Supreme Court Explains Procedure For Disposal Of Vehicles Seized Under NDPS Act; Says Notice To Owner Mandatory

The Drug Disposal Committee must issue notice to the owner before putting the vehicle for public auction.

Meghalaya High Court Rejects Bail To Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor, Says He Betrayed Child's Trust

The Meghalaya High Court has refused to grant bail to a man accused of sexually assaulting and molesting a minor at a children's home, observing that the accused had allegedly betrayed the trust reposed in him by the children, who regarded him as a grandfather. The Court noted that the material on record prima facie indicated that he had taken advantage of the child's vulnerability....

Bombay High Court Quashes ₹100 Crore Freezing Of Coda Payments Accounts, Says PMLA Authority Failed To Record Mandatory Findings

The Bombay High Court has set aside the freezing of the bank accounts and payment aggregator/payment gateway accounts of Coda Payments India Pvt. Ltd., amounting to approximately ₹100 crores, holding that the Adjudicating Authority failed to record the mandatory finding under Section 8(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The Court further held that where the...

Gujarat High Court Quashes POCSO FIR Over Alleged Recording Of Minor In Changing Room, Directs Community Service For Accused

The Gujarat High Court quashed a POCSO FIR lodged against a man booked for video recording a minor girl while she was inside a changing room, while directing him to do one month community service at a hospital as well as deposit Rs. 50,000 with a children's home. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 236]After taking note of submissions by the parties, Justice MK Thakker in her order directed:"...this Court is...

Karnataka High Court Imposes ₹1 Lakh Costs On Man For Marking Plea Against ED Officer To CJI, Finance Minister

Attempt made to secure intervention through channels outside judicial process, Court said.

NDPS Act | Police Can't 'Blindly' Use Statutory Presumption To Prosecute Vehicle Owner Without Proof Of 'Knowledge': Rajasthan High Court

While upholding trial court's decision that acquitted an NDPS accused, Rajasthan High Court observed that unless it was established by the prosecution that the accused had conscious knowledge of his house/premises/vehicle/property being used for storage, concealment or transportation of contraband, offence under Section 25 was not made out. The bench of Justice Anil Kumar Upman held that...

Brothel Customer An 'Active Participant' In Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Liable Under Immoral Trafficking Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that a customer visiting a brothel would be criminally liable under Sections 5 and 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 484]The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar clarified the position of law while answering a reference made by a Single Bench in view of conflicting decisions by...

Kissing Child's Penis Amounts To Penetrative Sexual Assault Under POCSO Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has clarified that kissing a child's penis amounts to penetrative sexual assault as defined under Section 3(d) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 482]Justice A. Badharudeen dismissed an appeal preferred by a convict, who was awarded a 20-year term for kissing a 14 ½ year old boy on two occasions.“the statutory...

Muslim Man Having Sexual Intercourse With Minor Wife Liable Under POCSO Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently clarified that a Muslim man having sexual intercourse with his wife, who is aged below 18 years, is liable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 470]Justice Jobin Sebastian held:“sexual intercourse with a girl below eighteen years of age attracts the offences under the POCSO Act, and in such a situation,...

Chhattisgarh High Court Upholds ED's ₹110 Crore Provisional Attachment Of Goa's Westin Hotel In Alleged Liquor Scam Cash Trail

The Chhattisgarh High Court has refused to interfere with the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) provisional attachment of Hotel Westin, Goa, to the extent of ₹110 crore. While dismissing the petition, the Court clarified that it has not taken a final adjudication on the allegations concerned, and such question were required to be examined through the statutory adjudicatory mechanism in...

'Romantic Relationship, Proposal To Marry Cannot Dilute POCSO Act': Uttarakhand High Court Denies Bail Over Minor's Sexual Assault

The Uttarakhand High Court has held that “the plea of romantic relationship and subsequent proposal to marry cannot dilute the statutory protection granted to minor child under the POCSO Act,” thus reiterating that a minor's consent is “completely irrelevant in the eyes of law.”Applying this to the present case, the Court also took note of the allegation that the accused had concealed...

Father Not In Charge Of Child Can't Be Prosecuted For Cruelty Under Juvenile Justice Act Over Non-Payment Of Maintenance: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against a father, who was working abroad, accused of the offence under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act for failing to provide for the basic needs and maintenance of his child. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 469]Section 75 JJ Act provides for punishment for cruelty to a child if the person having the actual charge of,...