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Indian Penal Code

17481 judgments · newest first · showing 16201–16400

AMAR SINGHversusBALWINDER SINGH AND ORS.

2003 INSC 52Appeal(s) allowed

The case arose from a shooting incident in which the complainant Amar Singh and his family were injured and his son Lakha Singh died. The trial court convicted Balwinder Singh and three others under Sections 302, 34 and 307 IPC based largely on the testimony of three injured eye‑witnesses and …

CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONversusASHIQ HUSSAIN FAKTOO AND ORS.

2003 INSC 49Appeal(s) allowed

The Central Bureau of Investigation appealed against the acquittal of three accused who were charged under Section 3 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 and Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code for the kidnapping and murder of H.N. Wanchoo. The only evidence …

BHARATversusSTATE OF M.P.

2003 INSC 51Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and robbery (Sec. 394 IPC) on the basis of two circumstantial facts: he was the last person seen with the deceased Phullobai and silver ornaments allegedly stolen from her were recovered from his house. The Supreme Court held that the ornaments …

AJAY MITRAversusSTATE OF M.P. AND ORS.

2003 INSC 40Appeal(s) allowed

The complainant, Sanjiva Bottling Company, entered into five‑year bottling agreements with Cadbury Schweppes Beverages India, which were later assigned to Atlantic Industries, a Coca‑Cola subsidiary. After Atlantic gave notice that the agreements would not be renewed, the complainant filed a …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusSHARIFF

2003 INSC 38Appeal(s) allowed

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 …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusMOHAMED NAZEER @ BABU

2003 INSC 35Disposed off

The State of Karnataka prosecuted Mohamed Nazeer for killing a man after assaulting him with a knee to the private parts, causing instant death. Eye‑witnesses and a doctor testified that the accused threatened the victim, kicked him, and that death resulted from neurogenic shock due to testicular …

BHAGWAN SINGH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF M.P.

2003 INSC 28Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined the conviction of Bhagwan Singh and two co‑accused for murder and related offences under the IPC and the Madhya Pradesh Dacoity Vihavaran Kshetra Act. The conviction was based primarily on the testimony of a six‑year‑old child eye‑witness and a judicial confession recorded …

DARPAN KUMAR SHARMA @ DHARBAN KUMAR SHARMAversusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU AND ORS.

[2003] 1 S.C.R. 442Case Allowed

The petitioner, an under‑trial prisoner for theft and robbery, was detained under Section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1982 on the ground that he had pelted stones at the public while committing a robbery, allegedly creating alarm and threatening public order. He …

U. DHAR AND ANR.versusTHE STATE OF JHARKHAND AND ANR.

2003 INSC 23Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, senior officials of Tata Construction & Projects Ltd, were sued criminally by Singh Construction Co. for allegedly misappropriating payment received from Bokaro Steel Plant for contract work. The complaint invoked IPC sections 403, 406, 420 and 1208, alleging dishonest conversion of …

ZAFARversusSTATE OF U.P.

2003 INSC 15Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC based primarily on the testimony of a child witness who was seven years old at the time of the incident. Both the trial court and the Allahabad High Court held the child’s evidence to be clear and trustworthy and affirmed the conviction. On …

RAM NARAIN POPLIversusCENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

2003 INSC 10Disposed off

The case involved five financial transactions between Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), a government company, and Harshad S. Mehta (A5), a broker, routed through banks. The CBI alleged that the accused conspired to divert MUL's surplus funds to A5 through fraudulent transactions. The Special Court convicted …

STATE OF RAJASTHANversusHAT SINGH AND ORS.

2003 INSC 4Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Rajasthan prosecuted Hat Singh and others under the Rajasthan Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 for "glorification of Sati" (Section 5) and for contravention of a prohibitory order issued by the Collector (Section 6(3)). The High Court held that once a prohibitory order was issued, Section 5 …

CHITTARMALversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2003 INSC 5Dismissed

The appellants Chittarmal and Moti were charged with murder and attempted murder for assaulting two sleeping men, resulting in their deaths, and grievously injuring a third witness, Lal Chand. The trial court convicted them under Sections 302 and 307 IPC and sentenced them to death, which was later …

GURUCHARAN KUMAR AND ANR.versusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2003 INSC 6Appeal(s) allowed

Geetu married Parvin Kumar and, two and a half months later, died by hanging. The prosecution alleged that her husband and in‑laws harassed her for a dowry car, constituting offences under Sections 304B and 306 IPC. The trial court and High Court convicted them, but on appeal the Supreme Court …

RAJENDRA SHANTARAM TODANKARversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.

2003 INSC 2Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court examined the convictions of eight accused in a gang assault that resulted in the death of Gopikrishna and injuries to Sanjay Patil. The trial court and High Court had convicted all accused under Sections 143, 144, 147, 302/149 and 324/149 IPC. On appeal, the Court distinguished two …

LALLU MANJHI AND ANR.versusSTATE OF JHARKHAND

2003 INSC 1Appeal(s) allowed

The case involved ten accused charged with offences under Sections 147, 148, 149 and 302 of the IPC for an alleged murder during an unlawful assembly. The sole eyewitness, PW9, altered his testimony at trial compared to his original FIR statement, and his account was not corroborated by medical or …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusM.V. MANJUNATHEGOWDA AND ANR.

2003 INSC 3Case Partly allowed

The State of Karnataka prosecuted M.V. Manjunathegowda (A‑1) and others for the murder of his wife Kamalamma, alleging that she was killed within seven years of marriage after the accused demanded a dowry of Rs 10,000 and three sovereigns of gold, of which only Rs 8,000 was paid. The trial court …

M.C. ABRAHAM AND ANR.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ORS.

2002 INSC 575Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined a writ petition filed by directors of Maharashtra Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. seeking relief against the Bombay High Court's order directing the State to arrest them and to compel the investigating agency to file a charge‑sheet. The Court held that arrest is a …

JINIA KEOTIN AND ORS.versusKUMAR SITARAM MANJHI AND ORS.

2002 INSC 576Dismissed

In a partition suit over ancestral coparcenary property, the children of a second wife (Jinia Keotin) born from a marriage that was void under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 claimed a share in the property. The trial court and the High Court allowed them a share only in the parents' property, invoking …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusPANCHAKSHARI GURUPADAYYA HIRAMATH

2002 INSC 578Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Karnataka charged Panchakshari Gurupada Yya Hiramath under Section 302 IPC for the murder of DSP Shankaraiah Hiremath, alleging a fatal attack with a sickle following a land dispute. The prosecution’s case rested primarily on the eye‑witness testimony of PW3, who saw the accused assault …

STATE OF UTTAR PRADESHversusRAM SEWAK AND ORS.

2002 INSC 556Disposed off

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed the Allahabad High Court's acquittal of five accused in a murder case arising from a factional clash. The deceased had given a dying declaration naming Ram Sewak as the shooter, which was corroborated by a promptly lodged FIR and eyewitness testimony. The trial …

SUDHANSU SEKHAR SAHOOversusSTATE OF ORISSA

2002 INSC 560Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, a District Malaria Officer, was convicted by the Sessions Court and the Orissa High Court for rape (IPC s.376) and wrongful confinement (IPC s.342) based primarily on the testimony of Ms. X, a lady supervisor who alleged she was taken to the appellant's house at night and forced to …

LAKHWINDER SINGH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 548Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, three constables, were convicted for murder, attempted murder and related offences arising from a violent incident on 24 December 1996. The prosecution's case relied on three eye‑witnesses, forensic reports and seized weapons, but the Supreme Court found serious deficiencies: the FIR …

ASHOK KUMARversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 549Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Ashok Kumar was convicted under Section 376(2)(g) IPC for rape, based on the allegation that he facilitated the rape committed by the deceased Anil Kumar. The prosecution's case relied on the testimony of the victim's brother, who claimed the victim had told him that both men had raped …

STATE OF HARYANAversusMANGE RAM AND ORS.

