Indian Penal Code, 1860

In 1975 a nine‑year‑old boy, Sanjay, was kidnapped and murdered during a Holi festival in Tinsukhia, Assam. Henry Westmuller Roberts, Sunil Chandra Biswas and two others were arrested; all four made confessional statements before a Judicial Magistrate after being given only three hours for reflection. The trial court a…

The appellants, a husband and wife, were charged in two FIRs (2010 and 2011) for offences under the IPC and the IT Act. They contended that the second FIR was based on a complaint under Section 156(3) of the CrPC that was not accompanied by an affidavit, thereby violating the Supreme Court’s direction in Priyanka Sriva…

The State of Chhattisgarh appealed against the High Court’s order that acquitted accused Ashok Bhoi and upheld the acquittal of co‑accused Vikash Khubwani in a murder‑related case. The prosecution’s case was based solely on circumstantial evidence, notably the testimony of a witness who saw the deceased with Ashok Bhoi…

The appellant accused were convicted for kidnapping and gang‑rape of a village girl who was under 17 years of age at the time of the offences. The trial court and the High Court held that the victim was a minor, that she was held captive for two months, and that her testimony was reliable despite the absence of physica…

The appellant Gauri Mahto was convicted under Section 364A of the IPC for kidnapping a child and demanding ransom. The prosecution’s case relied on the confessional statement of a co‑accused, the testimony of the investigating officer, and the recovery of the child from a house alleged to belong to the appellant, while…

The State of Gujarat appealed the acquittal of Anwar Osman Sumbhaniya and others by a Designated Court under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA). The appeal centered on whether the prior sanctions issued under Section 20‑A(2) of TADA for the 1993 and 2005 prosecutions were valid. The S…

The deceased Shilpa alleged that her sister‑in‑law Chanchal/Babita set her on fire and, in a dying declaration, named only her sister‑in‑law. The FIR initially listed nine persons, including the appellants, for offences under Sections 302 IPC, 498A IPC and the Dowry Prohibition Act, but the charge‑sheet named only Chan…

The appellant, a young man, trespassed into the victim's house and poured acid on her head after his marriage proposal was rejected, causing grievous hurt. He was convicted under Sections 326 and 448 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced by the trial court to one year of rigorous imprisonment with fines. The High Cour…

The appellant, State of Himachal Pradesh, appealed against the High Court's order that substituted the imprisonment of the accused, Ram Pal, with a fine of Rs 40,000 for causing the death of a 20‑year‑old girl by rash and negligent driving. The Supreme Court examined whether the fine was adequate and whether compensati…

The appellants were convicted under Sections 498A and 3048 of the IPC for the death of the appellant's wife, who died from severe burns allegedly after a dowry demand. The prosecution proved, on a pre‑ponderance of probability, that the death occurred within seven years of marriage, was unnatural, and was linked to rec…

The appellant was charged with murder, attempt to murder and rape under Sections 302, 201 and 376 of the IPC. He claimed to be a juvenile, producing a school certificate that stated his date of birth as 15‑01‑1991, which would make him 15 years old at the time of the alleged crime (16‑11‑2006). The trial court deemed t…

The appellant Basappa was charged under IPC sections 279 and 304A and the Motor Vehicles Act for a tractor accident that killed a two‑year‑old child. The trial magistrate acquitted him, finding no cogent evidence that he was the driver at the time of the accident. The State appealed under Cr.P.C. s.378; the High Court …

The appellants were convicted for the murders of nine persons in a scheme that promised to "multiply" cash money, known as the "money shower" scam. The prosecution proved the deaths were homicidal and identified the victims through forensic, DNA, super‑imposition and material evidence, establishing the accused’s partic…

The appellants, managers of INSCOL Multispecialty Hospital, were charged with medical negligence, cheating, forgery and other offences after the complainant alleged that his wife died due to wrong treatment at the hospital. The Punjab & Haryana High Court single judge framed the issue on the premise that the patient di…

The petition arose from the kidnapping of a six‑year‑old girl, Lalita Kumari, whose father reported the incident to the police but the FIR was registered only after a month and no investigative action was taken. The petitioner sought a writ of habeas corpus, contending that the police had a statutory duty under Section…

The deceased Krishna was assaulted with swords and axes by the accused appellants during a land‑related dispute, leading to his death. Eye‑witnesses PW‑4, PW‑5 and PW‑6 identified the appellants and described the assault, while the medical doctor testified that the cumulative effect of the injuries caused death. The tr…

Vithal Eknath Adlinge was convicted of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code based primarily on circumstantial evidence. The trial court and the Bombay High Court found him guilty, citing that the accused was last seen with the victim, the victim was found dead in a pool of blood, there was prior enmity, an…

The State of Punjab appealed the Punjab & Haryana High Court's acquittal of six accused who had been convicted by a trial court for murder, culpable homicide, voluntarily causing hurt, and rioting under Sections 302, 450, 324, 148 read with 149 of the IPC. The prosecution alleged that the accused, armed with knives and…

Seven persons, including the appellant, were charged with assaulting three victims (Ram Sarup, Nakul and Sehdev) using sharp-edged weapons, causing grievous injuries that were medically certified as dangerous to life. Four accused were convicted by the trial court under Sections 326 and 307 read with Section 34 of the …

The case involved the brutal murder of six members of a family, including women and children, by a group of accused persons. The trial court sentenced Sattan and Upendra to death under IPC s.302 read with s.149, while others were convicted under various sections. The Allahabad High Court altered the death sentences to …

The trial court convicted the accused of murder and offences under the SC/ST Act, but the Rajasthan High Court acquitted them, finding the prosecution's version of events implausible and the eye‑witness testimony unreliable. The State appealed, arguing that the High Court erred in discarding material evidence. The Supr…

The appellant, Constable Joginder Singh, was convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for shooting and killing Harjinder Singh during a Panchayat election. The prosecution alleged that the accused fired a rifle shot at the victim's head from close range, causing a fatal head injury, and this was corroborate…

The informant Sahdev appealed a Punjab & Haryana High Court order that upheld convictions of four accused under Sections 307, 326 and 34 IPC for a brutal assault in which one victim lost his memory, but reduced the custodial term for the principal accused Raj Kumar from ten to seven years without providing reasons. The…

Six persons were convicted for gang-raping a married woman under IPC sections 376(2)(g), 506 r/w 149 and 148. The trial court sentenced three, including Ramesh Kumar, to life imprisonment and the other three to ten years; the High Court upheld these convictions and reduced the ten‑year sentences to time already served.…

