Supreme Court Monthly Criminal Digest February 2026

Anticipatory Bail – Conditional Orders for Deposit: The Supreme Court criticized the Jharkhand High Court for making the grant of anticipatory bail contingent upon the deposit of a specific sum – Noted that High Court had directed the petitioners to file a supplementary affidavit showing payment of Rs. 9,12,926.84/- to the complainant, failing which the bail application would stand...

Institutions Like ECI, CAG Must Function Independently, Free From Political Influence: Justice BV Nagarathna

Justice Nagarathna highlighted that control over the election process is in effect a control over political competition.

Delimitation Is A Legislative Function: Punjab & Haryana High Court Dismisses Challenges To Municipal Ward Notifications

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has held that the process of delimitation of wards of Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations cannot be set aside merely on the ground of alleged violation of principles of natural justice. The Court observed that delimitation is a legislative function and once the prescribed procedure under the governing rules is followed, such exercise is not open...

Delhi High Court Protects Personality Rights Of Actor Mohanlal Against AI-Generated Content, Unauthorized Merchandise

The Delhi High Court has passed a john doe order protecting the personality rights of veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal. Justice Jyoti Singh restrained multiple entities, including unknown entities, from unauthorized commercial exploitation of his personality attributes, including through AI-generated content.The Court held that the actor had made out a prima facie case for protection of...

Role Of A Judge Often Requires Taking Unpopular Or Inconvenient Decisions: Justice Vikram Nath

Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath on Saturday (April 4) said that the role of a judge often demands courage to take decisions that may be unpopular or inconvenient, emphasizing that judicial independence is sustained by the willingness to uphold the law even under public scrutiny.Speaking at a two-day Annual Conference of Judges of the District Judiciary on the theme "Re-shaping Dispensation...

Gujarat High Court Bars Judges From Using Artificial Intelligence In Decision Making, Reasoning, Interpretation

The High Court has allowed the use of AI for administrative tasks, case administration, drafting and research assistance, translation etc.

Unidentified Minors No Ground To Drop POCSO Charges In Cases Involving Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that the absence of identifiable child victims or conclusive proof of their age cannot be a ground to discharge accused persons under POCSO Act in cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSEM).Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed noted that in majority of CSEM cases, children remain unidentified and untraceable, and cannot be produced before the Court,...

'Intellectual Disability Results In Lifelong Impairment': Kerala HC Assesses Functional Disability Of Child Injured In Road Accident At 100%

The Kerala High Court recently considered an appeal seeking enhancement of compensation awarded by a Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal to a child, who suffered intellectual disability, following an accident.Justice Sobha Annamma Eapen interacted with the injured person and opined that her functional disability should be assessed as 100% since intellectual disability results in...

Kerala Court Sends Director Renjith To Police Custody For 3 Days In Sexual Harassment Case

The Judicial First Class Magistrate-1, Ernakulam has granted custody of Malayalam film director Renjith Balakrishnan to police till Monday (April 6) in the sexual harassment case lodged against him.L. Usha, Magistrate allowed the custody application preferred by the police, granting permission to interrogate the director for three days from today till Monday.Earlier this week, the...

Centre Should Not View States As Subordinates; Citizens Of A State Cannot Be Discriminated Against: Justice BV Nagarathna

The relationship between the Centre and the States should not be dependent on the ruling party, she said.

Bombay High Court Slams Party For Obstructing 2011 Eviction Decree; Imposes 25K Costs & Orders Immediate Possession Warrant

The Bombay High Court has held that it cannot remain a mute spectator when execution of its orders is kept pending for an indefinite period despite there being no subsisting restraint. The Court observed that a decree which remains unexecuted defeats the very purpose of justice, and delay in execution deprives the decree holder of the fruits of the litigation.Justice Ajit B. Kadethankar...

Delhi High Court Upholds Conviction Of Lawyer, Cop For Falsely Implicating Man In Gang Rape Case And Tortured In Police Custody

The Delhi High Court has upheld conviction of a lawyer and a cop for extortion and falsely implicating a man, now deceased, in a false gang rape case who was later on beaten up and tortured in police custody. Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha said that a strong message must be sent to the people occupying positions like a lawyer or a police officer that Courts would not treat such crimes lightly...