2002 INSC 531Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Haryana prosecuted four accused for causing grievous injuries that led to the death of a police constable. The trial court convicted them under sections 325 and 326 read with 34 of the IPC, acquitting them of murder (302/34). The High Court reversed this, discarding the victim's dying …

MR. "X"versusHOSPITAL "Z"

2002 INSC 526Disposed off

The appellant, a medical practitioner, was found HIV‑positive when his blood was tested at Hospital Z during a donation for a relative. The hospital disclosed his HIV status to the relatives of his fiancée, leading to the cancellation of his marriage and social ostracism. The appellant sought …

OM PRAKASH @ RAJAversusSTATE OF UTTARANCHAL

2002 INSC 520Dismissed

The appellant, a domestic servant employed by retired Brigadier Shyam Lal Khanna, was convicted of murdering three members of the Khanna family and attempting to murder the wife. The prosecution proved the offences through the testimony of the surviving wife (PW‑1), corroborated by a sweeper and …

SATISH SHARMA AND ANR.versusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 521Appeal(s) allowed

The accused were charged with offences under IPC sections 114 and 302 and the Arms Act. Their applications for anticipatory bail were rejected by the Sessions Court and the Gujarat High Court. While the bail matter was pending, two police officers (the appellants) filed a report under Section 169 of …

MAHESH CHANDversusB. JANARDHAN AND ANR.

2002 INSC 514Disposed off

Mahesh Chand filed an FIR alleging forged sale deeds and trespass. The police investigation concluded the matter was a civil dispute and filed a case‑disposal report, which the magistrate accepted, leading to the dismissal of Chand's criminal complaint. After a protest petition was also dismissed, …

N. NATARAJANversusB.K. SUBBA RAO

2002 INSC 507Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent filed an application under Section 340 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a Designated Court, alleging that the appellant, the Chief Public Prosecutor, had made contradictory submissions in the Bombay blast case, potentially amounting to fabrication of evidence. The Designated …

JOSEPHversusSTATE OF KERALA

2002 INSC 508Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was convicted by the Kerala High Court for murder, hurt and criminal conspiracy based primarily on the testimony of a single injured eye‑witness, PW I, despite inconsistencies with medical evidence and other witnesses. The trial court had acquitted the appellant, finding the sole …

RAM AVTAR AND ORS.versusTHE STATE OF U.P.

2002 INSC 481Dismissed

The case arose from an incident where two police constables attempted to arrest Ram Avtar and his associates; the accused’s relatives intervened with weapons, leading to a violent clash that resulted in the deaths of two members of the complainant’s family. The trial court convicted eight accused …

LALLAN RAJ AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 473Disposed off

The case involved fourteen accused who, on the night of Holi, encircled and assaulted Bindeshwari Rai with deadly weapons, resulting in his death. The trial court convicted all of them under Section 302 IPC, with some also under Section 307 IPC, while the High Court later acquitted them of the …

RAGHUNATHversusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.

2002 INSC 468Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants Raghunath and eight others were convicted under IPC sections 148, 149, 302, 323, 325, 436 and 452 for a violent incident in which the deceased Kundan Lal was killed. The Supreme Court examined contradictions in witness statements, the improbability of the prosecution’s version of the …

DWARKA DAS AND ORS.versusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 469Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined whether a High Court, exercising criminal appellate jurisdiction under Section 374(2) of the Cr.P.C., could direct the State Government to file an appeal against an acquittal by a Sessions Judge. The High Court had ordered the Advocate General of Haryana to file a …

SHRAWAN BHADAJI BHIRAD AND ORS.versusSTTE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 470Dismissed

The accused, members of the Bhirad family, were convicted for assaulting Ganesh Dhage with swords, causing severe injuries, under Sections 147, 148, 307 read with Section 149 of the IPC. The victim, while hospitalized, identified the accused by name in a statement recorded by doctors, which the …

SUBHASH RAMKUMAR BIND @ VAKIL AND ANR.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 466Dismissed

The appellants were convicted for murder of Harish Bhatia using a 9 mm pistol and a .38 calibre revolver, and were sentenced to death under IPC sections 302/34 and Arms Act section 27(3). The High Court upheld the death sentence, treating the weapons as prohibited arms under the Arms Act based on a …

ALAMGIRversusSTATE (NCT. DELHI)

2002 INSC 467Dismissed

Alamgir, a Pakistani national, travelled to Delhi with his wife Halima and stayed at a hotel. He left her locked in the room on 19 September 1991 and failed to return; her body was later found strangulated. Two slips of paper near the body bore handwriting identified by an expert as Alamgir's. He …

ANTHONY D'SOUZA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2002 INSC 453Dismissed

The appellants were convicted for the murder of a lorry driver and cleaner based solely on circumstantial evidence, including their alleged involvement in a road accident, medical treatment for injuries, recovery of a wrist‑watch belonging to the deceased, fertilizer bags and a blood‑stained wooden …

K. PREMA S. RAO AND ANR.versusYADLA SRINIVASA RAO AND ORS.

2002 INSC 443Disposed off

The husband forced his wife to relinquish land given as stridhana, concealed her family’s mail, and, together with his parents, drove her out of the matrimonial home, leading her to commit suicide. The trial court convicted the husband under Section 498A IPC for cruelty and acquitted all accused of …

HUKAM CHANDversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 434Dismissed

The dispute arose when Hukam Chand's brother Udai Chand and his sibling went to a wheat‑threshing field and a quarrel broke out over a khes. Hukam Chand arrived armed with a pharsa (a deadly weapon) and struck Udai Chand on the head, causing fatal injuries; other parties also inflicted blows with …

ALLA CHINA APPARAO AND ORS.versusSTATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

2002 INSC 432Dismissed

The appellants, six convicted accused, appealed against their life sentences for murder under Sections 302, 149, 148 and 506 IPC, arguing that the prosecution's case relied on partisan eyewitnesses, lacked independent witnesses, showed no dragging injuries, and suffered an alleged delay in …

GANGADHAR BEHERA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF ORISSA

2002 INSC 433Dismissed

The case arose from a violent clash over the construction of a shed that resulted in the death of a man. The prosecution alleged that a group of accused formed an unlawful assembly, assaulted the victims and caused the murder. The trial court convicted fifteen accused under Sections 302, 148, 149 …

RAM EKBAK MISSIRversusRAM NIWASH PANDEY@ SRI NIWASH PANDEY AND ORS.

2002 INSC 430Leave granted

An FIR under Section 302 IPC was lodged in 1979, but the case was not listed before the magistrate for over ten years due to administrative lapses. The accused filed a writ petition seeking quashal of the prosecution, relying on the A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak decision that prolonged delay could …

SARWAN SINGHversusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 428Dismissed

The appellant, Sarwan Singh, was convicted by a Designated Court under Sections 302, 307, 34 of the IPC and Section 3 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1985 for the murder of Piara Singh. He appealed, claiming false implication, lack of independent witnesses, absence of a …

STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR.versusRAJESH SYAL

2002 INSC 427Leave granted

The State of Punjab prosecuted Rajesh Syal, former director of Golden Forest (India) Ltd, for fraudulently collecting public money and failing to return it, leading to multiple criminal cases in different courts under IPC sections 406, 420, 468, 471, 1208 and Punjab Reforms Act s.7(2). Syal filed …

SEKAR @ RAJA SEKHARANversusSTATE REP. BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, T. NADU

2002 INSC 422Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Sekar, and others untied a sheep that the deceased, Palaniswamy, had impounded, leading to a heated exchange. Sekar struck the deceased, who fell, and then delivered a further blow to the neck that caused his death. Sekar pleaded that the blows were in exercise of his right of private …

BHARATBHAI @ JIMI PREMCHANDBHAIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 423Appeal(s) allowed

The Supreme Court examined appeals by several accused convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) for murder and related offences. Their convictions were based primarily on confessional statements recorded by a Superintendent of Police under Section 15 of TADA, …

JAIPALversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 420Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Jaipal was convicted by the trial court and the Punjab & Haryana High Court for murdering his wife Prakash Devi by allegedly administering aluminium phosphide (celphos) based on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution relied on the testimony of the sister‑in‑law, the victim's father, …

K. PRABHAKARANversusP. JAYARAJAN

2002 INSC 415Matter referred to larger bench

The appellant K. Prabhakaran challenged the election of P. Jayarajan, who had been convicted of several offences and sentenced to 29 months of imprisonment, on the ground of disqualification under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The trial court had ordered the sentences to …

NANDU RASTOGI @ NANDJI RASTOGI AND ANR.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 417Dismissed

The brothers Nandu Rastogi and Bal Mukund Rastogi, together with Jagdish Chamar and two unknown persons, were convicted for the murder of Shankar Rastogi, the son of informant Shyam Mohan Rastogi, over a property‑eviction dispute. The prosecution proved that the accused entered the informant’s shop …

MOHAN SINGHversusPREM SINGH AND ANR.

