Indian Evidence Act, 1872

The appellant was summoned by a Chief Judicial Magistrate to give a voice sample to aid the investigation of an alleged recruitment scam. He challenged the summons on the ground that it violated Article 20(3) of the Constitution and that no statutory provision empowered a magistrate to order a voice sample. The Supreme…

The appellant was recorded as a witness under Section 161 of the CrPC in a police case concerning an assault, and later named as an accused in a separate complaint case arising from the same incident. He sought to invoke Article 20(3) of the Constitution to refuse to give testimony in the police case, claiming a blanke…

The appellants challenged the Bihar Registration Rules, 2008 amendments that introduced sub‑rules (xvii) and (xviii) to Rule 19, which made the production of jamabandi or holding‑allotment proof a condition precedent for registering sale or gift documents. The High Court of Patna dismissed the writ petitions, holding t…

The appellant, Hariprasad, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for allegedly poisoning Bisahu Singh by mixing a herb in liquor, based largely on the deceased's dying declaration and a forensic report that arrived a year later. The Supreme Court examined whether the more than one‑year delay in filing the FIR was fatal t…

The appellant, Mohd. Abdullah Azam Khan, was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2017, but the election petitioner challenged his eligibility on the ground that he was under 25 years of age at the time of filing his nomination. The dispute centered on conflicting birth dates shown in two birth certific…

The appellant Rahul and two co‑accused were convicted for kidnapping, rape and murder of a girl, and sentenced to death and other terms. The Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution had established the identity of the accused and proved guilt beyond reasonable doubt. It found that no identification parade was con…

The appellant, Kalu alias Laxminarayan, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for the death of his wife, who was found strangulated inside their home. The trial and High Courts held the death homicidal, though the High Court initially described it as hanging. The Supreme Court examined the forensic findings, the presence…

The petitioners were convicted for the abduction, rape, and murder of two children, based on a confessional statement, forensic evidence, and eyewitness testimony. They challenged the conviction and death sentence in a review petition, arguing that the confession was involuntary, the retraction should invalidate it, an…

The appellants, a father, son and son‑in‑law, were accused of murdering Pushpendra Singh and were acquitted by the trial court but later convicted by the High Court on the basis of alleged ocular testimony and the recovery of swords and a kanta. The Supreme Court examined whether the appellants could be positively iden…

The plaintiff, Syeda Arifa Parveen, claimed ownership of 24 acres of agricultural land on the basis of being the sole daughter of Khadijabee and of an oral gift (hiba) of 10 acres made by her mother. The trial court rejected the oral gift but granted her a 3/4 share of the remaining land, while the Karnataka High Court…

The appellant, Nilesh Baburao Gitte, was convicted of murdering his mother, Sunanda Gitte, under Section 302 IPC. The prosecution's case relied on circumstantial evidence, including alleged recovery of a nylon rope, post‑mortem findings of strangulation marks, and a purported motive of property gain. The Supreme Court …

The Supreme Court examined a dispute over the custody of a minor child, Aditya, between his mother Smriti and father Perry, who had obtained custody in India based on a judgment dated 28 Oct 2020 and a subsequent order on 8 Dec 2020. The Court found that Perry had concealed material facts, failed to disclose the dismis…

The appellant sought declaration and possession of a house based on a registered Will (Exhibit P4) executed by the deceased in his favour, which was attested by his brother and witnessed by his sister. The respondents admitted the existence of Exhibit P4 but contested it by producing an unregistered Will (Exhibit D1) a…

The daughter of the complainant was married to Girdhari Lal and died of severe burn injuries within seven years of marriage. The prosecution alleged that she was subjected to cruelty and harassment by her husband and in‑laws in connection with dowry demands, leading to her death. The trial court convicted the husband u…

The appellants, Gulam Sarbar and Dhiren Mahto, were convicted of murder under s.302 IPC and criminal conspiracy under s.120‑B IPC for the killing of Sant Kumar Sinha. The prosecution relied primarily on the testimony of a single eye‑witness (Dr. Gopal Prasad Sinha) and corroborative ocular and medical evidence to estab…

The appellant Shiv Kumar was convicted under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly receiving stolen household articles looted from a truck, based on police seizure and the testimony of co‑accused. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution proved the essential element of knowledge that t…

The appellant, M. Chandra, was elected from a Tamil Nadu assembly seat reserved for Scheduled Castes, but the election petitioner challenged her eligibility on the ground that she was a Christian and not a member of the Hindu Pallan Scheduled Caste. The High Court shifted the burden of proof onto the appellant to demon…

Mahesh Kumar was convicted under Section 304-B IPC for the death of his wife, Omwati, alleged to be a dowry death. The prosecution's case relied mainly on statements of the deceased's father and brother, and on several letters written by the deceased, asserting continuous harassment and dowry demands. The Supreme Court…

The appellant, Ramaiah, was charged with dowry‑related offences (IPC 498‑A, 304‑B, 201, 176) and violations of the Dowry Prohibition Act (ss.3,4) after his wife Laxmi died an unnatural death within six months of marriage. The trial court acquitted him, finding no evidence of dowry demand, harassment, or that the presum…

The petitioners Vikram Singh, Jasvir Singh and a third accused were convicted under Sections 302, 364A, 201 and 120B of the IPC and sentenced to death, with the death sentence of the female co‑accused later commuted to life imprisonment. They filed review petitions challenging the Supreme Court’s 2010 judgment on groun…

The appellant, Pradip Buragohain, challenged the election of Pranati Phukan to the Assam Legislative Assembly on the ground that she committed seven acts of corrupt practice, chiefly bribery of Rs.500 per voter and organizing a feast on polling day. The High Court dismissed the election petition, finding the oral testi…

The case concerns P. Nallammal, wife of a former MLA and minister, who was convicted under Section 109 IPC in conjunction with Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly abetting her husband in acquiring assets disproportionate to his known income. The trial court and the Madras High …

The appellant Sukhpal Singh was convicted of murdering his wife Usha under Section 302 IPC. The prosecution relied heavily on the sworn statement of the complainant, Ashok Kumar Pathak, recorded under Section 299 of the CrPC, as well as a confession note and handwriting expert report. The appellant challenged the admis…

The case concerned the death of Jayamma, who suffered extensive burns and allegedly named four accused in a dying declaration. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding the prosecution failed to prove the homicide beyond reasonable doubt, especially given doubts about the victim’s fitness to make a statement and t…

The appellant, the heirs of Mangala Waman Karandikar, entered into a 1963 agreement with the respondent to transfer the operation of the "Karandikar Brothers" stationery business for a royalty of Rs.90 per month. The dispute arose when the appellant sought possession, alleging the agreement was a business transfer, whi…

