The Allahabad High Court has admitted an appeal filed by Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, challenging their death sentence in the notorious blue drum murder case. The duo was convicted by a Meerut court for the murder of Saurabh Rajput and attempting to conceal his body. The High Court has fixed November 30 for hearing the appeal, where the convicts argue the trial court's verdict was illegal and based on circumstantial evidence without sufficient proof.
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 Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal case. Chandrasekhar was previously convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail by a Delhi court for impersonating a Supreme Court judge to influence a special judge for bail in a 2017 corruption case. The Delhi High Court had also dismissed his application for a stay on his conviction.
The Supreme Court has granted a temporary relief to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, and son-in-law by staying for a week the investigation against them in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. The apex court permitted them to appeal a single judge's order before the Kerala High Court division bench and cautioned the Enforcement Directorate against exceeding its statutory limits.
The Jharkhand High Court acquitted a man serving a life sentence for murder, ruling that his fundamental right to a fair trial was violated because he was questioned and his statements recorded in English, a language he did not understand. The court deemed the trial court's proceedings a 'farce' and set aside the conviction.
The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the Allahabad High Court for releasing two men, convicted in a 2003 knife and gun attack case, on probation. The apex court stated that the High Court showed "misplaced sympathy" and allowed the accused to go "scot-free" without imprisonment, despite the brutality of the crime and grievous injuries to the victim. The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and directed the accused to surrender within two weeks.
The Supreme Court ruled that income tax reassessment proceedings are invalid if the department fails to issue a mandatory Section 143(2) notice.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a divorce decree granted by a foreign court based on the 'irretrievable breakdown of marriage' is not legally valid in India. This observation was made while dismissing a man's plea to quash bigamy charges, as his second marriage, contracted after a UK divorce, was deemed invalid due to the non-recognition of the foreign decree. The court emphasised that such foreign decrees contravene existing Indian matrimonial law.
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing on journalist Siddique Kappan's plea to release his passport until November 2. Kappan, arrested in 2020 in the Hathras conspiracy case, had deposited his passport as a bail condition set by the top court in September 2022.
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 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 Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the suspended Boxing Federation of India (BFI) secretary general, Pramod Kumar, to postpone a General Body meeting until November 13. This decision follows a petition by BFI president Ajay Singh, who challenged a no-confidence motion against him, arguing the meeting was unlawfully convened as per the BFI constitution.
The Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals concerning deletions or inclusions in West Bengal's electoral rolls remain pending under the Special Intensive Revision. The apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only a fraction of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed, prompting the Supreme Court to seek data and a plan for streamlining the adjudication process.
A US appeals court has upheld a $562.5 million arbitral award, which has grown to over $2 billion with interest, in favour of Devas Multimedia against Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, ruling that US courts have jurisdiction despite Antrix being government-owned.
The Bombay High Court has stayed the bail granted to dismissed cop Sachin Waze in the 2021 Antilia bomb scare case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) appealed the special court's decision, arguing that Waze intended to create terror and is accused of murder, and criticised the special court's observations regarding the Ambani family.
The Supreme Court has acquitted a man previously convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl with intellectual disability. The apex court cited "woefully short" evidence, including the mother's "unnatural conduct," delayed FIR, and the victim's failure to identify the accused, as reasons for overturning the conviction and setting aside judgments from the Meghalaya High Court and a trial court.
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted the Chhattisgarh government the liberty to approach the high court for cancellation of bail granted to retired senior IAS officer Anil Tuteja in corruption cases, specifically if there are instances of bail misuse. The apex court refused to entertain the state's direct plea challenging the bail but clarified that the high court's observations during bail grant would not influence the trial. Tuteja faces probes in multiple corruption cases, including the liquor scam, District Mineral Fund irregularities, and coal levy scam.
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.
Kerala's Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph stated that criticism regarding the state government's initial decision for a preliminary inquiry in the alleged CMRL payments case, involving former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and his family, would subside following a recent Supreme Court verdict. Health Minister K Muraleedharan also affirmed that the SC order vindicated the government's cautious approach, which prioritised a preliminary inquiry over immediate FIR registration based solely on the ED's request.
Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has moved the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest under anti-terrorism laws in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. This appeal follows the dismissal of his previous petition by the Court of Appeal and an existing overseas travel ban.
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.
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 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.
A Delhi court has upheld the conviction of Yatin Sharma in a 2013 fatal road accident case in Hauz Khas, rejecting his appeal and plea for probation. The court emphasised that high-speed vehicular negligence resulting in death warrants custodial sentences to ensure public safety and deterrence, directing Sharma to surrender within 30 days.
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 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.
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.
Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, a prominent Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist figure, has been remanded after his arrest. This follows weeks in hiding since the Supreme Court overturned his 2019 presidential pardon, restoring his original six-year jail term for contempt of court and criminal intimidation. Gnanasara's organisation, Bodu Bala Sena, is known for its campaigns against the Muslim minority.
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.
A special CBI court in New Delhi has sentenced former government official Neeraj Khatri to four years' rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case. The court emphasised the need for strong deterrence against corruption but considered Khatri's age and dismissal from service when deciding the sentence, noting his prior convictions.
The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the Chhattisgarh High Court's decision to reduce a murder conviction to culpable homicide, criticising its understanding of IPC sections. The apex court issued notice to the state and the accused, indicating a potential restoration of the original murder conviction and life sentence.
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.
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.
Congress MP Bimol Akoijam, dismissed from JNU following sexual harassment allegations, announced his legal team is preparing to challenge the action in court. After appearing before Delhi Police investigators, Akoijam returned to Imphal, urging peace and calm. He stated he would cooperate with the investigation but also highlighted other pressing issues in Manipur. Akoijam denies the charges, which stem from complaints by multiple female students.
The Supreme Court has ruled that an appellate court cannot unilaterally enhance a convict's sentence unless an appeal for enhancement is filed by the State, victim, or complainant. This significant observation came in a triple-murder case where the Madras High Court had enhanced a co-convict's life sentence to imprisonment for the remainder of his life without such an appeal.
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 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 Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a man sentenced to death for the repeated sexual assault of three minor girls. The apex court's decision comes after the Madras High Court confirmed his conviction and death penalty. The Supreme Court has sought reports from probation officers, jail authorities, and a psychological evaluation of the appellant, posting the matter for hearing after 20 weeks.
The judges questioned the government's position on arbitration, underscoring the contradiction between its resistance to enforcement and its efforts to promote India as an arbitration-friendly jurisdiction.
A political controversy erupted in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed actor Dia Mirza's video from its eco-friendly Diwali campaign. The video, which urged citizens to avoid firecrackers for environmental reasons, was taken down following objections from a BJP leader and comments from the Mayor labelling Mirza as "anti-Hindu." This move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the BMC of succumbing to political pressure, while BJP leaders defended the removal, citing Mirza's past stances and alleged "anti-Hindu" views.
