Spill the Beans

R.M. Malkani v. State of Maharashtra, (1973) 2 SCR 417 is locus classicus on determining admissibility of a tape-recorded conversation. When this Court decided Yusufalli Esmail Nagree v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1968 SC 147 and R.M. Malkani, devices like tape-recorders and microphones were carefully placed in a space wherein conversations could be secretly recorded […]

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Compassionate Appointment VII

The idea of compassionate appointment is not to provide for endless compassion [I.G. (Karmik) v. Prahalad Mani Tripathi, (2007) 6 SCC 162]. Any appointment without considering financial condition of the family of a deceased is legally impermissible [Union of India v. Amrita Sinha, (2021) 20 SCC 695]. The right to apply cannot be exercised at […]

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Restitution of Conjugal Rights

Will a Husband, who secures a decree for restitution of conjugal rights, stand absolved of paying maintenance to his Wife if his Wife refuses to return to her matrimonial home? After having secured said restitution decree, Dinesh did nothing! He neither sought execution under Order XXI, Rule 32 CPC nor did he seek a divorce […]

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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 […]

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Monsters-In-Law IV

Apart from a statement, there is nothing on record to substantiate ‘stridhan’ is with Former In-Laws of Daughter. Bobbili Ramakrishna Raja Yadav v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (2016) 3 SCC 309 held, giving traditional presents at time of wedding does not raise a presumption, such articles are thereby entrusted to Parents-In-Law so as to attract […]

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Criminal Proceedings in Marriages

Many times, Parents including Close Relatives of a Wife make a mountain out of a mole. No sooner it reaches Police, fair chances of reconciliation would get destroyed. The foundation of a sound marriage is tolerance, adjustment and respecting one another. Tolerance to each other’s fault to a certain bearable extent has to be inherent […]

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The Fundamental Right to Marry

Supriyo @ Surpiya Chakraborty v. UoI Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1011 of 2022 My Lord, LGBTQ persons have a right to marry a person of their choice regardless of religion, gender and sexual orientation? No. A thing, an occurrence, or a practice is ‘Indian’ when it is present in India, takes place here, or is […]

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The Proof of Valid Wills V

The presumption under Section 90 of The Evidence Act, 1872 is inapplicable when it comes to proof of Wills which have to be proved in terms of Sections 63(c) of The Succession Act, 1925 and Section 68 of The Evidence Act, 1872 [M.B. Ramesh v. K.M. Veeraje Urs, (2013) 7 SCC 490]. There are often […]

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Compassionate Appointment VI

Lindsay Petroleum Co. v. Prosper Armstrong, (1874) 3 PC 221; Sushma Gosain v. Union of India, (1989) 4 SCC 468; Umesh Kumar Nagpal v. State of Haryana, (1994) 4 SCC 138; Jagdish Prasad v. State of Bihar, (1996) 1 SCC 301; Haryana State Electricity Board v. Hakim Singh, (1997) 8 SCC 85; State of Haryana […]

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Science for Everyone: DNA VI

Ajinkya alleged, Aparna was in an adulterous relationship with Kshitij Bafna. He found certain intimate messages. Ajinkya caused a DNA test at DNA Labs India. DNA Test Report indicated, “probability of paternity is 0%.” _____ Section 112 of The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 is based on presumption of public morality and public policy [Sham Lal […]

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Contempt Jurisdiction X

Court convicted the contemnor for having committed civil and criminal contempt. It had become evident, the contemnor has, in his well-calculated and deliberate scheme of things, given assurances and undertakings to mislead Courts in India, including this Court, when he had no intention to comply or abide by any of his assurances. Acts would demonstrate, […]

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Lord Hale’s Ghost Returns

The concept of dignity forms the very foundation to the Constitution and the rights enshrined in it [Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225]. _____ Statutes are considered to be ‘always speaking’ [Dharni Sugars and Chemicals Ltd. v. Union of India, (2019) 5 SCC 480]. Court’s power to purposively interpret a statutory […]

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The Writ of Habeas Corpus

Writ of Habeas Corpus has always been given due signification as an effective method to ensure release of those detained in prison. It’s a swift and imperative remedy in all cases of illegal restraint or confinement [Secretary of State for Home Affairs v. O’Brien, (1923) AC 603]. It has through ages been ‘jealously maintained’ by […]

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