Deposit of 20% not absolute in Cheque Appeal

13 September 2023Posted inNegotiable Instruments
Deposit of a minimum 20% of the cheque amount when the appeal court considers an appeal of an accused person convicted for dishonour of cheque under Section 148 of Negotiable Instruments Act, is not an absolute matter, but an exceptional one, says the Supreme Court (SC) in Jamboo Bhandari v MP State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd.

Accused has the right to get Un-Relied Documents

11 September 2023Posted inCriminal law
An accused has the right to get copies of (or examine) the unmarked and unexhibited documents, which are not being relied on by the prosecution, in a criminal proceeding, as per the Supreme Court ( SC) judgement in V K Sasikala v State Rep. By Superintendent Of Police and some other related judgements.

Judge is not a Recording Machine in a Trial

6 September 2023Posted inCriminal law
On a reference for confirmation of sentence of death, the High Court is required to proceed in accordance with Sections 367 and 368 respectively of the CrPC and the provisions of these Sections make it clear that the duty of the High Court, in dealing with the reference, is not only to see whether the order passed by the Sessions Judge is correct, but to examine the case for itself and even direct a further enquiry or the taking of additional evidence if the Court considers it desirable in order to ascertain the guilt or the innocence of the convicted person.

Can a Joint/Mutual Will be revoked after One dies?

5 September 2023Posted inFamily, Marriage & Divorce
A Joint will is revocable if the joint Will is a combined Will of two individuals and the survivor has received no benefits from the deceased testator, as inferred from the facts and circumstances surrounding the Will. However, a mutual Will becomes irrevocable on the death of one of the testators if the survivor had received benefits under the mutual Will, and that there is a specific contract prohibiting revocation.

Plea for Default Bail can be made Orally

19 August 2023Posted inCriminal law
Default bail under Section 167(2) of the Criminal Procedures Code, 1973 (CrPC) can be granted to an accused based on an oral application alone, and no physical copy or written application is needed for seeking default bail, says High court of Kerala in a judgement in Akshay v State of Kerala [ 2023(1) KLT SN 44 (C No 38)].

Subsequent Anticipatory Bail Plea in HC only

14 August 2023Posted inCriminal law
After the dismissal of anticipatory bail application by the High Court (HC), a petitioner cannot file a subsequent anticipatory bail application, pointing out changes in circumstances, before the Sessions Court (SC). This is what the High Court of Kerala directs in Bipin Sunny v State of Kerala [ 2023 (5) KHC 125].