Akhilesh Kumar Singh was charged with murder, robbery and criminal conspiracy and his trial was pending before a Sessions Court. His first bail application was rejected on 18 October 2002, but a second bail application filed on 29 October 2002 was granted on 7 November 2002. The State appealed, and the Allahabad High C…

During the night of 25-26 November 1987 a dacoity was allegedly committed in Samarpur village, during which several houses were robbed and a victim was shot dead. The victims identified the accused in electric light and the police recovered empty gun bores and ornaments, which were also identified by the owners. The Sp…

Lal Saij Khunte was elected to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly but his election was challenged on the ground that he had been convicted under IPC sections 420, 34 and 468 and sentenced to two years' rigorous imprisonment, which under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 disqualifies a person…

The appellant had executed a General Power of Attorney (GPOA) in favour of the first respondent, later cancelled it, but the first respondent still executed a sale deed in favour of the second respondent using the revoked GPOA. A private complaint was filed, leading to an FIR and registration of a criminal case for off…

The case concerned a double murder that occurred on 15 January 1985 when an alleged unlawful assembly, allegedly led by Probodh Purkait, attacked the houses of Payed Ali Laskar and Dr. Srinibas Roy, dragging out and killing Abdur Rahaman Laskar and Abdur Molla. The trial court convicted six persons under Sections 148, …

The Somvashi Arya Samaj Trust entered into an agreement with the accused to construct a community hall, which the accused failed to do, leading the Trust’s Chief Managing Trustee to file a criminal complaint under Sections 418, 409, 166 read with 114 IPC. The accused obtained a compromise with the Trust, and a connecte…

Harisingh M. Vasava was charged with murder under IPC 302 for killing a woman who lived with him as his wife. The crime occurred in the house of the complainant, who was a tenant of the deceased and witnessed the attack. The trial court acquitted the accused, holding that the prosecution failed to link him to the crime…

KanHai Mishra was convicted by the trial court and the Patna High Court for the rape and murder of Rita Kumari, based solely on six alleged circumstantial facts. The Supreme Court examined whether those circumstances satisfied the legal test that circumstantial evidence must be wholly inconsistent with the accused's in…

The deceased Guddi, wife of the accused Kishore, suffered 80 % burns after kerosene was poured on her and she later died. Three dying declarations were recorded – one in the FIR, one under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C., and a judicial‑magistrate’s statement (Ex P‑8). The Sessions Court convicted Kishore under Section 302 …

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest writ under Article 32 filed by Shaheen Welfare Association seeking the release of under‑trial detainees under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA) where evidence was lacking or procedural safeguards were not observed. The Court observed th…

Meet Singh was convicted under Section 161 of the IPC and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, together with a fine. The Punjab & Haryana High Court, while upholding the conviction, reduced the imprisonment term to the…

The case arose from an incident on 15 November 2004 where a Head Constable Jagdish Singh fired at a car suspected of smuggling liquor, killing the passenger. The trial court acquitted three constables – Surendra Singh, Surat Singh and Ashad Singh – on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove they shared a common…

The appellant, a school teacher, was convicted under Section 376 of the IPC for raping a 15‑year‑old girl. The FIR was lodged three days after the alleged incident, and the medical examination, conducted after three days, did not conclusively prove rape, though it noted a minor finger injury and a missing hymen. The ap…

The case arose from a dispute over school land in Punjab where the village sarpanch, Jaswant Singh, was shot dead. The FIR described the killers as two Sikh youths aged 25‑30 wearing kurta pajamas, but no names were given. The two accused, Sukhbir Singh and Dilbagh Singh, were arrested six months later and identified f…

P. Vijayan, a retired IPS officer aged about 85, was charge‑sheeted under IPC sections 302 and 34 for the alleged killing of a Naxalite in a 1970 encounter that was later claimed to be fake. The CBI investigation relied on an extra‑judicial confession by a constable and several statements. Vijayan filed a discharge pet…

Four persons, including Jugraj Singh, were accused of murdering former MLA Bachhitter Singh in December 1996. The trial court convicted all under Sections 302, 34 and related provisions, but the High Court acquitted three co‑accused while upholding Jugraj's conviction, relying on the recovery of a .12‑bore gun and fore…

The appellant, Ramchandra Dhondiba Kaware, was convicted by the Sessions Court and upheld by the Bombay High Court for murder (s.302 IPC) of Keru after being identified by two eye‑witnesses. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the credibility of the witnesses, PW‑1 and PW‑4, and found their testimony reliable. Howeve…

The State of Karnataka appealed the acquittal of Shariff, who was convicted by a Sessions Court for murdering his wife by setting her on fire. The High Court had set aside the conviction, discarding the victim's dying declarations and the testimony of an 8‑year‑old child witness. The Supreme Court held that the dying d…

The case concerned the entitlement to family pension and death‑cum‑retirement gratuity of a deceased government employee who had two wives. The first wife, Rameshwari Devi, claimed the benefits for herself and her son, while the second wife, Yogmaya Devi, claimed benefits for herself and her four sons, asserting a vali…

The State alleged that on 28 May 1988 three accused entered the house of the deceased Bauribandhu, assaulted him and dragged his body outside, leading to charges under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC. The trial court convicted the appellants under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC, and two of them under Sectio…

The deceased Ramesh was found dead in his house on the night of 14-15 December 1982 with injuries indicating asphyxia. Two accused, Eshwaraiah (a constable) and Mayamma (the deceased's mistress), entered the house after a cinema show and were later discovered hiding under a cot when the door was broken open. The prosec…

The deceased Kamail Singh was attacked by his neighbour Paul Singh, who struck him repeatedly on the head with the handle of a tractor, causing his death. Two eyewitnesses, Jagtar Singh and Kuldip Singh, were present and identified the accused, and the tractor handle recovered from the scene was found to be stained wit…

The petitioner was convicted by a Presidency Magistrate for offences under IPC 120B, the Customs Act and related rules and sentenced to imprisonment of two to four years with a fine. The High Court set aside the conviction, but the Supreme Court restored it. The petitioner had earlier been preventively detained under t…

The State of Karnataka appealed against the Karnataka High Court’s order acquitting Hemareddy alias Vemareddy of offences under Sections 467 read with 114 of the IPC and 193 IPC, and modifying the sentence of Pyatal Bhimakka. The case arose from a dispute over land mortgaged for twenty years, where a forged sale deed d…

The appellant, a District Town Planner (Enforcement), ordered the demolition of unauthorized construction at Anupama College after a show‑cause notice and a restoration order under the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Act, 1963. The college’s chairman filed a private cr…

The appellant, a self‑described social worker, was accused by a woman of having a decade‑long sexual relationship with her based on false promises of marriage, leading to an FIR under Sections 376, 420, 504 and 506 IPC. The appellant sought to quash the FIR under Section 482 CrPC, arguing that the relationship was cons…

