S.163A MV Act | Legal Heirs Can Claim Compensation Even If Deceased Driver Was Negligent: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that the negligence of a deceased driver does not bar his legal heirs from claiming compensation under Section 163-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 observing that the provision is a beneficial legislation under which proof of negligence is not relevant. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 111]Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda allowed an appeal filed by the deceased...

Bhang Doesn't Fall Within Definition Of 'Cannabis (Hemp)' Under NDPS Act: Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has held that possession of bhang does not constitute an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, as it is excluded from the statutory definition of “cannabis (hemp)” under Section 2(iii) of the Act. Setting aside the conviction of the appellant under the NDPS Act, the Court held that once the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL)...

Homestay Owner Where US National Was Allegedly Raped Moves Karnataka High Court To Quash Chargesheet Filed Under Repealed Foreigners Act

The owner of a Kodagu Homestay, where a 33-year-old US national was allegedly drugged and raped, moved the Karnataka High Court on Friday (July 3) seeking quashing of a new chargesheet against him which includes offences under the repealed Foreigner's Act, 1946. For context, the petitioner had moved the high court in a separate plea seeking quashing of a rape FIR; after hearing the matter...

S. 362 CrPC No Bar To Altering Bail Conditions: Allahabad High Court Revokes 'Onerous' ₹64 Lakh Deposit Condition After 12 Yrs

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the statutory bar under Section 362 CrPC (Court not to alter judgment) does not apply to the modification or relaxation of conditions imposed in a bail order. "…an order granting bail is a merely an interlocutory order and it would not fall withing the scope and ambit of the phrase 'a judgment or final order disposing of a case' used in...

'Prima Facie Key Conspirator Of Money Laundering': Gujarat High Court Denies Bail To IAS Officer In Alleged Land Conversion Bribery Case

The Gujarat High Court refused bail to an IAS officer accused of illegal gratification in lieu of approving land conversion applications when he was Surendranagar's Collector, remarking that today government officials and highly placed persons are also indulging in corruption leading to economic unrest adversely affecting the progress of the country. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 185]The court...

POCSO Act Prevails Over Personal Law: Allahabad High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Over 'Repeated Rape' Under Guise Of Nikah Halala

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday refused to quash an FIR lodged against 9 persons accused of raping the informant when she was a minor during a 2016 'nikah halala', and later subjecting her to gang rape as an adult during a second, 'double' halala in 2025.In its 19-page judgment, a bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena categorically stated that "when it comes to criminal...

Modified Buses Causing Fatal Accidents, Authorities Must Strictly Enforce MV Act Norms Irrespective Of State Of Registration: Rajasthan High Court

The Rajasthan High Court has directed transport authorities to strictly enforce compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and the rules framed thereunder for all passenger buses plying in the State, irrespective of whether they are registered in Rajasthan or any other State. Observing that unauthorized modifications in buses have led to several fire incidents resulting in fatal accidents,...

Compliance With S.50 NDPS Act Mandatory Even If Accused Himself Produces Contraband From Pocket During Body Search: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has recently held that the compliance with Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act is mandatory even when the accused himself produces contraband from his pocket, during body search.For context, Section 50 of the NDPS Act deals with Conditions under which search of persons shall be conducted.According to the Section, when a duly...

Is A Doctor's Specific 'Fit State Of Mind' Certificate Necessary To Rely On A Dying Declaration? Allahabad High Court Answers

doctor's endorsement regarding the mental fitness of the deceased to make his/her declaration is not a rule of law or a mandatory provision, but merely a rule of prudence : Allahabad HC

Karnataka High Court Stays GO Directing Withdrawal Of 52 Criminal Prosecutions Including 2022 Aland Riots Cases

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (July 2) stayed the operation of a May 27 Government Order directing Public Prosecutors to withdraw prosecution in 52 criminal cases across the State including 2022 Aland riots case. For context, in May 2025 the high court had set aside a Government order, directing public prosecutors to withdraw 43 criminal cases registered/pending against persons accused...

Karnataka High Court Rejects ED's Bail Cancellation Plea Against Aishwarya Gowda Accused In Gold Investment Scam

The Karnataka High Court has last week dismissed a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking cancellation of regular bail granted to Aishwarya Gowda, accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 for an alleged ₹15 crores Gold Investment Scam. [ 2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 230]The single judge bench of Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty noted that the proviso to Section...

Sniffer Dog Evidence Can't Be Relied Upon Without Handler's Testimony & Tracking Panchnama: Allahabad High Court Sets Aside Conviction Of 4

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that sniffer dog evidence cannot be relied upon in the absence of a complete record of the exact manner in which tracking was done (the proceedings of the sniffer dog) in the Panchnama and the examination of the dog handler in the court. A bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Vinai Kumar Dwivedi added that there must be no discrepancy between the...