February 2024 - Lawwatch : Resources for Learners

VACB can Investigate Cases against Central Employees

By K Rajasekharan 29 February 2024Criminal law

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) of Kerala State, has authority to investigate offences involving corruption that take place within the State, committed by a Central Government employee or a State Government employee, says the High Court of Kerala (HCK) in State of Kerala v Navaneeth Krishnan

Mutual Consent Divorce u/s 13B of HMA

By K Rajasekharan 25 February 2024Family, Marriage & Divorce

Mutual Consent Divorce is the quickest form of divorce for an irreparably broken marriage. It is the divorce sought and obtained from the family court by consenting spouses, preferably by filing a joint petition. Divorce is normally sought only when the husband and wife do not want to live together in a matrimonial relation any longer.

Withdrawal from Marriage not Amount to Cheating

By K Rajasekharan 24 February 2024Family, Marriage & Divorce

Non-performance of an already decided marriage by the accused after booking the hall for its performance, does not amount to committing an offence of cheating, says the Supreme Court (SC) in Raju Krishna Shedbalkar v State of Karnataka & Another.

Attachment of Property before Judgement

By K Rajasekharan 24 February 2024Civil law

The object of attachment before judgement is to prevent any attempt by the defendant to defeat the realisation of the decree that may be passed against him. The attachment aims to prevent the attempt of the defendant to dispose of or remove from the jurisdiction of the court, his immovable property.

Long Cohabitation will not make it a Valid Marriage

By K Rajasekharan 22 February 2024Family, Marriage & Divorce

In Rema v Radhamani (Mat appeal No 813 of 2017), the High Court of Kerala says cohabitation between a man and a woman, however long it may be, will not become a valid marriage, if either of them is already a married person.

Law relating to Injunctions in Civil Cases

By K Rajasekharan 20 February 2024Civil law

Injunction is a judicial order requiring the person to whom it is directed to, to do or refrain from doing a particular act or thing. It is a preventive relief given by a court preventing a party from doing something. Injunctions are of three kinds: temporary, perpetual, or mandatory.

On Providing Oral Evidence Relating to Documents

By K Rajasekharan 18 February 2024Evidence law

Two kinds of evidence can be produced before a court : they are all statements which the court permits and all documents including electronic records produced before the court for its inspection. Normally oral evidence cannot be provided to prove contents of documents but in specified situations oral evidence can be given in proving contents of documents.

Suit for Declaration without Recovery not Maintainable

By K Rajasekharan 16 February 2024Civil law, Property & Succession

A suit for declaration of title without seeking recovery of possession is not maintainable when the plaintiff is not in possession of the property, under Section 34 of the Specific Relief Act of 1963.

A Woman can file a Case against a Female under DV Act

By K Rajasekharan 14 February 2024Criminal law, Family, Marriage & Divorce

A complaint, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (DV Act), can be filed by an aggrieved woman, who has been in domestic relationship with her and the case can be against a female member of the family as well.

On Writing a Judgement: A Simple Model for Learning

By K Rajasekharan 8 February 2024Articles

A Judgment is a reasoned pronouncement by a judge on one or more disputed legal questions involved in a case between opposing parties who argued before him with facts and evidence. A good judgment requires a good hearing by the parties on various aspects of the disputed issues.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC): Its Need & Purpose

By K Rajasekharan 7 February 2024Articles, Family, Marriage & Divorce

No doubt India needs a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). It is a constitutional mandate. Therefore, nobody can oppose it. What one can oppose is its contents, form or structure. Of course there can be deliberations as to what it should include and what it should not.