The case involved the brutal honour killing of a Jat girl, a Jatav boy and another Jatav youth who were tortured for twelve hours and murdered by a large group of villagers after the couple attempted an inter‑caste marriage. The trial court convicted 35 persons under IPC sections 147, 149, 302, 323, 324, 201 and s.3(3)…

Head Constable Surinder Singh entered the complainant's residential office while intoxicated, drew his service pistol, aimed it at the complainant and fired a shot that struck the ceiling. The prosecution proved the bullet was fired from his pistol and that he intended to kill, despite no motive being established. The …

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Ltd sought to quash an FIR registered under Sections 34, 471, 468, 467, 420, 419 and 406 IPC for alleged installation of defeat devices in its vehicles. The High Court refused to quash the FIR, granting only protection against arrest. The petitioner argued that the police could not i…

Gurjit Singh was convicted under Section 498-A IPC for dowry-related cruelty after his wife, Jaswinder Kaur, committed suicide within seven years of marriage. The High Court also convicted him under Section 306 IPC, invoking the presumption of abetment under Section 113-A of the Evidence Act. On appeal, the Supreme Cou…

In May 2007 a protest turned violent at the Dinakaran newspaper office, resulting in arson and the death of three employees. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajaram, who was on bandobust duty, was charged under Sections 217 and 221 of the IPC for allegedly disobeying orders and intentionally failing to appreh…

The respondent, Abhijit Singh Pawar, applied for police posts in Madhya Pradesh and disclosed in an affidavit that a criminal case (Sections 323, 325, 506, 34) was pending against him. Within four days the parties compromised and the offences were compounded under Section 320 of the Cr.P.C., resulting in his acquittal.…

Vasant Sampat Dupare was convicted of raping and murdering a four‑year‑old girl. The prosecution relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence – eyewitnesses who saw the accused with the child, forensic matches of blood on the stones and the accused’s clothing, and the accused’s own disclosure leading police to the body…

The appellant, an unmarried woman, lived with the respondent, a married man, for about 14 years and claimed that his failure to maintain her constituted domestic violence under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The respondent argued that their relationship was a mere live‑in arrangement, not a "…

Jasvir Kaur and her husband Ginder Singh, a Head Constable, were convicted under Section 420 of the IPC for cheating an informant by promising a police job and extracting Rs.70,000. Both were sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine. The Supreme Court entertained only the appellant's challenge to the sentence. I…

The deceased, Chirra Shantha, had a strained relationship with her brother‑in‑law, the appellant, who allegedly abused her. On 21 April 1999 she poured kerosene on herself and the appellant threw a lit match, causing severe burns. She later died of septicemia; a dying declaration was recorded by a judicial magistrate a…

Samsuddhin Sheikh and co-accused, pickpockets, stabbed Shashikant Kawade after a verbal altercation that escalated into a sudden fight. The deceased died on the way to the hospital. The trial court convicted them under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC (murder) and the High Court affirmed. On appeal, the accused con…

The Supreme Court examined a criminal appeal filed by accused A1 (Thanga Prakash) against the Karnataka High Court’s order disposing of the appeal without addressing contradictory findings in the trial court’s judgment. The trial court had inconsistently held that some accused were acquitted while others, including A1,…

R.C. Sood gifted a house to Anand Mayee Sangh with a stipulation that he could occupy it during his lifetime and, after his death, his widow could remain. The appellant, the widow of Sood's brother, was invited by Sood to live in the house in 1967 and continued to reside there after his death in 1973. The Sangh served …

The appellant filed a criminal complaint in 2013 alleging offences under the IPC and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. A magistrate took cognizance of the offences and committed the case to a Special Court constituted under Section 14 of the Atrocities Act. The High Court q…

The appellant-builder company entered into a Joint Development Agreement and a subsequent MoU with Respondent No.2 to develop a property and sell flats, but a dispute arose over the alleged sale of four excess flats beyond the agreed share. Respondent No.2 filed a criminal complaint alleging cheating and criminal breac…

The appellant, Ramvir, was charged along with five others for surrounding a victim and firing shots that led to the victim's death. The Sessions Court acquitted all six accused of offences under Sections 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) but convicted Ramvir under Section 302 IPC for murder. The State did not …

The appellant, Sudhakar, was accused of murdering his wife by striking her on the neck with a chopper, an act witnessed by neighbours who saw him carrying the blood‑stained weapon and his infant child. The trial court and the Kerala High Court convicted him under Section 302 IPC, rejecting his claim of insanity under S…

The case involves the murder of Prem Kumar Chaudhary during a family land dispute, where three relatives—Anjani Chaudhary, Bhimsen Chaudhary and Kinkin Chaudhary—were alleged to have attacked the victim with a pistol, lathi, farsa and bhala respectively. The trial court and High Court convicted all three under Section …

On 5 November 1988, the deceased, a neighbour, was persuaded by the accused and his friend to join them for drinks. After consuming alcohol, the accused got into a quarrel with his father, slapped him, and was subsequently rebuked by the deceased who intervened. In a sudden fit of anger, the accused stabbed the decease…

Four members of a family – the husband, his mother and two sisters – were charged with murdering the husband’s wife, who could not bear children. The prosecution relied on three independent eyewitnesses who testified to a prolonged quarrel and the beating of the victim, as well as medical testimony that the cause of de…

The State of Uttar Pradesh prosecuted Munni Ram and others for assault, homicide and offences under the Cattle Trespass Act arising from a dispute over trespassing buffaloes. The trial court convicted the accused, but the Allahabad High Court acquitted them after finding the prosecution witnesses unreliable and giving …

Bhavani married Nandyala Venkataramana in 1992 and was given a dowry of one lakh rupees, but the husband demanded additional items on the wedding night and continued to harass her for further dowry. Despite a Panchayat order for the couple to live separately, the husband, his parents, and brother persisted in making do…

The case involved six accused who were alleged to have fired on four persons, resulting in four deaths. The trial court acquitted Brahm Swaroop and Jagdish Baggar on the ground that the informant could not name their fathers and the weapon recovery was doubtful, while convicting the others. On appeal, the High Court re…

Parminder Kaur, a 74‑year‑old woman, was prosecuted under IPC sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 for allegedly altering dates in certified revenue records used in civil suits she filed in 2002. The FIR was lodged by her brother‑in‑law, Hargursharan Singh, and the High Court refused to quash the criminal proceedings under C…

Jayendra Saraswathy Swamigal, head of the Kanchi Mutt, was charged with conspiracy to murder the in‑charge manager of Devarajaswamy Devasthanam. He and 24 co‑accused filed a transfer petition under Section 406 of the CrPC, alleging that the Tamil Nadu State machinery was fabricating evidence, intimidating defence couns…