The appellants, Achhar Singh and Budhi Singh, were acquitted by the trial court of charges including murder, grievous hurt and rioting, but the Himachal Pradesh High Court set aside the acquittal and convicted them based on eye‑witness testimony and medical evidence. The Supreme Court examined whether the High Court co…

The appellant, Neel Kumar (also known as Anil Kumar), was convicted of raping and murdering his four‑year‑old daughter. The trial court and High Court relied on the victim’s custody, the appellant’s silence, blood‑stained clothing recovered from his disclosure statement, and the absence of any explanation for these inc…

The appellant, Gautam Satnami, was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC based largely on a 'last‑seen' testimony, recovery of a blood‑stained axe and his driving licence, and alleged motive. The High Court affirmed the conviction, but the Supreme Court examined whether the circumstantial evidence formed a complete…

The plaintiff, a hotel operator, entered into a 1967 agreement with the owner (defendant) described as an “agreement for conducting” the hotel business, wherein the plaintiff paid a monthly royalty and was responsible for expenses, while the owner retained ownership. After the owner served notice to vacate, the plainti…

The Lal Chand Public Charitable Trust leased property to the South Delhi Club and later terminated the lease for non‑payment of rent. The Trust sued for possession; the Club contested the Trust’s title and sought relief under Section 114 of the Transfer of Property Act, while also admitting non‑payment of rent in its s…

The State of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana) challenged an errata notification issued by the A.P. State Wakf Board that added 1,654 acres and 32 guntas of land to the list of Wakf properties, claiming the Board had not complied with the procedural requirements of the Wakf Act, 1995. The High Court had dismissed the Stat…

The appellant Vijay lodged a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act alleging that respondent Laxman had issued a cheque to repay a personal loan of Rs.1,15,000, which was later dishonoured for insufficient funds. Laxman contended that the cheque was a security deposit taken as part of a customary…

The case concerned an appeal by Rajesh Prasad, the informant, against a High Court order that set aside the conviction and death sentences of three accused who had been found guilty under IPC s.302/34, 120B and the Explosive Substances Act s.3/4 for throwing bombs that killed his father and another victim. The High Cou…

The victim Sher Singh was set on fire after being doused with kerosene by the accused Purshottam Chopra and Suresh (telwala). While in critical condition with 100% burns, he gave two statements – one to Dr. Sushma (recorded in an MLC) and another to SI Rajesh Kumar – which were treated as dying declarations. The trial …

The appellants were convicted for the murder of Saikat Saha under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC, based primarily on the testimony of a single eyewitness, PW‑6, who described how the accused acted in concert to kill the victim. The appellants challenged the conviction, arguing that the sole witness's evide…

The appellant, a clerk in a travel agency, was convicted under sections 120B, 420, 511, 465 and 471 of the IPC for conspiring to obtain 42 passports using forged applications and documents. The prosecution alleged that the travel agency, run by a co‑accused, submitted ante‑dated applications with duplicate file numbers…

The appellant, a sympathiser of a political party, participated in a violent clash on 11 April 2006 during which he stabbed the deceased Subrahmannian multiple times with a knife, causing fatal injuries to vital organs. The trial court convicted him under Sections 302, 324 and 326/34 of the IPC and sentenced him to lif…

The appellant, Sri Bhagwan, was convicted for murdering Yogender Nath Bhargava by pouring acid on him, an offence initially registered under Section 326 IPC and later altered to Section 302 IPC. The prosecution relied on the testimony of two eyewitnesses (PW‑1 and PW‑3) who claimed to have seen the assault, and on the …

The appellant Akil @ Javed was convicted for murder (IPC s.302) and robbery (IPC s.392) along with a co‑accused. The prosecution relied on the testimony of several eye‑witnesses, especially PW‑20 who identified the appellant, and on the recovery of a Rado watch and gold chain from the appellant that were identified by …

The case involved a joint family property dispute among descendants of Pillappa, concerning the validity of two registered release deeds (1956 and 1967) and an unregistered palupatti (partition) deed of 1972. The plaintiffs argued that the releases were ineffective and that the palupatti could not be relied upon, while…

The case concerns Dilip Paul, a former Area Organizer of the Service Selection Board, who was penalised with a 50% pension withholding after a Central Complaints Committee (CCC) found him guilty of sexual harassment based on a first complaint and a later second complaint filed by a female employee. The appellant (Union…

The State of Karnataka prosecuted accused persons for a series of bomb blasts in Bangalore in 2008, seizing numerous electronic devices that were examined by the CFSL, Hyderabad, producing a report dated 29‑11‑2010. The trial court refused to admit the CFSL report without a certificate under Section 65B of the Evidence…

The minor daughter of Jitesh Sharma challenged the High Court's order that reduced the maintenance awarded by the Family Court from Rs 20,000 to Rs 7,500 per month. The Supreme Court observed that the High Court had not required the parties to file the uniform affidavits of disclosure of assets and liabilities prescrib…

The case concerned the conviction of six appellants for offences under various sections of the IPC, based primarily on a dying declaration, ocular testimony and circumstantial evidence. The trial court had acquitted all accused, but the Karnataka High Court overturned the acquittals of five appellants, sentencing them …

The plaintiffs filed a suit under the Specific Relief Act seeking a declaration of title over a property. The defendant sought to prove a disclaimer letter by secondary evidence because the original was allegedly misplaced in the custody of the DEO, Ambala, and submitted a photocopy along with a witness from the DEO. T…

The case concerns the murder of a ten‑year‑old boy, Muntiyaz Ali, whose body was found on 6 June 2007. The appellants Nazim, Aftab and Arman were convicted under Sections 302, 201 and 120‑B IPC based largely on the testimony of three prosecution witnesses and circumstantial evidence. The Supreme Court examined whether …

The appellant Balvir Singh was convicted of murder under s.302 IPC and dowry harassment under s.498A IPC, while his mother‑in‑law Maheshwari Devi was convicted of s.498A IPC read with s.34 IPC. The prosecution proved that the victim died from aluminium phosphide poisoning, a fumigant not explainable by her heart medica…

The Supreme Court upheld the convictions of eleven accused in a kidnapping‑for‑ransom case in Bihar, finding that the prosecution proved the elements of Section 364A IPC, including abduction, confinement and demand for ransom. The Court held that Section 368 IPC is a deemed offence under Section 364A, so the accused ch…

The appellant, a co-accused in a murder case, was acquitted by the trial court on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove that the deceased was last seen in his company. The High Court reversed this acquittal and convicted the appellant under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC, relying on a disputed 'last seen' th…

