The Patna High Court quashed a photo studio owner’s conviction for attempted rape, holding that the allegations constituted outraging modesty but did not satisfy the legal ingredients of attempt to rape. The Court cited absence of medical evidence and any unequivocal overt act establishing attempted rape.
The Karnataka High Court stayed criminal proceedings against a Coorg homestay owner accused after an employee allegedly raped a 33-year-old American tourist. The Court questioned charges under the repealed Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, while allowing proceedings against the principal accused to continue.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that prosecution under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act cannot continue against a former director when a cheque was issued after the company’s dissolution. The Court held that a dissolved company lacks legal existence, making such cheques legally unenforceable.
The Allahabad High Court quashed money laundering proceedings against Tulsiani Construction and its directors, holding that civil and commercial disputes cannot be converted into criminal prosecutions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Court also set aside the ED’s summoning and attachment actions.
The Calcutta High Court directed West Bengal Police to submit details of all pending criminal proceedings, if any, against TMC leader Sabyasachi Dutta apart from the extortion case. The Court issued the direction while hearing his plea seeking quashing of the FIR and allegations of additional cases.
The Jharkhand High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a case alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the 2014 Assembly elections. Soren had been facing prosecution before a district court in West Singhbhum district in connection with the election-related allegations.