Applying 'Residual Doubt Theory', SC Commutes Death Penalty Awarded For Rape-Murder Of Minor [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court on Thursday applied "residual doubt theory" to commute the death penalty awarded to a person for rape and murder of a 13 year old girl.As per this theory, a higher standard of proof than used at the conviction stage is used to assess whether the convict deserves death penalty.The bench of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, R. Subhash Reddy and Surya Kant said,"this Court...

Breaking : SC Grants Interim Protection From Arrest To Gautam Navlakha In Bhima Koregaon Case Till Oct 15

The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to activist Gautam Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon case.The bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta directed the Maharashtra police to produce the materials collected against him in the investigation so far and posted the matter on October 15 at 3 PM.The order was passed by the bench after hearing Senior Advocate Dr A...

Guru Ravidas Temple : SC Urges Parties To Explore Alternate Site For Reconstruction

"You find an amicable solution and come back to us. Any day we can pass the order. We respect the sentiments of everybody on the earth but we have to follow the law," the bench said.

SC Issues Notices On Chidambaram's Bail Plea In INX Media Case

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the CBI on the petition filed by former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram challenging the September 30 judgment of Delhi High Court that denied him regular bail in INX Media case.The bench comprising Justices R Banumathi and Hrishikesh Roy posted the case next on October 15 at 2 PM. The bench headed by Justice Banumathi had earlier refused...

Appointment Of Judicial And Expert Members In NGT: SC Seeks Centre's Response

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking the appointment of judicial and expert members for the benches of the National Green Tribunal across the country. A bench comprising justices N V Ramana and Sanjiv Khanna issued a notice to the Centre on the petition, which has also sought a direction to all high courts in the country to...

No Decision On Justice Kureshi Even After Centre Clears Appointments Of CJs In 7 High Courts

Among the notifications issued by the Department of Justice on Thursday regarding the appointments of Chief Justices in seven High Courts, conspicuous by absence was the notification regarding the proposal of Justice Akil Kureshi.It was on August 22 that the SC Collegium made the recommendations which were cleared by Centre yesterday.On September 5, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended...

Swatantarta Sainik Samman Pension Scheme: SC Upholds Extension Of Benefits To 'Divorced' Daughter Of Freedom Fighter [Read Order]

The Supreme Court has upheld a judgment of Punjab and Haryana High Court which extended the benefits of the Swatantarta Sainik Samman Pension Scheme to divorced daughters of freedom fighters. The scheme, for the purpose of grant of pension, originally included mother, father, widower/widow if he/she has not since remarried, unmarried daughters in the definition of family of...

Independence And Fearlessness Of Judiciary Not Only Expected From Superior Courts But Also From District Judiciary: SC [Read Judgment]

While quashing disciplinary action taken against a judicial officer, the Supreme Court observed that independence and fearlessness of judiciary is not only expected at the level of the Superior Courts but also from the District judiciary.In its introductory part of the judgment, the bench comprising Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Aniruddha Bose observed: In a country, which follows the Rule...

Article 227- Availability Of Appellate Remedy Under CPC Can Be 'Near Total Bar' For Exercising Supervisory Jurisdiction: SC [Read Judgment]

'The availability of a remedy under the CPC, will deter the High Court, not merely as a measure of self imposed restriction, but as a matter of discipline and prudence, from exercising its power of superintendence under the Constitution.'

Breaking: SC Affirms Death Penalty To 'Tantric' Couple Who Killed Infant For Human Sacrifice [Read Judgment]

"They were not possessed of the basic humanness, they completely lacked the psyche or mindset which can be amenable for any reformation."

SC Confirms By 2:1 Majority Death Penalty For Rape-Murder Of Infant; Justice Reddy Dissents [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed by 2:1 majority death penalty to a man found guilty for murder and rape of a two year old girl.While the majority comprising Justices R F Nariman and Surya Kant upheld the death penalty confirmed by the Bombay High Court in the case Ravi v State of Maharashtra, Justice Subhash Reddy dissented.The majority judgment took note of the fact that the...

[Ayodhya Hearing] [Day 36] : Janmasthan Is Important For Hindus As Visiting It Helps To Attain Moksha, Argues Hindu Parties

Senior advocate PS Narasimha argued his rejoinder post lunch. The question to be determined, he said, was regarding belief of devotees based. This was proved based on preponderance of probability on the basis of doctrines of the religion, he submitted. According to accounts of witnesses, the right to worship was a civil right and, reiterating the principle of preponderance of probability,...