Criminal Law
“Intrinsic To Fair Trial”: Uttarakhand High Court Directs Witness Testimony In Braille For Blind POCSO Accused
The Uttarakhand High Court has set aside an order of the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Dehradun, which had closed the opportunity of a completely blind accused to cross-examine a witness, holding that “furnishing material in an accessible form is intrinsically connected with the accused's right to a fair trial”.Justice Alok Mahra was dealing with a criminal revision challenging...
Procedural Violation Will Not Vitiate Seizure But Can Affect Evidentiary Value : Supreme Court
"The burden of proving a valid seizure of the articles is on the prosecution"
'Blue Shawl' Remark: Bengaluru Special Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Former MP Prathap Simha In SC/ST Act Case
A Bengaluru Special Court has granted anticipatory bail to Prathap Simha, former Member of Parliament from Mysuru, in the alleged 'blue shawl' caste remark case.Judge Shivaprasad K.B., 82nd Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, allowed the petition and noted that the essential ingredients of the offences under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(u) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled...
'Case Of Adolescent Love': Gujarat High Court Quashes POCSO FIR, Says Girl Voluntarily Left Parent's Home
The Gujarat High Court quashed a kidnapping and POCSO case against a man after noting that this was a case of "adolescent love" wherein the girl was in relationship with the accused and had voluntarily left her parents home as her father was pressuring her to marry someone else. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 276]The court was hearing a man's plea seeking quashing of an FIR under Sections 363...
Authorized Govt Officer's Complaint Not Needed When Notary Intentionally Participates In Document Forgery: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently held that an authorized government officer's complaint is not necessary to prosecute a notary, who intentionally participates in document forgery. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 564]Justice A. Badharudeen held that the afore protection provided under Section 13(1) of the Notaries Act would be applicable only when the notary is performing the duties under the statute....
CA Student's Future Earning Potential Must Be Considered While Determining Motor Accident Compensation: AP High Court Triples Award
The Andhra Pradesh High Court enhanced the accident compensation awarded over the death of a 23-year-old Chartered Accountancy student to Rs. 25.38 lakh, holding that the Motor Accident Tribunal failed to adequately consider his educational qualifications and “bright future” while assessing his earning potential.Dismissing an appeal filed by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport...
ED Should Prioritise Cases Involving Public Money, National Scams; Not Private Property Disputes: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court recently remarked that the Enforcement Directorate should use its powers and resources for cases involving public money, public interest, corruption and scams of national consequences, instead of disputes between private individuals. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 489] Justice N Ramesh commented that the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are...
Karnataka High Court Grants Bail In Section 69 BNS Case, Says Promise To Marry Was Made After Sexual Intercourse
The Karnataka High Court granted bail to a 26-year-old man accused of sexual intercourse by deceitful means under Section 69 BNS, observing that the complainant's own statement indicated that the alleged promise to marry was made 'after' the physical relationship and not before. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 406]Section 69 states that whoever, by deceitful means or by making promise to marry a...
Obscene Words, General Abuse At Woman Not Offence U/S 354A(1)(iv) IPC If No Allegation Of Sexually Coloured Remark: Kerala High Court
The Kerala High Court recently held that utterance of general abuse or obscene words at a woman without any specific allegation of a sexually coloured remark would not attract the offence of sexual harassment as per Section 354A(1)(iv) of the Indian Penal Code. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 563]Justice Jobin Sebastian observed:“the mere utterance of obscene words would not, by itself,...
Proof Of Robbery Or Attempted Robbery Essential Component For Conviction Under S. 394 IPC : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 7) held that a conviction under Section 394 IPC / Section 309 (6) of BNS cannot be sustained unless it is proved that robbery or an attempt to rob took place. “The robbery or attempted robbery is not at all a peripheral circumstance and is rather an essential component of the offense.”, observed a bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and...
Saree With Deity's Artwork On Lower Portion, 'Pallu' Doesn't Outrage Religious Feelings Or Disrupt Public Order: Gujarat High Court
The Gujarat High Court has held that mere printing or selling of saree, textile materials containing artistic depictions of a deity or revered icon, even if appearing on lower border/Pallu of the garment, cannot automatically be presumed to be an act driven by deliberate malice or calculated to disrupt public order and outrage religious feelings. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 275]The court was hearing...
