Criminal Law July 2025: A Dive into the Month’s Biggest Criminal Cases

Editor

2 days ago

This Criminal Law Roundup of July 2025 explores various important criminal cases, ranging from the Supreme Court granting anticipatory bail to Tamil Nadu MLA Jagan Moorthy to the cancellation of bail for a superintendent in a women’s inmates trafficking case. This month’s roundup also includes the Supreme Court setting aside proceedings against badminton players Chirag Sen and Lakshya Sen and a decision by the Juvenile Justice Board rejecting a plea to try a 17-year-old as an adult in the Pune Porsche accident case. These decisions, among others, offer valuable insights into the evolving legal landscape concerning new legislation like the BNSS, bail and conviction, crimes against women and children, and other aspects of criminal law.

Also Read:

DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Mere threat without intention to cause alarm does not constitute criminal intimidation’; Acquittal in POCSO case, upheld

Read more HERE

PATNA HIGH COURT | ‘Prosecution failed to prove case beyond all reasonable doubts’; Rape conviction against Juvenile, set aside

Read more HERE

TRIPURA HIGH COURT | ‘Benefit of Doubt cornerstone of criminal justice’; Murder accused’s conviction & life sentence, set aside

Read more HERE

BAIL

SUPREME COURT | Anticipatory bail granted to Tamil Nadu MLA Jagan Moorthy in Minor’s abduction case

In a Special Leave Petition filed by Tamil Nadu Member of the Legislative Assembly (‘MLA’) ‘Poovai’ M. Jagan Moorthy challenging the judgment of the Madras High Court——which had refused to grant him anticipatory bail in connection with an alleged abduction case involving a minor boy, a Division Bench of Manoj Misra and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, JJ., while observing that the matter required consideration, granted anticipatory bail to Jagan Moorthy. Read more HERE

SUPREME COURT | ‘Case of Saviour turning into a devil’; Superintendent’s bail in Patna’s Uttar Raksha Grih women inmates trafficking case cancelled

While considering this appeal filed by the victim challenging the grant of bail to Respondent 2, who during her tenure as Superintendent of Uttar Raksha Grih, was accused of sex trafficking helpless women who resided in that protection home; the Division Bench of Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta*, JJ., lamented that the present case was clearly of one where the person put in the role of a saviour has turned into a devil. Observing that allegations against Respondent 2 had shaken the Court’ conscience. “Grant of bail to the person accused of such grave offences without assigning reasons shakes the conscience of the Court and would have an adverse impact on the society”. Therefore, exercising extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution, the Court cancelled the bail granted to Respondent 2. Read more HERE

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | ‘Digital Crimes Can Destroy Lives’: Bail denied to accused for circulating indecent photographs via WhatsApp

In a bail application filed by the accused in jail since 09-01-2025 for offences under Sections 74, 352, 351(2), 64(1) Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) and Section 67A Information Technology Act, 2000 (‘IT Act’) a Single Judge Bench of Ajay Bhanot, J. refused to grant bail. The Court noted that the accused had allegedly circulated indecent photographs of the victim via WhatsApp. Read more HERE

MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | “Sheer misuse of the freedom of speech and expression”: Anticipatory bail denied to cartoonist for PM Modi, RSS caricature

In an anticipatory bail application filed by cartoonist Hemant Malviya in an FIR filed against hm under Sections 196, 299, 302, 352, and 353(3) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) and Section 67-A of the I.T. Act, 2000 (‘IT Act’) for an offensive caricature depicting the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (‘RSS’) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Single Judge Bench of Subodh Abhyankar, J., rejected the application, holding that the Sections 41(1)(b)(i) and (ii) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) would be attracted against Malviya who overstepped the threshold of freedom of speech and expression. Accordingly, the Court held that his custodial interrogation was necessary. Read more HERE

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Bail granted to former Indian Information Service Officer accused of murdering wife, evading arrest by hiding in storeroom

In a bail application filed by a former Indian Information Service officer, who had been accused of murdering his wife, a lawyer by profession, in 2023, the Single Judge Bench of Siddharth, J. after considering the nature of the offence and other relevant factors, allowed his bail application, subject to certain conditions. Read more HERE

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Asaram Bapu’s temporary bail extended

In a criminal application filed by Asaram Bapu for extension of temporary bail granted on 14-01-2025 on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment subject to conditions as set by the Supreme Court, a Division Bench of Dinesh Mehta and Vinit Kumar Mathur, JJ., noting a similar extension granted by Gujarat High Court on 03-07-2025, granted the extension of temporary bail till 12-08-2025. The Court clarified that no further extension will be granted. Read more HERE

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Interim protection from arrest granted to RCB Cricketer Yash Dayal in Sexual exploitation case

In a writ petition filed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (‘RCB’) cricketer Yash Dayal to quash the first information report (‘FIR’) giving rise to case under Section 69 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’), the division bench of Siddhartha Varma and Anil Kumar, JJ. granted interim protection from arrest to Yash Dayal, till the next date of listing or until submission of the police report, whichever is earlier. Read more HERE

Also Read:

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Bail granted to POCSO accused to look after pregnant minor victim; Directed inter-faith couple to marry under SMA upon reaching marriageable age

