NISHANT AGGARWALversusKAILASH KUMAR SHARMA
2013 INSC 3821 July 2013Dismissed
The complainant, a resident of Bhiwani, presented a cheque drawn by the appellant on a Guwahati bank, which was stopped and returned unpaid. After sending a legal notice under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, the complainant filed a complaint in the Judicial Magistrate Court at Bhiwani, which initially he…
MRS. APARNA A. SHAHversusM/S. SHETH DEVELOPERS PVT. LTD. & ANR.
2013 INSC 3981 July 2013Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Mrs. Aparna A. Shah, challenged criminal proceedings initiated under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for a cheque dishonoured due to insufficient funds. The cheque was issued by her husband from a joint account and was signed only by him. The Supreme Court examined whether a joint account h…
MOHIT ALIAS SONU AND ANOTHERversusSTATE OF U.P. AND ANOTHER
2013 INSC 3991 July 2013Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Mohit alias Sonu, and another were not summoned under an application filed by the complainant under Section 319 CrPC, and the Sessions Court rejected the application twice. The complainant challenged the rejection in the High Court by invoking the inherent power under Section 482 CrPC, which led the High…
KARTHI @ KARTHICKversusSTATE REP. BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, TAMIL NADU
2013 INSC 3761 July 2013Dismissed
The appellant Karthick was convicted for rape and cheating after he forced sexual intercourse on the prosecutrix Poomari by gagging her and promising to marry her, thereby obtaining her consent through deceit. The first assault occurred when she was alone at home; subsequent intercourse continued for six months under t…
JARNAIL SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA
2013 INSC 3781 July 2013Dismissed
The appellant Jarnail Singh was convicted under IPC sections 366, 376(g) and 120‑B for kidnapping and raping a girl who was later found to be a minor. The Supreme Court examined the prosecution's evidence, including the victim's statements under Section 164 CrPC, forensic reports, and corroboration by her father, and r…
SHARANJIT KAUR & ANR.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB
2013 INSC 3791 July 2013Dismissed
The appellants were charged under Section 420 IPC for allegedly cheating a complainant of Rs 30 lakhs and sought anticipatory bail, arguing that the offence fell within the jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat under the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. The High Court dismissed their bail applications and a subsequent writ …
SARABJIT SINGHversusSTATE OF PUNJAB & ORS.
2013 INSC 3751 July 2013Dismissed
Sarabjit Singh purchased land from Salamat Masih and later claimed that an agreement to sell additional land existed, for which he alleged he paid Rs.3,00,000. He filed an FIR under Sections 420, 379, 427, 506, 148 and 149 IPC alleging fraud by the vendor Ittefaq Singh and his brother, but the FIR contained no details …
DOLIBEN KANTILAL PATELversusSTATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.
2013 INSC 3861 July 2013Dismissed
Doliben Kantilal Patel, an American citizen of Indian origin, was arrested in connection with a land dispute and alleged that she was repeatedly raped during a five‑day police remand. She filed a complaint under Sections 376 and 1208 IPC, but no FIR was registered. She approached the High Court under Article 226 seekin…
PRAMOD KUMARversusSTATE (GNCT) OF DELHI
2013 INSC 3901 July 2013Dismissed
The appellant, a proclaimed offender, was apprehended in a house where he allegedly assaulted a police constable, was grappled with, and then fired a country‑made pistol, killing the constable. The trial court convicted him under Sections 302, 332, 186 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27 of the Arms Act. On appeal, the accu…
STATE OF RAJASTHANversusSHIV CHARAN & ORS.
2013 INSC 3911 July 2013Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Rajasthan prosecuted Shiv Charan and others for the murder of Prahlad, alleging that five armed men, including the accused, formed an unlawful assembly and assaulted the victim, leading to his death. The trial court convicted them under Sections 302, 149 and 148 of the IPC and sentenced them to life impris…
STATE OF HARYANAversusSURENDER AND ORS. ETC.
