Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, convicted in the sensational blue drum murder case, have appealed their death sentence in the Allahabad High Court. They argue the trial court's verdict, based on circumstantial evidence, was illegal and arbitrary, citing lack of concrete proof and procedural lapses. The High Court is expected to hear the matter next week.
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that survivors of sexual assault under the POCSO Act cannot be denied compensation solely because their medical report does not record physical injuries. The court directed authorities to pay Rs 3 lakh to a minor under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh scheme, emphasising that absence of injury marks does not negate sexual assault allegations and that the scheme's provisions must be interpreted liberally.
The Uttarakhand High Court has set aside a death sentence for a man convicted of triple murder, citing his mental illness. The court directed the state government to provide treatment and release him upon recovery, noting that the trial court had overlooked his mental condition.
The Allahabad High Court has overturned a 1988 conviction of a man named Subhash in a 1986 rape and kidnapping case, citing the prosecution's failure to establish proof beyond reasonable doubt. The court observed that the woman, who was over 19 at the time, appeared to be a consenting party, and found glaring inconsistencies in the prosecution's case, which was not corroborated by medical or oral evidence, leading to the acquittal.
The Delhi High Court has asked the makers of the film "Doosra" to respond to Sourav Ganguly's plea regarding the violation of his personality rights. The court also requested a screening of the movie, which was released on Friday, to determine if rights were infringed. Ganguly's legal team claims no license was obtained, while filmmakers argue it's not a biopic and permissions were secured for clips.
The Bombay High Court has quashed a 2016 FIR against a teacher and college management in connection with the drowning of 14 students off Murud beach. The court ruled that the victims were adults capable of understanding the consequences of their actions and found no gross negligence by the teachers. It also called for better implementation of safety norms at beaches.
The Delhi High Court has permitted the termination of a 31-week pregnancy for a 16-year-old sexual assault victim, citing that it would not be appropriate to burden the minor with childbirth and raising a child. The court recognised the termination as a human right affecting the victim's dignified existence and directed the state to cover medical expenses, ensuring foetal tissue preservation for DNA testing and offering adoption if the child is born alive.
The Kerala High Court has ordered a further probe by the CBI into the death of renowned violinist Balabhaskar and his daughter in a 2019 car accident. The court criticised the CBI for its "casual and lackadaisical manner" in handling the previous investigation, which concluded it was an accident. The court directed the CBI to appoint an officer not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police for the new investigation.
The Allahabad High Court has stayed the conviction and sentence of Nandlal Rai, a BJP worker, in a 2017 murder case, allowing him to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. The court cited his right to contest elections and referenced a Supreme Court precedent regarding public representatives.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that a woman can be charged with gang rape even if she did not physically commit the act, but facilitated the victim's rape. This judgment clarifies the interpretation of Section 376D IPC and Section 70 BNS, stating that anyone acting in furtherance of a common intention in a group can be held liable, regardless of gender. The ruling came while dismissing a plea challenging charges against a woman accused of forcing her minor daughter into sexual relations.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government's decision to order a preliminary enquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, despite information from the ED regarding corruption offences against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others. The court is hearing appeals from Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, who argue they were not heard before an FIR was directed to be lodged. The ED alleges fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore were made to Veena's company.
The Allahabad High Court has issued a strong warning against routinely converting distressed or failed marriages into criminal cases, stating that such a practice could fundamentally affect the institution of marriage. The court quashed an FIR alleging dowry harassment and assault in a case involving a brief period of cohabitation, emphasising that criminal proceedings should not be a substitute for matrimonial court adjudication.
The Kerala High Court has upheld the conviction and life-term sentence of a 55-year-old autorickshaw driver for sexually assaulting a minor girl he used to ferry to school back in 2012-13. The court dismissed his appeal, even after his death, affirming the trial court's findings based on the child's consistent testimony.
Jailed Aam Aadmi Party MLA Chaitar Vasava was granted one-day temporary bail by the Gujarat High Court after his stepbrother was hospitalised following a suicide attempt. The MLA's stepbrother, Shantilal Vasava, consumed poison on October 12 and is in critical condition. Chaitar Vasava had initially sought bail for an examination but changed his plea to care for his stepbrother. He was previously sentenced to seven years in jail for extortion and assault.
The Patna High Court has set aside a man's conviction for attempted rape of a widow due to insufficient evidence, but upheld his conviction for assaulting her with intent to outrage her modesty and house trespass. The court directed him to pay a Rs 25,000 fine to the victim as compensation.
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to reconsider a plea by 11 members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club challenging the Centre's decision to take over 27.3 acres of land leased to the club and subsequent eviction proceedings. The members argue that the government-nominated management cannot effectively challenge the Centre's actions, which they deem a "colourable exercise" of power and a violation of fundamental rights.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused an urgent hearing to a female journalist seeking protection from coercive action in a case filed by a Delhi Police officer. The officer, ACP Vivek Bhagat, accused the journalist of making casteist remarks and public humiliation during a protest. This case follows a sexual assault complaint the journalist previously filed against Bhagat, which is currently under investigation.
The Delhi High Court on Monday turned down the Enforcement Directorate's plea to maintain a status quo on properties attached in the National Herald money laundering case involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Justice Sachin Datta stated he would not pass an interim order and would decide the agency's petition challenging a trial court's refusal to take cognisance of its chargesheet. The ED argues that the accused are using the trial court order to release properties, while the Gandhis contend the ED's plea is an "abuse of process of law."
