Selective Pregnancy Termination Fuels Gender Inequality; Forced Abortion In Unhygienic Clinics Attacks Right To Bodily Autonomy: P&H HC

Observing that "forced, illicit abortions in unhygienic clinics directly attacks their right to bodily autonomy inter alia violating right enshrined under Article 21," the Punjab & Haryana High Court refused to quash an FIR lodged against a female doctor, alleged involved in illegal sex determination, on the ground that under the Preconception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act,...

Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Man Sentenced To Death For Murdering Wife, Children & A Farm Worker Over 'Illicit Relationship'

Pointing out several discrepancies in the circumstantial evidence on which the Trial Court relied to convict and sentence the accused (Palwinder Singh) to death for murdering his entire family (including his wife and two children) and a farm worker, the Punjab & Haryana High Court set aside the conviction and acquitted him of the murder charges. The court acquitted both the accused,...

High Court Seeks DGP's Response On Selfies Circulated On Social Media Allegedly From Punjab Prison By Murder Accused

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Friday directed the DGP (Prison), Punjab, to file a detailed affidavit on self-clicked photographs allegedly taken from inside the jail by a murder accused, which were circulated on social media.The matter came in light while hearing a bail application of a murder accused, who is currently lodged in Central Jail, Patiala.Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul...

Multi-Crore 'Jail Drug Racket' | '43K Calls Made From Prison': High Court Mulls CBI Probe, Slams Punjab Spl Operation Cell Officials, IO

The Punjab & Haryana High Court came down heavily on the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) officials and the Investigating Officer (IO) for their inaction in not investigating the role of jail officials in the alleged multi-crore drug racket operating from the Ferozpur Central Jail.Justice N.S. Shekhawat while questioning the SSOC head, Special DGP, IPS R.N Dhoke asked "Can there any...

High Court Summons Punjab Internal Security Chief Amid Allegations Of IO Shielding Jail Officials Who 'Helped' Drug Smugglers In Prison

Observing that "apparently every attempt has been made by the Investigating Officer (IO) to shield the guilty jail officials", the Punjab & Haryana High Court today summoned Punjab's Special DG, Internal Security, in a case about alleged drug racketing from jails.The Court observed that the investigating officer (IO) in the case appeared to be attempting to protect the prison...

'Lawrence Bishnoi Interview Glorifies Criminals': P&H High Court Forms Probe SIT, Orders Removal Of Video Flagging National Security Threat

Considering the gravity of the matter, the Punjab & Haryana High Court today formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Prabodh Kumar IPS, Special DGP, Punjab State Human Rights Commission, to investigate alleged Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's TV interview to determine the accountability of the officials involved.A division bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal...

State Seeking Opinion From UOI On District Judges Appointment A 'Serious Assault' On Independence Of HC's Functioning: P&H High Court

The Punjab & Haryana High Court on Wednesday, directed Haryana to accept the recommendations of the High Court made on appointing 13 judicial officers as additional district and session judges and give necessary effect to it "within two weeks."It also opined that the State government's move to seek a legal opinion from the Union Government in the matter "would amount to a serious assault...

POCSO Act| Ejaculation Of Semen Not A Necessary Pre-Requisite To Prove Penetrative Sexual Assault: Punjab & Haryana HC

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has recently upheld the conviction under Section 6 (punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) for committing rape of an 8 years old girl, observing that ejaculation of semen is not necessary pre-requisite for the purpose of proving penetrative sexual assault.A division bench...

Punjab & Haryana HC Vacation Benches To Hear Urgent Matters Including Protection Pleas Of Runaway Couples From Dec 26 To Jan 3

The Winter Vacation bench of Punjab & Haryana High Court will hear First Anticipatory Bail Applications, Cases relating to Life and Liberty, Protection matter of Runaway Couples and "any other Urgent Matter" as may be permitted by Hon'ble the Senior most Vacation Judge through Registry from December 26 to 29 and January 01 to 03. However, Habeas Corpus Petitions will be entertained...

Man Accused Of Raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' Slogan Moves P&H High Court Against Session Court's Order Framing Sedition Charges

A man has moved the Punjab & Haryana High Court challenging an order of the Sessions Court framing charges against him under Section 124A IPC (Sedition) over the allegations that he used 'filthy language' against India and raised Pakistan Zindabad slogan.After the video of the alleged incident went viral, the police registered the FIR under Sections 153A,124A, 504 IPC and arrested...

P&H High Court Allows Plea Of Man Stuck In Canada To Record Evidence Via VC Mode Noting 'Strained' Indo-Canada Diplomatic Relations

Considering the strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the trial court to allow the recording of evidence through video conferencing for a complainant who is a resident of Canada.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar observed, "The recourse to record evidence through video conferencing is all the more necessary when the attendance of...

Nexus With Offence Required For Bank Account Seizure U/S 102 CrPC: P&H High Court Rejects CBI's Plea Challenging Account De-Feezing Order

While upholding the decision of de-freezing the bank account of a teacher accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act of having disproportionate assets, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has made it clear that there must be a nexus between the bank account and the offence alleged, to give rise to a suspicion qua the commission of an offence.Perusing Section 102 CrPC, Justice Manjari...