Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

The petitioner, a life convict sentenced under IPC s.302/34, filed a contempt petition claiming that, having served over 20 years with remission, he was entitled to release under the West Bengal Correctional Services Act and a Supreme Court order. The State of West Bengal, through its Sentence Review Board, declined to…

Awani Kumar Upadhyay, an Additional District & Sessions Judge, challenged severe strictures placed against him by the Allahabad High Court in a second appeal judgment, which also directed that the remarks be sent to the Chief Justice for possible disciplinary action. He filed a modification application to have the rema…

The petitioners, convicted of violent offences and serving life sentences, applied for premature release under Section 432(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Special Judge rejected their applications but did not provide the detailed reasons required by law. The Supreme Court, recalling its earlier judgment in Laxma…

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took cognizance of media reports of large‑scale child trafficking in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, and sought information from the state police and the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR). The Additional Director General of Police (ADG…

The appellants, claiming to be landlords, filed an eviction petition under Section 13 of the Haryana Urban (Control of Rent and Eviction) Act, 1973 against the respondents who asserted they were tenants of a temple. The respondents pointed to earlier proceedings under Section 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, wher…

The appellant Madhu and his co-accused Sibi were convicted for robbery and murder of Padmini Devi based largely on confessional statements to police and circumstantial evidence. The Supreme Court held that the confessions were inadmissible because they did not lead to the discovery of any unknown fact, violating Sectio…

Vijay Kumar Arora was convicted of murdering his wife, who died from over 90% burn injuries. The prosecution proved that the death was homicidal, not suicidal or accidental, through medical evidence, the victim’s verbal dying declaration before six witnesses, and evidence of physical and mental cruelty and extra‑marita…

Amar Sardar was convicted by a Fast Track Court for offences under Sections 376, 511 and 354 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. He appealed to the Calcutta High Court, which upheld the conviction and sentence. The appellant contended that the High Court had merely reiterated the trial cour…

The appellant was acquitted in 2010 of offences under Sections 148, 149, 448, 364 and 506 IPC arising from FIR No. 61/2002. In 2011 a second FIR was lodged alleging that the appellant and co‑accused caused the death of the informant's father, a matter discovered only after a skeleton was identified. The appellant sough…

The appellant was convicted of murdering six members of a family and sentenced to death by the trial court, a sentence confirmed by the High Court and upheld by the Supreme Court. On review, the Supreme Court examined whether the appellant's severe socio‑economic deprivation, lack of adequate legal representation, and …

The appellant was convicted of raping and murdering a three‑year‑old girl and was sentenced to death, a sentence confirmed by the High Court and upheld by the Supreme Court. The appellant filed review petitions, which were initially dismissed but later restored after the Supreme Court’s decision in Mohd. Arif alias Ash…

Ajay Kumar Pal was sentenced to death by a Special CBI Judge on 9 April 2007, a sentence confirmed by the Jharkhand High Court and the Supreme Court on 16 March 2010. He filed a mercy petition on 10 April 2010, which was forwarded immediately but only disposed of after a delay of three years and ten months, with the Pr…

The appellant, a Sub‑Inspector of Police, was removed from service by the Inspector‑General of Police under the Jharkhand Police Manual and subsequently charged with several IPC offences relating to the death of a detainee. He challenged the magistrate’s cognizance on the ground that Section 197 of the Code of Criminal…

The husband filed a writ petition challenging the interim maintenance granted to his wife under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, alleging that she was already married to another man, as evidenced by a marriage certificate under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The trial court rejec…

The case arose from a 1992 altercation in Ajmer that resulted in the death of Idris and injuries to several persons, leading to two FIRs (cross‑FIRs). The trial court convicted four accused (Yasir, Khalil, Akil and Farukh) under Sections 302 and 324 read with Section 34 of the IPC and sentenced them to life imprisonmen…

The appellant filed a criminal complaint alleging fraud and extortion in a land‑title dispute, leading to an FIR under Sections 465, 467, 468 and 120B IPC. The respondents filed petitions under Section 482 of the CrPC seeking quashment of the FIR; the High Court allowed the petitions, quashing the FIR except for the ex…

The appellants, who were convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment, were released on bail by the High Court under Section 389 of the CrPC while their appeals were pending. The complainant challenged this release, contending that the High Court failed to comply with the first proviso o…

Petitioners, police personnel of Manipur Police, filed writ petitions under Article 32 seeking a mandamus to quash oral observations made by the Supreme Court on 30 July 2018 in the EEVFAM case and to obtain the bench's recusal, alleging that those observations would prejudice the investigations and trial. The Court ex…

The appellant, husband of Karnail Kaur, was charged under Section 304B of the IPC for dowry death after his wife died of poisoning within seven years of marriage. The prosecution proved that the wife had complained of dowry demands for a scooter and refrigerator on 25 June 1991, and she died on 30 June 1991, establishi…

The Constitution Bench examined whether a police officer must register a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) upon receiving information of a cognizable offence, or may first conduct a preliminary inquiry to test its veracity. Relying on the literal meaning of …

Gowramma, a married woman, died from severe burns after allegedly being doused with kerosene by her husband Anjanappa. She gave a dying declaration implicating him, which was recorded by a police officer and endorsed by the attending doctor, who testified that she was conscious and fit to speak. The trial court acquitt…

The President of India referred the conduct of the Haryana Public Service Commission Chairman Mehar Singh Saini and three members to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) for alleged misbehaviour, including irregular selections, use of bogus certificates, and refusal to cooperate with vigilance investigations. The Cou…

The appellant was married to the deceased for four and a half years during which she alleged continuous cruelty and assault by him and his parents. After being left at her parents' house, the deceased poured kerosene on herself and died, leading to charges under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC. The trial court convict…

The husband (Appellant No.1) and his mother-in-law were convicted under IPC sections 498A (dowry harassment) and 306 (abetment of suicide) for the death of Dr. Amali Victoria, who allegedly suffered mental torture and was compelled to have a child, leading to her suicide in 2014. The prosecution's case relied mainly on…

The appellant, a former District Manager, challenged a High Court order that directed the magistrate to order further investigation into his alleged role in the misappropriation of foodgrains, despite the magistrate having taken cognizance only against a lower‑level employee. The Supreme Court examined whether the High…

A hand grenade attack at a public gathering in Amritsar resulted in three deaths and 22 serious injuries. Bikramjit Singh was arrested, remanded to custody, and after 90 days (which expired on 21‑02‑2019) he applied for default bail; the Sub‑Divisional Judicial Magistrate dismissed the application, claiming he had alre…