2007 INSC 6761 June 2007Appeal(s) allowed
The case involved four accused who, during a robbery on a train in 1994, stabbed one passenger to death and shot another. Eye‑witnesses, who were the victim’s siblings, identified the accused in court, leading to conviction by the trial court. The High Court acquitted them on the ground that no test identification para…
SUKHDEV SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA
2007 INSC 6781 June 2007Disposed off
The appellant was convicted under Section 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. He appealed, but the Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of his appeal ex parte because his counsel was absent, despite uncertainty whether notice of non‑appearance had b…
SHARIF AHMED AND ANOTHERversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ANOTHER
2024 INSC 3631 May 2024Disposed off
The Supreme Court examined three criminal appeals arising from chargesheets filed in Uttar Pradesh that were alleged to lack sufficient factual detail and evidence under Section 173(2) of the CrPC. It considered whether a chargesheet must contain detailed facts and material evidence to enable a magistrate to take cogni…
SHILPA SAILESHversusVARUN SREENIVASAN
2023 INSC 4681 May 2023Reference answered
The Constitution Bench examined the scope of Article 142(1) of the Constitution, holding that the Supreme Court may depart from statutory procedure and even substantive law to achieve "complete justice" provided the exercise is guided by fundamental public policy. It ruled that, in cases of settlement between parties, …
JUDGEBIR SINGH @ JASBIR SINGH SAMRA @ JASBIR & ORS.versusNATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY
2023 INSC 4721 May 2023Dismissed
The appellants were arrested in 2019 for offences under the IPC, UAPA and the Explosive Substances Act and a chargesheet was filed within the 180‑day period prescribed under Section 167(2) of the CrPC. They applied for statutory/default bail on the ground that the chargesheet was filed without a sanction order, arguing…
PRAVEEN SINGH RAMAKANT BHADAURIYAversusNEELAM PRAVEEN SINGH BHADAURIYA
2019 INSC 6151 May 2019Disposed off
The appellant and respondent were married in 1998 and later lived separately, leading the husband to file a suit for dissolution of marriage which was dismissed by the trial, district and high courts. While the appeal was pending before the Supreme Court, the parties reached an amicable settlement through mediation, ag…
RAJESH & ORS.versusSTATE OF HARYANA
2019 INSC 6131 May 2019Dismissed
The appellants were among ten persons named in an FIR for a violent incident but were not listed in the charge‑sheet after the investigating officer concluded they were not present at the scene. The investigating officer and the SHO later applied to a magistrate for their release from judicial custody, which the magist…
STATE BY KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA POLICE STATION, BENGALURUversusM.R. HIREMATH
2019 INSC 6111 May 2019Appeal(s) allowed
The State by Karnataka Lokayukta Police Station appealed against a High Court order that quashed criminal proceedings against M.R. Hiremath on the ground that a certificate under Section 65B(4) of the Evidence Act was not produced. The Court examined whether the certificate must be produced at the stage of filing the c…
CHANDRA BHAWAN SINGHversusTHE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
2018 INSC 4351 May 2018Dismissed
The case involved the murder of Satyawati, who was allegedly killed by her in‑laws for refusing to pay dowry. Four family members were tried; Jwala Singh was acquitted while Tribhuwan Singh, Makoi Devi and Chandra Bhawan Singh were convicted by the trial court. The High Court upheld the convictions of Tribhuwan Singh a…
DILAWARversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA & ANR.
2018 INSC 4371 May 2018Disposed off
The petitioner, Dilawar, was arrested for alleged participation in mob violence, arson and looting of a cabinet minister's house. His bail applications were rejected by the Sessions Court and the High Court, and the Supreme Court directed that the trial be concluded within six months. The Central Bureau of Investigatio…
ARUN KUMARversusTHE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS.
2017 INSC 4191 May 2017Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, son of the deceased, challenged the acquittal of four accused persons charged with murder, attempt to murder and rioting under Sections 302, 34, 201 and 307 IPC. The trial court had acquitted all accused despite the prosecution's evidence from 13 witnesses. The High Court dismissed the appeal without a d…
SAVITRI PANDEY AND ANOTHERversusSTATE OF U.P.AND OTHERS
2015 INSC 9921 May 2015Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant Savitri Pandey and Raju Pandey were named in an FIR filed in 2014 by their sister‑in‑law alleging fraudulent sale deeds executed in 1994 concerning joint family land. The High Court dismissed their writ petition under Article 226 seeking quashing of the FIR. The Supreme Court examined whether such a writ …
STATE OF RAJASTHANversusSHRAVAN RAM & ANR.