2002 INSC 419Dismissed

The case concerned the murder of Ravinder Singh, alleged to have been committed by Prem Singh and Deepinder Singh in a dispute over land. The trial court convicted both under Section 302 IPC, relying on eyewitness testimony, an extra‑judicial confession and alleged weapon recoveries. The High Court …

SHRIKANT ANANDRAO BHOSALEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 409Appeal(s) allowed

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 …

BACHHITAR SINGH & ANRversusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 410Disposed off

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' …

DILA AND ANR.versusSTATE OF UP

2002 INSC 401Dismissed

The case arose from a land dispute in which Dila (appellant No.1) and his son Telu (appellant No.2) allegedly attacked Om Pal, who had purchased the contested land, and Telu shot Om Pal, causing his death. The trial court acquitted all accused, but the Allahabad High Court reversed the acquittal of …

STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS.versusNIHAL SINGH

2002 INSC 397Disposed off

Nihal Singh, a life convict under Section 302 IPC, filed a writ petition in the Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking classification as a Class‑B prisoner under para 576‑A of the Punjab Jail Manual, which provides facilities based on classification. The Single Judge declared the classification scheme …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusDAVID RAZARIO AND ANR.

2002 INSC 391Appeal(s) allowed

An octogenarian woman was robbed and murdered in Bangalore. The prosecution proved that the accused, David Razario and Christopher David, had pawned a tape recorder belonging to the victim and later sold it, and that the weapon used in the assault bore the victim's blood group. The trial court …

RULI RAM AND ANR.versusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 392Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned the killing of two children during a panchayat election in Haryana, allegedly by the accused Ruli Ram and his son Ramesh as retaliation for the victims' family refusing to vote for their candidate. The trial court convicted them under Section 304 Part‑II IPC and sentenced them to …

MOHD. HOSHAN, A.P. AND ANR.versusSTATE OF A.P.

2002 INSC 388Disposed off

The deceased Razwana Parveen, aged 18, married appellant No.1 and was allegedly subjected to continuous mental cruelty and dowry demands by her husband and his mother, leading her to self‑immolate. The trial court acquitted the accused of Sections 304‑B, 306 and 498‑A IPC, doubting the dying …

DANA YADAV @ DAHU & ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 383Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the convictions of seven accused in a murder case arising from a Naxalite attack in 1983. The key issue was whether identification of an accused for the first time in court, without a prior test identification parade or corroboration, could support a conviction, especially …

GURPREET SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 382Dismissed

Gurpreet Singh, an ex‑Air Force officer, was charged with murdering his wife Kalpna by setting her on fire. There was no eye‑witness; the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence including a strained marital relationship, a pending divorce with a monetary settlement, prior instances of domestic …

K.G. PREMSHANKERversusINSPECTOR OF POLICE AND ANR.

2002 INSC 381Dismissed

The appellant, K.G. Premshanker, sought to quash criminal prosecution on the ground that a civil suit for damages against him had been dismissed, and he argued that the civil judgment should prevail over the criminal case. The High Court rejected this plea and the matter reached the Supreme Court. …

RANJIT SINGH @ JITA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 377Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were convicted by a Designated Court for offences under the IPC, TADA and the Arms Act based largely on two police witnesses and confessional statements recorded under Section 15 of the TADA Act after a half‑hour "cooling period". Independent village witnesses were hostile and did not …

JAYANTIBHAI BHENKARBHAIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 378Appeal(s) allowed

Nine persons were charged with murder and related offences arising from a 1989 assault in Singpur, Gujarat. The appellant, Jayantibhai Bhenkarbhai, claimed an alibi, asserting he was in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar attending legal proceedings on the day of the incident. The trial and High Courts …

ASHISH BATHAMversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2002 INSC 369Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was convicted of murdering two sisters and committing house trespass under Sections 302 and 449 IPC based largely on circumstantial evidence, including alleged motive, sightings, and recovered items. He appealed, contending that the prosecution had not proved a continuous chain of …

SHIVA SHANKAR PANDEY & ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 370Disposed off

The case concerned the murder of Mangalanand Pandey in Bihar, for which eight persons were charged. Dinesh Pandey, who fired the fatal shots, was convicted under Sections 302, 341 IPC and the Arms Act. The remaining accused were convicted under Section 302 read with Sections 149 and 341 IPC. On …

BALU SONBA SHINDEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 368Appeal(s) allowed

Balu Sonba Shinde was convicted of murdering his brother Shankar based primarily on the testimony of a single material witness (PW‑4) and circumstantial evidence, while the complainant (PW‑5) was declared hostile. The Supreme Court examined whether the chain of circumstantial evidence was complete …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusM.N. RAMDAS

2002 INSC 366Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Karnataka prosecuted M.N. Ramdas for the murder of his companion Ananthu in a lodge in Mysore on 28 June 1988. The accused made an extra‑judicial confession to a lodge counter clerk (PW2), who promptly informed the lodge proprietor’s father (PW3) and the police; the police subsequently …

DHARMINDERversusSTATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

2002 INSC 359Dismissed

The case arose from a violent incident in which the deceased, Laiq Ram, fired a gun at the accused Durga Nand while trying to rescue his son, after which the accused seized the gun and inflicted fatal injuries on the deceased. The appellants Dharminder and Durga Nand were convicted under Sections …

MOHD. KHALIDversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL

2002 INSC 358Dismissed

The case arose from a bomb blast in Bow Bazar, Calcutta, which demolished a building, killed 69 people and injured many others. The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired to manufacture and explode bombs to terrorise the public and disrupt communal harmony, charging them under Sections 1208, …

BODH RAJ @ BODHA AND ORS.versusSTATE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

2002 INSC 360Dismissed

The accused Bodh Raj and others were charged with murder of a moneylender under IPC sections 302 and 120B, alleging a conspiracy motivated by a large loan. The trial court convicted three of the accused and acquitted six, while the Jammu & Kashmir High Court set aside the acquittals of four and …

LAKSHMI AND ORS.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2002 INSC 357Disposed off

The case involved eight accused who allegedly shot two men, Ratan and Ramesh, and burned their bodies on a funeral pyre in retaliation for the murder of Ishwar Chand. The trial court convicted six of the accused under Sections 302, 149 and 201 of the IPC, while acquitting two; the High Court later …

SUBRAMANI AND ORS.versusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU

2002 INSC 355Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, Subramani and four others, were charged with murder, grievous hurt and criminal trespass after a violent clash over a disputed plot of land they had cultivated for over 50 years. The prosecution alleged that the deceased, a purchaser of the land, and his family attempted to plough …

BHIMA @ BHIMARAO SIDA KAMBLE AND ORS.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 353Appeal(s) allowed

Twenty-two persons were charged with forming an unlawful assembly with the alleged common object of murdering Vithal, injuring his brother Bhimrao, and damaging property. The trial court convicted most of them under Section 302 read with Section 149 and Section 440 read with Section 149 of the IPC, …

ABDUL WAHEED KHAN @ WAHEED AND ORS.versusSTATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

2002 INSC 354Dismissed

The appellants conspired to rob Hazi Mohd. Yakub and, when he resisted, three of them stabbed him repeatedly with knives, causing his death and stealing cash and drafts. The trial court convicted them of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part I IPC, but the Andhra Pradesh …

STATE THROUGH CBIversusDR. NARAYAN WARMAN NERUKAR AND ANR.

