, and injuries consistent with aggravated sexual assault – The victim's identification of the accused, who were residents of the same village, was deemed reliable despite the Investigating Officer not seizing the torchlight used for identification – The prosecution's failure to produce FSL report for seized apparels and mobile phone did not negate the victim's credible testimony – Bijali Yadav convicted under Section 4 POCSO Act [Paras 31, 39, 40, 49, 51, 52, 54, 67].

Criminal Law – Attempt to Murder – Section 307/34 IPC – Conviction Sustained – When the victim disclosed identifying the appellants, they physically assaulted her on her face, chest, and abdomen, twisting her neck, with the intention to kill her to prevent identification – Medical evidence corroborated these injuries, including swelling, hemorrhage, abrasion, and scratch marks on the neck – This established the appellants' common intention to commit murder – All three appellants, Bijali Yadav, Chhedan Yadav, and Rajo Sah, were rightly convicted under Section 307/34 IPC [Paras 61, 62, 67].

Criminal Law – Minor Offences – Section 341 IPC, Section 323 IPC – Acquittal – Given the convictions and sentences under Section 4 POCSO Act and Section 307/34 IPC, the Court declined to pass separate orders of punishment for the offences under Sections 341 and 323 IPC – All accused persons were acquitted of charges under Sections 341 and 323/34 IPC [Paras 65, 67].

Sentence – Section 4 POCSO Act, Section 307/34 IPC – Sentence Modified – The Trial Court's sentence was reversed – Bijali Yadav was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years with a fine of Rs. 50,000/- (in default, one year further imprisonment) for the offence under Section 4 POCSO Act – Chhedan Yadav and Rajo Sah, along with Bijali Yadav, were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years with a fine of Rs. 25,000/- each (in default, six months further imprisonment) for the offence under Section 307/34 IPC – The Court considered that this was the appellants' first offence and they were young men from a remote village, thus deserving minimum punishment [Paras 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64].

Decision: Appeal allowed in part – Sentence modified – Chhedan Yadav and Rajo Sah acquitted of charges under Section 6 POCSO Act and Section 376(g) IPC, and Sections 341 and 323/34 IPC – Bijali Yadav convicted under Section 4 POCSO Act – All three appellants convicted under Section 307/34 IPC [Paras 67, 68].

Public Gambling Act – Section 13 – Cognizable or Non-Cognizable Offence – FIR registered alleging applicant and co-accused found gambling in public place – Charge-sheet filed under Section 13 – Applicant sought quashing contending offence is non-cognizable and investigation barred under Section 155(2) CrPC – Held: Section 13 expressly authorises police officer to apprehend without warrant – Hence offence squarely falls within definition of “cognizable offence” under Section 2(c) CrPC – Police competent to register FIR, investigate and submit charge-sheet [Paras 2–3, 9–10].

Criminal Procedure – Section 155(2) CrPC – Applicability – Prior permission of Magistrate required only for non-cognizable offences – Since Section 13 of Gambling Act is cognizable, embargo under Section 155(2) CrPC not attracted – Investigation not vitiated [Paras 9–10].

Distinction between Sections 3/4 and Section 13 of Gambling Act – Coordinate Bench decisions quashing proceedings under Sections 3/4 relied upon by applicant – Held: Said judgments inapplicable as they relate to non-cognizable offences under Sections 3/4 – Present case concerns Section 13 which stands on different statutory footing – No parity on facts or law [Paras 6–7, 11].

Cognizance on Police Report – Magistrate’s Power – Cognizance taken on charge-sheet under Section 13 upheld – No illegality or irregularity found in summoning order dated 24.02.2020 [Paras 6, 11].

Inherent Jurisdiction – Section 528 BNSS – Scope – No abuse of process or miscarriage of justice demonstrated – Mere plea of non-cognizability untenable – Quashing refused [Paras 11–12].

Expeditious Trial – Minor Offence – Considering limited punishment prescribed under Section 13 as amended in Uttar Pradesh – Trial court directed to conclude trial expeditiously, preferably within three months [Para 14].

Decision: Application dismissed – FIR, charge-sheet dated 21.12.2019 and summoning order dated 24.02.2020 sustained – Trial court directed to conclude trial expeditiously.

Custodial Violence – Suo Motu PIL on letter alleging illegal arrest and torture – Prima facie inference of custodial beating supported by contemporaneous complaints, photographs and Magistrate’s injury observations – State directed to pay interim compensation of Rs.1,50,000 with recovery from erring officials – Inquiry ordered against medical officer issuing “fit for custody” certificate despite serious injuries – Non-installation of CCTV in police station held as blatant non-compliance of Supreme Court directions [Paras 2-3, 6, 8-9, 26-33].

Public Interest Litigation – Suo Motu Cognizance by High Court – Letter by victim’s wife alleging illegal arrest, torture and threats treated as PIL – Notice issued – SP directed to appear with records and CCTV DVR footage [Paras 2].