Read more HERE

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Community Service condition imposed under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan while granting bail to NDPS accused

Read more HERE

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | ‘BNSS removed statutory bar imposed by UP Amendment on anticipatory bail under S. 438(6) CrPC’; Pre-arrest bail granted to 78-year-old man in 2011 murder Read more HERE

JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH HIGH COURT | Bail granted to Sarpanch in wife’s murder case citing lack of credible evidence

Read more HERE

PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Serious, structured, and systemic fraud’; Anticipatory bail to accused in 8-acre land grab case involving DSP, Tehsildar
Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Arrest illegal’; Bail granted to a woman arrested after sunset in a bank fraud case

Read more HERE

KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘Circumstances indicate attempt to convert consensual relationship into rape’; Anticipatory bail granted to man accused of raping wife before their marriage

Read more HERE

DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Complainant’s refusal to undergo medical exam despite alleging sexual assault weakens prosecution’s case’; Anticipatory bail granted to accused
Read more HERE

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Gravity of offence justifies denying bail to juvenile accused of heinous crime Read more HERE

KERALA HIGH COURT | Anticipatory bail denied to man accused of leaking Class 10 paper on YouTube channel

Read more HERE

KERALA HIGH COURT | Anticipatory bail denied to nine persons accused of assaulting Advocate for drafting complaint against them

Read more HERE

CONTEMPT OF COURT

GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Rs 1 lakh fine on man caught relieving himself during virtual court proceedings

In a suo motu contempt case, the Division Bench of AS Supehia* and RT Vachhani, JJ, slapped a fine of Rs. 1 lakh on a man who was caught relieving himself during virtual court proceedings. Read more HERE

PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | “Reckless allegations intended to bring disrepute to justice system”; Contempt notice issued against advocate threatening to take HC judges to SC

In a preponement application filed by an advocate under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, read with Section 15(6(b) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (‘SC/ST Act’) and Article 14 and 21 of Constitution, the Single Judge Bench of Harpreet Singh Brar, J., allowed the application, despite holding that there was no justification for the same. The Court also issued a show cause notice to the petitioner under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (‘CC Act’), holding that the allegations levelled by the petitioner in the present application were intended to bring disrepute to the justice administration system and such action amounted to interference in the judicial process. Read more HERE

Also Read:

TELANGANA HIGH COURT | Contemptuous conduct must be purged before contempt can be contested; Mother directed to return 3 minor children to custody holder Read more HERE

MADRAS HIGH COURT | ‘Rather than viewing judicial criticism defensively, State embraced institutional reform’; Contempt case closed over non-implementation of TNPID Act Read more HERE

MADRAS HIGH COURT | Issue of alleged caste bias by a Judge placed before the Chief Justice for initiation of contempt case Read more HERE

CONVICTION CONFIRMED

MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | Conviction of Chemistry Professor for electrocuting her Doctor husband to death, upheld

In a criminal appeal filed by a wife, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, who was convicted by the Trial Court for the murder of her husband and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life, the Division Bench of Vivek Agarwal* and Devnarayan Mishra, JJ., rejected the appeal holding that the chain of circumstances had been completed and the guilt of the wife had been proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution. Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Conviction & life sentence of man who slit his girlfriend’s throat after she withdrew their marriage application upheld

In the present criminal appeal, the appellant-accused challenged the order passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (‘Trial Court’) convicting him under Sections 302 and 309 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) for murdering his girlfriend (‘victim’) and sentencing him to rigorous life imprisonment. The Division Bench of Sarang V. Kotwal* and Shyam C. Chandak, JJ., opined that since the accused was the only one present in the room along with the deceased victim and there was no one else who could have committed the offence; therefore, there was no possibility of any other hypothesis but to accept that it was only the accused who could have committed this offence. Hence, the Court dismissed the appeal. Read more HERE

CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Mere sending or exchange of messages containing profanity would not amount to stalking

While deliberating over the instant petition filed by the accused seeking quashment of criminal proceedings in respect for offences under Sections 354-C, 354-D, 504, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989; the Bench of M. Nagaprasanna, J., quashed the proceedings only with respect to Section 354-D of the IPC stating that the offence of stalking was loosely laid against the accused. The Court further opined that mere sending messages between the parties in the instant case or exchange of messages which contained profanity, would not amount to stalking. Read more HERE

MADRAS HIGH COURT | Female advocate’s non-consensual intimate photos, videos ordered to be removed from internet

In a petition filed by the petitioner, a practicing advocate before this Court and the District Judiciary, under Article 226 of the Constitution directing Respondent 1 to act upon the representation made by her dated 18-6-2025 by taking all appropriate measures to detect, remove, and block all content depicting her non-consensual intimate images and videos (‘NCII’) which were being shared over the Internet/digital platforms, to ensure the effective removal of such content and to prevent its further dissemination on digital platforms in present and future. N. Anand Venkatesh J. held that the right to privacy and dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution were being violated every second in the present case and thus, directed for removal of advocate’s NCII within 48 hours. Read more HERE