2002 INSC 351Appeal(s) allowed

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 …

T.K. REDDYversusSTATE OF A.P. AND ORS.

2002 INSC 346Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, T.K. Reddy, was convicted of murdering his wife Ramulamma by allegedly setting her on fire, based primarily on a dying declaration recorded by a magistrate (Exhibit P‑2) that accused him of the act. A second dying declaration recorded by police (Exhibit P‑5) claimed the wife had set …

K.M. MATHEW ETC.versusK.A. ABRAHAM AND ORS. ETC.

2002 INSC 348Dismissed

Criminal complaints were lodged against the managing editor, chief editor and resident editor of several newspapers alleging publication of defamatory material. The magistrate took cognizance under IPC sections 319 and 500 and issued summons. The accused filed petitions under CrPC s.482 seeking …

GANESH K. GUL VE ETC.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 344Dismissed

The case involved a mob of sixty persons who formed an unlawful assembly with the common object of murdering Satwa and his sons. The trial court convicted thirteen accused and acquitted the rest, including Ganesh K. Gulve (accused No.24). The High Court upheld the convictions of eleven accused, …

NALLABOTHU VENKAIAHversusSTATE OF A.P.

2002 INSC 343Dismissed

The appellant, Nallabothu Venkaiah, was one of sixteen accused who allegedly formed an unlawful assembly, hurled bombs and used axes, knives and spears to kill R. Venkateswarlu on 13 October 1992. The trial court convicted him under Section 302 IPC (simpliciter) and sentenced him to life …

HARDEEPversusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ANR.

2002 INSC 338Appeal(s) allowed

Hardeep and his father Maha Singh were charged with the murder of Rajinder Singh. The trial court convicted Hardeep under IPC 304 Part I and acquitted Maha Singh, while the High Court upheld Hardeep's conviction, upgraded it to IPC 302, and retained the father's acquittal. On appeal, the Supreme …

HARJIT SINGH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 341Disposed off

Six accused were charged with murder, attempted murder and other offences arising from a land‑dispute clash in Chhichrewal, Punjab. The trial court convicted all of them under Sections 302, 307, 323, 324, 326 IPC read with Sections 148 and 149, while the High Court set aside the convictions of …

RAMILABEN HASMUKHBHAI KHRISTI AND ANR. ETC.versusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 336Appeal(s) allowed

The victim, Pragnesh Kumar, died from severe burns after allegedly being attacked by a group of accused. Four dying declarations were recorded by a medical officer, a police sub‑inspector and two executive magistrates, none of which were accompanied by a medical certificate confirming the victim's …

MUNUSWAMY AND ORS.versusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU

2002 INSC 337Dismissed

The appellants—Munuswamy and his sons Kujlaresan and Selvam—conspired to kill the deceased, Adhimoolam, by waiting at a roadside, chasing him, overpowering him, and stabbing him with a pen‑knife on the father's order. The deceased died from injuries to vital organs. All three were convicted under …

BINDESHWARI PRASAD SINGHversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 332Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were acquitted by a Sessions Court of murder charges under Sections 302 and 302/114 IPC. The State's appeal against the acquittal was dismissed by the High Court on a limitation ground, after which the informant filed a criminal revision under Section 401 of the CrPC. The High Court …

MAHADEO SAHNI AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 333Dismissed

The appellants were part of an unlawful assembly that assaulted two men with various weapons, causing their deaths. The trial court, based on eyewitness and medical testimony, convicted all accused of murder under Section 302 read with Section 149 IPC, and also under Sections 148 and 147 IPC for …

PREM SURANAversusADDL. MUNSIF AND JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE AND ANR.

2002 INSC 335Dismissed

Advocate Prem Surana, who was also an accused in a criminal case, entered the Jaipur District Court and, after his application for exemption from appearance was rejected and a non‑bailable warrant issued, verbally abused and slapped the presiding Judicial Magistrate in open court. The District Judge …

TARUN BORA @ ALOKA HAZARIKAversusSTATE OF ASSAM

2002 INSC 329

The appellant, Tarun Bora (alias Aloka Hazarika), was convicted under Section 365 of the Indian Penal Code for kidnapping and under Sections 3(1) and 3(5) of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) for alleged terrorist conduct. The offence occurred on 18 August 1991, whereas …

DR. J.J. MERCHANT AND ORS.versusSHRINATH CHATURVEDI

2002 INSC 330Disposed off

The doctors filed a petition before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) alleging that a complaint of medical negligence against them should be dismissed or stayed, arguing that the case involved complicated questions of law and fact and that a nine‑year delay in disposal …

DHUPA CHAMAR AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 325Case Partly allowed

The case involved seven accused who, armed with deadly weapons, attacked the family of an informant, resulting in the death of Ram Patia Devi and the informant's son. The Supreme Court examined whether a single blow causing a fatal injury satisfied Clause thirdly of Section 300 of the IPC, …

STATE OF PUNJABversusGURMEJ SINGH

2002 INSC 326Dismissed

Gurmej Singh brutally assaulted his brother Jagjit Singh, his brother's wife and son, resulting in three deaths and injuries to three others. The trial court sentenced him to death on three counts of murder under IPC s.302, along with fines and other imprisonment terms. The Punjab High Court …

VIKASversusSTA TE OF RAJAS THAN

2002 INSC 324Dismissed

The appellant Vikas, his parents and sisters were charged with dowry harassment, torture and murder of Vikas's wife Neeta. The prosecution alleged that Neeta was taken from a relative's house on a motorbike, later found dead in a river, and that ornaments worn by her were recovered from Vikas's …

BABU RAM AND ANR.versusSTATE OF U.P. AND ORS.

2002 INSC 319Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court examined two criminal appeals arising from a 1980 incident in which a dispute over tubewell irrigation led to a lathi assault followed by simultaneous gunshots that killed the victim, Mangali. The Court held that the two accused who fired the guns (Ram Swarup and Raja Ram) shared a …

HARIJANA THIRUPALA AND ORS.versusPUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF A.P., HYDERABAD

2002 INSC 320Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were charged with murder of a man who refused to sell his property. The trial court acquitted them, finding that the prosecution failed to prove motive, that the eyewitnesses were unreliable and that there was no evidence of common intention. The High Court reversed the acquittal, …

TORAN SINGHversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2002 INSC 321Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant was convicted for murder under Section 302 IPC based on the testimony of the deceased's son, who claimed the appellant killed his father with an axe over a marital dispute. The trial court and the Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld the conviction despite serious inconsistencies, lack of …

PRITAM NATH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 322Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were charged with murder under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC for allegedly tying a woman to a tree and beating her with heated weapons. The Sessions Court acquitted them, finding the sole eye‑witness, the husband of the deceased, unreliable due to contradictions, omissions and lack …

DHANANJAY SHANKER SHETTYversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 317Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Dhananjay Shanker Shetty was convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for the murder of Uday Patole. The prosecution relied on police constables who claimed to have seen the accused and his companions fleeing with weapons and on a telephonic message to the police …

SUCHA SINGH AND ANR.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2002 INSC 316Dismissed

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Sucha Singh and five co‑accused for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC and for abetment of suicide under Section 201 IPC. The Court examined whether the relationship of prosecution witnesses to the deceased affected their credibility, and …

KALPANA MAZUMDARversusSTA TE OF ORI SSA

2002 INSC 313Disposed off

The accused Subash Chandra Panda, Kunja Ramana, Narayan Mazumdar and Kalpana Mazumdar were convicted for kidnapping and murdering a four‑year‑old boy allegedly as a human sacrifice. The prosecution’s case rested mainly on the testimony of PW‑14, an employee of Panda, who claimed to have witnessed …

SUNDERversusSTATE (N.C.T. OF DELHI)

2002 INSC 309Appeal(s) allowed

Sunder and Satbir Singh were convicted by a Designated Court under IPC sections 399 and 402 and Section 25 of the Arms Act for alleged theft and possession of knives. They appealed, arguing that the Court lacked jurisdiction because no TADA charge was framed and that the recovery of knives was not …

MATTARversusSTATE OF U.P.