Molai, a jail guard, and Santosh, a prisoner, were convicted of raping, strangling and murdering Naveen, the 16‑year‑old daughter of an assistant jailor, and disposing of her body in a septic tank. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, forensic findings of human blood on a knife, and recovered clothing wit…

The appellant Balbir was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC based on a private complaint, while a separate police‑filed case led to the acquittal of another accused, Guria, for the same killing. Both cases were tried before the same Sessions Judge but were not consolidated, and the appellant did not raise any ob…

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was directed by the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Commissioner to deposit contributions for workers employed by contractors at its depots in Rajasthan. FCI contended that it was denied a reasonable opportunity to produce evidence identifying those workers because the Commissioner n…

The Supreme Court considered a writ petition under Article 32 filed by C. Elumalai, an adolescent offender convicted of a capital offence and sentenced to life imprisonment, who was detained in a Borstal School under section 10-A of the Tamil Nadu Borstal Schools Act, 1925. The issue was whether the State of Tamil Nadu…

The appellants, film producers of "Satyan, Shivam, Sundaram", were summoned by a Metropolitan Magistrate under sections 292, 293 and 34 of the IPC after a complaint alleging obscenity. They challenged the summons before the Delhi High Court under section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but the High Court treated th…

The case involved a group of accused who were originally acquitted by the Sessions Court for offences arising from a violent property dispute that resulted in death and injuries. The State appealed under Section 378 of the CrPC, and the Karnataka High Court set aside the acquittal, convicting the accused under IPC Sect…

Lok Prahari, a society, filed a public‑interest litigation seeking a declaration that a stay of conviction granted by an appellate court does not remove the disqualification of a sitting MLA/MP under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and that the legislative seat becomes vacant from the date of c…

The State of Madhya Pradesh prosecuted Chhaakki Lal and his son Akhilesh for the murder of four persons, including a three‑year‑old child, based primarily on the testimony of the sole eye‑witness Kesar Bai (PW‑1). The trial court convicted them under Section 302 IPC and imposed death sentences, deeming the case "rarest…

Jagjit Singh was convicted under Section 304‑B IPC for dowry death after his wife and child drowned within seven years of marriage. The trial court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld the conviction, reducing the sentence to seven years. The appellant appealed to the Supreme Court under Article 136, arguing la…

The case involved the suicide of Renukaben Patel, a married woman, who alleged severe physical and mental cruelty by her husband and in‑laws before setting herself on fire in her matrimonial home. The trial court, after a hurried nine‑day trial, acquitted all accused except the husband (convicted under s.498A IPC with …

In 1974 a mob of 300‑400 persons, led by Surang Lal Yadav, attacked the Muslim Badhya community in Singhimari village, killing 14 people, burning 47 houses and looting property. The appellants, including Anup Lal Yadav, were identified by multiple eye‑witnesses as part of the mob and were convicted under Sections 302, …

Sultan Singh was married to Lavjeet Kaur, who died from severe burn injuries within four years of marriage. The prosecution alleged that the accused and his mother set the fire after the husband demanded Rs 30,000 as dowry, a demand that was repeatedly made up to the time of death. The defence claimed the death was acc…

The case arose from the alleged murder of Jumila in a dowry dispute, for which Liyakat, Ajeem Khan and others were convicted under Sections 302, 498A and 201 of the IPC. The High Court set aside the conviction, holding that material incriminating the accused had not been put to them under Section 313 of the CrPC, and r…

The case involved 60 accused charged under TADA, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act, of whom 11 were convicted by a Designated Court. The appellants contended that the FIR under TADA was registered without the mandatory prior approval of the District Superintendent of Police under s.20‑A(1) of TADA, renderin…

The State of Madhya Pradesh alleged that Surendra Kori, a Deputy Registrar, facilitated the registration of over one hundred forged sale deeds to enable fictitious buyers to claim benefits under a Special Rehabilitation Package for the Sardar Sarovar Project. FIRs and charge‑sheets were filed under IPC sections 420, 46…

The case arose from a complaint alleging that a police encounter on 1 July 2004 was fabricated and resulted in the death of the complainant's son. The police contended that the encounter was genuine, a fact supported by FIRs, a CID inquiry, and an NHRC report. The High Court quashed the criminal proceeding against a po…

Budhi Lal, who lived with two wives, was accused of murdering his second wife Jashu Devi on the night of 9‑10 August 1985. A guest, PW‑3, who was staying in the house that night, testified that he saw Budhi Lal sitting on the deceased's chest and assaulting her, and the accused admitted that he and the victim were toge…

The appellant Bihari Rai was convicted for the death of Sadri Rai. The trial court found him guilty under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC, while the High Court altered the conviction to Section 304 Part I, invoking Exception 4 to Section 300, and acquitted the co‑accused. On appeal, the appellant argued that proce…

The complainants, Prabha Mathur & Anr., alleged that the respondents, Pramod Aggarwal & Ors., cheated them in a property sale and filed a criminal complaint under IPC sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 34 and 1208. The trial court dismissed the complaint as a civil matter, a decision affirmed by the revisional court. The com…

The appellant Nallapati Sivaiah was convicted of murder under s.302 IPC based solely on two dying declarations recorded by a police inspector and a magistrate after the victim sustained 63 injuries. The trial and High Courts upheld the conviction, but the Supreme Court examined the credibility of the dying declarations…

The deceased Amarjit Kaur died from severe burns after allegedly being set alight by her husband Balbir Singh and mother‑in‑law Nachattar Kaur. Two dying declarations were recorded – one by a doctor in the hospital and another by a police sub‑inspector – both implicating the husband, while the second also named the mot…

The Supreme Court examined whether directors of Jiyajirao Cotton Mills Ltd., a company that owned factories, could be held personally liable for unpaid wages under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 as amended by the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Relations Act, 1960. The Court held that the Act does not incorporate the "occupi…

The State of Haryana alleged that Jagbir Singh and another accused kidnapped a four‑year‑old child, demanded ransom and caused the child's death. The trial court convicted them on the basis of circumstantial evidence – a ransom note allegedly in the accused's handwriting, an alleged extra‑judicial confession before a w…

ShriKant Anandrao Bhosale, a police constable, was convicted of murdering his wife by striking her with a grinding stone during a quarrel and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed, claiming he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offence and thus entitled to the benefit of Section 84 of th…

The case involves the murder of eight members of two families in Punjab over a land dispute, for which Bachhitar Singh and two co‑accused were convicted under IPC sections 302, 460 and the Arms Act. The sole eye‑witness, Joginder Singh (PW‑3), testified that he saw the accused entering the victims' house and heard guns…