The case concerned the murder of Devinder Singh, who was allegedly attacked by three accused wielding hockey sticks and a knife. The prosecution’s case rested primarily on the testimony of Parminder Singh (PW‑1), a brother of the deceased, while the other two eye‑witnesses turned hostile. The Supreme Court examined the…

The appellant, the legal representative of the deceased victim Mallikarjun Kodagali, challenged the acquittal of the accused in a 2009 assault case, arguing that the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC gave the victim a right to appeal because the acquittal order was passed after the amendment's effective date of 31‑Dec…

The trial court acquitted 23 accused of charges including criminal conspiracy (s.120B IPC) and murder (s.302 IPC) based on inconsistencies in eyewitness testimony, a doubtful dying declaration, and lack of corroborative evidence. The Madras High Court reversed the acquittal of 19 accused, convicting them on the same ch…

The respondent alleged that the appellant, Rev. Mother Marykutty, had issued a post‑dated cheque of Rs.25 lakhs for construction work which later bounced, leading to a complaint under Section 142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The trial court acquitted the appellant, holding that she had successfully rebutted…

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed the acquittal of Munesh, who was charged with raping and murdering an 11‑year‑old girl. The trial court had convicted him under Sections 302 and 376 of the IPC, but the High Court set aside the conviction, citing contradictions in the statements of two eye‑witnesses (PWs 2 and 3) and…

The appellant, Pratapbhai Hamirbai Solanki, was accused of conspiring to murder an RTI activist and was charged under Sections 302, 201 and 120‑B IPC and Sections 25(1)(b) and 27 of the Arms Act. Bail applications before the Sessions Court and the Gujarat High Court were rejected. After the High Court reserved its judg…

Mamman Khan, a sitting MLA, was charged in two FIRs relating to large‑scale communal violence in Nuh district. The trial court, citing the need for speedy disposal of cases involving legislators, ordered a separate charge‑sheet and segregated his trial from the co‑accused, a decision affirmed by the High Court. The app…

The appellant, ITC Limited, a manufacturer of stationery, stored 7,600 pre‑packed exercise books in a warehouse in Bengaluru. On 2 July 2020, Respondent No.2, a legal metrology officer, entered the premises under Section 15 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, inspected and seized the packages alleging non‑compliance with…

The appellants, a former Circle Officer and Talathi, were accused of certifying mutation entries based on forged documents that facilitated an illegal property transfer between 1996 and 1998. An FIR was lodged in 2019 and the appellants filed anticipatory bail applications, which received intermittent interim protectio…

The appellant, Rabbu @ Sarvesh, was convicted of rape, murder and related offences under Sections 450, 376(2)(i), 376D, 376A, 302 IPC and Section 5(g)/6 POCSO, receiving the death penalty for Sections 376A and 302. The defence argued that the three dying declarations were inconsistent and that DNA evidence suggested a …

In an encounter on 15.11.2021, the appellant's son was killed and buried by the authorities. The appellant sought exhumation of the body to perform Islamic last rites, and a single judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court ordered disinterment. The Union Territory appealed, and the High Court modified the order, allowing…

Vinod Katara, convicted to life imprisonment for murder in 1982, later claimed he was a juvenile at the time of the offence based on a medical board report and a Family Register showing a birth year of 1968. He filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking relief under Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Prot…

The appellant Darbara Singh was convicted under Section 302 IPC for murdering Mukhtiar Singh, based on eye‑witness testimony that he struck the victim's head with a kirpan while the victim was attempting to run. The appellant challenged the conviction on several grounds, including alleged inconsistency between medical …

The appellant Kunal Majumdar was convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and rape of a minor (Secs. 376, 511 IPC), receiving a death sentence for murder and seven years' rigorous imprisonment for rape. The conviction and death sentence were referred to the High Court under Section 366(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC…

The appellant, whose husband was killed in the 2002 Gulberg Society riots, filed a writ petition under Article 226 and Section 482 CrPC seeking registration of a private complaint as an FIR and investigation by an independent agency. The High Court dismissed the petition, directing the appellant to use the remedies und…

The appellant, a Patwari, was accused of demanding a bribe of Rs.500 and was caught in a trap operation organized by the Lokayukta. He was convicted under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code for assaulting public servants during the trap, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and a fine. On appeal, the Supreme Cou…

The father of a 17‑year‑old girl who delivered a baby and then committed suicide filed an FIR alleging rape under IPC s.376 and the POCSO Act against Amit Kumar Tiwari. The Special Judge framed charges, but the accused obtained a criminal revision under CrPC s.397/401 and the High Court discharged him on the basis of a…

The appellant, Shambhu Kharwar, was accused by a woman (the second respondent) of raping her under Section 376 of the IPC, alleging that he had promised to marry her and then broke that promise, leading her to file a complaint. The woman had been in a consensual relationship with the appellant from 2013 to 2017, marrie…

The appellant, Kala (Chandrakala), was convicted along with her father for the murder of her husband Murugesan, alleged to have been strangled with a saree and his body disposed under a canal bridge. The prosecution's case rested on circumstantial evidence, an extra‑judicial confession made by the appellant to the dece…

The petitioners, migrants from Jammu & Kashmir, organized a peaceful march to Delhi to press for relief measures, but were stopped near Katra where police used lathi charge and tear‑gas, beating the petitioners even after the crowd was dispersed. The petitioners claimed violations of Articles 14, 19, 21 and 22 of the C…

The respondent, an Income Tax Inspector, was alleged to have demanded Rs.25,000 as illegal gratification to refrain from reopening a tax assessment. A trap was laid using chemically treated currency notes that turned pink on the respondent's hands, leading to his conviction by the trial court under Sections 7, 13(1)(d)…

The case arose from a dispute over immovable property in which the police, invoking Sections 107 and 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), detained the writ petitioners for a day. The petitioners filed writ petitions alleging illegal detention and violation of their fundamental rights; the Delhi High Court quas…

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition in which two police constables and a head constable were accused of illegal detention after they booked two intoxicated individuals under Sections 107 and 151 of the Cr.P.C. and sent them to judicial custody for failing to furnish bail bonds. The Delhi High Court had quashed t…

The dispute arose from two agreements to sell the same parcel of land, leading to parallel civil suits for specific performance. The appellant's father, after losing the civil suit, filed an FIR alleging forgery of the earlier agreement and the respondents obtained a quashing order from the High Court, which relied on …