2002 INSC 310Disposed off

The appellant and his brother were convicted of double murder under IPC s.302 and s.302/34 and sentenced to life imprisonment. On appeal, the Allahabad High Court division bench was split, leading to the matter being referred to a third judge. The third judge upheld the conviction but based his …

RAKESH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2002 INSC 305Dismissed

The case concerned the murder of Dharam Pal, who was beaten by six accused persons amid a long‑standing enmity with the family of a former MLA, Raja Ram. The Sessions Court acquitted four of the accused on the ground that their identity was not established and convicted two of them under Section 304 …

STATE OF RAJASTHANversusKISHAN LAL

2002 INSC 279Disposed off

The State of Rajasthan prosecuted Kishan Lal for rape under Section 376 IPC; the trial court sentenced him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine, which the Rajasthan High Court reduced to the period already served without recording adequate and special reasons. The State appealed to the …

RAVINDRA SHANTARAM SAWANTversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 270Dismissed

Ravindra Shantaram Sawant was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), the Arms Act and the IPC for firing a revolver in the Sessions Court, injuring the victim Ashwin Naik and three police officers. The appellant argued that the police eye‑witnesses required …

STATE OF RAJASTHANversusOM PRAKASH

2002 INSC 256Appeal(s) allowed

In 1989 an eight‑year‑old girl was allegedly raped by 18‑year‑old Om Prakash in a Rajasthan village. The victim, her parents and a doctor testified; the FIR was lodged about 26 hours later due to lack of transport. The trial court convicted Om Prakash under Section 376 IPC and sentenced him to seven …

SANJU @ SANJA Y SINGH SENGARversusSTATE OF M.P.

2002 INSC 250Appeal(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 …

MALHU YADAV AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 251Case Partly allowed

On 12 January 1981 a dispute over alleged uprooting of crops on the victim’s land led to a scuffle in which the victim Sotilal Yadav was assaulted by several accused and died on the spot. The trial court convicted all seven accused under various provisions including murder (Sec.302 read with …

RAVINDER SINGH @ BITTUversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 248Dismissed

Ravinder Singh was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987, the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act for robbery, killing police officers and a train bomb blast that killed 12 and injured 65. The conviction rested on his voluntary confessional …

MUNDRIKA MAHTO AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 242

The deceased Ramanand Mahto was attacked by a mob of 10‑15 persons who pulled him from his scooter, severed his head with sharp weapons and dragged his trunk to a pond. Police arrived within fifteen minutes and recorded statements of eye‑witnesses, including the nephew of the deceased, whose FIR …

GIRDHAR SHANKAR TAWADEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 223Appeal(s) allowed

Girdhar Shankar Tawade was tried for abetment of suicide under IPC s.306 and cruelty to a woman under s.498‑A. The prosecution relied on contradictory oral testimony of the deceased's brother and cousin, three letters written by the deceased, and a dying declaration. The trial court and the High …

SUKHCHAIN SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.

2002 INSC 226Appeal(s) allowed

The deceased Raj Karan was attacked with lathis by the accused Bishna and Balbir, sustaining fatal head injuries. Two relatives, Sukhchain Singh (PW‑1) and Jai Karan (PW‑2), witnessed the assault, took the victim to the hospital, and later gave statements that formed the core of the prosecution …

VASHRAM NARSHIBHAI RAJPARAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 227Case Partly allowed

Vashram Narshibhai Rajpara, a fruit vendor, was convicted of murdering his wife and four daughters by pouring petrol on them and setting them alight while they slept, motivated by a dispute over a house. The trial court sentenced him to death, a decision affirmed by the Gujarat High Court. On …

EZHIL AND ORS.versusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU

2002 INSC 228Dismissed

The three accused (Ezhil, Saravanan and Mohammed Iqbal) were charged with robbery, murder and related offences after a car they were travelling in was intercepted carrying articles belonging to the deceased, Masukuthu Ali, whose body was later found stabbed. The prosecution relied on circumstantial …

STATE OF ORISSAversusDIBAKAR NAIK AND ORS.

2002 INSC 217Case Partly allowed

The State of Orissa appealed against the High Court's acquittal of eight accused of rape and murder of Chhabirani. The husband (PW‑1) witnessed the gang‑rape and murder at a river bed and, despite police inaction, lodged an FIR. The trial court convicted all eight under Sections 302 and 376 IPC read …

BIJOY SINGH AND ANR.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 209Case Partly allowed

The case concerned a mass murder on 25 August 1991 in which Vijay Singh was killed and Sanuj Singh injured; twelve men were charged under IPC sections 302, 149 and 307 and the Arms Act. The trial court convicted all accused, but on appeal the Supreme Court examined procedural lapses such as delay in …

DHARMENDRASINH @ MANSING RATANSINHversusSTTE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 210Dismissed

The appellant, Dharmendrasinh, was convicted of murdering his two sons. The prosecution relied primarily on the ocular testimony of his wife, who described the incident in detail, and was corroborated by a neighbour. The defence challenged the credibility of the wife’s testimony, the contradiction …

STATE OF ORISSAversusTHAKARA BESRA AND ANR.

2002 INSC 206Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Orissa prosecuted Thakara Besra and another accused for rape under Section 376 of the IPC. The prosecutrix testified that the accused forced entry through the thatched roof, assaulted her, and left blood and semen stains on her petticoat, which were confirmed by medical and forensic …

CHANDRA BIHARI GAUTAM AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 201Dismissed

On 23 July 1994 a mob of 300‑400 persons armed with guns and petrol bombs attacked the house of informant Ganesh Singh in Amarpur, Bihar, killing six members of his family. The informant identified 19 persons, including the appellants Chandra Bihari Gautam and others, and the prosecution charged …

BIHARI MANJHI AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2002 INSC 200Appeal(s) allowed

In a case of gruesome carnage in Bihar that left 35 dead, the Designated Court convicted several accused under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA) and the Indian Penal Code based solely on a confessional statement of Bihari Manjhi recorded by a police inspector. The …

KRISHNA MOCHI AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR ETC.

2002 INSC 199Dismissed

The case concerned a mass‑caste massacre in Bihar in which 35 members of a community were killed and many others injured. Thirteen persons were charged under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA) and the Indian Penal Code; four were acquitted and the remaining nine …

GEORGEversusSTATE OF KERALA

2002 INSC 179Appeal(s) allowed

The deceased, a farm worker, disappeared after leaving for work and his body was later found drowned in a river. The accused, George, was found in possession of the deceased's watch and two gold rings, which he had pledged to others shortly after the disappearance. The prosecution relied on …

DEVENDER PAL SINGHversusSTATE N.C.T. OF DELHI AND ANR.

2002 INSC 168Case Partly allowed

The appellant Devender Pal Singh was arrested after being deported from Germany and recorded a confessional statement under Section 15 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA). The Designated Court convicted him of offences under TADA and the IPC, including criminal …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusSHARANAPPA BASANAGOUDA AREGOUDAR

2002 INSC 166Appeal(s) allowed

The case involves a head‑on collision between a car driven by Dr. Venkatesh Kanakareddy and a mini‑lorry driven by Sharanappa Basanagouda Aregoudar, resulting in four deaths and one injury. The accused was convicted under IPC Sections 279, 337, 338 and 304A for rash and negligent driving. The trial …

RAM GOVIND UPADHYAYversusSUDARSHAN SINGH AND ORS.