The appellant, Ajay Kumar Das, was charged under IPC 304B (dowry death) read with s.34 for the death of his wife, who was allegedly pushed into a well by her parents‑in‑law after a telephone conversation with the appellant. The FIR implicated the parents‑in‑law and the appellant, and a charge‑sheet was filed. The appel…

The appellant Shanti Devi, her son Rajbir and another accused Veena were convicted by the trial court and upheld by the High Court for the murder of Balwant, the informant's son, under Sections 302/34 and 201/34 IPC. The prosecution's case relied entirely on circumstantial evidence, including a motive of illegal occupa…

The case arose from a land dispute between related parties that escalated into a verbal duel and scuffle on 7 June 2002, resulting in the death of a person. The trial court convicted all four accused under Section 302 IPC with a common intention charge, but the Karnataka High Court altered the conviction of two accused…

The State of Rajasthan prosecuted Santosh Savita under Section 302 IPC for allegedly burning his sister-in-law by pouring kerosene and igniting her saree. The deceased gave two dying declarations naming the accused, which were recorded by a police officer and a doctor without a magistrate’s presence. The High Court acq…

The appellant, Karan Kapoor, was a tenant of a residential property owned by the respondent, Madhuri Kumar, under lease agreements from 2011 to 2014. After the lease expired, the appellant stopped paying rent and the respondent filed a suit for possession, rent, and mesne profits. The appellant claimed that subsequent …

The appellant, A. Raja, contested and won the Devikulam Assembly seat, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes, by filing a nomination stating he belonged to the Hindu Parayan caste, supported by a caste certificate. The respondent challenged the election, alleging that the appellant's paternal grandparents migrat…

The appellant was convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a 3‑year‑9‑month‑old child based on three strands of circumstantial evidence: a disputed 'last seen together' testimony, an alleged extra‑judicial confession, and a forensic soil match. The Supreme Court examined whether the investigation was…

The case concerns the murder of village Pradhan Ram Aasare Pathak, for which four accused were charged under IPC sections 302 and 34. The trial court acquitted all four, relying on alleged relationships among witnesses, lack of independent witnesses, disputed motive, and questions about the place of occurrence and inju…

The State of Himachal Pradesh appealed the High Court's acquittal of Dr. Rajiv Jass, who was convicted by a trial court for murdering his pregnant wife by forcibly administering organophosphorus poison. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including multiple ante‑mortem injuries on the victim, the accused…

The appeal concerned a land‑inheritance dispute where the petitioners sought to set aside an order of the Consolidation Officer that rejected their claim to a share of land. The petitioners argued that earlier judgments in a separate proceeding involving the same parties, but concerning a different parcel of land, shou…

The appellants Iqbal and Khurshed were convicted under Section 396 of the Indian Penal Code for participation in a dacoity that occurred on a new‑moon night, based primarily on the testimony of three eye‑witnesses and their identification of the accused in a test identification parade. The prosecution failed to recover…

Sunita, a married woman, committed suicide within three years of her marriage by self‑immolation after a quarrel with her mother‑in‑law over a dowry demand for a gold chain. A dying declaration recorded by an Executive Magistrate, certified by a doctor, alleged that the mother‑in‑law repeatedly harassed her for the dow…

The appellant was convicted of murder, rape and kidnapping of a 4‑year‑old girl based solely on circumstantial evidence, including the testimony of four family members and forensic findings. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the credibility of the witnesses, noting material contradictions, embellishments and incons…

The appellants Murugan @ Settu (A1) and his accomplices A2 and A3 were convicted for kidnapping, compelling marriage and raping a girl, Shankari (PW‑4). The appellants contended that Shankari was an adult who voluntarily went with A1 and that the birth and school certificates were unreliable. The Supreme Court examined…

The plaintiff, the owner of a premises, sued the defendant, the son of the original tenant, for recovery of possession. In his written statement the defendant unequivocally admitted that his father was the sole tenant and that the plaintiff was the owner, and that rent had been paid till May 2021. Relying on these admi…

Mangla Ram, a motorcyclist, was hit by a jeep (No. RST‑4701) driven by respondent No.2, resulting in amputation of his right leg. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded compensation but reduced it on the ground that the claimant contributed to the accident by riding on the wrong side of the road. The High Court set…

A Medical Officer employed by Coal India Ltd and posted at its subsidiary Eastern Coalfields Ltd assaulted his senior officer and other staff, leading to disciplinary proceedings that resulted in his dismissal by the subsidiary's CMD. The dismissal was challenged in the Calcutta High Court, which quashed the order and …

The appellant, Ravinder Kumar, was convicted for the murder of his wife Meena under Section 302 IPC, along with convictions under Sections 304B/34 and 498A/34. The prosecution's case relied entirely on circumstantial evidence, including blood‑stained clothes recovered from the appellant's parental home, an English cale…

Madhabi Patra died after a ceremonial function and the prosecution alleged she was poisoned by her husband Joydeb Patra and his relatives. The trial court and the Calcutta High Court convicted the accused under IPC s.302 read with s.34, relying solely on the ocular testimony of the doctor who performed the post‑mortem …

The respondent, a model, complained that a haircut she received at the beauty salon of ITC Maurya Hotel was faulty, alleging deficiency in service and medical negligence. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) awarded her ₹2 crore in compensation, relying mainly on photocopies of various documents …

The plaintiff, sister of the first defendant, executed a limited Power of Attorney (PoA) on 31 July 1998, which she later cancelled after learning that the first defendant had used it to sell her immovable properties to the second and third defendants on 15 March 2007. The plaintiff alleged that the PoA presented by th…

The appellant Sanjay was convicted of murder and rape of a four‑year‑old girl, X, and sentenced to death by the trial court, a decision affirmed by the High Court. The prosecution's case relied on the victim’s last‑seen testimony, an extra‑judicial confession by the accused that led to the recovery of the body and clot…

The appellant Raja Khan was convicted for murder and concealment of evidence based on circumstantial evidence, including a weapon and gold chains recovered after his alleged disclosure under Section 27 of the Evidence Act. The prosecution relied on the recovery of a stone, a gandasa, and gold chains, as well as testimo…

The appellant, Madan (also known as Madhu) Patek, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for allegedly pouring kerosene on the deceased, Latabai, and setting her on fire. The conviction was based primarily on two dying declarations recorded by a Special Executive Magistrate and a police constable, both certified by a medi…

The appellant UV Asset Reconstruction Company claimed that Electrosteel Castings Ltd (ECL), as promoter of borrower Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL), had provided a guarantee for a Rs 500 crore loan from SREI, based on Clause 2.2 of a Deed of Undertaking which required ECL to arrange infusion of funds to help ESL meet fin…