The appellants Amit Kumar and Brij Bhushan were convicted under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC for the murder of Anita Rani, who was set on fire allegedly over dowry demands. The prosecution relied on the victim's dying declaration recorded by a Judicial Magistrate, corroborated by eyewitnesses who saw the fire and ide…

The Reserve Bank of India appealed against two orders of the Gujarat High Court that, in a bail application under Section 439 of the CrPC, directed a cooperative bank to repay deposits of poor depositors (those with balances up to Rs 10,000) from funds recovered from accused persons. The bail had been granted to the ex…

The appellant, S.S. Chheena, a university security officer, was charged under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly abetting the suicide of a student, Saurav Mahajan, who had taken his life after a dispute over a stolen mobile phone. The suicide note recovered from the deceased blamed fellow students but m…

The appellant, a former director of R.P.S. Benefit Fund Ltd., filed a petition under Section 482 of the CrPC to quash criminal proceedings initiated under Section 420 IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Prize, Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978. The FIR alleged cheating by the company for failing…

The Supreme Court examined the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case alleging kickbacks and money‑laundering. Kejriwal challenged the arrest as illegal, arguing that the "reasons to believe" did not disclose all materi…

The appellant, Sadhna Chaudhary, alleged that a police officer (respondent No.2) drugged and sexually exploited her, threatened to release obscene videos, and continued to harass her for two years, culminating in a violent assault in June 2020 for which she lodged an FIR under Sections 376, 323, 341, 354 and 379 IPC. T…

The case involves three appellants who, along with seven others, stopped a vehicle carrying the deceased and his friends, leading to a verbal altercation and subsequent assault with sticks and a brick that caused the deceased's death. The trial court convicted all six remaining accused under sections 302 and 304 IPC, a…

The complainant alleged that Narayana Multispecialty Hospital overcharged for an HRCT test that was not performed, delayed the supply of medical records, and that hospital staff threatened him when he raised the issue. He filed a criminal complaint invoking Sections 405, 420 and 120B of the IPC and Section 34 of the We…

The appellant NDA Securities Ltd. filed a criminal appeal challenging a Delhi High Court order that had allowed a petition under Section 482 of the CrPC filed by respondent No.2, directing the Bombay Stock Exchange to release Rs 15.90 lakhs withheld as payout for shares sold on superdari. The dispute arose from an FIR …

The appellant, Gautam Navlakha, was arrested in connection with a UAPA case and placed under house arrest for 34 days after a transit remand order was stayed by the Delhi High Court. He later surrendered and was taken into police custody, seeking default bail on the ground that the house‑arrest period should count towa…

The petitioner, Sujatha Ravi Kiran, filed a complaint alleging physical and mental cruelty, sexual abuse and wife‑swapping by her naval officer husband, his family and five other naval officers, leading to FIR No.260/2013 in Kerala. The husband’s anticipatory bail was denied and the Kerala High Court ordered a special …

The appellants, who had secured admission to medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh through the Pre‑Medical Entrance Test (PMT), challenged the cancellation of their results and admissions on the grounds that the Vyapam Board was not validly constituted under the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board Act, 2007 and …

The police seized 11 kg of ganja from Asha Devi’s residence after acting on secret information; her husband Om Prakash escaped. A search was conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer and samples were sealed with the letters “RP” and “MS”. The trial court acquitted the accused, relying on the absence of an indepen…

The respondent, a government servant, was convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and sentenced to one year’s rigorous imprisonment. The High Court, on an application under Section 389(1) of the Cr.P.C., suspended the execution of the sentence but did not stay the conviction. The Department dismissed the…

The appellant alleged that the respondents forged a personal recognizance bond and a surety bond before they were filed as evidence in a criminal case pending before a Judicial Magistrate. The lower courts dismissed the appellant's complaint and the revisional court directed a preliminary enquiry under Section 340 of t…

The case concerns Accused X, convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering two minor girls, for which a death sentence was imposed. The petitioner challenged the conviction on two grounds: (i) the trial court failed to conduct a separate pre‑sentence hearing as required by Section 235(2) of the CrPC, and (ii) the petit…

The Supreme Court examined whether Section 84(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003 obliges a High Court Judge to be appointed as Chairperson of a State Electricity Regulatory Commission and whether a member of law is required on the Commission. By interpreting the statutory language, the Court held that Section 84(2) is mer…

The case arose from the murder of Tamanna Khatoon, for which her husband Mukhtar filed an FIR against two accused. During investigation, witnesses under Section 164 of the CrPC alleged that Mukhtar himself killed his wife. The CJM took cognizance of the murder and related offences after reviewing the charge‑sheet and s…

Hindustan Unilever Ltd. and five others were charged under Section 16 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act for allegedly selling adulterated Kesar Pista ice‑cream. The Public Analyst’s report declared the sample adulterated, but one co‑accused invoked the right under Section 13(2) of the PFA Act to have a s…

V. Sejappa, a public servant, was charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for allegedly demanding and receiving Rs 5,000 as bribe to issue a No‑Objection Certificate for a pension claim. The trial court acquitted him, holding that the prosecution failed to prove a demand and that the sanction order was def…

The petitioners, convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and sentenced to death, sought commutation of their sentences under Article 72 of the Constitution. After a delay of about eight years in deciding the mercy petition, they argued that the delay itself warranted conversion o…

The appellant, Dablu Kujur, challenged the High Court's dismissal of his bail application in a case involving offences under the IPC and Arms Act. The Supreme Court examined whether the police report (charge sheet) filed under Section 173(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 complied with the statutory requiremen…

The appellants, senior officials of a bicycle manufacturing company, were charged under Sections 406, 420 and 506 IPC for alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust arising from a payment dispute with a contractor. The contractor claimed underpayment for assembling 83,267 bicycles, leading to an FIR and subsequent c…

The case involved Bhima Razu Prasad, who was charged with offences under the IPC, PC Act and alleged to have concealed disproportionate assets. During investigation, accused No.2 and No.3 claimed the seized money was held in escrow, producing a fabricated sale deed to shield Prasad. The trial and High Courts convicted …

The appellant, a consumer of electricity, was issued a bill of Rs.3,54,598.21 by BSES for alleged theft of electricity and a FIR was filed against him under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The parties later settled the dispute in a Special Lok Adalat, agreeing on a payment of Rs.1,60,000, and the appellant fi…

The appellants, Bannareddy and others, were convicted by the Karnataka High Court for offences under Sections 148, 341, 504 and 326 read with 149 of the IPC arising from an alleged assault on three victims during a village fair. The trial court had acquitted them, finding that the prosecution’s case was riddled with co…