Police Accountability – Production of CCTV Footage – Police claim CCTV not installed at concerned police station – Court records the statement and notes systemic human rights concern – DGP interacted and expected to take corrective steps given recurring instances within 48 hours [Paras 3].

Custodial Torture – Prima Facie Assessment – State version that injuries caused in clash with villagers not accepted prima facie – Court relies on detailed complaint addressed to President of India, repeated complaints to authorities, and photographs indicating injuries consistent with custody violence – Held: case prima facie of custodial torture/beating [Paras 6, 8-9].

Arrest/Detention – Medical Treatment Duty – Primary investigation report noted injured accused should have been sent for treatment immediately but were not – Delay/omission treated as gross negligence and unprofessional conduct – Officer-in-charge suspended based on inquiry material [Paras 4-5].

Judicial Scrutiny of Injuries – Magistrate’s Observations Prevail Over Police Certificate – ACGM, Chandil recorded multiple injuries including fracture of both legs and sought explanation from Officer-in-Charge – Court notes mismatch between Magistrate’s observations and hospital certificate describing only bruises and declaring “fit for custody” – Held: certificate appears “managed” – medical officer cannot be exonerated [Paras 26-27].

Medical Negligence/Complicity – Departmental Inquiry Directed – Director, Health Services ordered to hold inquiry into issuance of medical certificate showing minor bruises and fitness for custody despite serious injuries including fractures – Report to be submitted before next hearing [Paras 27, 35-36].

Human Rights – Constitutional Safeguards – Court reiterates Article 21/22 protections and condemns any custodial violence regardless of duration or degree – Relies on Supreme Court jurisprudence including D.K. Basu guidelines and principles against third-degree methods – Emphasizes transparency and accountability in arrests and detention [Paras 14-17, 24-25].

CCTV Cameras in Police Stations – Binding Supreme Court Directions – Failure to install CCTV and inability to produce footage criticized – Court holds State has blatantly violated and flouted Supreme Court directions (Shafhi Mohammad / Paramvir Singh Saini line) and cannot justify absence of footage – Time sought by State till 31.12.2025 noted in other proceedings [Para 30].

Compensation – Public Law Remedy for Article 21 Violation – Interim compensation ordered based on prima facie custodial torture and suspension order acknowledging lapses – State to pay Rs.1,50,000 within one week to victim (Tarun Mahto) – Amount to be recovered from erring officials/officers – Clarified that interim compensation will not affect victim’s right to seek additional civil/criminal compensation [Paras 31-32].

Procedure – Further Pleadings and Listing – Counter affidavit directed within four weeks – Matter listed on 07.01.2026 – Copy of order to be sent to Director, Health Services for compliance [Paras 33-36].

Decision: Interim directions issued – State to pay Rs.1,50,000 as interim compensation within one week and recover from erring officials – Director, Health Services to conduct inquiry against concerned medical officer and file report – Counter affidavit to be filed – Matter listed on 07.01.2026 [Paras 32-36].

Criminal Contempt – Forgery and Impersonation – Fabricated Court Filings – Conviction – Accused filed a statement of objections purportedly on behalf of Union of India by forging the signature and affidavit of the Central Government Standing Counsel – Counsel categorically denied preparing or filing the objections and disowned the affidavit – Held: Filing forged pleadings and impersonating counsel amounts to interference with due course of judicial proceedings and constitutes criminal contempt [Paras 1–2, 11–14].

Contempt of Courts Act – Section 2(c) – Interference with Administration of Justice – Accused personally served forged statement of objections on opposite counsel and filed the same before the Court – Evidence of Assistant Registrar, Oath Commissioner and Advocate witnesses corroborated fabrication – Held: Conduct squarely falls within definition of criminal contempt [Paras 6–7, 12–14].

Suo Motu Contempt – Procedure – Framing of Charges – Charges framed after detailed consideration by coordinate Bench – Accused given full opportunity to contest proceedings and lead evidence – Principles of natural justice complied with [Paras 2–4, 6].

Evidence – Oath Commissioner and Witness Testimony – Signature Mismatch – Oath Commissioner testified that signatures in oath register did not tally with genuine signature of the Central Government Counsel – Advocate witness identified accused as person who attempted service of forged objections – Held: Prosecution case proved beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 7, 12–14].

Defence of Accused – Plea of Assistance to Counsel – Rejected – Accused claimed he merely assisted counsel in filing objections – No documentary or electronic evidence supporting authorisation – Counsel entered appearance only later and expressly denied preparation or filing – Defence found false and untenable [Paras 10–13].

Sentencing – Criminal Contempt – Lack of Remorse – Accused showed no regret and persisted in allegations against Judges and counsel – Gravity of offence and impact on judicial process considered – Held: Custodial sentence warranted [Paras 16–18].

Decision: Accused convicted for Criminal Contempt of Court under Section 12(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 – Sentenced to simple imprisonment for four months and fine of Rs.2,000/- – Accused directed to be taken into custody forthwith – Conviction warrant ordered to be issued – Pending interlocutory applications disposed of.