Karnataka High Court Mandates Admitting, Marking Of Undisputed Documents Under S.330(3) BNSS To Ensure Speedy Trial

The Karnataka High Court has mandated all the trial courts in the State to adhere to Section 330 BNSS, corresponding to Section 294(3) CrPC, to ensure the fundamental right to a speedy trial. Under Section 330(3) of the BNSS, if the genuineness of a document is undisputed, it can be admitted as evidence in any inquiry, trial or other proceeding under BNSS without formally proving the signature...

Bombay High Court Quashes Case Against Man Accused Of Threatening Cop After Mobile Video Shows ₹300 Bribe Demand

The Bombay High Court has quashed a chargesheet against a man accused of offences under Sections 353, 504 and 506 of the IPC, observing that mobile phone footage and WhatsApp conversations prima facie showed that the complainant-police constable had demanded ₹300 from him for returning his driving licence. The Court observed that a false case of criminal intimidation had thereafter been...

Police Statement That 'Sufficient Material Exists To File Chargesheet' Doesn't Mean Default Bail Can Be Granted : Supreme Court

A prosecution's statement in an extension application that sufficient material exists to file a charge sheet cannot be treated as an admission that the investigation is complete, the Court said.

Touching A Child's Breasts With Sexual-Intent Constitutes Sexual Assault U/S 7 POCSO Act: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has held that touching the breast of a child with sexual intent constitutes “sexual assault” under Section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act), even in the absence of penetration. The Court observed that the statutory definition expressly covers sexual-intent physical contact with the breast of a child and upheld the...

'Citizens Have Right To Clean Streets': Bombay High Court Flags Inactive Civic Machinery, Calls For Action Against Public Garbage Dumping

The Bombay High Court has directed the Municipal Commissioner to fix accountability of Ward Officers and their subordinate officers for failing to prevent or clear litter, trash and unauthorised dumping of garbage on public streets and pavements. The Court also called upon the Municipal Corporation to activate a mechanism for launching prosecutions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the MMC...

Brothel Customer Can't Be Booked For Running Premises Or Procuring Women For Prostitution: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court has held that a customer at a brothel cannot be booked for running a brothel or procuring a person for prostitution under Immoral Traffic Act. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 251]In doing so the court quashed a 2010 FIR against a man under the Act, who was caught after a raid was conducted at a hotel allegedly being run as a brothel.The petitioner had approached the high court...

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge Moves High Court To Quash Defamation Case Over Alleged Remarks Against RSS

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of criminal defamation proceedings initiated against him over alleged remarks concerning the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).The petition challenges the order dated June 27, 2026, passed by the Bengaluru Special Court for cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs, whereby the court...

Mere Concealment Or Confinement Insufficient For Conviction Without Proof Of Knowledge Of Kidnapping: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that a person cannot be convicted under Section 368 of the Indian Penal Code for wrongfully concealing or confining a kidnapped or abducted person unless the prosecution proves that the accused knew that the person had been kidnapped or abducted. [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 884]While setting aside conviction of two men, Justice Vimal Kumar Yadav held that the...

"Family Feud" Need Not Span Generations, Dispute Between Members Of Same Generation Also Qualifies: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that a “family feud” need not be a dispute continuing across generations and that a prior dispute between family members of the same generation can amount to a family feud. The Court observed that where the facts of a case attract different categories under the same Guidelines, the category more beneficial to the convict must be applied. A division bench...

Dowry Demand For Setting Up Business Still 'Dowry' Under S. 304B IPC: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that a demand for money connected with the marital relationship does not cease to be a dowry demand merely because the money is sought for setting up a business rather than for personal use. [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 882]Justice Vimal Kumar Yadav made the observation while dismissing an appeal filed by two, challenging their conviction under Sections 304B and 498A of...

S.144 BNSS | Disputed Marital Relationship Requires Evidence At Trial: Gauhati High Court Refuses To Quash Maintenance Proceedings

The Gauhati High Court has held that maintenance proceedings cannot be quashed where the nature of the alleged marital relationship between the parties requires determination through evidence at trial.Justice Sanjeev Kumar Sharma observed, "Although the contradictory statements of the respondent made in different proceedings as to the dates and places of marriage do create some doubt...

Cognizance Orders Cannot Be Passed Mechanically By Filling Blanks On Printed Proforma: Patna High Court Flags Lack Of Application Of Mind

The Patna High Court has held that judicial orders cannot be passed mechanically by filling in blanks on a printed proforma, observing that even an order taking cognizance must reflect application of judicial mind.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Chandra Shekhar Jha was hearing a petition challenging the order dated 12.06.2018 passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Benipatti,...