A contractual government teacher in Odisha was sexually harassed by a Sub‑Inspector of Schools, lodged multiple complaints, and was later set ablaze, dying from her injuries. The petitioner, a law student, filed a writ under Article 32 seeking transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a…

The Supreme Court heard a public‑interest writ petition filed by Pravasi Bhalai Sangathan seeking pre‑emptive orders against hate speeches by elected representatives, arguing that such speeches violate Articles 14, 15, 19, 21 and fundamental duties. The Court examined whether existing statutes—IPC, SC/ST (Prevention of…

The husband, Ajay Kumar, filed a habeas corpus petition before the Allahabad High Court alleging that his wife, Rashmi, was illegally detaining their minor son. In reality, the child had been living with the mother in Maharashtra since birth. The husband had earlier filed a criminal application in the Bombay High Court…

The case arose from a decree of nullity under Section 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, wherein the Punjab & Haryana High Court had held the marriage void. The appellant contested whether, despite the void status, the spouse could claim permanent alimony under Section 25 and interim maintenance under Section 24 of th…

The appellant, an independent non‑executive director of D.S. Kulkarni Developers Ltd., was named in complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for the dishonour of cheques issued by the company. The cheques were not signed by him and he had resigned from the board before the offences occurred. He so…

The trial court acquitted three accused of murder after finding the eyewitnesses' testimonies implausible and noting contradictions in medical evidence. The High Court reversed the acquittal, relying on the same eyewitness accounts and post‑mortem report to convict the accused under section 302 IPC. On appeal, the Supr…

The case concerned the grant of anticipatory bail to B. Ramu, accused of procuring and supplying 232.5 kg of ganja, a quantity far exceeding the commercial quantity of 20 kg under the NDPS Act. The Madras High Court had allowed the bail application under Section 438 of the CrPC despite opposition from the public prosec…

The State of Odisha filed a Special Leave Petition challenging the acquittal of Banabihari Mohapatra and his son for the alleged murder of Bijay Kumar Tadu, whose body was found with electric shock injuries in the accused's shop. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including the deceased’s presence at th…

The accused Chandru @ Chandrasekaran and Siva were convicted of murder (s.302 r/w s.120B) based solely on circumstantial evidence and a private complaint filed four years after the death. The Supreme Court examined the reliability of the complainants' statements, the delay in filing the private complaint, the lack of a…

Eleven accused were tried for murder under Sections 148, 302/149, 323/149 and 506/149 IPC, and the trial court convicted all of them. The High Court acquitted eight of the accused, but upheld the conviction of three appellants by altering the charge from Section 149 to Section 34 IPC, convicting them under Section 302/…

Four persons were tried for the killing of Akbar on 9 January 1999. The trial court convicted A1, A2 and A3 under sections 302 and 323 read with section 34 of the IPC, while acquitting them of section 325, and later the High Court altered the convictions, acquitting A1 of 302/34 and A2 of 302/34 but upholding A2's conv…

The case involved a murder where three accused were convicted based largely on circumstantial evidence, including a "last seen" theory and alleged recoveries of the victim's body, ornaments, and a spade. The prosecution relied on a disclosure statement allegedly made by accused No.3 (Boby) to claim the body was recover…

The appellant, Prakash Nayi, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for murdering a shop employee and appealed on the ground of insanity under Section 84 IPC. Medical evidence, including two doctors' reports, indicated that he suffered from chronic schizophrenia, a condition that rendered him incapable of understanding th…

The appellants were convicted for murder and related offences under Sections 148, 302/149, 324/149 and 304 Part‑II of the IPC based largely on a statement recorded by the investigating officer (PW‑20) from the deceased Hukum Singh, thumb‑impression evidence, and eye‑witness testimony. The Supreme Court examined the cre…

The appellant, Anversinh, was convicted under Sections 361 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping a 16‑year‑old girl and attempting to compel her marriage, after the girl was recovered from his custody. The appellant argued that the relationship was consensual and that the girl had voluntarily left her parents…

The Himachal Pradesh Bus Stand Management and Development Authority (HPBSM&DA) obtained a 99‑year lease on forest land that had been diverted for a parking space and a bus stand under Forest (Conservation) Act orders of 1997 and 2001. It then authorised a private contractor to construct a Bus Stand‑cum‑Parking Complex …

Alister Anthony Pareira was convicted for causing the death of seven labourers and grievous injuries to eight others by driving a car rashly and negligently while under the influence of alcohol. The Supreme Court examined whether a person could be tried and convicted under both s.304(Part II) IPC (culpable homicide not…

The case involved a murder where the complainant, Azija Begum, alleged that the police investigation was inadequate and the magistrate, under Section 173(8) of the CrPC, ordered further investigation but retained the same police agency. The appellant challenged this order before the High Court under Article 227, arguin…

Bharat Lal Sharma was murdered in 2008 and the police filed a charge‑sheet naming Hari Singh as the sole accused. After Hari Singh was committed to the Sessions Court, the victim's father filed a private complaint under Section 200 CrPC against Jile Singh and Jayveer Singh. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, relying on Sec…

The appellants – Iqbal Moosa Patel, Derajram Jat and Ashuram Durgaram Chaudhary – were convicted under the NDPS Act for smuggling heroin after a truck was intercepted based on secret intelligence and a subsequent raid on Patel's residence seized 3.056 kg of heroin. They contended that the prosecution had not proved the…

The appellant was convicted for the rape and murder of a five‑year‑old girl and for causing disappearance of evidence, based primarily on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution proved that the appellant was seen fleeing the scene, that blood‑stained clothes of the victim were recovered from his sister's house followi…

Rubabbuddin Sheikh filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged fake encounter of his brother Sohrabuddin, the disappearance of his sister‑in‑law Kausarbi, and the killing of material witness Tulsiram, all allegedly perpetrated by Gujarat police. The State of Gujarat submitted eig…

The appellant Jothi @ Nagajothi and her husband were intercepted by police who seized 23.5 kg of ganja and seized cash, drawing two samples (S-1 and S-2) at the spot and forwarding one for forensic analysis. The trial court convicted them under Sections 8(c) r/w 20(b)(ii)(C) and 8(c) r/w 29(1) of the NDPS Act, imposing…

The appellants, North Eastern Chemicals Industries Ltd. and another, claimed payment of principal and interest from Ashok Paper Mill (Assam) Ltd. under the Jogighopa (Assam) Unit of Ashok Paper Mills Limited (Acquisition Transfer of Undertaking) Act, 1990. The Commissioner of Payments awarded the principal but initiall…