MADRAS HIGH COURT | How ‘internalised misogyny’ led to reduction of sentence of women convicted for abetting minor girl’s suicide

In a criminal appeal filed under Section 374(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 challenging the judgment of Trial Court dated 21-7-2016, wherein the appellants were convicted under Section 305 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) and sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2,000 each, D. Bharatha Chakravarthy J., observed that the appellants, being ordinary domestic workers and daily wagers with no social influence, would not weaken the deterrent effect on society by serving a shorter prison term. Thus, highlighting internalised misogyny and considering the appellants’ remorse, socio-economic status, and prior imprisonment as mitigating factors, the Court reduced their sentence to the period already undergone. Read more HERE

MADRAS HIGH COURT | ‘Bad Girl’ teaser ordered to be removed from YouTube citing child pornographic depiction & State’s duty under Article 39(f)

The present writ petition was filed by the petitioners seeking urgent intervention against the alleged circulation of child pornographic content in the teaser of a Tamil movie titled “Bad Girl”, hosted on YouTube. The petitioners sought directions to the Union of India to ensure removal of such content and initiate appropriate legal action. A Single Judge Bench of P. Dhanabal, J., allowed the petition, holding that child protection is a constitutional mandate under Articles 39(f) and 45 of the Constitution, and directed the competent authority to issue notice and take appropriate action to remove the obscene contents and the videos. The Court emphasised that it was the duty of the State to protect the children in all respect and such content could not be allowed to continue. Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Suo motu cognizance taken of girls’ harassment in a Children’s Home

The Court took suo motu cognizance based on various newspaper reports about the incident where nine minor girls escaped from a Vidyadeep Children’s home, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (‘Home’). The Division Bench of Vibha Kankanwadi* and Sanjay A. Deshmukh, JJ., took note of the ill-treatment and harassment of the minor girls and after reviewing their statements recorded by the police, observed that despite repeated complaints by the children, the authorities failed to act. Read more HERE

CRIMINAL TRIAL

SUPREME COURT | Police must serve Section 35 BNSS notices physically; WhatsApp and other electronic modes not valid

In an application filed by the State of Haryana seeking modification of the order dated 21-01-2025, passed by the Supreme Court, the Court had directed all States and Union Territories to issue Standing Orders to their respective police departments mandating that notices under Section 41-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’), or Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’), be issued only through modes of service prescribed by law. The division bench comprising MM Sundresh and NK Singh, JJ., dismissed the application and confirmed the impugned order. The Court held that it was not persuaded that electronic communication constituted a valid mode of service of notice under Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023. The deliberate omission of such a provision by the Legislature was construed as a clear indication of its intent. The Court observed that incorporating a procedure into Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023, which had not been expressly provided by the Legislature, would have been contrary to legislative intent. Read more HERE

SUPREME COURT | Guidelines for handling of DNA evidence issued; Implores legislature to consider compensation for acquittal after long incarceration

While considering the instant appeal challenging conviction and sentence of death penalty to the appellant (convict) which was affirmed by Madras High Court via the impugned judgment; the 3 Judge Bench of Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol* and Sandeep Mehta, JJ., emphasised need of a legislative framework to compensate accused persons who have been suffering long incarcerations only for them to be cleanly acquitted. The Court further took strict note of the faulty investigation and especially the treatment of the DNA evidence in ways that rendered the samples useless for the purposes of the case. Hence, the Court issued certain guidelines which must be followed in all cases where DNA Evidence is involved. Read more HERE

SUPREME COURT | High Courts must consider incorporating provision in their respective Rules, obligating disclosure of criminal antecedents by accused persons

The appellant, a Judicial Officer of the District Judge Cadre in the judicial services of the State of Rajasthan, approached this Court to challenge the strictures passed against him in order dated 3-5-2024 (‘the impugned order’) by the Rajasthan High Court (‘the High Court’). The 3-Judges Bench of Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol, and Sandeep Mehta*, JJ., opined that the strictures and/or the scathing observations were made to the detriment of the appellant as he was not provided with any opportunity of explanation, thus, the same were set aside. The Court opined that every High Court in the country should consider incorporating a provision in the respective High Court Rules and/or Criminal Side Rules which would impose an obligation on the accused persons to make disclosures regarding his/her involvement in any other criminal case(s) previously registered. Read more here

SUPREME COURT | ‘Not born as criminals’: Woman convicted for fiancé’s murder permitted to seek pardon

In an appeal seeking to assail the life sentence on the appellants (‘accused persons’), the Division Bench of M.M. Sundresh* and Aravind Kumar, JJ., upheld the conviction and sentence of the accused persons. However, the Court observed that that it did not condone the action of Accused 4, a 20-year-old woman (‘accused woman’) as it resulted in the loss of an innocent life, her fiancé. The Court stated that the accused persons were not born as criminals, but it was an error of judgment through a dangerous adventure which led to the commission of a heinous crime. Thus, the Court facilitated the accused persons’ right to seek pardon by permitting them to file appropriate petitions before Governor of Karnataka. Read more here

Also Read:

MADRAS HIGH COURT | ‘Apprehension of possible tampering not a valid reason to refuse forensic examination’; Forensic analysis of pen drive & video recording in corruption case, allowed Read more HERE

