Supreme Court Issues Directions for Speedy Trials in Dowry & Cruelty Cases
The Supreme Court has issued detailed directions to tackle delays in dowry and cruelty cases. From framing charges within 60–90 days and
dowry death
Top Legal Developments This Week [10-16 August 2026] | Tarun Tejpal’s Conviction; Bar Council Co-option; UPI Charges Clarified; and 20+ more stories
A quick roundup to cover all the important legal developments and cases this week.
After 47 years, doubt prevails over conviction: Allahabad HC acquits husband in 1979 dowry death case
The Court noted that the presence of the appellant at the time of occurrence at the scene of crime has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt and no active role has been assigned to him and the chain of the evidence is not consistent only with the hypothesis of the guilt of the accused.
Twisha Sharma Case: Six Ante-Mortem Injuries, Forced Abortion Allegations, Non-Cooperation — Why MP HC Quashed Mother-in-Law’s Anticipatory Bail
The Court noted that as per the post-mortem report, the death was due to ante-mortem hanging by ligature, but 6 other ante-mortem injuries were found on the body of the deceased, which were not caused by taking the body out of the ligature or carrying it out to the hospital.
“Hopefully, the story of her life will be an eye-opener for many”: SC Upholds Conviction in Dowry Death Case
Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the husband under Sections 302 and 498-A IPC in a dowry death case, rejecting the claim of suicide. The Court held that medical evidence showed a case of homicidal hanging, supported by ante-mortem injuries and absence of typical ligature marks not suicide.
Bhopal Dowry Death Case: SC takes note of assurance to transfer case to CBI; Urges Parties to refrain from making statements before media
The Court also urged the media to avoid recording statements of the persons who are likely to be potential witnesses or accused, as it may unnecessarily prejudge the outcome on certain issues, which are yet to be investigated.
Bhopal Dowry Death Case: Husband Withdraws Anticipatory Bail to Surrender; MP HC Issues Notice to Mother-in-Law
The Court also took note of the State’s contention that the anticipatory bail was granted in a very hurried manner, as the death occurred on 12 May at night, the post-mortem was conducted on 14 May, the anticipatory bail application was filed on 14 May, and the same was allowed on 15 May.
Young Girls Don’t Get Married to Be Killed for Dowry; Supreme Court Cancels Bail Granted in Dowry Death Case
The Court emphasised that dowry death cases carry statutory presumptions under Section 118, Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 which cannot be ignored.
Justice Rajesh Bindal bids adieu to the Supreme Court after a dedicated tenure of 3 years
Prior to being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2023, Justice Rajesh Bindal served as the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.
Presumption in dowry death cases require proof of demand related cruelty soon before death: Madras HC acquits husband
“The trial court failed to note that only when the prosecution proves the foundational facts and there is evidence to show that cruelty was meted out to the deceased in respect of demand of dowry soon before death, the presumption under Section 113-B of the Evidence Act would arise.”
Mere crying of woman does not prove dowry harassment: Delhi High Court upholds discharge of husband and in-laws in dowry death case
It is quite understandable that being the deceased’s father, he would have been highly traumatized due to untimely death of his daughter. However, it is quite evident from his first statement that no details of the alleged harassment of the daughter were mentioned.
‘Taunts for dark complexion not grave enough to prove cruelty or abetment to suicide under IPC’; Bombay HC acquits husband
“Every dispute, quarrel or altercation arising from the matrimonial life are not criminal offence. It will take colour of Criminal law only when there are no alternatives for the wife but to put an end to her life, because of the harassment.”
Petty family quarrels do not amount to dowry harassment: Gujarat High Court
“To prove the offence of dowry death, it must be shown that there was cruelty and harassment within 7 years of marriage and that it was meted out for or in connection with, demand for dowry”.
Demanding to arrange money to meet legal expense of husband’s bail does not constitute ‘dowry’; Gujarat HC upholds acquittal in dowry death case
It was not the prosecution’s case that any demand for dowry or any valuable security or other property was made by the accused. Rather, it was an admitted case that the only demand was to arrange Rs 50,000 to meet the legal expenses for applying bail of the husband and her father-in-law, who were in judicial custody.
‘Mere possibility of contrary view doesn’t justify reversal of acquittal’; Rajasthan High Court upholds acquittal in Dowry Death case
“Scope of interference in the acquittal order passed by the Trial Court is very limited, and if the impugned judgment of the Trial Court demonstrates a legally plausible view, mere possibility of a contrary view shall not justify the reversal of acquittal.”
‘For every instance of misuse, there are hundreds of genuine cases’; SC dismisses petition seeking declaration regarding constitutionality of S. 498-A IPC
The Court opined that impugned provisions do not warrant judicial interference, because it is well-settled law that courts refrain from intervening in matters of legislative policy or mandate
Know Thy Judge | Supreme Court of India: Justice Rajesh Bindal
Prior to being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2023, Justice Rajesh Bindal was serving as the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court.
Merely because suicide is committed in parental home and not matrimonial home, does not mean it is not a case of dowry death: Delhi HC dismisses bail application
The expression “soon before her death” in Section 304-B of Penal Code, 1860 must be read as an expression of continuity of time and not an expression of mere length of time. The legislature in its wisdom had used the phrase as “soon before” and not “immediately before”.
CRIMINAL LAW ROUNDUP: A quick recap of the top criminal cases from January 2025
Top criminal cases on quashing of proceedings, arrest, bail, acquittal, and more.
HIGH COURT JANUARY 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Khadi’s Device Mark; Police Protection for Live-In Couples; Wonderchef’s Reputation; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.