The State of Odisha filed a criminal appeal against the High Court’s order that quashed FIR proceedings under Sections 420 r/w 120B IPC and Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against public servants of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Housing & Urban Development Departmen…

The case arose from a firearm clash on 8 May 2020 in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, leading to two FIRs: FIR No.406 filed by Laxman Prasad Pandey alleging his brother was killed by the rival group, and FIR No.407 filed by the rival group alleging Pandey's party were the aggressors. The High Court granted regular bail to th…

The case concerned the murder of Sarman Singh, for which six accused were charged under sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 449 and 452 of the IPC. The trial court acquitted all accused, but the High Court convicted three of them (Ramji Singh, Laxman Singh and Lala Ram) based on the testimony of two eye‑witnesses (PW‑1 and PW…

The Supreme Court addressed the protection of identity of victims of sexual offences, both adult and child, under IPC s.228A, CrPC s.327 and the POCSO Act. It held that no person may publish the victim's name or any detail that could lead to identification, and FIRs relating to such offences must not be placed in the p…

The appellant, a grieving father, challenged the grant of anticipatory and interim bail to the top management executives of Ryan International School, who were accused in the murder of his 7‑year‑old son. The respondents filed bail applications in the Bombay High Court and later in the Punjab & Haryana High Court, whic…

The petition was filed by the father of a college girl who died after falling from a hostel roof, alleging that the death resulted from ragging and that the Rajasthan police investigation was biased, incomplete, and failed to record the victim's statement. The petitioner sought a transfer of the investigation to the Ce…

The appellant, Dr. Kamlesh Kumar, was charged under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for the dishonour of a cheque that he alleged was stolen. The complainant presented the same cheque twice, first on 25‑Oct‑2008 and again on 10‑Nov‑2008, each time it was returned unpaid. A legal notice demanding payment w…

The appellants were convicted under IPC sections 395, 396 and 397 for a burglary‑murder that occurred in 1995. Both were arrested ten years later; an identification parade was held only for A1, who later died, while no parade was conducted for A2. The trial court sentenced both to death under section 396, which the Hig…

Surendra Koli, a former domestic help at the Nithari residence, was convicted for the murder, rape and related offences of a minor based on a Section 164 confession and alleged discoveries under Section 27 of the Evidence Act. The Supreme Court had earlier affirmed his conviction and death sentence in 2011, and a revie…

The appellant, a 55‑year‑old mother‑in‑law, was granted regular bail by the First Additional Sessions Judge in a dowry‑related murder case, despite earlier allegations that she was absconding. The High Court, exercising suo motu powers under Section 439(2) of the CrPC, cancelled that bail, contending that the trial cou…

The appellants were convicted for rioting, destruction of public property and related offences based largely on the testimony of eyewitnesses identified through two Test Identification Parades (TIPs). The witnesses had earlier seen the accused while they were in police custody, and the TIPs were conducted after a signi…

Istkar, a daily‑wage worker, was required to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5,00,000 under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to keep the peace during Panchayat elections. After alleged obstruction of officials and illegal construction, the Sub‑Divisional Magistrate forfeited the bond ex parte, directi…

The appellant O.M. Cherian (Thankachan) was convicted under Sections 498A and 306 IPC for the suicide of his wife and was sentenced to two years and seven years of rigorous imprisonment respectively, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively by the trial court and the Kerala High Court. The appeal before the Supr…

Joginder Singh, selected for the post of Constable in Chandigarh Police, was denied appointment after a criminal case (FIR No. 200) was discovered during verification. He had been honourably acquitted by the Additional Sessions Judge, Bhiwani, on 4 October 1999. The appellant disclosed the existence of the case and its…

Nar Singh was convicted under Section 302 IPC and Section 25(1B) of the Arms Act for the murder of Rajbir, based largely on circumstantial evidence and a forensic science laboratory (FSL) report (Ex‑P12) linking a recovered bullet to a country‑made pistol. The trial court and the High Court failed to put the FSL report…

The petitioners, who are Judges of Family Courts in Maharashtra, sought elevation to the Bombay High Court, arguing that they hold a "judicial office" under Article 217(2)(a) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court examined whether Family Courts qualify as courts in the constitutional sense, whether their judges are par…

The deceased, Neeru Gupta, committed suicide in 1985 and her brother filed a complaint alleging dowry demand and ill‑treatment by her husband and in‑laws. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding no proof of dowry demand or cruelty and noting the deceased suffered from mental illness. The High Court reversed the …

The appellants, directors of Cachet Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., were charged under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for manufacturing a sub‑standard drug (Hemfer syrup) and were summoned as accused under sections 16, 18 and 34. They challenged the summons, a criminal revision and a writ petition, arguing that mere dire…

Vijay Rajmohan, a Central Secretariat Service officer, was alleged to have amassed disproportionate assets and was investigated by the CBI, which sought sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The DoPT consulted the Central Vigi…

The appellant was convicted for the murder of a shepherd, Ramesh, and for concealing the body under sections 302 and 201 of the IPC, based largely on an alleged confessional statement and the recovery of three sheep allegedly sold by the appellant. The prosecution could not positively identify the recovered sheep as th…

The petitioners filed a writ petition under Articles 32 and 21 of the Constitution seeking a Supreme Court order directing the Union of India to constitute a special committee, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to re‑investigate all bomb‑blast cases since 2002, alleging that innocent Muslim youths were being fal…

The case involved the murder of Kamini Verma and her uncle Rakesh Kumar by accused Dheeraj Verma and Deepak Verma, who allegedly fired a double‑barrel gun after a rejected marriage proposal. The prosecution relied on the victim’s dying declaration, corroborated by three eyewitnesses, and on evidence that the second acc…

The appellant R. Vijayan filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after a Rs.20,000 cheque issued by the first respondent was dishonoured. The First Class Magistrate convicted the respondent, imposing a fine of Rs.2,000 and directing payment of Rs.20,000 as compensation, with default impris…

The appellant, a 17‑year‑old who was assaulted during communal riots in Akola on 13 May 2023, claimed that the police failed to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite his written complaint and hospital statement. He alleged that the assailants also murdered a man mistakenly identified as a Muslim, and that h…

The appellant Sukhjit Singh was convicted under Section 364 IPC for allegedly abducting his wife Kuljit Kaur and sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment. The trial court and the High Court upheld the conviction, relying mainly on evidence establishing the marital relationship, while ignoring the mother’s testimon…

The appellant, an Assistant Superintendent of Jail, was alleged to have facilitated a private vehicle ride for two police constables escorting an undertrial prisoner, during which two unidentified youths attacked the constables with red chilli powder, a knife and a kirpan, attempting to free the prisoner. The prosecuti…

