Immoral Trafficking Act | Safeguards Under Section 15(2) Not Mandatory For Search In Commercial Premises Like Spas: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has observed that the provisions related to search provided under Section 15(2) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act are mandatory only if the place to be searched is a residential premises. [2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 300] As per Section 15(1), if a special police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence punishable under the Act is being committed...

Vendors Can't Verify Every UPI Customer's Credentials; Their Bank Account Can't Be Frozen Over Buyer's Involvement In Cybercrime: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that vendors accepting payments through UPI apps such as PhonePe and Google Pay cannot be expected to verify the credentials or criminal antecedents of every customer before completing a transaction, and their bank accounts cannot be frozen merely because a payer is subsequently found to be involved in a cybercrime. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 113]Directing the...

Rajasthan High Court Flags 'Intentional' Police Lapse In Murder Probe, Refuses Bail To Juvenile Accused

Raising apprehension of an 'intentional' lapse in investigation by the police, Rajasthan High Court recently upheld the rejection of bail to a 13-year old accused in a murder case. [2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 268]The bench of Justice Ravi Chirania observed that despite complainant's written refusal for post-mortem at the relevant time, it was police's duty to conduct the Panchnama while handing over...

PMLA | Assets From Unknown Sources Can't Be Presumed To Be Derived From Scheduled Offence Constituting 'Proceeds Of Crime': Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has held that assets derived from unknown sources of income cannot presumed to be from scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.“A person may have assets derived from unknown source of income, however, that by itself cannot be presumed that the aforesaid assets are derived from schedule offence,” held Justice Vikram D. Chauhan...

Cyber Fraud | Rajasthan High Court Directs Recovery Of Investigation Cost From Complainant, Says His 'Greed' Led To The Crime

While rejecting bail in an alleged cyber crime case, the Rajasthan High Court observed that the crime was a result of complainant's greed and directed the Superintendent of Police to recover the cost of the investigation in the case from the complainant. The bench of Justice Ravi Chirania opined that the reason behind successful commission of most of the cyber crimes was people's greed to...

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) 109]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...

'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...