Justice Sanjiv Khanna, a Supreme Court Judge and Executive Chairman of NALSA, has announced the 2024 schedule for Quarterly Undertrial Review Committee (QURC) meetings. These meetings aim to review prisoner cases and recommend releases, following Supreme Court directives. The announcement emphasizes the need for timely justice delivery and the importance of UTRCs in preventing extended pre-trial detentions.
The Supreme Court On Tuesday(2nd April) quashed the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision in a murder case, criticizing its hasty rejection of the trial court’s well-founded acquittal. Emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of evidence and adherence to legal principles, the ruling highlighted the importance of upholding justice and people’s rights. The accused were acquitted, and the decision serves as a reminder of fair legal processes.
The Rajasthan High Court criticized the state government for a slow response to petitions, labeling it as “lethargic” and failing to fulfill welfare obligations. Highlighting delays in addressing unemployed individuals’ claims, the court urged the Governor’s intervention to safeguard the state’s interests in the litigation system and court judgments.
The Kerala High Court ruled that minors can be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). The decision clarifies that minors will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act, irrespective of gender and age, for penetrative sexual assault and related offenses outlined in the POCSO Act. The ruling came in response to a case involving a 13-year-old petitioner.