The case concerned the convictions of Manoj Kumar Soni under Section 411 IPC for dishonestly receiving stolen property and Kallu (Habib) under Section 120‑B IPC for criminal conspiracy in a robbery of a complainant’s house. Both convictions were based primarily on disclosure statements made by the accused and co‑accuse…

The appellant, Sathyan, was arrested in October 2003 for carrying five litres of arrack in his autorickshaw and was convicted under Section 8 of the Abkari Act based solely on the testimony of two official witnesses, an Excise Inspector and an Assistant Excise Inspector. He challenged the conviction, arguing that the l…

The appellants, Wyeth Limited and others, challenged an FIR and charge‑sheet that were registered on the basis of a private complaint filed by the second respondent, a former carrying and forwarding agent. The complaint alleged commercial disputes over a warehousing agreement but, on a careful reading, did not disclose…

The appellant, a civil engineer, invested money with the respondents based on a profit‑sharing agreement, but the respondents failed to repay and issued a cheque that later bounced. The appellant filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, and subsequently the respondents sought to quash the …

The victim, Saraswati Guchhait, was allegedly raped by Purnendu Kumar Patra and later, while the rape case was pending, Patra and Rabin Jana threw acid on her. She was taken to a hospital, where she could not file a police complaint herself; a neighbour (PW‑7) wrote her statement and mailed it, resulting in a 23‑day de…

The appellant, having given a loan of Rs.60 lakh, received three cheques from the respondent which were dishonoured by stop‑payment. He issued a handwritten notice on 27 April 2012 and a formal legal notice on 24 May 2012 demanding payment, and subsequently filed a criminal complaint under Sections 138, 141, 142 of the…

The appellant Babu was charged under IPC s.302 for allegedly murdering his wife by giving her sodium cyanide disguised as an ayurvedic contraceptive. The trial court acquitted him due to lack of direct evidence and doubts about the prosecution's version, but the Kerala High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted hi…

The accused Vikas Chaudhary and co‑accused abducted a young man, killed him and thereafter made repeated ransom calls to the victim's parents. The petitioner argued that the offence under IPC s.364A was completed at the time of abduction and that he was a juvenile when the offence was committed, invoking the Juvenile J…

The Supreme Court examined whether a confession or statement recorded under Section 32 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 (POTA) can be used as substantive evidence against co‑accused. The Bombay High Court Full Bench had held that such a confession could not be substantive evidence against co‑accused but could b…

The appellants were convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for issuing a cheque that bounced due to insufficient funds. After a series of appeals, the High Court reinstated the conviction, but the parties subsequently entered into a settlement agreement where the appellants paid the complainant R…

The Supreme Court addressed a series of applications concerning bail procedures, directing that any non‑compliance with Sections 41 and 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) automatically entitles the accused to bail. It emphasized that courts must verify compliance with these sections before authorising detenti…

The Supreme Court examined appeals by four accused (A‑1, A‑4 to A‑6) who were convicted for conspiring to wage war against the Government of India under IPC s.121A, along with offences under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and the Arms Act, 1959. The prosecution relied on recovered explosives, arms, inflammatory lit…

Abu Salem Abdul Kayyum Ansari, a convicted terrorist, was arrested in Portugal on a fake passport, sentenced there and later extradited to India after the Government of India gave a solemn sovereign assurance that he would not face the death penalty or imprisonment beyond 25 years. The appellant challenged the Indian c…

The deceased was found dead on 30 May 2011 and an FIR was lodged; the father (PW‑1) and brother (PW‑2) of the deceased gave statements that eventually pointed suspicion at the appellant, a friend of the deceased. A firearm and related items were recovered under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act, but the recovery wa…

The State of West Bengal appealed against the Calcutta High Court’s order granting bail to Rakesh Singh, who was accused under Sections 21(b), 29 and 27A of the NDPS Act for allegedly financing the procurement of cocaine and planting it in a motorcar to frame two occupants. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of…

The State of Uttar Pradesh and the original informant appealed against a judgment of the Allahabad High Court that, invoking Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, quashed the criminal proceedings arising from FIRs (Cr. No. 260/2018 and 227/2019) alleging disappearance of trucks loaded with beer and offences under…

The mother of two children filed a complaint alleging that her son Rahul murdered her daughter Kavita and son Gaurang. The trial court convicted Rahul under Section 302 IPC, sentencing him to life imprisonment. On appeal, the High Court acquitted him, holding that the prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of…

The appellants Amrik Singh and Subhash Chander were convicted of murder and robbery under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 and s.392 based primarily on the eye‑witness PW1’s identification of them in the courtroom and the recovery of Rs.1 lakh each from them. No Test Identification Parade (TIP) had been conducted, and the FIR did no…

The appellants, selected as police constable trainees, staged a dharna on 17 April 2010 and were briefly taken to a police station. Later, they were discharged on the ground that they had allegedly suppressed information about a criminal case in their attestation forms. The State Administrative Tribunal and the High Co…

The State of West Bengal prosecuted eight accused for the murder of Archideb Bhattacharjee, alleging they demanded money, strangulated him, dismembered his body and disposed of it in gunny bags. The trial court sentenced all to death, which was reduced to life imprisonment by the High Court, except for the theft charge…

The District Civil Surgeon, acting as the appropriate authority under the Pre‑Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, conducted a search, seized Dr. Ramesh’s sonography equipment and issued a notice under s.20(1) of the Act. Dr. Ramesh appeared before the Advisory Committee, which found pr…

The appellants, who were family members, were charged under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act and Section 506 read with Section 34 of the IPC for allegedly hurling caste‑based insults and threatening the complainant inside a residential house. The trial court framed charges, which the High Court upheld, but…

The appeal concerned an Inspector, Sanjay Dubey, who was found prima facie guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to ensure DNA testing in a sensitive case involving offences under the IPC, POCSO Act, SC/ST Act and IT Act. While the High Court, hearing a bail application under Section 439 CrPC, directed departmental…

Raj Kumar (also known as Suman) was convicted for murder and attempted murder arising from a 1995 incident, based solely on the testimony of PW‑5 that he was standing with a katta (handgun) near the gate of the crime scene. The trial court failed to put this material circumstance to the accused during his Section 313 e…

The Supreme Court examined the appeal of sixteen accused convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) for a series of bomb blasts on Indian trains in December 1993. The Court held that Section 20A(1) of TADA makes prior approval of the District Superintendent of Police an absolute pre…

