The Delhi High Court on Thursday (5th Dec) granted medical bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a convicted BJP MLA in the Unnao rape case, for treatment of retinal detachment. He will undergo a 3-4 day assessment at AIIMS Delhi, monitored by local authorities. The survivor’s advocate opposed the bail, citing safety concerns and adequate prison care.
Pradipsingh Murlidharsingh Thakur, initially sentenced to death for murdering his pregnant wife, had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment by the Bombay High Court, which determined the case wasn’t among the “rarest of the rare.” The court later directed the review of his eligibility for remission, despite state opposition based on his police status.
The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Gujarat government regarding Asaram Bapu’s petition for suspension of his life sentence for rape, indicating it will only consider medical grounds for his interim release. Asaram’s advocacy centers on serious health issues, despite previous refusals of treatment options. His appeal is still pending.
Today, On 18th November, the Supreme Court directed the President’s secretary to present Balwant Singh Rajoana’s mercy petition to President Droupadi Murmu within two weeks. Rajoana, sentenced to death for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, seeks commutation of his sentence. The case highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty in India.
The Supreme Court will hear Balwant Singh Rajoana’s petition on November 4 to reduce his death sentence for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh to life imprisonment. Rajoana claims prolonged delays in his mercy plea ruling violate his right to life and cause significant mental distress.
A court in Koppal sentenced 101 individuals to life imprisonment for the 2014 arson attack on Dalit hutments, marking one of the largest mass convictions for caste-based violence in India. This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to accountability and strengthens protections for marginalized communities against discrimination and violence.
Today, On 23rd October, the Supreme Court rejected Swamy Shraddananda’s appeal against his life imprisonment for murdering his wife, reaffirming the lower court’s decision. Shraddananda, 84, had challenged the ruling, asserting violations of his constitutional rights. The court emphasized that presidential pardon powers apply even with life sentences, leaving him to serve his term.
Today, On 3rd October, the Supreme Court sentenced former MLA Munna Shukla and Mantu Tiwari to life imprisonment for their involvement in the 1998 murder of Bihar minister Brij Bihari Prasad. The court partially overturned a 2014 acquittal of other accused, citing insufficient evidence for their involvement while reinstating convictions for the two offenders.
A UP court sentenced Mohammad Alim to life imprisonment for raping a student under a false identity, likening his actions to “Love Jihad,” seen as a threat to national unity. Judge Diwakar warned of demographic warfare and illegal conversions aimed at undermining India’s integrity, invoking the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act.
The Supreme Court criticized the Patna High Court’s comments about a widow and make-up articles in a 1985 murder case, calling them “highly objectionable.” The Supreme Court stated that the remarks lacked sensitivity and evidence, highlighting that no definitive proof linked the victim to the house or supported motive for the crime. All seven accused were acquitted.