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Suo motu cognizance taken of school ceiling collapse case which claimed lives of 7 children Read more HERE

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | “Justice system knows no caste, religion, creed, colour”; Relief denied to advocate seeking case transfer alleging personal bias of Special Judge

Read more HERE

CRUELTY

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Refusing physical relations, accusing husband of affairs and humiliating him in front of his friends/employees is cruelty

In the present appeal, the appellant-wife challenged the judgment passed by the Family Court on 28-11-2019, whereby her petition for the restitution of conjugal rights was dismissed and the counterclaim of the respondent-husband for divorce was allowed and the divorce was granted. The Division Bench of Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale*, JJ., opined that the wife’s behaviour with his husband’s employees, humiliating him in front of his friends, refusing sexual relations, and accusing him of extra-marital affairs were all instances of ‘cruelty’ that her husband was subjected to. The Court dismissed the appeal and held that the judgment passed by the Family Court was well-reasoned because the wife subjected her husband to cruelty and had deserted him. Read more HERE

KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘Conviction under S 498-A IPC would be unjustified if cruelty is not proven’; All accused acquitted

The present appeal was filed by the Accused 1 to 3 wherein the conviction and sentence passed against them, by the Additional Sessions Judge (‘Trial Court’), for the offence under Section 498-A read with Section 34 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) was challenged. The PW-1 (‘wife’) alleged that Accused 1 (‘husband’), Accused 2 (‘father-in-law’), Accused 3 (‘mother-in-law’) and Accused 4 (‘sister-in-law’) subjected her to cruelty and harassed her for her dowry. The husband even compelled her to abort her foetus. A Single Judge Bench of Jobin Sebastian, J., held that the prosecution failed to establish the main act of cruelty as defined under Section 498-A IPC and found the conviction unsustainable in law. Consequently, the Court set aside the judgment of conviction and sentence and acquitted the accused. Read more HERE

Also Read:

DELHI HIGH COURT | Making derogatory and defamatory complaints to spouse’s employer amounts to cruelty

Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Taunts for dark complexion not grave enough to prove cruelty or abetment to suicide under IPC’; Husband acquitted

Read more HERE

CUSTODIAL TORTURE/ POLICE ATROCITIES

SUPREME COURT | Rs 50 Lakhs compensation awarded to J&K Police Constable who was victim of brutal custodial torture

While considering an appeal challenging J&K and Ladakh High Court’s decision to dismiss appellant’s petitions seeking FIR against police personnel; transfer of the investigation to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI); and quashing of the FIR filed against the appellant; the Division Bench of Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta*, JJ., exercised the extraordinary jurisdiction of the Court under Article 136 read with Article 142 of the Constitution and directed the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to pay compensation of Rs 50 Lakhs to the appellant so as to provide some solace to the appellant and his family for the barbaric acts of custodial torture leading to complete castration. The Court further directed the CBI to take over the investigation in the matter. Read more HERE

CYBER CRIME

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Google India distinct legal entity than Google LLC, cannot be sued for content posted on Google LLC and YouTube

In a civil writ petition filed by Google India Private Limited (‘Google India’) challenging an order passed by the Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge, rejecting their application to be deleted from a suit for permanent injunction filed by the respondent involving posts and broadcasts on Google LLC and YouTube, a Single-Judge Bench of Vijaykumar A. Patil, J., while setting aside the order, held that Google India is a distinct legal entity from Google LLC. and YouTube, and therefore cannot be sued for content posted, broadcasted, or web-hosted by Google LLC. and YouTube. Read more HERE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Stale allegations to exert pressure’; Plea to issue summons to in-laws in domestic violence complaint, dismissed

The petitioner-wife filed the present petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) read with Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’) for quashing the orders of the Trial Court and the Appellate Court, which upheld the Trial Court’s order, whereby the names of in-laws were deleted from the array of parties when omnibus allegations were mentioned against them. A Single Judge Bench of Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora*, J., opined that no interference was warranted when non-summoning and deletion of parties was done due to lack of specific allegations against them in the complaint filed under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (‘DV Act’). Read more HERE

KERALA HIGH COURT | No Scope for inherent powers to interfere with interim orders passed under DV Act without manifest illegality

In a petition filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) against interim order passed by the Grama Nyayalaya, Vellanadu, the Single Judge Bench of G. Girish, J. held that a petition seeking the exercise of inherent powers to set aside an interim order passed under Section 12(1) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (‘PWDV Act’), was not maintainable in the absence of any blatant irregularity or manifest illegality in the said order. Read more HERE

Also read: Family and Personal Law July 2025: Major Judgments and Legislation Updates

DOWRY

GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Petty family quarrels do not amount to dowry harassment
In a criminal appeal filed against the judgement dated 28-5-2014 passed by the Trial Court, whereby the accused persons were acquitted of the charges under Sections 498-A, 306, 304-B and 114 of the Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) read with Sections 3 and 7 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (Dowry Act), the Division Bench of Cheekati Manavendranath Roy* and D. M. Vyas, JJ, upheld the Trial Court’s order of acquittal and stated that petty quarrels and bickering that are common in family life do not amount to ‘cruelty’ under Section 498-A of the IPC and cannot be called dowry harassment. Read more HERE

FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIAL

DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Against speedy trial’s mandate’; Delhi HC grants relief to a 90-year-old man convicted for demanding Rs. 15000 bribe in 1984

In an appeal filed by the 90-year-old appellant, challenging his conviction under Sections 5(1) read with 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (‘PC Act’) and Section 161 of the Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’), whereby he was convicted for demanding Rs. 15k bribe in 1984, a Single Judge Bench of Jasmeet Singh, J., stated that such inordinate delay was plainly at odds with the constitutional mandate of a speedy trial envisaged under Article 21 of the Constitution. Thus, considering mitigating circumstances, the Court reduced the appellant’s quantum of sentence to the time already served. [Surendra Kumar v. CBI, 2025 SCC OnLine Del 4788] Read more HERE

MEGHALAYA HIGH COURT | ‘Deficiency in conduct of legal aid counsel defeats right to fair trial’; Retrial ordered in POCSO case

In a criminal appeal seeking to quash and set aside the conviction of the accused and remand the matter to the Trial Court for retrial as he was provided with an ineffective legal aid resulting in denial of fair trial, the Division bench of W. Diengdoh J. and B. Bhattacharjee J.* stated that the legal aid must be real, substantial, and meaningful and any deficiency in the conduct of legal aid counsel would defeat the right of the accused to a fair trial. The Court observed that the legal aid provided to the accused during the trial was neither effective nor adequate, which has not only infringed his fundamental rights but also seriously prejudiced his defence in the case. Thus, the Court remanded the matter to the Trial Court for a retrial. Read more HERE

DUTY TO FILE FIR

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | FIR ordered in Dalit law student’s custodial death after arrest in 2024 protest over atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh

A writ petition was filed by the mother of the deceased (‘petitioner’) seeking registration of a first information report(‘FIR’) under the relevant provisions of the Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (‘Atrocities Act’), against the police officers allegedly responsible for the custodial death of her son (‘deceased’), who was arrested for protesting against the alleged atrocities committed against Hindus in Bangladesh in 2024. The Division Bench of Vibha Kankanwadi* and Sanjay A. Deshmukh, JJ., held that the police failed in their duty by not filing an FIR even after a complaint was submitted by the petitioner. Accordingly, the Court directed the registration of the FIR. Read more HERE

FRAUD

SUPREME COURT | ‘Fraud is an exception to doctrine of merger’: Judgment obtained by fraud recalled

In a civil appeal seeking to set aside the impugned order dated 28-10-2021, whereby ‘R’ was made the sole owner of the subject property, the three Judge Bench of Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta* and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., stated that the doctrine of merger might not automatically apply to every set of related civil appeals made from the same order, and laid down certain exceptions to the doctrine. Further, the Court stated that fraud was an exception to the doctrine of merger, and since fraud vitiated the entire proceedings, the Court set aside the impugned order. Consequently, the Court recalled its judgment in Reddy Veerana v. State of U.P., (2022) 14 SCC 252 (‘Reddy Veerana case’), which too was obtained by fraud. Read more HERE

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | ‘Burden of proving customer’s liability in unauthorized e-banking lies upon bank’; Relief denied to businessmen claiming wilful transaction as cyber fraud

In a writ petition seeking directions to the Bank of Baroda (‘the Bank’) and Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) to restore the illicitly embezzled fund of Rs.38,78,000 inclusive of penal interest at the rate of 24 per cent, the Division Bench of Shekhar B. Saraf* and Praveen Kumar Giri, JJ., rejected the petition, holding that there appeared to be gross negligence by the petitioners and the case of a third-party hacking into their accounts was not conclusively proved. Read more HERE

INVESTIGATION

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | “Whether Law enacted by Parliament binding and mandatory on Maharashtra Police?”; DGP questioned after a lousy investigation
In the present writ petition, attention of the Court was drawn towards a lousy probe in an economic offence, wherein the Investigating Officer (‘IO’) did not complete even the basics of the investigation even though the first information report (‘FIR’) was lodged a long time before. The Division Bench of A.S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil, JJ., ordered the Director General of Police (‘DGP’) to explain on oath whether the provisions of the law enacted by the Parliament were binding on the State police force and why the subordinate officers were not following the Circulars issued by the topmost authority of the police department. Read more HERE

PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | ‘Mystery behind missing kidney’; Police probe directed into suspicious death of 22-year-old girl with missing kidney at HMC Hospital
In a writ petition filed by a man whose daughter’s body had a missing kidney after she allegedly died due to COVID-19 complications, the Single Judge Bench of Kuldeep Tiwari, J., directed the Commissioner of Police (‘Commissioner’), Ludhiana, to look into the matter and inquire into all the allegations levelled by the petitioner. Read more HERE

MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | Mandatory photography of injuries in all criminal cases by police and doctors, directed

In an anticipatory bail application, the Single Judge Bench of Subodh Abhyankar, J., noted the disturbing trend being adopted by police wherein cases of serious injuries were recorded under petty sections. Accordingly, the Court directed that in all the cases of injuries, the Police Officer concerned and the doctors treating the injured shall take photographs of the injured person(s), highlighting the injuries, so that the Court could decide as to the nature of injuries and foul play of the parties, if any. Read more HERE