2013 INSC 2951 May 2013Dismissed
Guddi, a 19‑year‑old married woman, died from 99% burn injuries while in the custody of her father‑in‑law and husband. The prosecution relied on three alleged dying declarations: a Parcha Bayan recorded by an ASI, a magistrate‑signed declaration that was never produced, and a statement recorded under Section 161 CrPC b…
GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDINGversusCBI AND ANR
2012 INSC 1961 May 2012Disposed off
The CBI investigated a 2000 fake encounter at Pathribal in Jammu & Kashmir, where five alleged terrorists were killed by members of the 7 Rashtriya Rifles, and filed a charge‑sheet against several army officers. The officers invoked Section 7 of the Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990, claiming that…
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
2009 INSC 6551 May 2009Hearing Adjourned
The Supreme Court entertained petitions filed by the National Human Rights Commission seeking transfer of Gujarat riot trials and further investigation. The Court had earlier ordered the Gujarat Government to constitute a five‑member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reinvestigate nine cases and submit a report. Afte…
STATE OF KERALAversusC.A. JABBAR
2009 INSC 6581 May 2009Disposed off
The vehicle of C.A. Jabbar was seized under Section 55(a) of the Kerala Abkari Act and the Assistant Excise Commissioner ordered the respondent to furnish a bank guarantee equal to the vehicle's value for its release. The High Court, ignoring this direction, ordered the vehicle's release upon execution of a personal bo…
HIMMAT SUKHADEO WAHURWAGH & ORS.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA
2009 INSC 6561 May 2009Dismissed
The case involved eight accused who were charged with the murder of three members of the Kolhe family in two related incidents. The prosecution relied on the testimony of two child eyewitnesses (aged 11 and 13), a dying declaration, medical reports, and blood‑group matches of recovered weapons. The trial court acquitte…
SUDHIR KUMAR BHALLAversusJAGDISH CHAND ETC. ETC.
2008 INSC 5681 May 2008Disposed off
Sudhir Kumar Bhalla, a partner of a trading firm, issued six cheques to Jagdish Chand and his wife Ramesh Rani for payment of goods. Five of the cheques were dishonoured, leading the respondents to file complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and various provisions of the IPC. The trial court acq…
RAJENDRA PRABHU CHIKANE AND ANR ETCversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA ETC.
2007 INSC 5061 May 2007Dismissed
The deceased Sukhdeo Chikane was attacked and fatally injured with a iron instrument called a "sattur" by three accused brothers amid a long‑standing boundary dispute. The FIR named all three assailants and eyewitnesses (Vikram and Avinash Chikane) identified them as the perpetrators. Medical post‑mortem showed multipl…
SANJU @ SANJA Y SINGH SENGARversusSTATE OF M.P.
2002 INSC 2501 May 2002Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, brother of the deceased's wife, was charged under Section 306 IPC for allegedly abetting the suicide of his brother‑in‑law, Chander Bhushan, by allegedly telling him to "go and die" during a quarrel on 25 July 1998. The deceased was found hanged on 27 July 1998 and left a suicide note indicating personal…
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESHversusGIAN CHAND
2001 INSC 2351 May 2001Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Himachal Pradesh prosecuted Gian Chand for raping a 5‑year‑old girl, a distant relative, on 29 October 1991. The trial court convicted him under Section 376 IPC, sentencing him to ten years' imprisonment and a fine. The Himachal Pradesh High Court set aside the conviction, relying on alleged delay in filin…
U.P SHIA CENTRAL BOARD OF W AKF AND ORS.versusU.P. SUNNI CENTRAL BOARD OF WAKF AND ORS.
2001 INSC 2421 May 2001Dismissed
The U.P. Shia Central Board of Wakf registered a mosque, its sehan and Imam Chowk as Shia Wakf property. The U.P. Sunni Central Board of Wakf challenged this registration and, under Section 8(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Muslim Wakfs Act, 1960, referred the dispute to the Wakf Tribunal seeking a declaration that the propert…
SATPAL AND ANR.versusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.
2000 INSC 2711 May 2000Appeal(s) allowed
The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by the brother and widow of a murder victim challenging the Governor of Haryana’s order granting remission of the life sentence of Siriyans Kumar Jain, a convicted murderer. The High Court and Supreme Court had directed Jain to surrender and serve the remainder of his se…
STATE OF MAHARASHTRAversusDAMU AND ORS.
2000 INSC 2731 May 2000Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Maharashtra prosecuted four accused for abducting and murdering infant children as part of a superstitious ritual to uncover hidden treasure. The trial court relied on a voluntary confessional statement, corroborating circumstantial evidence, and the testimony of a child who escaped two abduction attempts,…
STATE OF RAJASTHANversusSANJAY KUMAR AND ORS.
