Criminal Law
Kerala High Court Rejects Expelled Palakkad Councillor's Appeal Seeking Bail In Sexual Assault Case
The Kerala High Court on Monday (June 29) dismissed the appeal filed by Prasobh M., former Congress councillor of the Palakkad Municipality, challenging denial of regular bail by the Special Court for SC/ST cases (Mannarkkad) in a sexual assault case. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 347]Justice A. Badharudeen found that bail cannot be granted at the present stage, when the investigation is still primitive...
AP High Court Enhances Motor Accident Compensation To ₹10 Lakh Despite No Appeal By Claimants, Cites Future Prospects & Deceased's Age
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has enhanced the compensation payable to the family of a deceased motor accident victim from Rs. 7.28 lakh to Rs. 10.06 lakh, in view of the deceased's future prospects and age even though the claimants had not filed an appeal. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 108]The Court observed that although the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal had notionally fixed the deceased's monthly...
School Management Dispute Between Two Lawyers: Jharkhand High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Advocate
The Jharkhand High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an advocate accused of financial irregularities and forgery in the management of a school, in a case instituted by a fellow lawyer practising before the High Court.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi was hearing an anticipatory bail application filed in connection with Jagarnathpur P.S. Case No. 314 of 2017,...
Andhra Pradesh High Court Acquits Accused In ACB Trap Case, Says FIR Lodged After Investigation Began
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has acquitted two persons accused of bribery in a trap operation after finding that the investigating officer had conducted what the court described as a “table investigation”, holding that the FIR and crucial investigation records were prepared after the trap proceedings and not in accordance with law.[2026 LiveLaw (AP) 107]The accused no. 1 was a...
Bihar Tender Scam | Media Cannot Portray Accused As 'Scamster', 'Mastermind' Before Trial: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has restrained print, electronic, digital and social media platforms from portraying Bihar contractor Rishu Shree as guilty in connection with the alleged tender scam being investigated by the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU). The Court observed that while media is free to report factual developments relating to the case, imputing criminal liability upon an accused...
Belated POSH Complaints Can't Be Rejected At Threshold Without Considering Reasons For Delay: Allahabad High Court
The Allahabad High Court has reiterated that sexual harassment complaints under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 cannot be rejected at threshold due to delay, without specific consideration of reasons.While remitting the matter back to the internal complaints committee for fresh inquiry into the complaints against Associate...
Juvenile Justice Act Prioritises Reform Over Punishment; Seriousness Of Alleged Offence Not Ground To Refuse Bail: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has observed that the seriousness of the alleged offence and the age of a juvenile are not relevant considerations for denial of bail under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The Court reiterated that the Juvenile Justice Act is a reformative statute aimed at rehabilitation of children in conflict with law and not their punishment.A Single...
Karnataka High Court Cancels Vachanananda Swami's Anticipatory Bail In POCSO Case
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (June 25) cancelled the anticipatory bail granted by a sessions court to Vachanananda Swami booked in a POCSO case over allegations of sodomy, remarking that it was troubled by the manner in which bail was granted. [2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 218]The court was hearing the complainant's plea challenging Sessions Court's May 2 order granting anticipatory bail...
S.311 CrPC Meant To Elicit Truth, Not Favour Either Side: Rajasthan High Court Allows Summoning Of Prosecutrix's School Record In POCSO Case
While allowing an application under Section 311 CrPC at the "fag end" of a POCSO trial, the Rajasthan High Court held that the purpose of the provision is not to favour or disfavour the prosecution or the accused, but to naturally unravel the truth to exercise just decision in a case. [2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 263]Section 311 CrPC empowered the courts to summon, recall, or re-examine any witness or...
MP High Court Closes Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi After He Expresses Regret
The Madhya Pradesh High Court closed a defamation case lodged by Kartikey Singh Chauhan–son of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that the latter made false and defamatory statements against Singh during an election rally in 2018. [2026 LiveLaw (MP) 235]Gandhi had moved the high court challenging a 2024 trial court order taking...
Possession Of Cough Syrup With Less Than 2.5% Codeine Attracts NDPS Act If Held Without Authorisation: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that cough syrup containing codeine in a concentration of less than 2.5% of the total preparation does not fall outside the ambit of the NDPS Act merely on that ground. The Court further observed that such preparations are classified as essential narcotic drugs and their possession, sale, purchase, transport, import and export remain regulated under the NDPS Act...