2002 INSC 148Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant's brother was murdered during a violent incident at a polling booth, leading to the filing of an FIR under Section 302 IPC and the arrest of several accused. The accused applied for bail, which was rejected by the trial court, the High Court, and the Sessions Judge. After a second FIR …

RAJESH @ RAJU CHANDULAL GANDHI AND ANR.versusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 128Dismissed

The appellants Rajesh and others were convicted under IPC sections 120B, 452 and 302, and the Arms Act for the murder of Girish Namdar, alleged to have been motivated by a love‑affair dispute. They appealed, claiming the First Information Report (FIR) was ante‑timed to plant eye‑witnesses, that the …

IN RE: ARUNDHATI ROY - CONTEMNORversus-

2002 INSC 123Disposed off

The Supreme Court, hearing a suo‑motu criminal contempt petition, examined statements made by writer Arundhati Roy in an affidavit that alleged the Court was acting with bias, silencing dissent and damaging its reputation. The Court held that such statements scandalised the authority of the Supreme …

AYYUB ETC.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2002 INSC 108Case Partly allowed

The appellants, Ayyub and Abdul Jabbar, were convicted by a Designated TADA Court for throwing bombs at a police picket, causing one death and several injuries, and were sentenced under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of …

HARISINGH M. VASAVAversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 104Dismissed

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 …

S.R EJAZversusTAMIL NADU HANDLOOM WEAVERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.

2002 INSC 100Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, a long‑time tenant, was forcibly evicted by the respondent landlord while an eviction suit was pending. The appellant filed a criminal complaint and, within six months, instituted a suit for restoration of possession under Section 6 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963. The trial court …

STATE OF U.P.versusKAMARUJJAMA @ MALVA AND ORS.

2002 INSC 98Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the Allahabad High Court’s order that dismissed its appeal against the trial court’s acquittal of the accused under IPC sections 147, 148, 149 and 302. The High Court had rejected the appeal without providing any reasons, merely stating that there was no …

SUKHBIR SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 93Case Partly allowed

The case involved Sukhbir Singh, who was convicted of murder (Section 302 IPC) along with eight co‑accused for a fatal assault that arose from a sudden quarrel over mud splashed on him. The prosecution alleged that all nine formed an unlawful assembly with a common object to kill the deceased, …

ALLARAKHA K. MANSURIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2002 INSC 80Dismissed

Allarkha K. Mansuri was charged with murder under Sections 302, 504 and 114 IPC for allegedly stabbing Abdul Karim Ali Mohamed with a dharia. The trial court acquitted him, relying on alleged discrepancies in the FIR, the time of death, weapon identification and the alleged lateness of statements …

STATE OF PUNJABversusJUGRAJ SINGH AND ORS.

2002 INSC 83Appeal(s) allowed

On 23 October 1989, two nephews of Hardip Singh were shot dead by Jugraj Singh and his accomplices who were armed with guns and a gandasa. The prosecution presented the two surviving relatives as eye‑witnesses, supported by a post‑mortem report that identified gun‑shot injuries, and the trial court …

CHANDER PALversusTHE STATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 70Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned the murder of Ravinder Kumar on 1 August 1992. The prosecution alleged that Chander Pal (appellant‑1) and Rajinder (appellant‑2) stabbed the deceased, relying primarily on the testimony of the victim's brother (PW‑1) and a tea‑stall owner (PW‑2), while other key witnesses such as …

GANANATH PATTANAIKversusSTATE OF ORISSA

2002 INSC 66Appeal(s) allowed

The wife, Rashmirekha, hanged herself at home, leading her father to file an FIR alleging that her husband, Ganatanii Paitanaik, and his family murdered her over dowry demands. The trial court acquitted the husband of the dowry‑death charge (Sec. 304B IPC) but convicted him under Sec. 498A IPC for …

DEEPAK KUMARversusRAVI VIRMANI AND ANR.

2002 INSC 60Case Partly allowed

The Supreme Court examined the murder of four family members allegedly committed by Ravi Virmani, who was convicted and sentenced to death by the Sessions Court and later to life imprisonment by the High Court. The prosecution's case relied mainly on the testimony of the two surviving brothers, …

M/S KUNSTOCOM ELECTRONICS (I) PVT. LTD.versusGILT PACK LTD. AND ANR.

2002 INSC 47Appeal(s) allowed

The respondent entered into a contract through the appellant to purchase 1500 MT of polypropylene, but only 50 MT were delivered and the appellant claimed unforeseen circumstances for the shortfall. The respondent filed a private complaint alleging cheating under Section 420 IPC, claiming a loss of …

LEHNAversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2002 INSC 39Appeal(s) allowed

Lehna was convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC), attempt to murder (Sec. 324 IPC) and assault (Sec. 458 IPC) for killing his mother, brother and sister‑in‑law and injuring his father and nephew during a family land dispute. The trial court sentenced him to death, which the High Court confirmed. On …

PAUL GEORGEversusSTATE

2002 INSC 37Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Paul George, was convicted under Sections 279 and 304A of the IPC and sentenced to fine and imprisonment. He appealed, and the High Court dismissed his criminal revision under Section 397 of the CrPC by a non‑speaking order stating merely that no illegality, impropriety or …

PANDURANG KALU PATIL AND ANR.versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 32Disposed off

A1, A2 and A3, armed with guns, chased Ramdas and his brother Narayan and shot them; Ramdas died while Narayan survived. The trial court convicted A1 and A3 for murder under s.302 IPC, A2 for attempt to murder under s.307 IPC and acquitted A4 and A6 who carried knives. The High Court upgraded A2’s …

STATE OF KARNATAKAversusM. DEVENDRAPPA AND ANR.

2002 INSC 28Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Karnataka charged M. Devendarappa and another with forging bank guarantees and impersonating a bank manager, invoking IPC sections 465, 468, 471, 420 and 120‑B. The Karnataka High Court, exercising its inherent power under Section 482 of the CrPC, quashed the proceedings on the ground …

STATE OF HARYANAversusRAM SINGH

2002 INSC 25Case Partly allowed

The State of Haryana prosecuted several accused for the murder of Manphool under Sections 302, 149 and 201 IPC. The trial court convicted all, but the High Court acquitted Ram Singh, citing inconsistencies between his thumb‑marked disclosure statement and his arrest date, and gave him the benefit of …

DILAWAR BALU KURANEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2002 INSC 7Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, a lecturer of a private college affiliated to Shivaji University, was accused of accepting Rs. 400 to inflate a student's exam marks. An FIR was lodged seven days after the alleged incident, no incriminating material was seized, and witness statements were recorded ten months later. …

LIMBAJI AND OTHERSversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2001 INSC 611Case Partly allowed

The appellants Limbaji and two others were charged with murder and robbery of Baburao, whose ornaments were recovered after the accused, while in custody, pointed to their locations. The High Court had convicted them of both murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and robbery (Sec. 394 IPC) using the presumption …

PRAKASH DHAWAL KHAIRNAR (PATIL)versusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2001 INSC 606Disposed off

The case involved a dispute over agricultural land that led Prakash Dhawal Khairnar (Patil) to murder his brother, mother, sister‑in‑law and five other relatives. The prosecution relied on strong circumstantial evidence—motive, blood‑stained clothing, a shoulder injury, eyewitness identification, …

KARI CHOUDHARYversusMOST. SITA DEVI AND ORS.

2001 INSC 603Appeal(s) allowed

The brother of the deceased appealed against the Patna High Court’s order quashing criminal proceedings against the mother‑in‑law, Sita Devi, and others. Sita Devi had originally lodged FIR No. 135 alleging outsiders murdered her daughter‑in‑law, but police later discovered that the murder was a …

PANCHDEO SINGHversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 600Appeal(s) allowed

On 20 December 1980 a bomb attack injured Sriram Singh, who later died. His dying declaration, recorded by a magistrate in the presence of a doctor, implicated Panchdeo Singh as being present at the scene. The magistrate asserted the deceased was in a fit state of mind, but no medical certification …

HARJEET SINGH @ SEETAversusSTATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR.