The appellant was convicted under Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the NDPS Act for possession of ganja and appealed on the ground that the trial was vitiated by non‑compliance with Section 52A, which governs inventory, sampling and magistrate certification of seized narcotics. The Supreme Court examined the legislative purpose…

In the Jessica Lal murder investigation, the police sought a forensic opinion on two .22 cartridges. The appellant, Deputy Director of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, reported that the cartridges were .22 caliber and likely from a pistol, but could not give a definitive opinion on whether they were fired from th…

The dispute arose between two families over irrigation rights and escalated into a violent clash in a court premises on 17 February 1995, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. Darshan Singh, the appellant, was charged with murder (IPC s.302) of Santa Singh and voluntarily causing hurt (IPC s.324) to others, but…

The husband, Nandlal Wasudeo Badwaik, challenged a maintenance order under Section 125 of the CrPC granted to his wife Lata Badwaik and their daughter, asserting that he was not the biological father of the child. He obtained two DNA test reports, both excluding him as the father. The trial courts had upheld maintenanc…

Surendra Mishra was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC and for illegal possession of a firearm under Section 27 of the Arms Act after he shot dead Chandrashekhar Choubey. He appealed, claiming that he was of unsound mind at the time of the offence and therefore entitled to the protection of Section 84 IPC. The S…

Basudev Dutta, an Ophthalmic Assistant employed by the West Bengal Government since 1985, was terminated in 2011 after a police verification report, filed 25 years later, labeled him ‘unsuitable’ for the post. He challenged the termination, asserting Indian citizenship based on his father’s migration certificate and ar…

Mahipal filed a criminal appeal challenging the Rajasthan High Court's order granting bail to five accused in the murder of his nephew, Akhilesh. The FIR alleged that the accused assaulted the victim with rods, causing fatal head injuries, as corroborated by a post‑mortem report and a Section 161 statement of an eyewit…

The Supreme Court examined the State’s appeal against the discharge of several accused in the murder of S.N. Gupta. The prosecution alleged a pre‑planned criminal conspiracy involving Shiv Charan Bansal, his son, and others, supported by call‑detail records, recovered weapon, ballistic reports and statements. The Court…

The Supreme Court examined the validity of certificates issued by Gram Panchayat (GP) Secretaries, countersigned by revenue officials, for married women who migrated to other villages. These certificates were listed as supporting documents for claims of inclusion in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) under Section…

Sister Mina Lalita Baruwa, a Catholic nun, alleged assault, molestation and gang rape during communal violence in Kandhamal. During the trial, PW‑18, a Sub‑Divisional Judicial Magistrate who conducted the test identification parade, gave a statement that conflicted with the official parade record (Exhibit‑8). The victi…

The exporter, Ganesh PolytEx Ltd., alleged that Transport Corporation of India Ltd. failed to deliver four consignments of yarn fabric to Benapole Customs in Bangladesh, seeking compensation under the Consumer Protection Act. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered the transporter to pay the claimed…

Shanti Devi was convicted for murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and for causing the disappearance of a body (Sec. 201 IPC) after the father of PW2 allegedly visited her house on 22‑08‑1997 and never returned. The prosecution relied on a series of circumstantial facts: the victim’s disappearance, the appellant’s misleading statemen…

The State of Maharashtra appealed a decision that allowed a co‑accused to cross‑examine an approver whose pardon, granted under Section 307 of the CrPC, was later forfeited by a certificate under Section 308. The Supreme Court examined the statutory scheme of Sections 306, 307 and 308, holding that forfeiture of the pa…

Thanu Ram's wife, Hirabai, committed suicide by self‑immolation in the fourth year of their marriage while six months pregnant. She made a dying declaration before a Naib Tahsildar, which a doctor affirmed was given in a sound mental state. The prosecution proved that the husband and his mother subjected Hirabai to men…

A constable of the Border Security Force was dismissed after pleading guilty before a Summary Security Force Court (SSFC) to an allegation that he photographed a lady doctor while she bathed. The constable challenged the dismissal, arguing that the plea of guilty was obtained without complying with procedural safeguard…

The State of Tamil Nadu, through a Deputy Superintendent of Police, appealed against the High Court’s order discharging a public servant (R. Soundirarasu) and his wife from prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC s.109 for possessing assets disproportionate to the servant’s known sources of inc…

The appellant, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, was charged with alleged irregularities in a foreign investment clearance and money‑laundering offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act (PMLA). The Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced a sealed cover containing doc…

The case involved the murder of Tapan Chakraborty on 31 August 2000, for which thirteen persons were charged. One accused, Ratan Sukladas (A‑12), applied for and was granted pardon, becoming an approver whose testimony formed the core of the prosecution's case. The trial court convicted only two accused (A‑5 and A‑11) …

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) filed a criminal complaint against Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) alleging violation of Section 77 of the Companies Act, 1956 for alleged fraudulent allotment of shares. SEBI’s investigation report of 2005 was inconclusive, prompting SEBI to obtain two opinions from reti…

The appellant, accused No.2, was convicted along with another accused for murder and related offences based solely on the testimony of his 12‑year‑old son, PW‑1, who claimed to have witnessed the crime. The trial court administered an oath to the child after a perfunctory preliminary examination consisting of only thre…

The appellants, Pritinder Singh (alias Lovely) and Manjit Kaur, were convicted for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC based on circumstantial evidence, an alleged extra‑judicial confession, and the "last seen" theory. The Supreme Court examined the reliability of the extra‑judicial confession, the…

The Supreme Court considered appeals against the Gujarat High Court's judgment that acquitted several accused of murder and terrorism charges in the killing of former Home Minister Haren Pandya and the attempted murder of Jagdish Tiwari. The CBI had investigated and found both incidents were part of a larger conspiracy…

The suit sought partition of three parcels of land that were part of the joint family of the deceased Narayana. The defendant claimed that the first two parcels had been relinquished by the plaintiffs through a village panchayat resolution and receipts, while the third parcel was his self‑acquired property. The trial c…

The appellant, a government watchman, assaulted his wife and mother with a sharp weapon and caused the death of his one‑year‑old daughter during a sudden quarrel. He pleaded insanity under Section 84 of the IPC, but the trial and High Courts rejected the plea due to lack of credible medical or behavioural evidence. The…

On 16 December 2012, a 23-year-old paramedical student and her male friend boarded a bus in Delhi. Six men, including the appellants, gang-raped her, inserted an iron rod into her private parts causing severe internal injuries, and threw both victims out of the moving bus. The woman died from her injuries. The appellan…

The Supreme Court considered whether the involuntary administration of narcoanalysis, polygraph, and Brain Electrical Activation Profile (BEAP) tests for investigative purposes violates fundamental rights. The Court held that compulsory administration of these techniques violates Article 20(3) of the Constitution, whic…

