Section 52A of The NDPS Act

The evidence collected during course of investigation in a legal and proper manner and sought to be used in course of trial with regard to a seized contraband substance could not be simply brushed aside on ground of a procedural irregularity committed. Union of India v. Mohanlal, (2016) 3 SCC 379 nowhere held, non-compliance or […]

Read more "Section 52A of The NDPS Act"

Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage IV

After a few mediation sessions before Supreme Court Mediation Centre, Sandesh submitted before us, he was not interested in pursuing a mediated settlement before Supreme Court Mediation Centre. However, Rinku and Sandesh agreed to attempt a mediated settlement before a Retired Judge of this Court. Consequently, Retd. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat was appointed as a […]

Read more "Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage IV"

Review of Death Penalty XLII

We need to examine whether possibility of reformation is completely ruled out. Sambhubhai was 24, had no criminal antecedents and hails from a low socio-economic household as The Mitigation Investigation Report, filed by Project 39A, indicates. The Mitigation Report further indicates, Sambhubhai maintains family ties with his 64-year-old Mother who takes care of his 10-year-old […]

Read more "Review of Death Penalty XLII"

Review of Death Penalty XLI

Constitution Bench in Triveniben v. State of Gujarat, (1989) 1 SCC 678 held, while considering delay in execution of Death Sentence, period consumed in judicial process culminating in confirmation of Death Sentence should not be taken into consideration. The question of execution arises only when Death Sentence becomes final.   An ‘inordinate’ delay in execution […]

Read more "Review of Death Penalty XLI"

The Revival of Ray XCVI

Therefore, res judicata impacts not only actual matter determined, but every other matter which parties might or ought to have litigated and have decided as incidental to or essentially connected with subject matter of litigation. It includes every matter coming into legitimate purview of original action, both in respect of matters of claim and defence […]

Read more "The Revival of Ray XCVI"

61.6 Grams of Charas

During course of hearing a practical test was conducted and it was found, said underwear was not of Andrew Salvatore’s size. _____ 04.04.1990: Andrew Salvatore, an Australian, travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai, while undergoing frisking, was found to be in possession of 55 grams and 6.6 grams of charas. _____ M.R. Ajayan has submitted, he […]

Read more "61.6 Grams of Charas"

Review of Death Penalty XL

Eknath Kisan’s Daughter, Pramila was in inter-caste marriage. Learned Counsel for State of Maharashtra, Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari would contend, Courts have rightly awarded Death Sentence. Learned Senior Counsel, Dr. Aditya Sondhi has vehemently prayed, Eknath Kisan be acquitted. In alternative, it is prayed, Courts have failed to consider mitigating circumstances in proper perspective. Eknath Kisan’s […]

Read more "Review of Death Penalty XL"

The Nature of Judicial Power: Caste in Prison Manuals

Our interpretation of the Constitution must fill silences in its text. Framers could not have anticipated every situation to arise in future. They also intentionally left certain decisions to discretion of future generations. However, choices we make today must align with broader constitutional framework and values. The fight against caste-based discrimination is not a battle […]

Read more "The Nature of Judicial Power: Caste in Prison Manuals"

Shama’s Escape

‘Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises.’ – Samuel Butler, Erewhon (1872). In present case, Appellants cleverly concocted a story of Shama escaping from their custody and created a record to buttress it. Not content therewith, Appellants also cooked up what is clearly a fabricated saga of Shama surfacing in Raipur and being convicted by a Railway […]

Read more "Shama’s Escape"

Broken Phones

Doctrine of Inchoate Crimes is a cornerstone of criminal jurisprudence. It is aimed at addressing legal culpability of those who engage in preparatory conduct. If unaware about Section 15 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, this by itself does not give rise to a corresponding legitimate or reasonable ground to believe, […]

Read more "Broken Phones"

Preventive Detention Statute VI

There can be no doubt, it is not necessary to furnish copies of each and every document to which a casual or passing reference may be made in narration of facts and which are not relied upon by Detaining Authority. However, failure to furnish copies of such documents as are relied on by Detaining Authority […]

Read more "Preventive Detention Statute VI"

Surety

Whether it is to get individuals to stand as a guarantor for a loan transaction or as a surety in a criminal proceeding, choice for a person will very often be a close relative or a longtime friend. In a criminal proceeding, circle may get narrowed to protect one’s reputation. These are hard realities of […]

Read more "Surety"

14,763.30 Grams of Gold

On 20.04.2021, an unaccompanied baggage of one Althaf Mossan Mukri was checked and 14,763.30 grams of contraband gold was found. On 27.12.2021, Althaf reached India. On 05.03.2022, Althaf was arrested. We are of opinion, Division Bench of HC should have followed view taken by another Division Bench of same HC, specifically when ‘grounds of detention’ […]

Read more "14,763.30 Grams of Gold"

Contempt Jurisdiction XII

Parashuram Detaram Shamdasani v. King-Emperor, (1945) A.C. 264; M.Y. Shareef v. Hon’ble Judges of High Court of Nagpur, (1954) 2 SCC 444; Pushpaben v. Narandas Badiani, (1979) 2 SCC 394; Babu Ram Gupta v. Sudhir Bhasin, (1980) 3 SCC 47; Reliance Petrochemicals Limited v. Proprietors of Indian Express Newspapers, Bombay Pvt. Ltd., (1988) 4 SCC […]

Read more "Contempt Jurisdiction XII"

Disciplinary Proceedings X

State of Andhra Pradesh v. S. Sree Rama Rao, AIR 1963 SC 1723; State of Andhra Pradesh v. Chitra Venkata Rao, (1975) 2 SCC 557; State Bank of India v. S.K. Sharma, (1996) 3 SCC 364; Union of India v. K.G. Soni, (2006) 6 SCC 794; State of Uttar Pradesh v. Man Mohan Nath Sinha, […]

Read more "Disciplinary Proceedings X"

Assessment of Statute

For over 50 yrs., High Court has been disposing of Writ Petitions raising claims or challenges to exercise of powers or dereliction of duties under The Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance and Redevelopment) Act, 1971. The propensity and proclivity of 1971 Act to generate litigation are worrisome. The exasperation of High Court is understandable. Court […]

Read more "Assessment of Statute"

Section 307, Indian Penal Code II

A perusal of Section 307, IPC would make it clear, it really imbibes the true spirit of the maxim ‘culpae poena per esto’. It means ‘let the punishment be proportionate to the offence; let the punishment fit the crime.’ The second part of Section 307, IPC did not prescribe for imposition of punishment more than […]

Read more "Section 307, Indian Penal Code II"