January 2026 - Lawwatch : Legal Resources for Aspiring Advocates

How to Obtain Criminal Case Records by a Stranger in Kerala?

By K Rajasekharan 15 January 2026Criminal lawNo Comments

In Shone George v. Union of India & Anr. [2025:KER:66503], the Kerala High Court observed that as per Rule 226 of the Criminal Rules of Practice, Kerala, the applicant has to file a duly verified Petition, setting forth the purpose for which the copy is required, and the Court is bound to pass an Order on that Petition, except when the application is for certified copy of a Judgment.

Split Verdict on Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act: Prior Sanction for Investigation

By K Rajasekharan 14 January 2026Corruption & Bribery casesNo Comments

In Centre for Public Interest Litigation v. Union of India [2026 INSC 55], the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict regarding the constitutionality of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), which was introduced by the 2018 amendment.

FIR Can Be Quashed Under Article 32 of the Constitution

By K Rajasekharan 12 January 2026Criminal lawNo Comments

For seeking quashing of an FIR (First Information Report) and consequential proceedings, a Writ Petition under Article 32 of the Constitution can be directly filed in the Supreme Court, observed the Supreme Court in Rajendra Bihari Lal v. State of U.P. [2025 INSC 1249].

A Magistrate Taking Cognizance in a Protest Complaint Must Consider Refer Report of Police

By K Rajasekharan 11 January 2026Criminal lawNo Comments

A magistrate taking cognizance based on a protest complaint must consider the refer report filed by the police and pass a speaking order, the High Cout of Kerala observed in Anilkumar v. State of Kerala and Anr [2026: KER:772].

Maintenance Can Be Granted Only From the Date of Application

By K Rajasekharan 6 January 2026Maintenance in Family Cases

In the case of Safia v State of Kerala [2025: KER:91029], the Kerala High Court clarified that maintenance can be granted starting from the date the application was filed, under Section 125(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

No Removal of CCTVs Unless Snooping is Established: Kerala High Court

By K Rajasekharan 2 January 2026Criminal law

In Sivasankaran @ Sankaran Kutty v. State of Kerala [2025:KER:85261], the High Court of Kerala observed that CCTVs installed in a private residence for the safety and security of its occupants cannot be ordered to be removed based on a neighbor's Right to Privacy, unless it is proven that the cameras are being used for snooping.

Pre-Cognizance Hearing Under Section 223 BNSS Not Required in Cheque Bounce Cases

By K Rajasekharan 1 January 2026Negotiable Instruments

In Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S. Borcar & Anr., the Supreme Court clarified that an accused person does not have the right to be heard at the pre-cognizance stage in complaints filed for the dishonor of a cheque under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act.