The husband and wife were married in 2013, lived together in the United Kingdom for over seven years and later separated in 2021. The wife filed a divorce petition under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, alleging non‑consummation due to the husband’s alleged impotency. The husband filed an application under …

Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd (MBL) had its permission to uplink and downlink the news channel ‘Media One’ revoked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied a security clearance, citing national security concerns and alleged links to JEI‑H. MBL challenged the rev…

The appellant filed a criminal appeal against the grant of bail to his brother-in-law, the first respondent, who was charged under Sections 498-A and 304-B of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act for the unnatural death of his sister within a year of marriage. The Sessions Judge had denied bail, bu…

The case involved a dispute in which the deceased Prem Lal was assaulted by his brother Pyare Singh and two friends, Sita Ram and Onkar, who struck him on the head with a sickle (darat) and beat him. The victim later lodged an FIR himself, was hospitalized, developed gastroenteritis and died nine days later; the post‑m…

The appellants, Suman L. Shah and Laxmichand Shah, had borrowed money in 1996-1997 from companies later alleged to be benami entities of Pallav Sheth, a notified debtor under the Special Court (Trial of Offences relating to Transactions in Securities) Act, 1992. The Custodian sought recovery of Rs.50 lakh and Rs.25 lak…

The appellant, Manoj Suryavanshi, was accused of kidnapping and murdering three minor children of Shivlal after a personal enmity arising from his wife's elopement. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence: the children were last seen with the appellant, the bodies were recovered from locations he disclosed, a…

The appellants were convicted of murder and robbery based largely on the testimony of a nine‑year‑old child witness, recoveries under Section 27 of the Evidence Act, fingerprint and forensic reports, and the alleged motive of robbery. The Supreme Court examined whether the prosecution had discharged its burden of proof…

The incident arose from a dispute over water where accused No.1 (Nasibkha) and No.2 (Asif Khan) first assaulted the complainant and his brother Sardarkha, then left on a motorcycle and returned after ten minutes armed with a knife. Accused No.2 held Sardarkha’s neck while accused No.1 stabbed him, causing a fatal liver…

The appellant, Khushwinder Singh, was convicted of murdering six members of a family by kidnapping, drugging them with sleeping tablets and drowning them in a canal, motivated by a desire to steal Rs.37 lakh and ornaments. The prosecution relied on the eye‑witness testimony of the surviving victim (PW‑5), independent w…

The State of Gujarat filed a criminal appeal challenging a Gujarat High Court order that set aside a magistrate’s cognizance and issuance of summons against Afroz Mohammed Hasanfatta in a complex economic offence involving alleged hawala transfers of foreign exchange to Dubai and Hong Kong. The prosecution’s charge‑she…

The appellant, Sunder @ Sundararajan, was convicted of kidnapping a seven‑year‑old boy for ransom and subsequently murdering him. The prosecution relied on eyewitness identification, phone‑call records, a confessional statement, and forensic evidence. The key issue was whether circumstantial evidence could establish th…

The appellant Siddaramesh was convicted for the death of his wife Usha, who committed suicide by hanging within seven years of marriage. The prosecution proved that the husband and his family had repeatedly demanded dowry—gold, cash and a motorcycle—and that the wife was subjected to mental and physical cruelty when sh…

Tukaram S. Digole, who lost a Lok Sabha election, filed an election petition alleging that Manikrao Shivaji Kokate had made communal appeals in violation of Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Digole sought to prove the allegation by producing a VHS cassette he claimed was a certified copy fro…

Six persons, including Hari Om, Sanjay and Saurabh, were tried for murder (IPC s.396), dacoity (IPC s.412), offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Arms Act. The trial court convicted all of them for murder, sentencing Hari Om to death and the others to life imprisonment; the High Court affirmed…

The appellant claimed ownership of a disputed immovable property on the basis of a registered Gift Deed dated 15‑05‑1970, asserting that Section 90 of the Evidence Act, 1872 would give a presumption of proper execution because the deed was over thirty years old. The trial court, and subsequently the High Court, rejecte…

The wife of Narwinder Singh, who was pregnant, committed suicide within four years of marriage. The trial court convicted the husband and his parents under Section 304‑B IPC for dowry death, but the High Court, finding no dowry demand at the time of death, converted the husband's conviction to Section 306 IPC (abetment…

The appellant filed an FIR alleging his sister was shot by her husband, based on a nine‑year‑old niece’s information. The deceased gave two statements to police under Section 161 CrPC, first naming the husband and later implicating the husband’s mother, brother and brother‑in‑law as instigators; she later died. The pro…

Ram Lal, a constable of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, was dismissed in 2004 after a departmental enquiry found him guilty of altering his date of birth on his 8th standard marksheet to appear of majority age at recruitment. He was later convicted under IPC Section 420 by a trial court, but the appellate court acqui…

The deceased K. Satyanarayna died intestate, and his brother Karedla Parthasaradhi claimed inheritance of the suit house. Defendant Gangula Ramanamma (defendant No.1) asserted that she was the deceased's legally married wife, having lived with him for over three decades, and thus claimed ownership as a Class‑I heir. Th…

Gudu Ram was accused of assaulting his cousin Dalip Singh and another resident, Jai Pal Singh, with a wooden stick (thapi), resulting in Dalip Singh's death. The sole eyewitness, Jai Pal Singh, turned hostile during trial, yet the trial court and High Court convicted the appellant for murder under IPC s.302. On appeal,…

The Supreme Court entertained a writ petition under Article 32 seeking implementation of the Srikrishna Commission's recommendations on the 1992-93 Mumbai riots, including compensation for victims, tracing of missing persons, and police reforms. The Court observed that while the Commission's report is not binding, the …

The husband appealed against a Family Court order granting interim maintenance of Rs 15,000 per month to his wife and Rs 10,000 per month to his son under Section 125 of the Cr.P.C., which was affirmed by the Bombay High Court. The Supreme Court upheld the lower courts' orders, directed the husband to pay the full arre…

The Supreme Court considered appeals by five police officials convicted for the abduction, illegal detention and murder of human‑rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The trial court and High Court had found the appellants guilty based on the testimony of several witnesses, including an accomplice, despite the absence …

The case involved the murder of Bibhishan Vithoba Khadle and injuries to six others during a politically motivated assault by a group of accused. The trial court acquitted all accused, rejecting eye‑witness testimony on the ground of contradictions, alleged interest, and procedural defects. The High Court reversed the …

The appellants were charged with gang rape, abduction and robbery under Sections 376(g), 366, 392 read with 34 of the IPC based on the testimony of a prosecutrix who alleged she was abducted, assaulted and robbed. The trial court acquitted them, but the Karnataka High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted them. On…