1998 INSC 2131 May 1998Case Allowed
The State of Rajasthan filed a complaint under sections 27(d) and 27(b)(i) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 alleging that sub‑standard drugs were being sold. Samples were collected on 29‑Feb‑1988, but the Government Analyst’s report confirming the drugs were not of standard quality was received on 2‑July‑1988. The …
SMT. SWARNALATA SARKARversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.
1996 INSC 5991 May 1996Appeal(s) allowed
Smt. Swarnalata Sarkar filed a criminal complaint alleging bigamy under S. 494 r/w S. 109 IPC against her husband, who had married another woman with the collusion of several respondents. The trial magistrate issued process based on preliminary evidence under S. 200 CrPC. The accused filed a frivolous application under…
RAJ KJSHORE PRASADversusSTATE OF BIHAR
1996 INSC 6001 May 1996Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant Raj Kishore Prasad was alleged by two witnesses to have urged his brother, the accused Avadh Kishore, to kill the victim, but the police filed a report only against Avadh Kishore. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) dismissed the informant's application to summon the appellant, but the Sessions Court, on …
COMMON CAUSE"REGISTERED SOCIETY THROUGH ITS DIRECTORversusUNION OF INDIA AND ANR.
1996 INSC 6051 May 1996Disposed off
The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ under Article 32 filed by the registered society "Common Cause" seeking relief for under‑trial prisoners and accused persons in pending criminal matters. The Court observed that prolonged pendency of criminal cases infringes the right to life and liberty guaranteed b…
UNION OF INDIAversusTHAMISHARASI AND ORS.
1995 INSC 3181 May 1995Dismissed
The Narcotics Control Bureau seized a consignment of hashish and arrested three persons under the NDPS Act. The complaint was not filed within the 90‑day period prescribed in the proviso to Section 167(2) of the CrPC, and the accused claimed an automatic right to bail. The High Court allowed the bail, holding that the …
SEWAKRAM SOBHANIversusR.K. KARANJIA, CHIEF EDITOR, WEEKLY BLITZ & ORS.
1981 INSC 1051 May 1981Appeal(s) allowed
Sewakram Sobhani, a former detainee, sued the editor of the Blitz weekly for defamation after the newspaper published a story alleging he impregnated a female detainee, based on a confidential government enquiry report. The magistrate ordered the plea to be recorded under CrPC s.251 without producing the report, which …
SAMARENDRA NATH KUNDU & ANR.versusSADHANA DAS & ANR.
2026 INSC 3041 April 2026Dismissed
The complainant, wife of a deceased, filed a criminal complaint against three police officials—Assistant Commissioner Sankaran Moitra and two subordinate officers, S.M. Kundu and Sudhir Sikdar—alleging that the latter two murdered her husband on the direction of Moitra. The trial court took cognizance and the accused w…
VINAY AGGARWALversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.
2025 INSC 4331 April 2025Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Vinay Aggarwal, was charged under several IPC offences for allegedly impersonating an IB officer and extorting money. The complainant filed a petition under Section 482 of the CrPC seeking transfer of the investigation from the Haryana police to the CBI, which the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed, d…
THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESHversusSUBHASH @ PAPPU
2022 INSC 3821 April 2022Case Partly allowed
The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the High Court's acquittal of Subhash @ Pappu for offences under Sections 302 and 148 of the IPC. The facts involved six to seven persons attacking a shop servant, Bengali, with a knife and a hockey stick, resulting in a stab wound; the victim died thirty days later of septic…
RAJA @ AYYAPPANversusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU
2020 INSC 3251 April 2020Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant was arrested in 2007 in connection with a bomb‑defusing case and, while in police custody, gave a confessional statement that was recorded by a Superintendent of Police under Section 15 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987. The appellant contended that the confession was not v…
MANIversusSTATE OF KERALA AND OTHERS
2019 INSC 4481 April 2019Disposed off
The case arose from a violent incident on 28 September 2005 near Rosy School, Chozhiyamkod, where the appellant Mani stabbed a victim, Soman, who later died, and eight persons were injured. The trial court convicted Mani under Section 302 IPC and the other three accused under Sections 324 and 341 read with Section 34, …
LALU PRASAD YADAVversusSTATE OF BIHAR & ANR.