The State of Kerala prosecuted P. Sugathan (A1) and Krishna Kumari (A2) for the murder of Soman and for criminal conspiracy under Sections 302 and 120B IPC. The prosecution alleged that A1, a police Sub‑Inspector, and A2, his concubine, conspired to kill Soman after he tried to revive a past relationship with A2. The t…

The State of Punjab appealed against the acquittal of Hari Kishan and his brothers, who were originally convicted for the murder of Jai Rani under Sections 302 and 201 IPC. The prosecution alleged that the accused demanded dowry, ill‑treated the victim and strangled her, relying on circumstantial evidence, a purported …

Paramjit and Inderjit assaulted Rambhaj after he reprimanded Paramjit for indecent remarks, inflicting fatal knife wounds. The victim gave a dying declaration describing the assault, which was corroborated by an eyewitness (PW5) and medical evidence showing the injuries were sufficient to cause death. The trial court c…

The case arose from a brawl on 1‑2 July 1988 between Sambasiva Rao (second accused) and Suryanarayana Rao (PW‑1) over a dog. The next night Sambasiva Rao, his father (first accused) and a relative (third accused) went to PW‑1’s house, assaulted PW‑1, his wife and others. The deceased, Srinivasa Rao, intervened; while t…

Gurbachan Singh filed a special leave appeal after the Punjab & Haryana High Court acquitted Satpal Singh and others of abetment to suicide under Section 306 IPC. The deceased, Ravinder Kaur, had allegedly committed suicide by self‑immolation after severe dowry‑related harassment and taunts by her husband, his parents …

R.K. Singh was detained under section 12(2) of the Bihar Control of Crimes Act, 1981 on the ground that he was an anti‑social element habitually committing offences under Chapters XVI and XVII of the Indian Penal Code. The detention order was based on several incidents, including a raid in which he opened fire on polic…

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the detention of Ajay Dixit under Section 3(2) of the National Security Act, 1980. The District Magistrate had listed six past criminal incidents as grounds, alleging that Dixit was likely to act prejudicially to public order. The Court held that t…

The appellant was convicted under sections 323, 352, 504 of the IPC and section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003 for allegedly hitting a child with a school bag. The High Court reduced the sentences, but the appellant challenged the conviction for child abuse and the applicability of probation. The Supreme Court ex…

The Supreme Court examined the conviction of two accused, Putai and Dileep, for the rape and murder of a 12‑year‑old girl, based solely on circumstantial evidence and forensic material. The trial and High Courts had upheld the death penalty for Putai and life imprisonment for Dileep, relying on recovered items, a sniff…

In 1979, the principal of a college, Iqbal Bahadur Saxena, was allegedly shot by three accused while seated with his physician. The FIR, recorded at the police station, and a later statement made in hospital were treated as two dying declarations. The trial court convicted the accused under Sections 302, 307 and 34 of …

The incident occurred on 17 March 1997 at a tea stall in Kalia Hotel where the deceased, Keramat Ali, was allegedly attacked by a group of nine accused. The trial court acquitted accused No.9 (Samsul Haque) and accused Nos.2 and 3 (Abdul Rashid and Imdadul Islam) citing lack of incriminating evidence, while convicting …

The appellant withdrew Rs 16.68 lakh from a bank, left the cash in the first respondent's car, and later claimed the money was stolen when the car's glass was broken. A police investigation resulted in a chargesheet under IPC sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating). The respondents sought quashing of…

The case arose from a midnight assault on 26 May 2001 in which a group of accused entered the house of Bani Singh, armed with sharp weapons and a pistol, and attacked the occupants, resulting in Bani Singh’s death and injuries to four others. The prosecution relied primarily on the ocular testimony of two injured witne…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed a High Court order that reduced the six‑month rigorous imprisonment awarded to Bablu for offences under Sections 323 and 354 IPC to the 21 days he had already served, on the ground that he was a first‑time offender. The Supreme Court held that sentencing must reflect the gravity of …

The parents of a ten‑year‑old boy filed a claim petition under Sections 140 and 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 seeking compensation for his death in a tractor‑trolley accident caused by the driver (respondent No.1). The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal rejected the claim, holding that the plaintiffs failed to prove …

Gurvail Singh was convicted of murdering four persons under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC and was sentenced to death. The High Court upheld the death sentence, but the Supreme Court commuted it to life imprisonment with a direction that the petitioner serve 30 years without remission. The petitioner filed a writ petit…

The appellant Kamlesh Prabhudas Tanna and his mother were convicted for dowry harassment, abetment of suicide and culpable homicide after the death of Sandhya, the sister of the informant, who allegedly committed suicide. The trial court found the prosecution evidence sufficient under IPC sections 304‑8, 306, 498A, 34 …

The appellant, Mohan Singh, was accused of extorting money from an informant by telephone and threatening the informant's brother, who was subsequently killed. The prosecution presented voice identification by the informant, call‑record printouts linking Singh to co‑conspirator Laxmi Singh, and testimony that the infor…

Two FIRs (CR No.1‑154/2008 and CR No.1‑155/2008) were lodged for communal clashes in Dhedhal village. The High Court quashed the second FIR, merged the investigations, and transferred the case to the State CID, also directing that the charge‑sheet of the quashed FIR be read into the surviving case. The Supreme Court he…

The State of Rajasthan appealed the Rajasthan High Court’s acquittal of Naresh, who was charged under Sections 302 and 394 IPC for murdering a woman, amputating her feet, and stealing her jewellery. The trial court had convicted him based on four strands of circumstantial evidence, but the High Court set aside the conv…

The case arose from a violent dispute over land where the accused forcibly entered a tube well, injured the complainant and migrant labourers, and threw a dead labourer’s body into a canal. The trial court convicted all accused under multiple IPC sections and the Arms Act; the High Court acquitted two co‑accused on the…

The appellant was convicted under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) based on the testimony of the prosecutrix and her husband, who alleged that the appellant had raped the woman in a factory and threatened her. Medical examination found no injuries and only semen on the victim's swabs and clothing…

Chattar Singh (husband) and his father‑in‑law Mange Ram were convicted for the murder of Guddi and her infant daughter Poonam, whose bodies were found in a well. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, the "last seen" theory, post‑mortem findings of smothering, and extra‑judicial confessions in which the acc…

The appellants, former Chief Ministers of Bihar, sought a joint trial and transfer of six corruption and conspiracy cases pending before various Special Judges in Jharkhand. They argued that a single conspiracy linked the cases, with common witnesses and documents, and that separate trials would cause undue hardship. T…