The appellant Munna Pandey was convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a ten‑year‑old girl, based largely on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of witnesses whose statements to police were not properly confronted. The Supreme Court examined whether the High Court erred in confirming the convi…

Jagbir Singh was convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and criminal intimidation (Sec. 506 IPC) for allegedly pouring kerosene on his wife and setting her ablaze. The victim gave three statements: two early statements (24‑01‑2008 and 25‑01‑2008) describing an accidental fire, and a later dying declaration on 27‑01‑2008 im…

The appellants Nizam and Shafique were convicted for the murder of Manoj under Sections 302 and 201 IPC based primarily on the "last seen theory" that Manoj was last seen alive with them. The Supreme Court examined the circumstantial evidence and held that the prosecution failed to establish a complete, unbroken chain …

The case involved thirteen accused charged under IPC sections 302, 148, 149 and the Explosive Substances Act for the murder of Y. Ramachandra Reddy. The trial court convicted six of them (A‑1 to A‑6) while acquitting the rest; the High Court later reversed this, acquitting all six. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined…

The appellant, Rakhal Debnath, was charged with abetment of suicide under Section 306 IPC and cruelty under Section 498A IPC after his wife died from severe burns within 35 days of their marriage. The prosecution alleged that the husband demanded money from his father‑in‑law, pledged his wife's jewellery, and maintaine…

The appellant, Narayan Yadav, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) in which he confessed to killing Ram Babu Sharma during a drunken quarrel. The trial court convicted him of murder under Section 302 IPC, a conviction later altered by the High Court to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part…

The State of Bihar prosecuted Surajdeo Mahto (Appellant No.1) and Prakash Mahto (Appellant No.2) for the murder of Arun under sections 302 r/w 34 and 120B IPC, with Appellant No.1 also charged under section 364 IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, chiefly the "last seen" theory, motive stemming from …

The appellant, a lawyer, was charged with murdering a married Scheduled Caste mid‑wife by setting her on fire after an alleged attempted rape. Three dying declarations were recorded: two (to a magistrate and to police) stated the burns were accidental, while a third (by the husband) alleged homicide. The High Court rej…

The case arose from the alleged torture and rape of a woman (PW‑3) by police officials after she was taken for interrogation on 9 February 1989. PW‑3 filed a petition to the Governor, a criminal complaint before a magistrate, and later testified in trial, alleging that she was detained overnight and raped, with her hus…

The appellant Rajaram Prasad Yadav was convicted for offences under Sections 324, 307 and 34 IPC. After the trial, the second respondent (the informant PW‑9) sought re‑examination under Section 311 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, alleging coercion. The trial court dismissed the application, but the High Court allowe…

The appellant Ganga Singh was charged with rape under Section 376 IPC for allegedly assaulting PW‑5, the prosecutrix, in a field. The trial court acquitted him, holding that the sexual intercourse was consensual, but the High Court convicted him based on the prosecutrix's testimony, corroborated by her mother‑in‑law’s …

The three appellants, Sunil Rai (alias Paua), Sher Bahadur (alias Sheru) and Ram Lal, were convicted for the murder of Dile Ram under IPC s.302 read with s.34 based on four alleged circumstances: the deceased being chased, an extra‑judicial confession by Sunil Rai, a blood‑stained jacket recovered from a rickshaw, and …

The appellant Krishan Kumar Malik was convicted along with seven others for abduction (s.366 IPC) and gang rape (s.376(2)(g) IPC) based solely on the testimony of the prosecutrix PW‑9. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of her evidence, noting that she failed to name the appellant in the FIR, gave inconsistent …

The appellant Vaibhav was convicted for murdering his friend Mangesh under Sections 302 and 201 IPC and for illegal possession of a firearm under the Arms Act, based solely on circumstantial evidence. He contended that Mangesh accidentally shot himself with his father's service pistol, citing the bullet trajectory, lac…

The petitioner challenged the High Court of Madhya Pradesh's rejection of his application to recall a witness under Order 18 Rule 17 of the CPC. The Supreme Court examined the scope of that rule, noting that it confers a power exclusively on the court trying the suit to recall and re‑examine a witness, and that parties…

The appellant Dinesh Kumar was convicted for murder, kidnapping and related offences based largely on circumstantial evidence, namely a "last seen" testimony and discoveries made after his police custody. The Supreme Court examined whether the "last seen" evidence, given a long interval before the estimated time of dea…

The appellant sought possession of a 3‑acre agricultural field based on a registered sale deed dated 21‑04‑1979. The defendants argued that the deed was a sham, executed as collateral for a money‑lending transaction, and that the sale violated the Maharashtra Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Ac…

The case involved the kidnapping and murder of two minor children, for which three persons – Anita (A-1), Ravinder Singh alias Kaku (A-2) and Ranjit Kumar Gupta (A-3) – were charged. The trial court convicted all three, sentencing A-2 to death; the High Court later acquitted A-1 and A-3 and reduced A-2's sentence to 20…

The case involved a massive spurious liquor tragedy in Kerala where 31 people died and many were injured after consuming liquor adulterated with methyl alcohol. The accused, a group of brothers and their associates, were charged under the Abkari Act, particularly Section 57A, for mixing or permitting the mixing of a no…

The appellant was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and murder of a minor based entirely on circumstantial evidence, a confession narrated by a police officer, and DNA/FSL reports. The Supreme Court examined the reliability of the 'last seen' testimony, the admissibility of the confession under Sections 24, 25 and 26 of t…

In 1997 a group of 30‑35 extremists set fire to houses in Jarulbachai village, Tripura, killing 15 people and injuring several others. Ashok (Achak) Debbarma was charged under IPC sections 326, 436 and 302 read with section 34 and under section 27(3) of the Arms Act; the latter charge was later set aside as unconstitut…

The appellant filed a suit for specific performance of a registered agreement to sell a one‑third share of a property, alleging that the respondent’s brother, acting under a power of attorney, had entered into the sale. The respondent denied ever executing a power of attorney authorising his brother to alienate the pro…

The appellants Rajesh Yadav and others were convicted for murder and for violating the Arms Act, with the High Court acquitting them of the attempt to murder charge under Section 307 IPC but confirming life imprisonment under Section 25 of the Arms Act. The Supreme Court examined whether the testimonies of related eye‑…

The 2009 Legislative Council election for Nizamabad saw a narrow result, leading the defeated candidate to file an election petition alleging wrongful rejection of three votes and wrongful acceptance of one vote. The appellant, who had been declared elected, filed a recrimination petition under Section 97 of the Repres…

