It is not always affordable to approach a Court of Law. Even if approached, it may be years before a final decision. Imtiyaz Ahmad v. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2012) 2 SCC 688 had a simple answer: “Pendency is merely a localized problem, in the sense that it affects some High Courts far more than […]
Read more "The Persistent Illusion of Judge-Strength"Mohinder Singh, AIR 1953 SC 415 was considered by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Gurucharan Singh, (1963) 3 SCR 585. The evidence of a ballistics expert would assume significance where direct evidence is not satisfactory, or is of interested witnesses or where the nature of the injuries requires expert corroboration. In other words, […]
Read more "Experts VI: Ballistics Experts"Constitution Benches are constituted to resolve a constitutional issue, harmonize conflicting views and settle the law. Constitution Bench decisions might only be reconsidered by a Constitution Bench of a Larger Strength and that too in exceptional and compelling circumstances. Bench of Lesser Strength cannot revisit the proposition laid down by at least Three Constitution Benches. […]
Read more "Judicial – Bench Strength – Decorum II"Court should be over cautious to place reliance on a piece of evidence with which the concerned witness has not been confronted despite an opportunity to do so. As held by this Court in Sita Ram Bhau Patil v. Ramchandra Nago Patil, (1977) 2 SCC 49 an admission must not only be proved but also […]
Read more "The Revival of Ray LIV"Hello, this is Saurabh Maheshwari speaking, taking over from Lordship Keshav for only a short while. I am on way to meet my fiancée Prerna on Karva Chauth. A white cab came in. Anjali stepped out. She had her backpack with her, which seemed heavy and huge compared to her skinny frame. ‘Adi Mamu, what’s […]
Read more "One Arranged Murder"The 90 day period indicated by the first proviso to Section 167(2) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 can be extended up to a maximum period of 180 days under the first proviso in Section 43-D(2)(b) of The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. As long as an application, which need not even be in […]
Read more "Default Bail"Parvez holds a Green Card, enabling him to reside in the US. He has resided in the US since 1985. Parvez Noordin Lokhandwalla allegedly forged and fabricated the Power of Attorney of Shalin Lokhandawalla. An FIR was registered in 2014. However, between 10.03.2015 and 10.01.2020, Parvez travelled between the US and India on 16 occasions. […]
Read more "The Fundamental Right to Travel Abroad"“Extra-Judicial Execution Victim Families Association v. Union of India, AIR 2016 SC 3400 considered the situation in Manipur. The expression ‘internal disturbance’ must be interpreted in the context in which it is used. Under Article 352, an internal disturbance must be of the order of an armed rebellion threatening the security of India to proclaim […]
Read more "Internal Disturbance II"A ‘consent’ given under fear of injury is not a ‘consent’ in the eyes of law. We are not persuaded to accept the solitary statement that, at the time of the first alleged offence, ‘consent’ was obtained under fear of injury. A ‘consent’ given under a misconception of fact is no ‘consent’ in the eyes […]
Read more "Section 90, Indian Penal Code"“On 18.06.2001, the Intelligence Officer in the Narcotics Control Bureau, Chandigarh was proceeding to Theog from Shimla. He was travelling along with other Officials. In transit, they stopped near Nangala Devi Temple. When they ordered meals and tea and were waiting for the food to be served, the Intelligence Officer could smell the odour of […]
Read more "13 Kilograms of Charas / The Revival of Ray LII"Pravin Kumar (‘Kumar’) joined the Central Industrial Security Force in January, 1995 as a Sub-Inspector. Eventually, he was deployed in the Crime and Intelligence Wing. As evidenced, Kumar was specifically entrusted with conducting surprise searches and taking strict action against anyone indulging in corruption. On 28.02.1999, Constable Ram Avtar Sharma (‘Sharma’) was commuting in a […]
Read more "Disciplinary Proceedings III"Muthukumar is said to be the kingpin involved in this crime and is absconding. Ashoo appears to be a victim of Muthukumar’s plot. The standard of proof in a departmental proceeding, being based on preponderance of probability, is somewhat lower than the standard of proof in a criminal proceeding where the case has to be […]
Read more "Disciplinary Proceedings II"“Magma General Insurance Company Ltd., (2018) 18 SCC 130 explained the concept of ‘consortium’. United India Insurance Company Ltd. v. Satvinder Kaur, (2020) SCC Online 410 reaffirmed the view. Three-Judge Bench further laid down that, ‘loss of love and affection’ is comprehended in ‘loss of consortium’. Hence, there is no justification to award compensation towards […]
Read more "Consortium II"“At this stage, it is important to understand the difference between the offences mentioned in Section 195(1)(b)(i) and Section 195(1)(b)(ii). Where the facts mentioned in a complaint attracts the provisions of Section 191 to 193 of the IPC, Section 195(1)(b)(i) applies. What is important is that once these sections of the IPC are attracted, the […]
Read more "Section 195 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 II"“In the case of Mohan Lal this Court observed, in a case where the informant and the investigator is the same, the trial is vitiated and the accused is entitled to acquittal. Varinder Kumar held, the decision in the case of Mohan Lal shall be applicable prospectively and shall not affect the cases, pending criminal […]
Read more "Referred to Larger Bench XIV Answered Again: Mohan Lal"“The matter relates to the unnatural death of Actor, Sushant Singh Rajput on 14.6.2020. He was in a live-in relationship with Rhea. But, on 8.6.2020, Rhea shifted to her own residence… The legal process must be focused upon revelation of the correct facts through credible and legally acceptable investigation. It must be determined whether the […]
Read more "The Importance of Being Earnest III"A. “West German Consul said, he had received information that, similar charges had been made against Hans Muller in Lebanon and in Egypt.” – Hans Muller of Nurenburg v. Superintendent, Presidency Jail, Calcutta, AIR 1955 SC 367. B. “On 15-9-1963, he left Delhi for Beirut under the name Donze Jean Claude, a French national. It […]
Read more "No Reservations, Lebanon"In Hindi-movies, there are quite a few library-scenes and scenes of a character reading. One may consider, When Eight Bells Toll (Alistair MacLean) in Aradhana (1969, dir. Shakti Samanta); You’ll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again (Julia Phillips) in Khel (1992, dir. Rakesh Roshan); The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield) in Dil To Pagal Hai […]
Read more "The Whiff of Money"“Anvar P.V., (2014) 10 SCC 472 made it clear that, the special provisions of Sections 65A and 65B of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 are a complete Code in themselves when it comes to admissibility of evidence of information contained in electronic records and also a written certificate under Section 65B(4) is a sine qua […]
Read more "Section 65A, 65B of The Indian Evidence Act"“Section 197 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 is in pari materia with Section 197 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. In State of Orissa v. Ganesh Chandra Jew, AIR 1955 SC 287 this Court interpreted the use of the expression ‘official duty’ to imply that the act or omission must have been […]
Read more "Section 197 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973"