The State of Rajasthan appealed the acquittal of Sri Chand, who was charged with attempt to rape a 12‑year‑old girl and outraging her modesty. The trial court convicted him only under IPC s.354 and granted probation, while the High Court upheld that order. The Supreme Court held that the evidence did not prove the atte…

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by Samaj Parivartan Samuday alleging continued illegal mining of iron ore in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, despite earlier orders and a CBI charge‑sheet. The Court considered reports of a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) that identified irregularities, including land de…

The accused Sandeep and Shashi Bhushan were apprehended by police after a girl, Jyoti, reported that they had assaulted her, poured acid on her and attempted to abort her foetus. The victim later died, and the trial court convicted both under Sections 302 and 316 IPC, sentencing them to death. The High Court confirmed …

The case stems from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, where the CBI filed charge sheets alleging offences under Sections 304, 324, 326, 429 and 35 IPC. The Sessions Court framed those charges, but the Supreme Court, in Keshub Mahindra v. State of M.P. (1996), quashed them and directed that only Section 304A IPC could be fra…

Amar Singh filed a writ petition under Article 32 alleging that his telephone conversations were intercepted by the Government of India and the Delhi administration at the behest of a political party, and sought an injunction and damages. The petition relied on annexes that were later shown to be forged and were obtain…

K.A. Abbas was convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for issuing a bounced cheque and was sentenced to one year imprisonment with a direction to pay Rs 5 lakhs compensation to the complainant under Section 357(3) of the CrPC, with a default imprisonment of two months for non‑payment. He paid par…

The FIR dated 01.12.2010 named five persons as perpetrators of a lathi‑blow assault that resulted in the death of Bhawani Singh. Although the charge‑sheet initially named only two accused, the remaining three were later added and tried separately under Section 319 Cr.P.C. The High Court acquitted the respondent Vijendr…

Jahir Hak was arrested in May 2014 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for a range of serious offences and has been in custody for nearly eight years as an under‑trial prisoner. The High Court rejected his application for bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, prompting an appeal to …

The appellant, Jeetu Khatik, was convicted by a trial court for kidnapping a nine‑year‑old girl and outraging her modesty, under IPC sections 363 and 354 and POCSO Act section 8, and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment to run concurrently. He applied for suspension of the execution of his sentence during the pen…

The appellants were convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to death. The trial court recorded the statements of twelve prosecution witnesses without the accused being present, violating Section 273 of the CrPC. The High Court set aside the conviction and ordered a de novo examination of those witnesses in the pres…

The accused Roopendra Singh was acquitted of offences under Sections 342, 376(2)(b) and 506 IPC. The victim, the widow of the deceased, filed a criminal appeal under Section 372 of the CrPC, which the Gauhati High Court admitted without requiring leave under Section 378(3). The State challenged this, citing the Supreme…

The respondent Ramanand was charged with the deaths of his wife Anita and daughter Ekta, alleged to be caused by strangulation with the bodies later set on fire. Post‑mortem reports established that death resulted from asphyxia due to strangulation and that the burns were post‑mortem, contradicting the initial claim of…

The appellant, K.S. Joseph, was charged under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for issuing bounced cheques. He challenged the magistrate's order of cognizance and issuance of summons on three grounds: the alleged non‑compliance with Section 200 of the CrPC requiring solemn affirmation, the delay of 62‑63 d…

The appellant, Dharam Deo Yadav, was convicted for the murder of a New Zealand tourist, Diana Clare Routley, based largely on circumstantial evidence, including eyewitnesses who saw the accused with the victim, the accused's confession leading police to a skeleton recovered from his house, and DNA testing that matched …

The State of Rajasthan appealed against the Rajasthan High Court’s judgment that acquitted two accused (Hemant Kumar and Manoj Kumar) and convicted Raju (Raj Kumar) for the death of Anirudh Mishra arising out of a property dispute. The accused claimed the right of private defence. The Supreme Court examined whether the…

The appellant was convicted under Sections 302 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code for the rape and murder of a young woman named Devi. The prosecution's case was built on circumstantial evidence, including the appellant's presence at the crime scene, his flight from the village, medical findings of sexual intercourse and…

The Supreme Court examined a gang‑rape and murder case where an FIR dated 25‑05‑2000 led to the conviction of six accused under sections 302, 376(2)(g), 201, 404 and 506 IPC. The trial court and the Punjab‑Haryana High Court relied heavily on the testimonies of witnesses PW‑8, PW‑9 and PW‑7, the latter providing an ext…

The appellant, Shabir Ahmed Teli, was convicted of murder under section 302 of the Ranbir Penal Code for shooting his neighbour, Gani Shah, allegedly because Shah refused to give his daughter in marriage to the appellant. The trial and High Courts upheld the conviction despite a slow, shoddy police investigation that o…

The appellants, teachers including Mohan Lal, were convicted for gang rape and kidnapping of a minor student under Sections 376(2)(g) and 366 IPC and sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment. The Supreme Court examined whether the fiduciary relationship between teachers and a student attracted Section 376(2)(b) an…

Ram Deo Prasad was convicted under IPC sections 376 and 302 for raping and causing the death of his 4‑year‑old daughter, Laila Khatoon. The prosecution relied on witness statements, a post‑mortem report and the fact that the accused was seen carrying the child after the alleged abuse. The Court held that the first part…

Kulvinder Singh and Jasvinder Singh were convicted of murder under IPC s.302 read with s.34 for the killing of Amardeep. The prosecution relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence: a motive arising from a prior quarrel, the accused’s presence near the victim before the crime, witnesses hearing shrieks and seeing the …

The case arose from two FIRs (11/97 and 12/97) lodged on 28‑29 April 1997 concerning a violent incident in which a man named Suresh Yadav died and several others were injured. Eleven accused were charged under IPC sections 302, 324 and 149 and were convicted by the trial court, a decision affirmed by the High Court. On…

The appellant-wife alleged that her husband and in‑laws subjected her to dowry‑related cruelty and forced her to leave the matrimonial home in Ranchi and return to her parental home in Gaya. She filed an FIR in Gaya under IPC sections 498A, 406 r/w 34 and Dowry Prohibition Act sections 3 and 4. The High Court quashed t…

Rajkumar Yadav applied for the post of constable (driver) in the Madhya Pradesh Police but was rejected by the screening committee because he had been involved in offences of kidnapping, abduction and rape of a minor girl, and his acquittal by the trial court was only on the basis of benefit of doubt, not an honourable…