The appellant, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was convicted for the murder of Praveen (the deceased) and for criminal conspiracy under IPC s.302 r.w. s.1208. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including DNA identification of the dismembered body parts, recovery of the weapon (a chopper) and a van at…

The appellant, Darshan Singh, was convicted of murdering his wife, Amrik Kaur, under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC, based on the prosecution's claim that he and his paramour Rani Kaur administered aluminium phosphide poison. The trial and High Courts relied primarily on circumstantial evidence, especially the testimon…

The appellant, Smriti Debbarma (representing the late Maharani Chandratara Devi), filed a suit seeking declaration of title and possession of the Schedule ‘A’ property (Khosh Mahal). The trial court decreed in her favour, but the Gauhati High Court set aside that decree, holding that she failed to prove legal ownership…

Vandana Tayade, a married woman, was allegedly burnt to death by her mother‑in‑law and two sisters‑in‑law after being harassed for being childless. The prosecution relied on four dying declarations made by the deceased, all implicating the mother‑in‑law and sisters‑in‑law, and on oral testimony of relatives and medical…

The case concerns the murder of Murari, for which Himanshu @ Chintu (A‑2) and Shesh Bahadur Pandey (A‑3) were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The appellants challenged the conviction on three grounds: (i) the FIR was lodged two hours after the incident, allegedly to falsely implicate them; …

The Supreme Court examined the case of seven police constables and one additional constable (appellants) accused of beating five suspects in police custody, resulting in two deaths and injuries to three others. The prosecution presented ocular testimony, extensive medical evidence, and the testimony of a hostile witnes…

The case concerns a review of the death sentence awarded to Mohd. Arif alias Ashfaq for the 2000 Lal Quila firing that killed three army jawans. The petitioner challenged the conviction on four grounds: the admissibility of call data records (CDRs) without a Section 65B certificate, the validity of his disclosure state…

The appellants Rajesh alias Sarkari and Ajay Hooda were convicted for murder under IPC s.302 r/w s.34 based on the testimony of the victim's father (PW‑4) and brother (PW‑5) who claimed to have witnessed the shooting and taken the victim to the hospital. The Supreme Court examined inconsistencies in their statements, n…

The case involved the gruesome murder of a two‑year‑old boy, Chirag, whose body was discovered in two parts inside the house of the main accused, Ishwari Lal Yadav and Kiran Bai, who claimed to be tantriks. The accused confessed to killing the child as a human sacrifice, and the confession was corroborated by independe…

The appellants, self‑styled "tantriks", were accused of kidnapping and murdering two children – a six‑year‑old girl (Ku. Manisha) and a boy (Chirag Rajput) – for human‑sacrifice rituals. The prosecution relied on skeletal remains, DNA/FSL reports, identification of clothing by the parents, and confessional statements m…

The appellant was found with a two‑year‑old girl under his bed after the child went missing; medical, eye‑witness, circumstantial and Y‑STR DNA evidence established that he kidnapped, raped (vaginal and unnatural intercourse) and murdered the child. The trial court and High Court convicted him under IPC sections 302, 3…

The appellants, Syeda Rahimunnisa and Syed Hyder Hussaini, sued the respondents (legal heirs of Haji Mian) for eviction and damages, asserting a landlord‑tenant relationship. The respondents counter‑claimed title to the land by adverse possession and filed three related suits. The trial court and the first appellate co…

The appellant, Jose @ Pappachan, was convicted under IPC s.302 for the death of his wife, Neena, alleged to be a homicide by strangulation and hanging, while also being acquitted of IPC s.498A. The prosecution relied on circumstantial testimony of three witnesses and a post‑mortem report that was inconclusive about hom…

The dispute concerned the succession to the suit‑schedule property of the deceased parents, C.R. Pius and Philomina Pius, who had executed a joint will bequeathing the property to the appellant C.P. Francis. The respondents, other children of the deceased, challenged the will on the grounds of lack of testamentary capa…

The appellant husband and his mother-in-law were convicted under Sections 498A (cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC for the suicide of their wife within eight months of marriage. The prosecution proved that the husband repeatedly demanded Rs.25,000 from the deceased's father, and upon failure, subjected h…

The appellant, M/s Geo Miller & Co., sought appointment of an arbitrator under Section 11(6) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 for three water‑treatment contracts dated 1979‑1985, alleging non‑payment by the respondent. The respondent contended that the cause of action arose when the final bills were presen…

Harjit Kaur, a married woman, died on 6 April 1990 after alleged dowry harassment by her husband and father‑in‑law (the appellant). The prosecution charged both accused under IPC sections 498A (cruelty) and 3048 (dowry death). While the Sessions Court convicted them under both sections and the High Court reduced the 30…

The Bar Council of India challenged the constitutional validity of Sections 22‑A to 22‑E of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (as inserted by the 2002 Amendment), arguing that they were arbitrary, violated Articles 14 and 21, denied a right of appeal and encroached on the jurisdiction of special statutes. The Su…

Vijay Kumar, the father of Ruchi Saxena, filed a complaint alleging that officials of the Nagar Palika demanded a bribe to settle a land dispute. Two officials were arrested and tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The accused sought to summon Ruchi Saxena as a court witness under Section 311 of the Code…

The appellant, Bhabani Prasad Jena, filed a petition under the Special Marriage Act seeking a declaration of nullity of his marriage and claimed the marriage was unconsummated. While the matrimonial suit was pending, the wife filed a complaint before the Orissa State Commission for Women alleging torture, desertion and…

The plaintiff sued Kapil Corepacks Pvt Ltd and others for recovery, alleging that the defendants had executed a sale agreement that was later claimed to be a forged document. The defendants filed a criminal complaint alleging forgery and denied signing the agreement. The trial court examined the managing director under…

Amar Singh was convicted under Sections 498A and 3048 IPC for the dowry death of his wife, who died in a fire within ten months of marriage. The prosecution proved that the husband had repeatedly taunted the wife for not providing a scooter or Rs.25,000, establishing harassment in connection with a dowry demand shortly…

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the Allahabad High Court’s acquittal of Krishna Master and two others for the homicide of six persons. The trial court had convicted them under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC and imposed death sentences, which the High Court set aside. The Supreme Court examined the reliabili…

The appellant, a police guard, was convicted of murder and attempted murder for shooting a man inside a Delhi police station, motivated by the victim's alleged affair with the appellant's wife. The prosecution presented multiple eye‑witnesses, forensic evidence of close‑range gunshots, and a post‑mortem report showing …

The appellants filed an eviction petition under Section 13 of the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, claiming personal necessity for premises they alleged they owned and had leased to the respondents. During the trial the respondents sought to amend their written statement to deny the appellants' ownership, assert…

