The Allahabad High Court acquitted Surajpal and Udai Pal, overturning their twenty-year sentences in a 2015 minor gang-rape case. Justice Manoj Bajaj held that inconsistencies between eyewitness testimony, medical evidence, and investigation created reasonable doubt, citing material discrepancies in statements.
The Supreme Court of India, in a bench led by CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, temporarily suspends the life imprisonment of Father Edwin Pigarez, convicted of raping a minor, noting he has already served nearly half of his sentence. Bail is granted pending appeals.
The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a father for raping his minor daughter, quoting Manusmriti to emphasise that the dignity of women is non-negotiable and forms part of India’s constitutional vision, not just cultural tradition.
The Uttarakhand High Court criticised the police and civic authorities for their incompetence during the Nainital communal violence and demolition drive. The case arose from a petition challenging the demolition notice issued to the accused’s wife.