2010 INSC 1881 April 2010Appeal(s) allowed
The Supreme Court examined whether the State of Bihar could file an appeal under Section 378(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against an acquittal rendered by a Special CBI Judge when the offence was investigated by the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI). The Court held that the opening words "save as o…
RAZAK JINNESAB KARAJAGI & ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA
2009 INSC 4461 April 2009Case Partly allowed
The case involved four accused (A‑1 to A‑4) charged with murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC, along with offences under Sections 201/34 and 506 IPC. The prosecution relied on a motive stemming from a land dispute, the testimony of two eye‑witnesses (PW‑1 and PW‑2) who were relatives of the deceased…
STATE OF RAJASTHANversusCHAMPA LAL
2009 INSC 4491 April 2009Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant State of Rajasthan prosecuted Champar Lal for murder under Section 302 IPC, relying primarily on the victim's dying declaration recorded by a police officer in the presence of a doctor. The trial court convicted based on that declaration, but the Rajasthan High Court acquitted, holding that the declaratio…
HUCHAPPA @ HUCHARAYAPPA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA
2008 INSC 4411 April 2008Transferred to High Court
Fourteen persons were alleged to have formed an unlawful assembly and assaulted a victim with deadly weapons, causing grievous injuries that led to his death. The trial court acquitted eleven accused and convicted three under Section 326 of the Indian Penal Code. The High Court upheld the conviction, reasoning that the…
STATE OF NAGALANDversusLIPOK AO AND ORS.
2005 INSC 1791 April 2005Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Nagaland filed an application for leave to appeal under Section 378(3) of the CrPC against the acquittal of Lipok AO and others. Because the application was filed 57 days after the limitation period, the State sought condonation of delay under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963. The Gauhati High Court r…
THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRAversusDR. PRAFUL B. DESAI AND ANR.
2003 INSC 2021 April 2003Disposed off
The State of Maharashtra filed a criminal complaint under IPC sections 338, 109 and 114 alleging medical negligence by Dr. Praful B. Desai and Dr. A.K. Mukherjee, leading to the death of the complainant's wife. The trial court permitted the testimony of a US doctor, Dr. Greenberg, via video‑conferencing; the High Court…
M.R. PATIL AND ANR.versusMEMBER, INDUSTRIAL COURT AND ANR.
1997 INSC 3431 April 1997Leave Granted & Allowed
Two recognised workers' unions and a third union (respondent No.2) that was not recognised under the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971, challenged a circular issued by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation regarding payment of interim relief. The unre…
TOTA SINGH & ANR.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB
1987 INSC 911 April 1987Appeal(s) allowed
Four men were tried for murder and attempt to cause hurt under Sections 302, 34 and 323, 34 of the IPC. The Sessions Court acquitted them, finding the delay in reporting, lack of motive, and the unreliability of two eyewitnesses (PW2 and PW6) sufficient to raise doubt. The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the ac…
MOHAMMED KHALID AND ANOTHERversusTHE STATE OF TELANGANA
2024 INSC 1581 March 2024Appeal(s) allowed
The appellants were charged under Section 8(c) read with Section 20(b)(ii)(c) of the NDPS Act for allegedly transporting about 80 kg of ganja seized from a vehicle. The prosecution relied on a seizure panchnama, samples sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, and confessions recorded by police officers, but failed to …
ANIL MISHRAversusSTATE OF U.P. & ORS.
2024 INSC 1891 March 2024Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant lodged an FIR in 1999 alleging assault, abduction and other offences under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323 and 364 IPC against three accused. During trial, the accused entered into a settlement agreement with one victim (Respondent No.5) but the original complainant (the appellant) was neither a party to nor …
THE STATE OF CHATTISGARH & ANRversusAMAN KUMAR SINGH & ORS. ETC. ETC
2023 INSC 1891 March 2023Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Chhattisgarh filed criminal appeals against the Chhattisgarh High Court’s order quashing FIR No. 9/2020, which alleged that Aman Kumar Singh (AS) and his wife Yasmin Singh (YS) had amassed assets disproportionate to their known sources of income under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The High Court …
RAVI DHINGRAversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA
2023 INSC 1821 March 2023Case Partly allowed
The appellants kidnapped a 14-year-old boy for ransom. The trial court and High Court convicted them under Section 364A IPC (kidnapping for ransom) with life imprisonment. The Supreme Court examined the ingredients of Section 364A, particularly the requirement of a threat to cause death or hurt. The Court found that th…
M/S. BLS INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITEDversusM/S. RAJWANT SINGH & OTHERS
2023 INSC 1871 March 2023Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, BLS Infrastructure Ltd., filed eight complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against the respondents. The complainant’s statement and cross‑examination were recorded, and the trial court closed the complainant’s evidence, directing the case to proceed to defence evidence and an app…
VIKAS RATHIversusTHE STATE OF U.P. & ANR.