The Supreme Court examined the death of Raj Banshi Devi, who died from burn injuries in her matrimonial house within two years of marriage. The prosecution alleged dowry demands, physical and mental cruelty, and that the deceased was assaulted, tied with iron wire and set alight, invoking Section 3048 of the IPC. Altho…

Santosh Kumar Singh, a 26‑year‑old tutor, entered the home of his employers, assaulted the mother, son and daughters with an iron hammer, and looted jewellery and cash, resulting in the deaths of the mother and son. He was convicted under IPC sections 302, 307, 394, 397 and 450 and sentenced to death, with additional l…

The State of Himachal Pradesh prosecuted Jai Chand and two others for the murder of his wife under Sections 302, 34 and 498‑A IPC. The trial court convicted Jai Chand, but the Himachal Pradesh High Court acquitted him, rejecting the post‑mortem doctor’s testimony and other material witnesses. On appeal, the Supreme Cou…

Rajinder Singh and co‑accused were convicted under Sections 304‑B, 498‑A and 201/34 IPC for the death of the bride, Santosh Kaur, within nine months of marriage. The prosecution proved that the death occurred otherwise than under normal circumstances, that the bride had been subjected to dowry‑related harassment shortl…

The appellant, Ranjit Singh, was convicted for the dowry death of his wife Jaswinder Kaur, who was found dead within four months of marriage. The prosecution proved that the deceased had been subjected to repeated harassment and demands for dowry, including a Maruti car, by the appellant and his in‑laws, leading to her…

The appellant, Anil Kumar, was convicted by the Karnataka High Court for dowry harassment (Sec. 498-A IPC) and dowry death (Sec. 304-B IPC) based on the suicide of his wife, Meena Kumari, in their matrimonial home. The trial court had acquitted all accused, finding contradictions in witness statements and noting that t…

The Supreme Court examined a batch of petitions challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Examination Byelaws, particularly their restrictions on correcting or changing names and dates of birth in certificates. It held that the Byelaws, framed by a body that functions as a State instrumentality, have …

The petitioners, former Assistant Engineers of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam, claimed that the corporation violated court orders by re‑engaging them without continuity of service and back wages, and later by terminating them without a prior hearing. The Supreme Court examined two sets of contempt petitions: one concerning th…

The case concerns the abduction, extortion and murder of former MLA M.K. Balan, whose body was cremated under a fictitious name. The prosecution relied on extensive circumstantial evidence, the testimony of two accomplices (PW10 and PW11), recoveries of vehicles, a false death certificate, and statements recorded under…

The Supreme Court examined the appeal of Satish Shetty, convicted under IPC sections 498A (cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) for the death of his wife, who had left a ten‑month‑old son and was twenty weeks pregnant. The High Court had set aside the trial court’s acquittal, invoking the presumption under Evidence A…

The appellant entered into an agreement to sell 16 kanals of land with respondent No.3, paid earnest money and later obtained a temporary injunction against alienation of the property on 28 July 2003. On the same day respondent No.3 executed a release deed in favour of his son (respondent No.4), who subsequently sold t…

The appellant was convicted of murdering his wife inside their home, where their five‑year‑old daughter also lived. The prosecution relied on forensic evidence, the appellant's blood‑stained clothes, and his conduct in leading police to the weapon, while the defence claimed unknown intruders were responsible. The key l…

The appellants were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC for the murder of Sahabuddin Choudhury. They challenged the convictions on the ground that the prosecution witnesses' statements contained material omissions and contradictions, and that the "last seen together" theory and motive were not …

The appellant Ganesan challenged the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board Commissioner's order condoning a 266‑day delay in filing an appeal under Section 69 of the Hindu Religious Endowment Charitable Act, 1959. The central issue was whether the Commissioner, a statutory authority, is a "court" f…

The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) challenged the constitutional validity of sections 23(1) and 23(2) of the Pre‑conception and Pre‑natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, arguing that the provisions presumed guilt and violated Articles 14, 19(1)(g) a…

The respondents filed a suit claiming title to ancestral land based on a will dated 24‑10‑1943 executed by the testatrix, Smt. Nagammanni, and registered the next day. The trial court and the first appellate court dismissed the suit, holding that the will was not proved because it did not satisfy Section 63(c) of the S…

The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) conducted a 2016 recruitment for assistant teachers and non‑teaching staff that was later found to involve massive irregularities, including rank‑jumping, out‑of‑panel appointments, manipulation of OMR scores, destruction of original answer sheets and illegal subcontrac…

The case concerned a dispute over who should serve as Chief Mutawalli of Hamdard Laboratories (India) after the death of the previous Chief Mutawalli, Abdul Mueed. The appellant, Hammad Ahmed, claimed that the senior-most male descendant of the Wakif Mutawalli, as stipulated in the 1948 Deed as amended in 1973, was ent…

The Supreme Court considered the use of videography at crime scenes as a tool to improve criminal investigations. Submissions highlighted international practice, the benefits of body‑worn cameras, and the need for safeguards under evidentiary law. The Court examined prior judgments on electronic evidence and the admiss…

The appellant, Babubhai Bhimabhai Bokhiria, was summoned as an accused under Section 319 of the CrPC after the trial court relied on a letter written by the deceased a year earlier, in which the deceased alleged the appellant intended to kill him. The Supreme Court examined whether the letter qualified as a dying decla…

The appellant was convicted under Sections 120B, 468 and 471 of the IPC for allegedly preparing a postal cover that transmitted a forged marksheet. The prosecution’s case hinged on the testimony of a handwriting expert who claimed the cover bore the appellant’s handwriting, but the original postal cover was never produ…

The appellant Premchand was convicted by the trial court of murder (s.302 IPC) and attempted murder (s.307 IPC) based on oral testimony of prosecution witnesses, while his written statement under s.313(5) CrPC was not considered. The High Court affirmed the conviction. On appeal, the Supreme Court observed that the tri…

The appellant was accused of murdering his wife, with the prosecution relying primarily on an extra‑judicial confession he allegedly made to three witnesses and on recovered blood‑stained clothes and a knife. The trial court found the witnesses' testimonies contradictory, disbelieved the confession, and rejected the ph…

The appellant, Ramu Appa Mahapatar, was convicted for the murder of his live-in partner Manda based primarily on an extra‑judicial confession he allegedly made to the landlord (PW‑1) and the deceased's brother (PW‑3), which was later endorsed by PW‑4 and PW‑6. The Supreme Court examined whether such a confession, coupl…

The respondent, an Assistant Engineer of the Airports Authority of India, was arrested and convicted for demanding illegal gratification, leading to his dismissal from service. After being acquitted on benefit of doubt in a criminal appeal, he sought reinstatement, but the Authority initiated fresh disciplinary proceed…