JUVENILES

PATNA HIGH COURT | Section 12 JJ Act | Serious nature of offence not a ground for denying bail to Juvenile

In a Criminal Appeal filed by the juvenile-appellant against the order passed by the Children Court, rejecting his bail application, a single-judge bench of Jitendra Kumar, J., while setting aside the Children Court’s order held that the serious nature of offence is not a valid ground for denying bail to Juvenile under Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (‘JJ Act’). The Court emphasised that the JJ Act’s primary objective is the reformation and rehabilitation of children in conflict with law, not their punishment. Read more HERE

MAINTENANCE

DELHI HIGH COURT | Granting interim maintenance to qualified unemployed wife doesn’t mean breeding a class of idle woman; Plea against maintenance order, dismissed

In the present case, a revision petition was filed under Section 438 read with Section 442 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) and Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘CrPC’) by the petitioner-husband, challenging the order dated 9-5-2025 of the Family Court, New Delhi (‘the Trial Court’), which granted ad-interim maintenance of Rs 1,00,000/- per month to the respondent-wife. A Single Judge Bench of Neena Bansal Krishna, J., observed that raising objections at this stage to the grant of maintenance despite the wife’s earning capacity, and stating that it would be like breeding a class of idle women dependent on their husband, was premature and unwarranted. The Court stated that the order dated 9-5-2025 was only ad-interim in nature, which was meant to provide immediate relief until the interim maintenance application was finally decided. The Court thus, dismissed the petition for devoid of merits and stated that both the parties were at liberty to make contentions before the Trial Court during the consideration of the interim maintenance application. Read more HERE

MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | ‘Despite counseling, minor rape victim opts against full-term pregnancy’; Termination permitted at 31 weeks

In a petition filed by a father on behalf of his minor daughter, who is a victim of rape, for a writ of mandamus commanding the respondent authorities to terminate the pregnancy of the minor, the division bench of Manoj Kumar Gupta and Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra,JJ. while allowing the medical termination of pregnancy, gave some directions. Read more HERE

NDPS

DELHI HIGH COURT | ‘Merely receiving package, unaware of its contents, not ‘conscious possession’ under NDPS Act’; Bail granted to man caught with LSD paper blots

In a bail application wherein, the accusedaccused had been apprehended collecting a parcel from DTDC containing commercial quantity of LSD paper blots, the Single Judge Bench of Sanjeev Narula, J, held that merely receiving a package, being unaware of its illicit contents, does not amount to ‘conscious possession’ under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (‘NDPS Act’). Thereafter, the Court allowed release of the accused on bail after furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs. 25,000. Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Adverse Police Report unsustainable’; Order denying furlough to prisoner pending conviction in another NDPS case set aside

In the present case, the petitioner, who was undergoing trial for an offence under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (‘NDPS Act’), had applied for furlough leave application, but the same was rejected. he Division Bench comprising of Anil L. Pansare, and M.M. Nerlikar*, JJ., held that since the petitioner was yet to be convicted in a pending case, registered under the provisions of NDPS Act, which was one of the categories for which furlough was barred, therefore the Rules of Notification dated 2-12-2024 could not be applicable to him. Further, the Court stated that the apprehension expressed by the Police in the Adverse Police Report, that there would be danger to the family of the deceased if the furlough was granted to the petitioner, was not sustainable. The Court thus, quashed and set-aside the rejection order and directed the authorities to release the petitioner on furlough leave for a period of 21 days on the condition as the authorities concerned deemed fit. Read more HERE

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MANIPUR HIGH COURT | Bail application of NDPS accused allegedly participated in misbranding controlled substance as normal drug dismissed

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KERALA HIGH COURT | ‘No grounds for arrest communicated in arrest intimation or memo’; Bail granted in NDPS case

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PCPNDT ACT

GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Use of doppler device to monitor foetal heartbeat not ‘pre-natal diagnostic procedure’ under PCPNDT Act

In a petition filed under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, for quashing of a criminal case instituted under Section 23 of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act), the Single Judge Bench of J.C. Joshi, J*, held that the use of a doppler device to monitor heartbeat of the foetus does not amount to ‘pre-natal diagnostic procedure’ as defined in the PCPNDT Act. Accordingly, the Court quashed and set aside the criminal proceedings against the petitioner. Read more HERE

POCSO

SUPREME COURT | Constitutional bar against retrospectively imposing harsher penalty is clear and absolute: Sentence modified in POCSO case

In an appeal challenging the judgment dated 5-9-2023, whereby the appellant’s challenge to his conviction under Section 376-AB of Penal Code 1860 (‘IPC’) and Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (‘POCSO Act’) was dismissed, the Division Bench of Vikram Nath* and Sandeep Mehta, JJ., stated that the constitutional bar against retrospective imposition of a harsher penalty under Article 20(1) of Constitution was clear and absolute. The Court stated that the sentence of “imprisonment for life, meaning remainder of natural life”, as per the amended provision under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 2019, did not exist in the statutory framework on the date of the incident. Accordingly, the Court upheld the appellant’s conviction under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, and modified the sentence to rigorous imprisonment for life, as understood under the unamended statute, and set aside the sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of the natural life. Read more here