2001 INSC 598Appeal(s) allowed

Harjeet Singh, charged under Sections 302/34 and 307/34 of the IPC, applied for bail which was denied by the trial court but granted by a Single Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The State filed a separate application before another High Court judge seeking cancellation of the bail on the …

SUDAMA PANDEY AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 596Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were charged with the murder of a 12‑year‑old girl, Gudia Kumari, and were convicted by the Sessions Court and sentenced to death on the basis of circumstantial evidence; the High Court confirmed the conviction but commuted the sentence to life imprisonment. On appeal to the Supreme …

STATE OF MAHARASHTRAversusMRS. BHARATI CHANDMAL VARMA @AYESHA KHAN

2001 INSC 592Dismissed

The respondent, Ayesha Khan (also known as Bharati Chandmal Varma), was arrested on 1 April 2001 for several IPC offences and remanded on 2 April. During investigation, authorities discovered organised crime offences under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOC) and obtained …

STATE OF BIHAR AND ANR.versusMD. KHALIQUE AND ANR.

2001 INSC 584Appeal(s) allowed

The State of Bihar filed an FIR alleging that six government revenue officers colluded with two private individuals to forge assessment orders under the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1955, thereby misappropriating state funds. The FIR, registered under IPC sections 419, 420, 467 and 120B, named eight …

SUKHAN RAUT AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 585Disposed off

The incident occurred on 21 July 1981 when a group of accused, armed with lathis, entered the field of Sardari Raut and Hakim Raut to forcibly dispossess them of land. During the confrontation, Sukhan Raut ordered Bhaiya Mani Raut to strike Sardari Raut, who received a blow to the head and later …

JAYAWANT DATTATRAY SURYARAOversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

2001 INSC 558Dismissed

The case involved a shoot‑out at J.J. Hospital in Mumbai on 12 September 1992, resulting in the murder of a prisoner and two police constables and injuries to several others. The accused – A‑2 (Jayawant Dattatray Suryarao), A‑6 (Subhashsingh Thakur) and A‑7 (Shamkishore Garikapatti) – were convicted …

STATE OF MAHARASHTRAversusBHARAT FAKIRA DHIWAR

2001 INSC 549Appeal(s) allowed

The State prosecuted Bharat Fakira Dhivar for the murder and rape of a three‑year‑old girl, Nisha, relying on the testimony of two child witnesses who saw the accused carrying a blood‑stained bag, and on forensic evidence linking the accused to the crime. The trial court convicted the accused under …

NAZIR AHMAD BHAITversusSTATE OF DELHI

2001 INSC 548Dismissed

Nazir Ahmad Bhatti, a bank manager, was arrested after a police raid recovered a cassette, stickers and floppies allegedly containing secessionist material. He gave a confession to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (PW‑4) under Section 15 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act …

GANESH LALversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2001 INSC 545Dismissed

The appellant Ganesh Lal was convicted for raping, murdering and stealing from an 11‑year‑old girl. The prosecution relied on a series of circumstantial facts: the recovery of the victim's silver ornaments (kuralias) and a blood‑stained axe at the accused's direction, possession of blood‑ and …

STATE OF TAMIL NADUversusPARAMASIVA PANDIAN

2001 INSC 538Leave Granted & Dismissed

Special Courts were created under the Essential Commodities (Special Provisions) Act, 1981 to try offences under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and later were also empowered to try NDPS offences. The EC (Special Provisions) Act lapsed in 1998, causing those courts to lose jurisdiction over EC …

THANEDAR SINGHversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2001 INSC 534Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Thanedar Singh, was convicted for murder by the Madhya Pradesh High Court after the trial court had acquitted him. The Supreme Court examined whether the High Court erred in overturning the acquittal, focusing on the credibility of the eye‑witness (the victim's father), the …

PATEL HIRALAL JOITARAMversusSTATE OF GUJARAT

2001 INSC 523Dismissed

The appellant, Patel Hiralal Joitaram, was convicted of murder for setting the victim, Asha Ben, ablaze with combustible liquid and a lighter. The victim had given a dying declaration identifying the appellant as her assailant, which the trial court rejected but the High Court admitted, leading to …

MANGILALversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ANR.

2001 INSC 524Leave Granted & Disposed off

The appellant, father of Munki, filed an FIR alleging that his daughter’s husband (respondent No.2) beat her and forced her to ingest a glass of organo‑phosphorous insecticide. Munki testified that the husband held her nose and poured poison into her mouth, and her father corroborated this account. …

S.W. PALANITKAR AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR AND ANR.

2001 INSC 525Case Partly allowed

The appellants, a company and its directors, entered into a consignment stockist agreement with respondent No.2. A dispute over a Rs 15 lakh payment led the respondent to issue a notice invoking an arbitration clause, which was rejected. He then filed a criminal complaint alleging criminal breach of …

RAMESH KUMARversusSTATE OF CHHATTISGARH

2001 INSC 515Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Ramesh Kumar, was convicted under Sections 306 and 498-A of the IPC for the suicide of his wife Seema within a year of marriage. The trial court relied on testimonies, a suicide note, a diary, and an undated letter, interpreting the husband's statements as instigation and alleging …

KASHI RAM AND ORS.versusSTATE OF M.P.

2001 INSC 516Case Partly allowed

Eight accused were tried for murder, assault and illegal possession of arms after a violent clash in a Madhya Pradesh village. The trial court acquitted all, finding that the prosecution witnesses were unreliable and that the accused acted in private defence, especially since one accused (Prabhu) …

KAMALADEVI AGARWALversusSTATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

2001 INSC 517Appeal(s) allowed

Kamala Devi Agarwal, a partner in a firm, complained that a deed of dissolution of the partnership had been forged, causing her son mental shock and the closure of his shop. She filed a criminal complaint under IPC sections 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120‑B. The trial magistrate found a prima facie case …

BANTU @ NARESH GIRIversusSTATE OF M.P.

2001 INSC 518Case Partly allowed

The appellant, Bantu (also known as Naresh Giri), was convicted under Sections 302 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code for the rape and murder of a six‑year‑old girl, Jyoti. The trial court and the Madhya Pradesh High Court sentenced him to death, holding that he had abducted the child, raped her, and …

SUBHASH CHANDversusSTATE OF RAJASTHAN

2001 INSC 507Appeal(s) allowed

Subhash Chand was convicted by the trial court of murder and rape of a five‑year‑old girl and sentenced to death, a decision later modified to life imprisonment by the Rajasthan High Court. The prosecution's case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence: alleged "last seen together" testimony, the …

T.N. LAKSHMAIAHversusSTATE OF KARNATAKA

2001 INSC 513Dismissed

The appellant, a government servant, was convicted of murdering his wife and son at a picnic spot and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed to the Supreme Court claiming exemption under Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code, asserting that he was suffering from mental illness (moderate …

NARINDERJIT SINGH SAHNI AND ANR.versusUNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

2001 INSC 503Dismissed

The petitioners, directors of several finance companies accused of large‑scale cheating, filed writ petitions under Article 32 claiming that their personal liberty under Article 21 was violated because they were detained in various jails despite obtaining bail in some cases. The Court held that …

M. KRISHNANversusVIJAY SINGH AND ANR.

2001 INSC 499Leave Granted & Allowed

The appellant alleged that the respondents forged documents to withdraw large sums from a bank, invoking several sections of the Indian Penal Code. A magistrate took cognizance and issued process, but the respondents filed a petition under Section 482 of the CrPC seeking to quash the criminal …

SUNIL BAJAJversusSTATE OF M.P.

2001 INSC 500Appeal(s) allowed

Sunil Bajaj was married to Suman in 1991 and she died by self‑immolation in 1995, within seven years of marriage. The State alleged that Bajaj demanded a dowry of Rs 20,000, subjected her to cruelty and harassment, and thereby caused a "dowry death" under Section 304‑B of the Indian Penal Code. The …

MUNSHI PRASAD AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 497Dismissed

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Munshi Prasad and others for murder, finding the prosecution’s evidence trustworthy and the defence’s alibi unsubstantiated because the alleged distance of 400‑500 yards did not render the accused’s presence at the crime scene impossible. The Court held …

CHANDRA SHEKHAR BIND AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 491Dismissed

Eighteen persons were charged under Sections 302 and 302 read with 149 of the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Parshuram Bind and his father. The prosecution relied mainly on two eyewitnesses, PW5 and PW6, who identified all the accused except for Accused No.12 (not identified by PW5) and Accused …

UMASHANKARversusSTATE OF CHHATTISGARH

2001 INSC 488Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Umashankar, was charged with circulating counterfeit currency after paying for mangoes with a fake Rs 100 note and police recovered additional counterfeit notes and related items from his possession. He was convicted under IPC sections 489‑B (using counterfeit notes as genuine) and …

DINESH DUIT JOSHIversusTHE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ANR.

