Today, 12th April,The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that acquittals can’t be reversed based solely on alternative interpretations, emphasizing the importance of legal standards in reviewing acquittals. Justices Oka and Bhuyan’s bench stated that unless an appellate court deems an acquittal judgment as perverse, it cannot intervene. The court’s decision reinforces the presumption of innocence and highlights burden of proof principles, ultimately acquitting the appellants in a murder case.
The Supreme Court has permitted the NIA to transfer a heroin smuggling case from Hoshiarpur to a special NIA court in Ahmedabad linked to the Mundra port drug haul. The NIA argued that consolidating the cases would streamline the trial process. This decision comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the probe to the NIA.
The Instagram account ‘Seven Angry Women’ sparked controversy at GNLU-Gujarat National Law University by shedding light on allegations of rape, hate speech, and queerphobia among students. The Gujarat High Court initiated a ‘high-level inquiry’ into the university’s affairs and faculty following the anonymous posts. The university’s response and subsequent actions have led to a decrease in trust among students.
Two convicts from the Bilkis Bano case have appealed to the Supreme Court for transferring their case to a larger bench due to differing observations from separate benches. The legal tussle also delves into issues of jurisdiction, justice, and the interpretation of law, shedding light on the complexities of India’s legal and social fabric.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud Today called for the end of frequent adjournments (Tareekh Pe Tareekh) in district judiciary to change the perception of litigants. He criticized the prevalent culture, stressing the need for timely legal decisions. Justice Sunita Aggarwal supported this stance, emphasizing the pivotal role of judges. Chandrachud also highlighted concerns about women’s facilities in the judiciary and encouraged the use of social media by the district judiciary.
“Are judges special? No, we are not.”: CJI DY Chandrachud, expressed concern over the declining adherence to the “bail is the rule, and jail is the exception” principle in district courts. He called for an evaluation of this trend, emphasizing the need for the district judiciary to prioritize personal liberty and address infrastructure challenges. Justice Khanna emphasized the societal responsibility of judges.
The Supreme Court dismissed the defamation case against Tejashwi Yadav after he retracted the statement “Gujaratis are cheats.” Justices Oka and Bhuyan issued the order following Yadav’s plea to relocate the trial. The Court quashed the case, citing petitioner’s withdrawal of the statement. The case involved a complaint filed by Haresh Mehta.
The Gujarat High Court imposed a Rs.7 lakh cost on a petitioner for neglecting a public interest litigation (PIL) for seven years. The decision emphasizes the court’s view on the seriousness and accountability required in PILs. The reduction in penalty considered the time elapsed since the filing. This move aims to discourage casual PIL filing and uphold the responsibility associated with it.
The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Gujarat police and a magistrate for remanding an accused despite anticipatory bail. Justices sought Gujarat government and police response and impleaded the Gujarat High Court. The incident highlights the need for strict adherence to legal procedures and judicial accountability, emphasizing the role of higher judicial academies in training legal professionals.