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘Will defeat purpose of POCSO Act’; Bail denied to man for allegedly committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on minor boy

In an application for regular bail under Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’) in connection with offences alleged under Sections 137(2) and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’) as well as under Sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (‘POCSO’), a Single Judge Bench of Amit Borkar, J., rejected the bail application on the ground that it lacked merit as the applicant-accused failed to demonstrate that the allegations against him were prima facie baseless which was essential for securing bail in such cases. Read more HERE

Also Read:

MADRAS HIGH COURT | Fresh investigation ordered in POCSO case despite negative DNA report of the accused Read more HERE

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | ‘Saying ‘I Love You’ alone not sexual assault in absence of proven sexual intent’; Acquittal of man in POCSO case, upheld

Read more HERE

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT | [POCSO] Death sentence in rape and murder case commuted to life imprisonment without remission for 60 yearsRead more HERE

TELANGANA HIGH COURT | ‘Conviction doesn’t extinguish right to defence’: Second DNA test allowed for 80-Year-old convict in POCSO case

Read more HERE

POLICE PROTECTION

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Factors to be considered by Trial Courts before granting police protection laid down

In a petition filed by the petitioner under Article 227 of the Constitution challenging the order passed by the Principal Senior Civil Judge & JMFC, Channarayapatna (‘Trial Court’), whereby the petitioner’s request for police protection to guard their properties was rejected, a Single Judge Bench of Vijaykumar A. Patil J.* stated that it is an inherent power of the Court under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 (‘CPC’) to consider application for police protection of the property. The Court further laid down factors to be considered by the Trial Court before granting police protection. Read more HERE

POSH

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Advocates are not Bar Council employees, hence outside the ambit of POSH Act

The UNS Women Legal Association filed the instant Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking formation of permanent internal grievance committee of women advocates in all State Bar Council offices and all Bar Associations of Maharashtra. The Division Bench of Alok Aradhe, C.J. and Sandeep V. Marne, J., while disposing of the PIL, observed that the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (‘POSH Act’) does not apply to advocates as the POSH Act requires an employer-employee relationship, which does not exist between advocates and the Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa (‘BCMG’). Read more HERE

PRISONS, PRISONERS AND PROBATION OF OFFENDERS

SUPREME COURT | ‘State bears constitutional and moral obligation to uphold rights of disabled prisoners’; Directions issued for improved accessibility and care

In a civil appeal filed by an Advocate against the order passed by the Madras High Court, the division bench of JB Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan*, JJ. in furtherance of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (‘RPwD Act’), and India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006 (‘UNCPRD’), issued several important directions. Read more Here

KERALA HIGH COURT | Denied parole to TP Chandrasekharan’s murder convict’s for son’s Choroonu ceremony

The present writ petition was filed by the convict’s wife seeking emergency leave for him to attend the choroonu ceremony of their child. The convict was serving a life sentence in the T. P. Chandrasekharan murder case, who was an Indian politician and the founder of the Revolutionary Marxist Party. A Single Judge Bench of P.V. Kunhikrishnan,J. held that parole could not be granted to a murder convict for every ceremony and accordingly dismissed the writ petition. Read more HERE

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PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | 4-month deadline set for deciding parole applications; Convicts can file contempt cases in case of unjustified delay

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JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH HIGH COURT | 19-year-old FIR cannot be the basis of a preventive detention order; Detention order quashed

Read more HERE

QUASHMENT OF PROCEEDINGS/ FIR

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | Proceedings against HUL MD & CEO Rohit Jiwa over contaminated Horlicks biscuits, quashed

While considering a petition filed by Rohit Jiwa (petitioner), Managing Director & CEO of Hindustan Unilever Ltd., seeking quashment of criminal proceedings initiated against him concerning discovery of pesticide in a sample of Horlicks biscuits; the Bench of J.M. Khazi, J., noted that in the instant case, Hindustan Unilever Ltd., was not arraigned as an accused and therefore, Rohit Jiwa, who was the sole accused, could not be proceeded against. Therefore, impugned initiation of proceedings against the petitioner must be set aside. Read more HERE

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | FIR against teacher over mocking posts on ‘Operation Sindoor’ in WhatsApp group refused to be quashed

In a petition filed by the accused seeking quashing of the First Information Report (‘FIR’) for posting controversial WhatsApp messages and social media status, and for reacting with a laughing emoji to the phrase “Jai Hind”, the Division Bench of A. S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil*, JJ opined that the accused could have avoided such a reaction when the nation wascelebrating the successful mission of the Indian Armed forces , namely “Operation Sindoor”. The Court held that the intention of the accused became an essential ingredient to be assessed in light of the language she had used for India, particularly at a time when the entire nation was expressing pride in the Indian Armed forces. Accordingly, the Court dismissed the petition, stating that the instant case constituted the necessary ingredients of the alleged offences, and therefore, the FIR was not liable to be quashed. Read more HERE

KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | ‘Procedure under S. 174 BNSS not followed’: Criminal proceedings quashed in ‘Matka’ gambling case

In a petition filed under Section 528 of Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNSS’) praying to quash the criminal proceedings in ‘Matka’ gambling case, V. Srishananda, J.* opined that the Station House Officer (‘SHO’) had not only registered the case but investigated the matter and filed the final report without following the procedure as contemplated under Section 174 of BNSS. Thus, the Court quashed the criminal proceedings in the Matka gambilng case. Read more HERE

Also Read:

JHARKHAND HIGH COURT | “Offence of cheating will not be made out unless deception is played since beginning”: Criminal proceedings u/s 406 and 420 IPC, quashed

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BOMBAY HIGH COURT | ‘No disturbance to public peace’: FIR against men allegedly accused of committing affray, quashed

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SIKKIM HIGH COURT | Section 528 BNSS or Section 482 CrPC? Applicability explained
Read more HERE

SUICIDE

ORISSA HIGH COURT | Balasore Student self-immolation case | Judicial SIT probe decline; ICC held accountable

The present Public Interest Litigation (‘PIL’) was filed by the petitioner, a public-spirited person raising concerns over an unprecedented incident dated 12-7-2025, in which the victim of sexual harassment committed self-immolation by pouring petrol in front of the Principal’s office. Despite medical attention, the girl succumbed to burn injuries on 14-7-2025. The petitioner sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) headed by a responsible officer of repute ensuring fair investigation. The Division Bench of Harish Tandon, CJ., and Manash Ranjan Pathak, J., declined the prayer, noting that SIT had already been constituted by the State. The Court held that constituting a SIT over the SIT constituted by the Government may not be proper at the nebulous stage of the investigation unless the Court, upon examining the materials presented before it, perceived that the investigation had been misdirected. Read more HERE

TERRORISM AND ORGANISED CRIME

BOMBAY HIGH COURT | All accused persons in 2006 Mumbai Train Blasts acquitted
This petition was initiated by the State under Section 366(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (‘CrPC’), seeking confirmation of death sentences awarded by the Special Court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (‘MCOCA’) and the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (‘NIA Act’) vide judgment dated 30-9-2015 in connection with the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. The core issue was whether the conviction of the accused persons, including 5 who were awarded death sentences, for seven coordinated bomb blasts were legally sustainable considering alleged procedural lapses, unreliable testimonies of witnesses, doubts over the voluntariness of the confessions and inadequate corroborative evidence. The Division Bench of Anil S. Kilor* and Shyam C. Chandak, JJ., while revisiting the judgment of the Special Court, set aside the convictions and sentences awarded to the accused persons and acquitted them holding that the prosecution failed to establish their offence beyond reasonable doubt. Read more HERE

CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | Bail denied to three accused allegedly involved in 2023 IED Blast Case

In a criminal appeal filed against Trial Court’s order rejecting the bail application filed by an accused in the 2023 IED Blast Case, the Division Bench of Ramesh Sinha*, CJ., and Bibhu Datta Guru, J., dismissed the appeal, holding that the Trial Court’s decision reflected a correct appreciation of facts, materials on record, and the law applicable to such cases. Read more HERE

JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH HIGH COURT | ‘Incitement of secession, calling J&K an ‘occupied territory’ is unlawful activity’; Discharge of accused set aside

The present appeal was filed by the appellant against the order of the Additional Sessions Judge (‘Trial Court’), wherein the respondents, who were facing prosecution under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (‘UAPA’) for delivering anti-national speech and calling for secession of Jammu and Kashmir claiming that it was illegally occupied, stood discharged. The Division Bench of Sanjeev Kumar and Sanjay Parihar*, JJ., set aside the discharge and held that it was legally unsustainable and reflected a ‘non-application of mind and erroneous application of law’. Read more HERE

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ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Sambhal Violence| “Only bald and verbal allegations, no admissible evidence”: Bail granted to Jama Masjid Committee Chairman

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DELHI HIGH COURT | Order dismissing default bail to UAPA accused allegedly involved in propagating ISIS ideology and radicalizing youth upheld

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VICTIM

SUPREME COURT | Company considered as ‘victim’ within the ambit of S. 2(wa) read with Proviso to S. 372 CrPC?

While considering this appeal by Asian Paints Ltd, (appellant) whereby the Division Bench of Ahsanuddin Amanullah* and Prashant Kumar Mishra, JJ., were faced with the question that whether the appellant would fall under the definition of ‘victim’ as per Section 2(wa) read with the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC or whether Section 378 of the CrPC would prevail in the facts and circumstances of the present case. The Court opined that Section 2(wa) CrPC does not define ‘victim’ in a narrow sense. The Court further stated that Section 372 of the CrPC is a self-contained and independent Section, i.e., it is a stand-alone Section and is not regulated by other provisions of Chapter XXIX of the CrPC including Section 378. Thus, the right of a victim to prefer an appeal as granted under the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC is not restricted by any other provision of the CrPC Therefore, the Court opined that Appellant was a ‘victim’ as it suffered due to the counterfeit/fake products being sold/attempted to be sold as having been manufactured by the Appellant. Read More HERE

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