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) 111]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Homestay Owner Where US National Was Allegedly Raped Moves Karnataka High Court To Quash Chargesheet Filed Under Repealed Foreigners Act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High Court on Friday (July 3) seeking quashing of a new chargesheet against him which includes offences under the repealed Foreigner's Act, 1946.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...

Karnataka High Court Rejects ED's Bail Cancellation Plea Against Aishwarya Gowda Accused In Gold Investment Scam

The Karnataka High Court has last week dismissed a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking cancellation of regular bail granted to Aishwarya Gowda, accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 for an alleged ₹15 crores Gold Investment Scam. [ 2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 230]The single judge bench of Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty noted that the proviso to Section...

2016 Yogesh Goudar Murder Case: CBI Tells Karnataka High Court Dharwad Trial Was 'Hogwash', Witnesses Were Tutored By Ex-MLA Vinay Kulkarni

The CBI told the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday that former Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, while challenging his conviction and life sentence in 2016 murder of BJP Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Goudar, cannot rely on evidence placed before the Dharwad trial court as that trial was 'hogwash' in which witnesses were tutored by Kulkarni.The court was hearing application seeking suspension of...

Vehicle Cannot Be Confiscated Under Excise Act Before Authority Verifies Excess Quantity Of Seized Liquor Bottles: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that confiscation of a vehicle under Section 47-A of the Chhattisgarh Excise Act cannot be sustained on the basis of a presumption that all seized bottles contained liquor exceeding the statutory limit. The Court observed that before invoking the power of confiscation, the competent authority must satisfy itself on the basis of reliable evidence that...