The Allahabad High Court has set aside the life sentences of two men convicted in a 1980 murder case, finding they were minors at the time of the crime. While upholding their conviction, the court referred the matter to the Juvenile Justice Board for appropriate punishment, acknowledging their juvenile status.
The Gujarat High Court reprimanded journalist Ravi Nair for failing to disclose that he had already sought bail from a lower court while simultaneously requesting an urgent hearing in the High Court regarding his arrest in a criminal defamation suit filed by Adani Enterprises. The High Court disposed of his plea, noting he had already been granted bail by a sessions court.
The CBI has initiated an investigation into an alleged Rs 65-crore investment scam involving Viswadeepthi Multi State Agri Co-operative Society Ltd, following a directive from the Kerala High Court. The society is accused of inducing public deposits with high interest rates but failing to repay them, leading to significant financial losses for depositors.
The Bombay High Court questioned dismissed cop Sachin Waze's potential return to service if granted bail in the Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran murder case. The court reserved its order on NIA's appeal against Waze's bail, also questioning the application of terrorism charges under UAPA.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has appealed to the Bombay High Court against the acquittal of former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. A sessions court had acquitted the accused on June 20, citing insufficient evidence, and Nimbalkar's wife also filed an appeal last month.
The Allahabad High Court has rejected the second bail applications of former BSP MP Kapil Muni Karwariya, his brother Surya Bhan Karwariya, and co-accused Ramchandra Tripathi, who are serving life imprisonment for the 1996 murder of Samajwadi Party MLA Jawahar Yadav. The court cited the gravity of the offence and the appellants' deliberate conduct in delaying the main appeal hearings as reasons for the denial.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced that his government will comply with the High Court's directive to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Satheesan stated there would be no appeal against the verdict. The High Court deemed the government's earlier decision to form an SIT without an FIR illegal and ordered immediate registration of a case based on ED's information.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that criminal cases involving sexual offences against children, particularly under the POCSO Act, cannot be settled by the survivor or their family. Justice Sachin Datta emphasised that such heinous offences have a serious societal impact and quashing proceedings based on a compromise would undermine the statute's objectives and justice.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of a case concerning the alleged hurried cremation and destruction of evidence in the R G Kar hospital rape and murder case to the CBI's Special Investigation Team. This decision comes as the CBI is already probing a larger conspiracy in the doctor's death, and the court found it inappropriate for both state and central agencies to investigate the same issue.
The Kerala High Court has affirmed the conviction and life imprisonment of a former state government employee found guilty of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl over 45 days in 2009. The court dismissed the accused's appeal, stating the victim's testimony was "sterling quality" and corroborated by medical evidence, rejecting claims of false implication.
The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench has discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a rape case, ruling that the prosecution material indicated a long-standing consensual relationship between him and the complainant, contrary to allegations of rape on the promise of marriage. The court deemed the allegations contradictory and unfounded, setting aside a lower court's order.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance to register an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. The court stated that information provided by the Enforcement Directorate contains sufficient material to show commission of cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, ruling out the need for a preliminary enquiry. The court also deemed illegal the state government's decision to form a Special Investigation Team for a preliminary enquiry.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that a father-in-law cannot be held liable under the Domestic Violence Act solely for failing to control his adult son's conduct. The court clarified that the Act requires specific acts of physical or mental harm, and a mere domestic relationship or commercial dispute is insufficient to invoke it without evidence of denial of protected resources or concrete abuse.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Indore bench has quashed an order by a municipal officer that altered a young woman's date of birth, citing a violation of natural justice. The case involves an interfaith marriage and allegations of 'love jihad', where the woman's father sought to prove her a minor by changing her birth record, leading to an FIR against her husband. The court directed the Chief Municipal Officer of Maheshwar to reconsider the application after giving the woman an opportunity to be heard.
The Delhi High Court has ordered round-the-clock police protection for the family of an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash case, where a 26-year-old youth was killed. The court's directive came after reports and CCTV footage showed the accused's family home being violently attacked by locals, including the victim's relatives, prompting concerns for their safety.
The Bombay High Court has granted interim bail for eight months to a woman accused in a drug case, allowing her to care for her sick infant daughter. The court cited humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the infant's need for constant medical attention and maternal care, which cannot be adequately provided in prison.
The Delhi High Court has declined to intervene in the Centre's decision not to send an Indian contingent for the men's 94 kg Jiu-Jitsu category at the Asian Games, dismissing a petition by athlete Shubham Kumar. The court stated it cannot compel participation when authorities have made a decision, especially as the Games have already commenced, rendering effective relief impossible.
The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to submit an affidavit within two weeks regarding the investigation into the encounter killing of an accused in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur. The court also ordered the preservation of all related documents and CCTV footage.
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a High Court bench in Ladakh, a move lauded by Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena as a significant step towards improving access to justice and ensuring the all-round development of the Union Territory.
The Bombay High Court humorously questioned if cricketers were consuming "non-vegetarian tea" due to unhygienic conditions at Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) eateries. The court ordered the MCA to clean its premises before a fresh FDA inspection, following the suspension of licenses for five restaurants due to severe food safety violations like cockroach infestations and dirty kitchens.
The Delhi High Court has refused to grant wrestler Vinesh Phogat an interim exemption to participate in the women's selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships. The court stated that eligibility criteria apply uniformly to all athletes and granting an interim relief to Phogat, who recently returned from maternity leave, would lead to unequal treatment without a full adjudication of the policy's validity. Phogat had sought to challenge the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) circular on eligibility, arguing it unfairly excludes athletes returning from maternity.