The case involved Augustine Saldanha and Rocky Saldanha, who were accused of assaulting Paul Saldanha (who died) and Felix Saldanha (who was injured) with sticks on a dark night. The trial court acquitted them, doubting the credibility of the victim‑witness, but the Karnataka High Court convicted Augustine under Sectio…

Dr. Narayan Warman Nerukar was charged under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 120‑B IPC. After a prolonged trial, he invoked Section 482 of the CrPC to have the proceedings quashed on the ground of delay. The Delhi High Court quashed the case, holding that the right to a speedy trial had b…

The petitioners, three life convicts incarcerated in Haryana, claimed that under‑section 428 of the Criminal Procedure Code the period of their pre‑conviction detention should be set off against their sentences, making them eligible for premature release under Para 516‑B of the Punjab/Haryana Jail Manual. The State Gov…

The appellants, Suresh Thipmppa Shetty (A4) and Sadashiv Seena Salian (A2), were convicted under Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC for the murder of Mahendra Pratap Singh and sentenced to life imprisonment and fines. They appealed the conviction, arguing that they were not present in the car where the murder occurred an…

The appellant Ghulam Hassan Beigh alleged that seven accused formed an unlawful assembly, assaulted him and his family, and caused the death of his wife, whose post‑mortem reported cardio‑respiratory failure. The trial court, after reviewing the medical report and limited oral evidence, discharged the accused of murder…

M/s Supreme Bhiwandi Wada Manor Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a road‑construction contractor, alleged that four of its employees fabricated land‑ownership documents and misappropriated about Rs 5.08 crore intended for farmer compensation. A complaint led a Metropolitan Magistrate to order a police investigation under Section…

Junu Gayary, a widow, filed a writ petition under Article 226 alleging that her husband was taken into custody by the Indian Army and later killed, with the army attempting to portray the death as an encounter. The Gauhati High Court, after an enquiry by the District & Sessions Judge, found prima facie evidence of the …

The appellant, Arvindkumar, was charged with murdering his first wife, Sita Devi, under Sections 302 and 201 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The prosecution relied solely on circumstantial evidence, including the last sighting of the appellant with the victim, blood‑stained clothes, recovery of a knife, post‑mortem fi…

The State of Punjab appealed against the Punjab & Haryana High Court’s order reducing the conviction of four accused from murder (s.302 r/w s.34 IPC) to culpable homicide not amounting to murder (s.304 Part‑I r/w s.34) and cutting their sentence to five years rigorous imprisonment. The trial court had relied on the tes…

The appellants, Gosu Jairami Reddy and others, were convicted for murder, rioting and offences under the Explosive Substances Act after allegedly hurling bombs and attacking the deceased with hunting sickles. They challenged the convictions before the Supreme Court under Article 136, arguing errors in the trial court’s…

Bipin Kumar Mondal was convicted for the murder of his wife and son and for causing hurt to another son under IPC sections 302 and 323. The prosecution’s case rested on the eyewitness testimony of the surviving son, Sujit Mondal, who lodged an Ejahar stating that his father attacked the family with a knife, and on corr…

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the Allahabad High Court's acquittal of Abdul Karim and two others, who had been convicted by a trial court for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The prosecution's case rested on the testimony of three eye‑witnesses – the victim's wife (PW‑1), her brot…

The State of Haryana appealed against the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order granting bail and suspending the life sentence of Hasmat, who had been convicted of murder (IPC s.302 r/w s.149) and related offences. Hasmat had applied under CrPC s.389 for suspension of sentence pending appeal, and the High Court relied …

The Supreme Court examined the murder trial of Ranbir Singh and three co‑accused, where the trial court convicted Ranbir Singh under Section 302 IPC and acquitted the others, but the High Court reversed the acquittals. The Court held that an omission in a statement under Section 161 CrPC can constitute a material contr…

Sanichar Sahni was convicted under Section 120‑B IPC for conspiring with his father and brother to murder Bhola Chaudhary. The co‑accused were charged only with murder and related offences, not with conspiracy. The appellant argued that the lack of a conspiracy charge against the co‑accused made his conviction illegal …

Deomuni Sharma was convicted by the trial court and the Jharkhand High Court for attempting murder under IPC section 307 read with sections 149, 147 and 148, and for an offence under section 27 of the Arms Act. The Supreme Court examined whether his act of firing a licensed rifle in the air, allegedly to scare aggresso…

The Supreme Court considered a public‑interest writ petition seeking a declaration that the term "sexual intercourse" in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code should be interpreted to include all forms of penetration, thereby expanding the definition of rape. The petition also sought procedural directions for recording …

The appellant, an Additional District and Sessions Judge on a two‑year probation, was dismissed after the High Court, relying on a vigilance inquiry and several complaints—including a Bar Association resolution—concluded his work and conduct were unsatisfactory. The appellant argued that his dismissal without a hearing…

The Association for Democratic Reforms challenged the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT, seeking a return to paper ballots, physical hand‑over of VVPAT slips to voters, and 100% VVPAT counting, alleging possible manipulation. The Supreme Court examined the technical architecture of EVMs, the safeguard…

The appellant married respondent No.1, who had previously concealed her existing marriage and presented a forged divorce decree, inducing the appellant to part with Rs. 2 lakh and later discover her pregnancy. The appellant filed a criminal complaint alleging cheating and criminal conspiracy under Sections 420 and 120‑…

The State of Odisha appealed against the High Court’s order that quashed the cognizance taken by the Special District Judge, Bhubaneswar, of offences under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 477(A), 120(B) and 34 of the IPC relating to a conspiracy to forge documents and illegally transfer government land. The FIR, lodged in…

The petitioner sought the release of her husband, who had been repeatedly remanded in custody despite the filing of multiple supplementary chargesheets that did not complete the investigation. The core issue was whether a chargesheet can be filed piecemeal before the investigation is finished and whether such filing ex…

The appellant, Shraddha Gupta, was added as an accused in a murder case after call recordings linked her to the crime. A gang chart was prepared and she was charged under Sections 2 and 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti‑Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986. She filed a writ petition under Section 482 of the…

P. Soupramian, a messenger employed by State Bank of India, stabbed two individuals with a broken soda bottle and was convicted under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code, receiving a three‑month imprisonment. The bank discharged him under Section 10(1)(b)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, which bars persons conv…

N. Ramamurthy was convicted under several IPC provisions and the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced to multiple terms, the trial court directing that all sentences run concurrently, resulting in a maximum imprisonment of seven years. He filed applications under Section 389 of the CrPC seeking suspension of the …

