"Men Are Not Improved By Injuries": Chhattisgarh High Court Reduces Child Rape Convict's Sentence To 20 Years

The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the conviction of a man for the rape of a six-year-old girl under Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, but reduced his sentence from imprisonment for life till natural death to rigorous imprisonment for twenty years. The Court observed that while punishment must be proportionate...

Personal Preference For Foreign Medical Treatment Not A Ground To Permit Overseas Travel By PMLA Accused: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that an accused's personal preference to undergo medical treatment in a foreign country cannot override the mandate of law when equivalent medical facilities are available in India. The Court observed that permission to travel abroad on medical grounds can be granted only upon establishing a genuine medical necessity outweighing the State's interest...

Chhattisgarh High Court Directs HPCL To Pay ₹1 Lakh Compensation Over Withdrawal Of Petrol Pump Letter Of Intent

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that although Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) was justified in withdrawing a Letter of Intent (LOI) issued for establishment of a Rural Retail Outlet after discovering that the proposed site was situated on a State Highway and therefore ineligible under the applicable Dealer Selection Guidelines, the petitioner was entitled to compensation...

Compassionate Employment To Dependent Of Deceased Not 'Pecuniary Advantage' For Calculating Accident Compensation: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that compassionate appointment granted to a dependent of a deceased employee cannot be treated as a "pecuniary advantage" liable to be deducted while determining compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Court observed that compassionate appointment flows from the service conditions of the deceased employee and is not a benefit arising out of...

'Tripling On Motorcycle Not Automatically Contributory Negligence': Chhattisgarh High Court Enhances Accident Compensation

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that the mere fact that three persons were travelling on a motorcycle does not automatically establish contributory negligence. The Court observed that, in the absence of evidence showing that tripling contributed to the occurrence of the accident, compensation cannot be reduced on that ground alone.[2026 LiveLaw (Chh) 62]Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal was...

Specific Notice Under RTI Act Mandatory Before Imposing Penalty On Public Information Officer: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that the State Information Commission cannot treat an earlier notice issued during appeal proceedings as a "final notice" for the purpose of imposing a penalty under Section 20(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Court observed that before imposing a penalty upon a Public Information Officer, the Commission must issue a specific notice under...

President Of Municipal Council Cannot Be Individually Held Liable For Decision Taken By Council: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that the President and the Chief Municipal Officer of a Municipal Council cannot be individually held liable for a decision taken collectively by the Municipal Council through a duly passed resolution. The Court observed that where the diversion of funds and other decisions were approved unanimously by the entire municipal body, individual criminal...

Authorities Cannot Rely Solely On Web Portals For Recruitment Notices When Prior Physical Notice Is Mandatory: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that where a State Government circular mandates that candidates be informed of the date of document verification through Registered Post at least twenty days in advance, the authorities cannot rely solely on uploading information on a web portal. The Court observed that failure to follow the prescribed mode of communication renders the action arbitrary...

"5-Acre Rule" Applies Only To Coercive Attachment, Not Voluntary Sale Of Tribal Land U/S 165(6) Land Revenue Code: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that the requirement of retaining five acres of irrigated land or ten acres of unirrigated land is applicable only to attachment or sale of land in execution of a decree or order under Section 165(7) of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959, and cannot be imported into proceedings for grant of permission to voluntarily transfer tribal land under...

Chhattisgarh High Court Rejects Plea Against Recital Of Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra In Schools; Says They're 'Moral Instruction'

The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld State's order on recital of the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra, Shanti Mantra and accounts of the lives of Great Personalities (Mahapurushas) in schools at the beginning day along with Rajya Geet (State Song), Gayatri Mantra and Shanti (Peace) Mantra at the end. [2026 LiveLaw (Chh) 57]The court dismissed...

Cannot Ignore Steps By Accused To Save Himself From False Allegations Before Lodging Of FIR: Chhattisgarh High Court Quashes Rape Conviction

The Chhattisgarh High Court has set aside the conviction of a man for offences under Sections 376(1) and 506 Part II IPC, holding that the trial court failed to appreciate material evidence produced by the defence, including a complaint and legal notice issued by the accused prior to the lodging of the rape FIR. The Court observed that such legal steps taken by the accused to protect himself...

Electricity Theft | Inspection Report Prepared By Officials Carries Presumption Of Correctness Unless Rebutted: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that a panchnama and inspection report prepared by officials of the Electricity Distribution Company in discharge of their official duties cannot be discarded merely because no independent witness was examined. The Court further held that proceedings for assessment under Section 126 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and prosecution for theft of electricity...