A Multi-Page POA Signed Only on the Last Page Provides Partial, Not Full, Validity

Posted inPower of AttorneyNo Comments
Where a power of attorney is not signed on its first two pages, those pages remain unauthenticated by the principal and cannot, by themselves, be treated as a validly executed part of the power of attorney. The third page, being duly signed, is valid only if it independently confers the requisite authority upon the agent, without relying on the content of the unsigned pages.

Protection under Section 50 of NDPS Act Applicable Only to Personal Search

Posted inNarcotics (NDPS) CasesNo Comments
The protection under Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 — to be searched in the presence of a Gazetted Officer or a Magistrate — would be available during the personal search of an accused and does not extend to searches where the accused was carrying a bag, container, or any other object. [Mehboob Shah v. State of Madhya Pradesh: 2026:INSC:729].

Post-Divorce Remarriage During Appeal Period Does Not Render It Void

Posted inFamily, Marriage & DivorceNo Comments
In Lila Gupta v. Laxmi Narain & Ors [1978 AIR 1351], the Supreme Court held that a marriage contracted in violation of the (then-existing) proviso to Section 15 of the Hindu Marriage Act is not void, since the legislature had not expressly declared it to be so, even though it made no provision for legitimating the offspring of such a marriage.

Power of Attorney Holder Cannot Depose for the Principal for Acts done by the Principal.

Posted inPower of AttorneyNo Comments
In Janki Vashdeo Bhojwani and Another v. Indusind Bank Ltd. and Others [AIR 2005 SC 439], the Supreme Court held that a Power of Attorney holder cannot depose for the principal in respect of acts done by the principal and not by him. He cannot depose in respect of matters of which the principal alone has personal knowledge, and in respect of which the principal is entitled to be cross-examined.

Post-Conviction Remand v. Suspension of Sentence by Magistrate Courts

Posted inBail & Related mattersNo Comments
When a Magistrate Court convicts an accused, the rule that "bail is the rule and jail is the exception" no longer applies. Under Section 389(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) / corresponding Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provisions, the trial court may suspend a short sentence (not exceeding 3 years) and grant brief post-conviction bail to allow the convict time to file an appeal.