2023 INSC 1861 March 2023Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Vikas Rathi, owned a tool manufacturing firm where the deceased, Bachchu Prasad, worked. After Prasad's murder, an FIR was lodged against unknown persons, and later the deceased's wife alleged Rathi's involvement, leading to his being listed as a prosecution witness. The complainant filed an application …
P. MOHANRAJ & ORS.versusM/S. SHAH BROTHERS ISPAT PVT. LTD.
2021 INSC 1331 March 2021Disposed off
The appellant company failed to honour multiple cheques, leading the respondent to issue statutory notices under Sections 138 and 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and file criminal complaints. While the corporate debtor was placed under a moratorium under Section 14 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the…
SONU @ SUBHASH KUMARversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.
2021 INSC 1341 March 2021Leave Granted & Allowed
The appellant, Sonu, was charged under Section 376 IPC after the second respondent lodged an FIR alleging that he had promised to marry her, maintained a consensual sexual relationship for one and a half years, and later refused to marry, leading to the complaint. The appellant sought to quash the charge‑sheet under Se…
KAPIL AGARWAL AND OTHERSversusSANJAY SHARMA AND OTHERS
2021 INSC 1321 March 2021Appeal(s) allowed
The dispute arose from a terminated distributorship agreement between Varun Beverages Ltd. and the complainant, who alleged non‑payment of commissions and issued a cheque that later bounced. The complainant filed a criminal complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and later a Section 156(3) Cr.P.C.…
THE STATE REPRESENTED BY THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICEversusTR N SEENIVASAGAN
2021 INSC 1251 March 2021Leave Granted & Allowed
In 2010 an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act was lodged against T. N. Seenivasagan, a chief engineer of TANGEDCO, for allegedly demanding a bribe. The sanction to prosecute was issued by the Chairman of TANGEDCO, purportedly on behalf of the Board, and the trial proceeded with witnesses PW‑1 (Chairman) and PW‑…
M. MOHANversusTHE STATE REPRESENTED BY THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
2011 INSC 1681 March 2011Appeal(s) allowed
The deceased Kamatchi committed suicide by hanging herself four days after being denied the use of a family car, an incident for which her husband and sister‑in‑law were initially charged under Sections 304‑B, 498‑A and 306 IPC. The appellants – the husband’s brothers and mother‑in‑law – were also charged under the sam…
ASHOK KUMAR TODIversusKISHWAR JAHAN & ORS.
2011 INSC 1701 March 2011Disposed off
Rizwanur Rahman married Priyanka Todi under the Special Marriage Act. After the marriage, police officials repeatedly interfered, threatened the couple and later the deceased was found dead on railway tracks. The mother and brother of the deceased filed a writ petition seeking transfer of the investigation from the Sta…
RAMPAL PITHWAS RAHIDASS AND ORS.versus'STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ETC.
1994 INSC 951 March 1994Appeal(s) allowed
The case concerned a dacoity‑cummurder on a highway in July 1984 for which eight persons were convicted, largely on the testimony of an approver, Ramcharan, who had been arrested under suspicious circumstances and later granted pardon. The Supreme Court examined the legality of his arrest, the timing of his pardon, and…
STATE OF PUNJAB .versusBALBIR SINGH AND ORS. ETC. ETC.
