Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Advocates

Relevance of Criminal Court Judgments in Civil Proceedings

By K Rajasekharan 14 February 2026Indian Evidence Act

A judgment of criminal court is relevant as per Sections 40 to 43 of the Indian Evidence Act in civil proceedings. There is no embargo on the civil court to place reliance upon it as a corroborative material, observed the Supreme Court in Satish Chander Ahuja v. Sneha Ahuja [(2020) 11 SCC 415].

A Vacation Notice issued after Confirmation Order for Demolition Building Cannot be Challenged

By K Rajasekharan 10 February 2026Local Government Laws

In Sathi Kumari v. The Secretary, Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram and Ors. [2024: KER:47545], the High Court of Kerala clarified that a 'Vacation Notice' issued after a Confirmation Order under Section 406 (3) of the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994 (KMA), cannot be challenged under Section 509(6) of the KMA.

False Promise of Marriage Deserves Prosecution for Rape but Consensual Relation That Fails Cannot be Criminalised

By K Rajasekharan 10 February 2026Crimes Against Women

In Pramod Kumar Navratna v. State of Chhattisgarh & Others [2026 INSC 124], the Supreme Court cautioned against the growing trend of criminalizing failed consensual relationships. The Court emphasized that…

When a Photocopy Can Be Admitted as Evidence: The Supreme Court’s Latest View

By K Rajasekharan 10 February 2026Indian Evidence Act, Uncategorized

In the recent judgment of Tharammel Peethambaran v. T. Ushakrishnan [2026 INSC 134], the Supreme Court clarified that a photocopy of a document—being "secondary evidence"—is generally not admissible unless it meets the strict conditions laid out under the law.

Civil Courts Have No Jurisdiction in Violation of Building Rules but They Are Not Barred on Other Issues: Kerala HC

By K Rajasekharan 9 February 2026Local Government Laws

In Shibu and Ors. vs. Sreekumaran and Ors. [MANU/KE/2644/2022, the High Court of Kerala examined whether the civil court had jurisdiction over a suit for a mandatory injunction to demolish a building allegedly constructed in violation of municipal rules and obstructing natural light and air.

Maintenance Proceedings Under S.125 CrPC Are Civil in Nature

By K Rajasekharan 9 February 2026Matrimonial and Maintenance Cases

The Supreme Court, in Rina Kumari @ Rina Devi @ Reena vs. Dinesh Kumar Mahto @ Dinesh Kumar Mahato and Anr [2025 INSC 55], clarified that proceedings under Section 125 of the CrPC are essentially civil in nature.

Enforcement of Maintenance Orders under Section 125(3) CrPC / 144 BNSS

By K Rajasekharan 8 February 2026Matrimonial and Maintenance Cases

When a person fails to comply with a maintenance decree, Section 125(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provides the Magistrate with specific powers to enforce the payment. These powers include the attachment of property and, as a last resort, the imprisonment of the defaulter.