Criminal Law
Gameskraft Case | Karnataka High Court Questions ED's Argument That PMLA Freezing Proceedings Under PMLA Are Civil In Nature
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday[July 14] questioned the Enforcement Directorate's contention that freezing proceedings under Section 17(1-A) of the PMLA are civil in nature, prima facie observing that the 'entire edifice of the money laundering act is based on proceeds of crime'.The High Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Gameskraft Technologies Private Limited and five...
Accused Cannot Flag Non-Compliance Of S.202 CrPC To Scuttle Cheque Bounce Proceedings At Stage Of Final Arguments: J&K&L High Court
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held that although an inquiry under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (corresponding to Section 225 of the BNSS) is mandatory before issuance of process where the accused resides beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the Magistrate, non-compliance with that requirement cannot be invoked to derail proceedings after both parties...
Delhi High Court Upholds Temple Priest's Conviction For Rape Of Intellectually Disabled Woman, Calls Act 'Satanic And Unholy'
The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of a temple priest for rape of an intellectually disabled woman, describing his conduct as a “satanic and unholy deed” that shattered not only the victim's dignity but also the sanctity of the temple and the trust reposed in the priesthood. [2026 LiveLaw (Del) 652]Dismissing the convict's appeal, the Court observed that the victim's family...
Highest Ever Death Penalties Confirmed By A High Court : Read Reasons In 2008 Ahmedabad Blast Verdict
While confirming the death penalty imposed on 38 convicts in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case—the highest number of death sentences confirmed by a High Court in a single judgment—the Gujarat High Court held that the convicts had shown “no remorse” for their actions and displayed “scant regard for the rule of law.”Bombs went off in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008, at various...
Section 138 NI Act Settlement Can't Be Enforced Through CrPC Recovery Unless Incorporated In Court Order: J&K&L High Court
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held that a settlement entered into between parties in proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act does not, by itself, become enforceable through the coercive recovery mechanism provided under Sections 421 and 431 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).The Court ruled that such recovery is permissible only when...
Aadhaar Card Not Reliable Proof Of Age In Motor Accident Claims: Chhattisgarh High Court
The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that an Aadhaar Card is not a reliable document for determining the age of a claimant in motor accident compensation cases. The Court has further held that mere receipt of the insurance premium does not automatically fasten liability upon the insurer, as the contract of insurance commences from the date and time specified in the insurance policy and not...
Telangana High Court Rejects Third-Degree Torture Allegation Against ED, Finds No Material Linking Injuries To Interrogation
The Telangana High Court has refused to grant relief to a Bengaluru-based man who alleged that officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) assaulted and coerced him into making incriminating statements during questioning in a money laundering probe linked to illegal online betting applications. [2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 107]The Court held that the allegations of custodial assault were unsupported...
SFI Activist Abhimanyu Murder Case: Kerala High Court Refuses To Halt Trial Till Completion Of Probe Against Harbouring Accused
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (July 14) dismissed the plea preferred by 5 persons accused of the murder of SFI leader Abhimanyu, seeking to stay the trial pending before the Sessions Court, Ernakulam. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 372]Abhimanyu was stabbed to death in 2018 during a campus political rivalry at Maharaja's College in Ernakulam. Presently, trial is pending before the Sessions Court...
"Men Are Not Improved By Injuries": Chhattisgarh High Court Reduces Child Rape Convict's Sentence To 20 Years
The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the conviction of a man for the rape of a six-year-old girl under Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, but reduced his sentence from imprisonment for life till natural death to rigorous imprisonment for twenty years. The Court observed that while punishment must be proportionate...
Personal Preference For Foreign Medical Treatment Not A Ground To Permit Overseas Travel By PMLA Accused: Chhattisgarh High Court
The Chhattisgarh High Court has held that an accused's personal preference to undergo medical treatment in a foreign country cannot override the mandate of law when equivalent medical facilities are available in India. The Court observed that permission to travel abroad on medical grounds can be granted only upon establishing a genuine medical necessity outweighing the State's interest...
Arms Act | Mere Recovery Of Weapon Without Proof Of Conscious Possession Can't Establish Guilt : Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Monday (July 13) observed that a mere recovery of arms from someone's house is not sufficient to hold a person guilty under the Arms Act, unless the conscious possession as well as dominion was not proved. “The High Court was justified in observing that mere recovery of certain articles including the weapons from the house of the respondent/accused is not sufficient...