The Patna High Court upheld the conviction of a retired judicial officer and a practising advocate in a 2005 assault case linked to a land dispute. While affirming their guilt, the Court reduced the sentence to the imprisonment already undergone by the convicted appellants.
The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to submit details of alleged egg-throwing incidents targeting TMC leaders after the 2026 Assembly election defeat. The Court sought information on incidents, FIR registrations, and action taken while hearing a petition linked to Abhishek Banerjee.
The Chhattisgarh High Court held that a long-term live-in relationship between consenting adults creates a presumption of consensual physical relations. The Court ruled that a later refusal to marry cannot automatically amount to rape and dismissed an appeal challenging the accused’s acquittal.
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 Allahabad High Court upheld a maintenance order directing a husband to pay his wife, ruling that a PM Awas Yojana house cannot replace maintenance rights. The Court said an able-bodied husband cannot avoid responsibility by claiming unemployment or low income under law.
The Patna High Court ruled that media can report criminal proceedings but should avoid labels like “mastermind” or “kingpin” that suggest guilt before trial. Justice Ansul said prejudicial reporting may harm an accused’s reputation and amount to defamatory or improper conduct during pending cases.
The Delhi High Court acquitted Gir Raj in a murder case, setting aside his conviction and life sentence under Section 302 IPC. The Bench held that the prosecution failed to prove an unbroken chain of circumstances beyond reasonable doubt and reiterated that suspicion cannot replace evidence.
The Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench dismissed a 23-year-old law student’s plea against being barred from final exams due to poor attendance. The Court criticised her claims as reckless and irresponsible, observing that legal proceedings must be based on good faith and not personal demands.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that maintenance cannot be granted to wives automatically without examining financial circumstances. Justice Chillakur Sumalatha said courts must consider income, independence and responsibilities of both spouses before passing orders, setting aside a direction requiring a husband to pay Rs 20,000 monthly.
Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, passed away at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram at 59. Born in Haryana, he was a first-generation lawyer who rose from a farming family background through dedicated legal practice and service.