1994 INSC 961 March 1994Disposed off
The Supreme Court examined a series of cases where the State of Punjab alleged that arrests, searches and seizures under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) were illegal because police officers failed to comply with certain statutory provisions. The Court held that the NDPS Act is not a …
RAMSINH BAVAJI JADEJAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
1994 INSC 971 March 1994Dismissed
The appellant was acquitted by the trial court of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) but was convicted on appeal by the Gujarat High Court. The conviction rested on the statement of the deceased's brother (PW6) recorded by the investigating officer after a telephonic message about the incident was received. The appellant challenged…
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESHversusP.V. PAVITHRAN
1990 INSC 691 March 1990Dismissed
The State of Andhra Pradesh filed a criminal appeal against the quashing of an FIR registered against IPS officer P.V. Pavithran under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The FIR was lodged on 8 March 1984, but the investigation report was filed only on 17 September 1987, leading the respondent to seek quashing of the FI…
DATTATRAYAversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
2024 INSC 1671 February 2024Case Partly allowed
The appellant, Dattatraya, was convicted for the death of his nine‑month‑pregnant wife after he allegedly poured kerosene on her during a drunken quarrel, causing severe burns, a still‑born child and her eventual death. The prosecution relied on the dying declaration of the deceased, testimony of the maternal grandmoth…
STATE OF U.P.versusVEERPAL & ANR.
2022 INSC 1331 February 2022Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed the acquittal of Veerpal and another accused who were charged under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for allegedly burning the deceased after a money dispute. The deceased had given two dying declarations: one to a police officer on 20‑12‑2011 and another to a Sub‑Division…
SUBHASHversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
2022 INSC 1271 February 2022Appeal(s) allowed
The case concerned a murder under IPC sections 302, 149 and 148, where six accused were convicted based largely on the testimonies of two eyewitnesses, PW‑1 Vedram and PW‑2 Jagdish. The post‑mortem report showed only one firearm injury and a single neck injury, contradicting the prosecution’s claim that all pistol‑arme…
THE STATE OF SIKKIMversusJASBIR SINGH & ANR.
2022 INSC 1281 February 2022Appeal(s) allowed
The State of Sikkim appealed against a High Court order that directed the accused army personnel, Jasbir Singh and another, to be tried by a court‑martial for a murder under IPC sections 302 and 308. The Supreme Court examined whether the offence fell within the exclusive jurisdiction of a court‑martial or within the c…
NAJABHAI DESURBHAI WAGHversusVALERABHAI DEGANBHAI VAGH & ORS.
2017 INSC 911 February 2017Case Partly allowed
The incident occurred on 24 March 1998 when fourteen accused, armed with axes, iron pipes and spears, attacked the complainant Najabhai Desurbhai Wagh near his house after he rebuked them for damaging an electric pole. The assault resulted in the death of the complainant's brother, Unadbhai Desurbhai. The trial court c…
GITA RAM & ANR.versusSTATE OF H.P.
2013 INSC 701 February 2013Dismissed
The appellants were convicted for publicly exhibiting obscene blue films to a young audience under Section 292 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Cinematograph Act. The trial court sentenced them to six months' simple imprisonment and a fine; the appellate court reduced the imprisonment …
MULTANI HANIFBHAI KALUBHAIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.
2013 INSC 691 February 2013Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant’s Eicher truck was seized by police for transporting 28 buffalo calves, and the appellant sought its release under Section 451 of the CrPC. The lower courts rejected the application, invoking Section 68(3) of the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2011, which bars release of a seized vehicle for…
ROY FERNANDESversusSTATE OF GOA AND ORS.
2012 INSC 621 February 2012Case Partly allowed
The case arose from a dispute over the erection of a fence around a chapel in Goa, during which the appellant Roy Fernandes and four others intervened, assaulting the deceased and his companions. One of the accused stabbed the deceased, causing his death. The trial court convicted all five under Sections 143, 148, 323,…
JIK INDUSTRIES LIMITED & ORS.versusAMARLAL V. JUMANI AND ANOTHER
2012 INSC 601 February 2012Dismissed
The appellants sought to have criminal complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, read with Section 141, dismissed on the ground that a scheme of compromise approved under Section 391 of the Companies Act had automatically compounded the offences. The Supreme Court examined whether the sanction of …
LEE KUN HEE & ORS.versusSTATE OF U.P. & ORS.
2012 INSC 611 February 2012Dismissed
The appellant companies, foreign nationals who were ultimate beneficiaries of a bill of exchange, were summoned by a Ghaziabad magistrate on a criminal complaint alleging cheating, criminal breach of trust and related offences under the IPC. The complaint arose from a commercial transaction in which goods were supplied…
R.S. MISHRAversusSTATE OF ORISSA & ORS.
