December 2025 - Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Learners

Full Text of the Judgment Acquitting Actor Dileep in the 2017 Actor Assault Case

By K Rajasekharan 18 December 2025Criminal lawNo Comments

In State of Kerala v. Sunil N.S. @ Pulsar Suni and Ors [SC 118 of 2018], the Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court on December 12, 2025 acquitted the Malayalam actor Dileep in the much deliberated 2017 actress assault case.

The Duty of an Advocates to the Court Overrides His Duty to the Client

By K Rajasekharan 17 December 2025Constitutional lawNo Comments

Whenever there is a conflict between the lawyer’s duty to the court and their duty to the client, he has to give preference to his duty to the court over his duty to the client, the Supreme Court observed In Re: Peddi Raju and Others [Suo Moto Contempt Petition (Civil) No. 3 of 2025].

Banks have to Freeze Debit Operations in Suspicious Accounts Without Notice to the Account Holder

By K Rajasekharan 17 December 2025Negotiable InstrumentsNo Comments

If a bank has reason to believe any unusual or suspicious transaction in a bank account it can freeze the debit operations of the account without notice to the account holder, as per the directions of the High Court in Abdul Azeez v Union of India [2025:KER:88312].

SC Directions on Cataloguing Witnesses, Documents & Objects in Judgments

By K Rajasekharan 16 December 2025Criminal lawNo Comments

In Manojbhai Jethabhai Parmar ( Rohit) v. State of Gujarat [2025 INSC 1433], the Supreme Court issued directions to all the trial courts aiming to institutionalize a standardized format for cataloguing witnesses, documentary evidence, and material objects. These directions intend to facilitate better comprehension and immediate reference for all stakeholders, including the Appellate Courts.

Employees Who Resigned or Retired After 5 Years of Service Entitled to Gratuity

By K Rajasekharan 15 December 2025UncategorizedNo Comments

An employee who resigns or opts for voluntary retirement is entitled to gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, provided he has completed at least five years of continuous service, the Supreme Court observed in Ashok Kumar Dabas (Dead Through Legal Heirs) v. Delhi Transport Corporation [2025 INSC 1404].

Section 313 Examination Not a Mere Formality but a Non-Negotiable Duty

By K Rajasekharan 13 December 2025Criminal lawNo Comments

In Chandan Pasi & Ors. Vs. The State of Bihar [2025 INSC 1371], the Supreme Court stressed that examining the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1978 (CrPC) is a non-negotiable duty, , to allow them to explain incriminating evidence against them. It is not a mere formality.

Contempt Jurisdiction is not a Tool to Silence Critics or Shield Judges

By K Rajasekharan 13 December 2025Constitutional lawNo Comments

In Vineeta Srinandan v. High Court of Judicature At Bombay On Its Own Motion [2025 INSC 1408], the Supreme Court reiterated that the power to punish for contempt is not a tool to silence critics or shield judges from scrutiny. It declared that contempt jurisdiction must never become a personal armour for the judiciary.

In Corruption Cases, Police Can Freeze the Bank Account of the Accused under CrPC

By K Rajasekharan 12 December 2025Criminal lawNo Comments

The Supreme Court, in The State Of West Bengal v. Anil Kumar Dey [2025 INSC 1413], held that the police and investigating agencies have the power to freeze the bank account of a person under Section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Section 106 of the BNSS, when a proceeding is initiated against them under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PC Act).

Well-Reasoned Delay in Filing FIR Not Fatal for Prosecution, But Unexplained Delay Becomes Fatal

By K Rajasekharan 11 December 2025Criminal lawNo Comments

In Hariprasad @ Kishan Sahu v. State of Chhattisgarh [2023 INSC 986], the Supreme Court categorically stated that merely because there is some delay in lodging an FIR, it by itself ought not to be regarded by the courts in all cases as fatal to the prosecution.