The appellant, a certified surveyor, was appointed by an insurance company to assess a fire insurance claim of M/s. Ram Company. After submitting a final survey report that led the insurer to repudiate the claim, the complainant filed a criminal complaint alleging that the appellant, with armed accomplices, threatened …

The State of Maharashtra alleged that sixteen accused, including Bhaskarrao and others, murdered Shamrao by assaulting him with weapons and amputating his hand, invoking sections 147, 148, 452 r/w 149, 302 r/w 149 and 506 of the IPC. The trial court acquitted all accused after finding the prosecution’s case riddled wit…

Amal Kumar Jha, the doctor-in-charge of a Primary Health Centre, was charged under IPC 304A for the death of a patient after he allegedly refused to provide a government jeep to transfer her to a district hospital. He sought discharge of the criminal proceedings under Section 197 of the CrPC, arguing that the omission …

The State (CBI) filed a charge‑sheet against fourteen accused, including the respondent, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The Special Court initially deferred taking cognizance of the respondent, directing the investigating officer to obtain a sanction order …

Guiram Mondal, the tenth accused in a double murder case, appealed his conviction under Sections 302 and 148 of the IPC. The trial court had acquitted all accused except one, relying heavily on the absence of the accused's names in the inquest report. The High Court reversed this, holding that the trial court overlooke…

The appellants Litta Singh and Kalla Singh, along with their father Boga Singh, were charged with the murder of Hansraj Singh after assaulting him with a lathi and a gandasi following a prior quarrel. The victim died the next day, leading the trial court to convict the two appellants under Section 302 IPC (murder) and …

Bharat Bhushan was convicted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court for raping an 11‑year‑old girl under IPC s.376 and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine. He contended that, being a juvenile (under 18) at the time of the offence, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, parti…

The appellants (A‑1 and A‑2) and others assaulted the deceased and his family with sticks, causing fatal abdominal injuries and other wounds. They were convicted by the trial court under IPC sections 304, 323 and 325 and sentenced to ten years rigorous imprisonment. The High Court modified the conviction under section …

Two Italian marines were arrested by Kerala police for killing two Indian fishermen 20.5 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. The Supreme Court earlier held that the State of Kerala lacked jurisdiction and that only the Union of India could investigate and try the marines, pending a determination of the applicability o…

The appellants Zahoor, Subrati and Babu were originally convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Allahabad High Court altered the conviction to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304(1) read with Section 34, imposing a fine. On appeal, the Supreme Court held…

The appellants, Santosh Moolya and another, were convicted for raping two sisters who were working in a quarry and were subsequently threatened not to report the crime. The victims lodged a police complaint 42 days after the incident, citing illiteracy, fear of retaliation, and lack of male family support as reasons fo…

Shakti Dan was convicted under Section 302 IPC for throttling his mother, who died as a result of the assault, and under Section 323 IPC for causing hurt. He appealed, contending that he had no intention to kill his mother and that the charge of murder was inappropriate. The Supreme Court examined the statutory distinc…

The appellant, Anwarul Haq, was convicted under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code for inflicting grievous injury with a knife, based on the testimony of the injured victim and two eyewitnesses, despite the weapon not being recovered. He appealed, arguing that the weapon was not a 'dangerous weapon' and that the lack…

The case involved the death of Minta Devi, who was allegedly burnt to death by her husband Arvind Singh and his in‑laws. The trial court convicted all four accused under Sections 304B (dowry death) and 498A (cruelty) and sentenced them to life imprisonment; the High Court set aside the conviction of three relatives und…

The appellant was convicted by a Designated Court under Sections 3 and 5 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 and Section 307 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly storing lethal weapons, extorting money and threatening a police officer during a search. On appeal, the …

The case involved the murder of Shamsher Singh and Amar Singh, allegedly committed by Swaran Singh, Jagjit Singh and others using a 12‑bore double‑barrel gun. The prosecution relied on eye‑witnesses (PW‑3 and PW‑4), forensic evidence (site plan, photographs, blood‑stained earth, post‑mortem reports, chemical analysis a…

The Supreme Court examined the death of Sunita Kumari, who was found dead by asphyxiation three years after her marriage. The husband, Rakesh Kumar, and his relatives were initially convicted under Sections 304‑B, 306 and 498‑A IPC, but the High Court acquitted all of them. On appeal, the Court held that a presumption …

The case involved eleven accused who participated in a violent incident that resulted in the death of Dana Pitha. The trial court acquitted eight of them, convicting only three under Section 302 IPC, but the Gujarat High Court reversed the acquittals, finding that the accused formed an unlawful assembly with the common…

The Supreme Court considered two writ petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises attempted suicide. The petitioners argued that the provision violated Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. After reviewing earlier High Court decisions, comparative law,…

Appellant No.1, Laxmi Raj Shetty, was convicted of murder, robbery and house trespass and sentenced to death, while his father, Appellant No.2, Shivram Shetty, was convicted of harbouring and possessing stolen property. The prosecution relied entirely on circumstantial evidence, including the accused's knowledge of the…

Ramesh Kumar and Ram Kumar were convicted by a Sessions Judge under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, relying on a claim that Ram Kumar had gifted three acres of land to the victim's widow as compensatio…

The deceased was attacked with weapons by his relatives while returning from work, resulting in his death. The trial court acquitted accused A‑2 to A‑6, but the High Court convicted A‑2 to A‑5 under s.302 read with s.149 IPC, finding the witnesses’ testimony credible despite minor inconsistencies. The appellants challe…

The appellant was convicted by the Sessions Court and the High Court for rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code based on the complaint of PW‑3, who alleged that the appellant entered her house at night, threatened her with a pistol and raped her. The trial court relied on the testimony of three prosecution wit…

The appellant was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC and sentenced by the Sessions Court to ten years' rigorous imprisonment, which the State appealed under Section 377 of the CrPC for enhancement. The High Court, after serving notice and appointing an amicus curiae, enhanced the sentence to life imprisonment. T…

The complainant, a promoter‑director of a biomass power company, filed a private complaint alleging conspiracy, false declarations and cheating under Section 628 of the Companies Act, 1956 and Sections 1208 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code. The Special Judge for Economic Offences took cognizance, but the Andhra Pradesh…

The Supreme Court examined a series of writ petitions filed under Article 32 seeking protection and relief for victims of the September 2013 Muzaffarnagar communal riots, including compensation for rape victims and accountability for the State's failure to prevent the violence. The Court found the State government negl…

On 9 February 1993 a dispute over deepening a drain led to a physical altercation in which accused Balkar Singh, Chuhar Singh and Surinder Singh allegedly struck Sher Singh, who later died, and injured Shamsher Singh, who survived as an eyewitness. The three were charged under Sections 302, 323 read with Section 34 of …

