The Supreme Court held that financial control by a husband is a social reality and does not amount to criminal cruelty without proven mental or physical harm. Quashing a Section 498A case, the Court said criminal law cannot be used to settle personal vendettas.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed the conviction of an accused in a 1984 rape case, stating that the absence of injuries on the victim’s private parts does not automatically weaken the prosecution’s case. The court dismissed an appeal challenging the previous decision, which had upheld the conviction under Sections 376 (rape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC. Emphasizing the importance of overall evidence, the court ruled that physical injuries are not the sole determinant of sexual assault cases.
The Supreme Court ruled that vehicles involved in drug trafficking under the NDPS Act can be confiscated after the trial is complete. In cases where no specific restriction exists under the Act, courts can use their general authority under the CrPC to decide on returning seized vehicles before the criminal case is resolved. This decision reinforces stringent measures against drug-related offenses while ensuring procedural fairness during ongoing trials.