2011 INSC 871 February 2011Dismissed
The appellant, a retired Additional Sessions Judge, was criticised by a High Court Single Judge for not framing a charge under Section 302 IPC in a murder trial, instead framing only Section 304 and 323 IPC without recording any reasons. The Supreme Court examined the interplay between Sections 227 and 228 of the CrPC,…
KOLLA VEERA RAGHAV RAOversusGORANTALA VENKATESWARA RAO AND ANR.
2011 INSC 881 February 2011Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Kolla Veera Raghav Rao, had been convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. He was later prosecuted under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code for the same set of facts. The central issue was whether Section 300(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, which bars a person from b…
B.A. UMESHversusREGR.GEN.HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
2011 INSC 891 February 2011Dismissed
The appellant B.A. Umesh was convicted of rape, murder and robbery (IPC ss.376, 302, 392) and sentenced to death. The Supreme Court examined the prosecution's case, which relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence, eyewitness testimony, a test identification parade, fingerprint evidence, forensic reports and an extra…
STATE OF MADHYA PRADESHversusBALRAM MIHANI & ORS.
2010 INSC 721 February 2010Dismissed
The State of Madhya Pradesh filed criminal appeals against a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that quashed police applications under Chapter VII‑A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, seeking attachment and forfeiture of properties of Balram Mihani and others alleged to be derived from local offences such as gamblin…
ASHFAQ KHAN AND ANR.versusSTATE OF U.P. AND ORS.
2008 INSC 1291 February 2008Case Allowed
The appellants filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking quashment of an FIR alleging offences under Sections 420 and 424 of the IPC and Sections 2 and 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition, relying on a ba…
STATE OF MADHYA PRADESHversusSHRI RAM SINGH
2000 INSC 461 February 2000
The State of Madhya Pradesh filed criminal appeals against Ram Singh and two other public servants who were charged under Sections 13(1)(e) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for possessing assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. The investigations were authorised by the Superintenden…
BABU RAM AND OTHERSversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
1983 INSC 81 February 1983Appeal(s) allowed
The Supreme Court examined an appeal by Babu Ram and others against the Allahabad High Court, which had set aside a Sessions Court acquittal and convicted the accused of murder under sections 302 and 34 IPC. The Sessions Court had found the prosecution's evidence weak, the witnesses unreliable, and the motive unproven,…
P. S. R. SADHANANTHAMversusARUNACHALAM & AIIR.
1980 INSC 161 February 1980Dismissed
The accused, S. R. Sadhanantham, was acquitted by the Madras High Court of murder (s.302 IPC) and assault (s.148 IPC). The victim's brother, Arunachalam, filed a special leave petition under Article 136 of the Constitution, obtained leave, and the Supreme Court set aside the acquittal, restoring conviction and life sen…
KIM WANSOOversusSTATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ORS.
2025 INSC 81 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, a foreign national serving as Project Manager for Hyundai Engineering & Construction India LLP, was named in FIR No.64/2020 alleging conspiracy and cheating in a Rs 9‑crore payment default involving multiple subcontractors. The appellant sought quashing of the FIR on the ground that the allegations were …
DALJIT SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA & ANR.
2025 INSC 211 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, Daljit Singh, was declared a proclaimed offender under Section 82 of the Cr.P.C. for failing to appear after summons in a cheque‑related criminal case filed in 2010. He was later acquitted of the underlying offence under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and an FIR under Section 174A IPC was filed for his …
B.N. JOHNversusSTATE OF U.P. & ANR.
2025 INSC 41 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed
The appellant, B.N. John, owned a hostel for underprivileged children and alleged that officials raided it illegally on 3 June 2015, falsely accusing him of assaulting them. An FIR was lodged under IPC s.353, and a charge‑sheet later added s.186, leading the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) to take cognizance and issue …
M/S NARESH POTTERIESversusM/S AARTI INDUSTRIES AND ANOTHER
2025 INSC 11 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed
M/s Naresh Potteries (appellant) filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against M/s Aarti Industries (respondent No.1) for the dishonour of a cheque issued in the appellant's favour. The complaint was filed by the manager, Neeraj Kumar, who held a power of attorney from the sole proprieto…
SANJAY DUTT & ORS.versusTHE STATE OF HARYANA & ANR.
2025 INSC 341 January 2025Appeal(s) allowed
The Range Forest Officer alleged that the directors and office bearers of a company illegally uprooted trees using a JCB, violating Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, and sought prosecution under Section 19. The Special Environment Court took cognizance of the complaint and issued process against the …