2001 INSC 475Disposed off

The appellant, Dinesh Dutt Joshi, was accused of demanding a bribe for providing an electric connection. The trial court discharged him, but the Rajasthan High Court, invoking its inherent power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, set aside the discharge and ordered that charges be …

ADDHAversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

2001 INSC 471Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Addha was convicted of murder (Section 302 IPC) for allegedly striking the deceased Sher Singh with a lathi during a sudden quarrel between two groups. The prosecution's case relied on the testimony of PW‑1, who did not specifically state that Addha caused the fatal head injury, only …

KALYAN AND ORS.versusSTATE OF U.P.

2001 INSC 472Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants were charged with murder and related offences under Sections 302, 307, 147, 148, 149 and 1208 of the IPC for an incident alleged to have occurred on 27 June 1977 in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh. The trial court acquitted all accused, holding that the prosecution failed to prove its case …

SATVIR SINGH AND ORS.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB AND ANR.

2001 INSC 464Disposed off

The case involved Tejinder Pal Kaur, who attempted suicide after alleged dowry‑related cruelty by her husband Satvir Singh and his parents. The trial court convicted the accused under Section 116 read with Sections 306 and 304B IPC and under Section 498A IPC. On appeal, the Supreme Court held that …

RAM GULAM CHAUDHURY AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 456Dismissed

The appellants were convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and related offences for the killing of Krishnanand Chaudhary, despite the victim's body not being produced. The appellants argued that the prosecution failed to prove the victim's death and that the lack of corpus delicti, non‑examination of …

B.R. KAPURversusSTATE OF TAMIL NADU AND ANR.

2001 INSC 453Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether J. Jayalalithaa, convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment, could be appointed Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after her party won a majority. The Court held that a person convicted and sentenced to …

RAJINDER PRASADversusBASHIR AND ORS.

2001 INSC 452Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant Rajinder Prasad filed applications before a Judicial Magistrate to add offence under Section 395 IPC and to implead four additional accused. The magistrate, invoking Chapter XIV of the Cr.P.C., allowed the applications and committed the case to the Sessions Court, which framed charges …

SUKHDEV YADAV AND ORS.versusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 444Dismissed

The appellants Sukhdev Yadav and others were convicted under IPC s.302 for the murder of Ram Dev Singh Mukhiya. The prosecution relied on five eye‑witnesses who placed the incident near Mahavir Modi's house, a mango tree, or a field, while a defence witness claimed a different location. The …

RAM PRAKASH PANDEYversusSTATE OF U.P. AND ANR.

2001 INSC 410Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, husband of a murder victim, challenged the Allahabad High Court's order granting bail to Respondent No.2, a life‑convicted prisoner who, while on bail pending appeal, allegedly murdered the appellant's wife. The High Court had granted bail despite Section 437(2) of the Code of …

S. NAGALINGAMversusSIVAGAMI

2001 INSC 413Dismissed

The appellant, S. Nagalingam, was first married to Sivagami on 6 September 1970. While that marriage subsisted, he contracted a second marriage with Kasturi on 18 June 1984 in a temple in Tamil Nadu, where garlanding and tying of the thali were performed. The trial court acquitted him, holding that …

RAVINDER KUMAR AND ANR.versusSTATE OF PUNJAB

2001 INSC 414Dismissed

The appellants, Ravinder Kumar and Surinder Kumar, were convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for killing broker Amar Kumar Gupta, concealing the body in a wooden parcel, and were sentenced to life imprisonment. They appealed, contending that the FIR was filed two days after the crime, that the …

M.S. GREWAL AND ANR.versusDEEP CHAND SOOD AND ORS.

2001 INSC 395Disposed off

Fourteen schoolchildren drowned during a picnic on the banks of the Beas River after teachers deputed to escort them allowed the children to stray into deep water. The teachers were convicted under Section 304A IPC and the High Court ordered the school to pay Rs.5 lakh compensation to each bereaved …

STATE OF TAMIL NADUversusKUTTY @ LAKSHMI NARASIMHAN

2001 INSC 356Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, a watchman, was convicted of murder under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC and sentenced to death, but the High Court acquitted him on the ground that his judicial confession was retracted and that victim's articles were recovered before the confession. The Supreme Court held that a …

ANIL RAIversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2001 INSC 342Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined appeals by several accused convicted of murder and offences under the Arms Act. It addressed whether the two‑year delay by the Patna High Court in pronouncing its judgment violated the right to speedy justice under Article 21 and the right of appeal. The Court held that …

STATE OF U.PversusJHINKOO NAI

2001 INSC 340Directions issued

The accused, armed with knives, entered a Harijan household at night intending to rape an 18‑year‑old girl. When she resisted, one accused (Tahir) stabbed her, causing her death, while the others inflicted knife injuries on her parents. The trial court convicted Jhinkoo Nai and Deep Chand under …

K.C. SAREENversusC.B.I., CHANDIGARH

2001 INSC 335Dismissed

K.C. Sareen, a Punjab National Bank officer, was convicted under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC sections 120, 201 and 420 for defrauding the bank and was sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine. He was dismissed from service and appealed to the …

RONAL KIPRONO RAMKATversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2001 INSC 325Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Ramkat Ronald, was convicted under IPC sections 376 (rape) read with 511 (attempt to commit rape) and 302 (murder) based largely on a dying declaration allegedly made by the deceased, Betty, to her brother (PW‑5). The Supreme Court examined the reliability of that declaration, noting …

GOPI NATH @ JHALLARversusSTATE OF U.P.

2001 INSC 328Dismissed

The appellant Gopi Nath was convicted of murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for the killing of Ram Chandra, who was attacked by three accused armed with weapons. The appellant argued that he only inflicted a simple injury and should be liable only under Section …

MAHABIR SINGHversusSTATE OF HARYANA

2001 INSC 320Dismissed

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 …

STATE OF MADHYA PRADESHversusSARDAR

2001 INSC 314

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed the acquittal of Sardar, who had been convicted of murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The High Court had set aside the conviction on the ground that, because two other accused had been given the benefit of doubt, Sardar should also receive …

P.K. PRADHANversusSTATE OF SIKKIM REPRESENTED BY THE CENTRAL BUREAU

2001 INSC 304Dismissed

The appellant, P.K. Pradhan, a former Secretary of the Rural Development Department of Sikkim, and the then Chief Minister were charged under Section 120‑B IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Acts for conspiring to award rural water‑scheme contracts at low rates. The Special Judge held that no …

JOHN THOMASversusDR. K. JAGADEESAN

2001 INSC 293Dismissed

The Madras Times published an article alleging that K.J. Hospital was involved in illegal kidney trafficking. The hospital's Director filed a criminal defamation complaint under Section 500 IPC, asserting that the imputation harmed the hospital and, by extension, himself. The trial magistrate …

T.T. ANTONYversusSTATE OF KERALA AND ORS.

2001 INSC 294Case Partly allowed

During a minister's visit to Kannur in 1994, police firing resulted in five deaths and many injuries, leading to two FIRs (Crimes 353/94 and 354/94). After a change of government, a Commission of Inquiry blamed the firing and the Director‑General of Police ordered a fresh FIR (Crime 268/97) three …

STATE OF MAHARASHTRAversusBHARAT CHAGANLAL RAGHANA AND ORS.

2001 INSC 289Case Partly allowed

The State of Maharashtra appealed the acquittal of B.C. Raghani (A1), Subhash Bind (A5) and Shekhar Kadam (A6) in a contract‑killing case involving the murder of businessman Pradeep Jain. The prosecution’s case hinged on confessional statements of A5 and A6 recorded by a DCP under Section 15 of the …