The appellant, Golla Yelugu Govindu, was convicted of murder for hacking his wife with a sickle during a heated quarrel, based largely on the testimony of his two minor children. He appealed, challenging the admissibility of the child witnesses and arguing that the incident fell under Exception 4 of Section 300 IPC, wh…

An FIR (No.155/2001) was lodged under Sections 379, 406, 409, 418 and 506/34 IPC arising from a business dispute between the complainant and the accused. The parties executed a compromise deed on 25 January 2002, settling all differences. The complainant applied to the High Court for quashing the FIR, but the applicati…

The State of U.P. prosecuted four accused, including Smt. Noorie, under IPC sections 147, 148, 302/149 and 201/511 for the murder of Ram Bharosey (Bachan Shah). The prosecution relied on three eye‑witnesses (PW‑1, PW‑2 and PW‑3) who testified that the accused assaulted the victim with knives and lathis and later dragge…

The Supreme Court examined two dismissals of police Sub‑Inspectors, Ajay Manchanda and Kuldip Singh, effected under clause (b) of the second proviso to Article 311(2) of the Constitution without a departmental enquiry. In Manchanda's case, a Deputy Superintendent’s report concluded that the complainant and witnesses we…

Preetam and his brother Ishwar Lal were tried for the murder of Chhita. The trial court acquitted both, but the State appealed. The High Court set aside Preetam’s acquittal, relying on a confession recorded by a magistrate and on property recoveries allegedly made pursuant to that confession, while rejecting eye‑witnes…

The Supreme Court examined the murder trial of Kundula Bala Subrahmanyam, who died from extensive burns after allegedly being set alight by her husband and mother‑in‑law over a dowry‑related dispute. The prosecution relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence: a clear motive (dowry and land registration), two oral dyi…

On 16 September 1980, a dispute arose after an alleged stone‑pelting incident, culminating in a confrontation where the appellant, A.M. Kunhiko ya, and four others attacked the deceased, Moideen Kutty. The appellant first struck the victim's hand and, during a struggle, thrust a dagger into the victim's chest, causing …

The appellants, promoters and directors of a public limited company, issued a prospectus inviting public subscription for shares, claimed that the application to list the shares on a stock exchange was rejected, yet retained the money collected from investors and transferred it to another company account. A complaint w…

The State of Andhra Pradesh prosecuted Y. Basavadevudu and S. Subha Rao for embezzling Rs.1,22,500 by falsifying entries related to fake RBI demand drafts in a Sub‑Treasury. The trial court found the accused and an approver guilty under IPC sections 409, 467, 471 and 477‑A, but the High Court acquitted them, holding th…

B. Hanumantha Rao, an Excise Sub‑Inspector, was charged with accepting Rs 50,000 as illegal gratification from an arrack contractor. He claimed the money was rent arrears that the contractor could not deposit because the bank was closed, and he refused to keep the cash. The prosecution conducted a trap, recovered the m…

The appellant was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC based on a dying declaration, eyewitness testimony, and the recovery of a weapon, despite serious irregularities in the investigation. The Supreme Court examined the purpose of criminal investigation, the role of the investigating officer, and the interplay be…

The appellant, Joseph Easwaran Wapshare, obtained a Succession Certificate under Section 372 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, as the son and lineal descendant of the intestate Gorden Wapshare. The respondent, Shirley Katheleen Wheeler, who is the daughter of Beatrice (the wife of Edward Wapshare, Gorden's brother), …

The case arose from a violent incident in 1994 in which five accused persons allegedly attacked the family of informant Bhola Singh, resulting in the death of three of his sons. The trial court convicted all six accused of murder and related offences, sentencing two of them to death and the others to life imprisonment.…

Gajanan Dashrath Kharate was convicted of murdering his father, Dashrath, after the father was found dead in a pool of blood following a night of frequent quarrels. Two neighbours, PW‑1 and PW‑2, heard the altercation but did not intervene and later learned of the death from a third witness. The prosecution presented t…

The case concerns the murder of two brothers on 11 November 1999, for which ten persons were charge-sheeted. The trial court convicted all, but the Rajasthan High Court acquitted six accused on the ground that they were not named by the star witness, while convicting Badru Ram, Sita Ram, Ramavtar and Lakshman under Sec…

The appellant Rajinder Singh was convicted under IPC s.3048 for the death of his wife Salwinder Kaur, who died by poisoning within four years of marriage after repeated demands for dowry money and alleged ill‑treatment by the husband and his relatives. The trial court and the High Court upheld the conviction, finding t…

Ravindra was convicted under Section 376(1) IPC for raping Narmadabai in 1994 and sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment. The appellant challenged the conviction on grounds of lack of physical injury, insufficient semen evidence, contradictions in the victim's testimony, and the absence of corroboration. The Sup…

The deceased, Truptiben, married in 1996 and allegedly faced repeated dowry demands and mental harassment by her husband and his relatives, leading her to commit suicide by hanging in 2000, within seven years of marriage. A criminal complaint was filed under Sections 498A, 304B, 306 and 114 of the IPC; the trial court …

The appellant, Dhirendra Kumar, was convicted of murdering Surat Singh by striking him on the head with a stone. The prosecution presented eye‑witnesses, the widow of the deceased, and corroborative testimony establishing prior enmity and a motive. The accused claimed he was falsely implicated and that the incident was…

The appellant, Tejram Patil, was convicted of murdering his wife Savita by pouring kerosene and setting her on fire; Savita’s mother Prabhabai and the landlady Vimal also sustained burn injuries and died. The trial court admitted Prabhabai’s dying declaration (OD) to prove the cause of Prabhabai’s death but rejected Sa…

The case arose from a violent clash between two rival groups over a land dispute in Rajasthan, during which Shivji Ram was killed and several others injured. The trial court convicted the accused under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC, while the High Court later reduced the charge to culpable homicide not amountin…

The appellant Jhaptu Ram shot and killed his neighbour Devinder Kumar after an altercation, while the neighbour's mother was present to pacify the dispute. The trial court convicted him of murder under Section 302 IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonment; the High Court affirmed this conviction. On appeal, the Suprem…

The case involves the rape and murder of a six‑year‑old girl whose body was discovered after four accused were seen throwing it from a gunny bag. The trial court convicted the accused under IPC sections 302, 34, 201, 34, 376 and 377 based solely on circumstantial evidence and sentenced them to death, which the High Cou…

The case involved an acid attack on G. Janardhan, resulting in his death. The prosecution’s case against accused A‑1 and A‑2 rested mainly on a dying declaration recorded by a magistrate, which alleged that the deceased had named the accused. The trial and High Courts accepted this declaration despite the absence of an…