The case involved the alleged arson and murder of an elderly couple whose shanty was set ablaze, resulting in the death of the husband and later his wife. The prosecution alleged that the younger son and his wife committed the crime, relying primarily on several dying declarations, motive stemming from a property dispu…

The appellant, Shahid Ali, fired a country-made pistol during a celebratory firing at a marriage ceremony on 17 March 2016, striking the deceased Ishfaq Ali in the neck and causing his immediate death. The trial court and the High Court convicted him under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder, along wi…

Budh Singh was convicted under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. He filed a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the constitutional validity of Section 32A of the NDPS Act, which bars any remission of sentence for convicts …

Gambhirsinh R. Dekare, a Taluka Mamlatdar, complained that the Gujarati daily "Sandesh" published a defamatory news item alleging his illicit relationship with a doctor's wife. The complaint specifically alleged that the Editor (Falgunbhai Patel) and the Resident Editor (Navinbhai Chauhan) deliberately published the st…

The appellants, a husband and his in‑laws, sought to quash a FIR and charge‑sheet filed after the husband filed a divorce suit, alleging that the FIR was a retaliatory, vexatious measure. The FIR originally alleged rape under Section 376 IPC, but the charge‑sheet omitted that offence and no protest petition was filed a…

The petitioner, a single home buyer, filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking cancellation of agreements, refund of monies, or completion of the Sushant Megapolis real estate project, along with directions for a monitoring committee, forensic audit, and investigations by various agencies. The …

Two police officers, the in‑charge of Purighat Police Station and a senior inspector, mercilessly beat Kasinath Naik in the police station premises on 4‑5 May 1985, causing injuries that led to his death that night. The trial court convicted them under Sections 304(Part II), 324, 342, 323, 471 and related provisions; t…

The respondent, a member of the Khasi Scheduled Tribe, was charged with murder and concealment of dead body under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC and was initially ordered to stand trial before the Sessions Court. He filed a petition seeking transfer of the case to the District Council Court of the Khasi Hills Autonomo…

Varinder Kumar was seized on his scooter with two gunny bags containing charas. The trial court acquitted him, citing non‑production of the seizure seal and alleged violations of CrPC s.100(4) and NDNDPS Act ss.50, 52, 57. The Himachal High Court reversed the acquittal, convicting him under s.20(ii)(c) NDPS and imposin…

The appellant, Tekan alias Tekram, was convicted under Section 376 IPC for raping a blind, illiterate girl after promising marriage. The trial and High Court upheld the conviction, finding the prosecution proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The appellant appealed, challenging both the conviction and the sentence of s…

The Supreme Court examined the death of Prema Devi, who died within five months of marriage with extensive burn injuries and traces of poison. The prosecution alleged that she was subjected to cruelty and harassment by her husband Bhim Singh and his brothers in connection with dowry demands, invoking Sections 304‑B of …

The appellant, Dasin Bai, was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for setting the deceased, Raju Rajak, on fire after pouring kerosene on him. The prosecution relied on the victim's oral dying declaration recorded in hospital, which was corroborated by two eyewitnesses present at the time. The defence argued that…

The appellant, Sonu Gupta, alleged that a withdrawn dowry harassment complaint was tampered with and a photocopy was used to register FIR No.73/2002 against her husband and his relatives, facilitating their anticipatory bail. She filed a criminal complaint in 2010 claiming forgery of the FIR. The Judicial Magistrate, a…

The appellants, directors of a textile firm, were accused by a supplier (informant) of fraudulently transferring company assets and issuing post‑dated cheques that later bounced, leading to an FIR under Sections 420 and 120‑B IPC. The police concluded the matter was civil, but the magistrate rejected this view and took…

The appellant, Rajendra Singh, a tailor, was charged under s.302 IPC for murdering Kishan Singh Rana by repeatedly stabbing him with a pair of scissors after a dispute over unstitched cloth. The trial court acquitted him, citing discrepancies in the eye‑witness statements of Makhan Singh (PW‑2) and Deepa (PW‑3). The Hi…

The appellant was apprehended while carrying a bag that contained 1.75 kg of opium and was convicted under Section 18 of the NDPS Act. He challenged the conviction on several grounds, including non‑compliance with Section 50 of the NDPS Act, the admissibility of his consent statement under Section 25 of the Evidence Ac…

Satyavir Singh, armed with his brother's licensed double‑barrel gun, fired two shots at Dharam Prakash, the brother of an informant, injuring him. The trial court convicted Singh under Section 307 IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act; the first appellate court acquitted him on the basis that the firing was accidental, re…

The complainant, Karan Gambhir, filed a police complaint in Gautam Budh Nagar alleging that the promoters of three Delhi‑based companies had induced his firm to give short‑term loans which were later converted into equity. The FIR, registered on 29 July 2018, listed the accused companies and promoters with incomplete a…

The Supreme Court entertained a miscellaneous application seeking implementation of guidelines for recording evidence of vulnerable witnesses in criminal matters, following earlier pronouncements in Sakshi and Bandu @ Daulat. The Court examined the need for special centres to provide a barrier‑free environment for vuln…

The complainant alleged that the appellants had forged his signature to obtain bonus shares of Reliance companies and refused to return the original shares, leading to a criminal complaint under various IPC sections. The magistrate initially dismissed the complaint, but a revision remanded it, after which the appellant…

The petitioners, Common Cause and others, sought a court‑ordered Special Investigation Team to probe alleged hawala transactions and cash seizures involving the Aditya Birla and Sahara groups, relying on documents seized in raids such as loose sheets, pen‑drives and laptop data. The respondents opposed, contending that…

The State of Assam appealed the Gauhati High Court’s order that acquitted Ramen Dowarah of rape (s.376 IPC) and reduced his murder conviction (s.302 IPC) to culpable homicide not amounting to murder (s.304 Part II) on the basis that the sexual intercourse was consensual and the fire‑setting was a spur‑of‑the‑moment act…

The Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking that the legislature impose chemical castration as an additional punishment for perpetrators of rape against girl children. The petition highlighted alarming incidents of child sexual abuse and argued that the Indian Penal Code d…

Ravinder Singh, owner of agricultural land, filed two criminal writ petitions seeking to quash FIRs filed by Sukhbir Singh. The second petition was filed without disclosing the earlier one, leading to a contempt proceeding which the High Court closed after the counsel apologized. Sukhbir Singh then lodged a criminal co…

The Karnataka Lokayukta post of Upa‑Lokayukta became vacant and the Chief Minister advised the Governor to appoint Justice Chandrashekaraiah without consulting the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, as required by s.3(2)(b) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984. The High Court quashed the appointment, holding th…