Lawwatch : Resources for Learners

Arrest not necessary u/s 170 CrPC to file Charge Sheet

By K Rajasekharan 21 August 2021Criminal law

An arrest need not be made merely because it is lawful for the police to make an arrest of an accused, the Supreme Court (SC) reaffirmed the dictum in Siddharth v State of Uttar Pradesh (LL 2021 SC 391). Except in heinous offences, an arrest must be avoided if a police officer issues notice to person to attend the Station House and not to leave the Station without permission would do. The Police should arrest the accused only when it is essential to do so as arrest is an act that goes against some of the fundamental rights of the person

Consumer Court can Accept WS only within 45 Days

By K Rajasekharan 19 August 2021Civil law

The Supreme Court (SC) in M/S Daddys Builders Pvt. Ltd. v Manisha Bhargava holds that the District Forum has no power to extend the time to file the response to the complaint beyond the period of 15 days in addition to 30 days as is envisaged under Section 13 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Relaxation in Six Month’s Cooling Period in Mutual Consent Divorce

By K Rajasekharan 19 August 2021Family, Marriage & Divorce

The Supreme Court (SC) in Amardeep Singh v Harveen Kaur [(2017) 8 SCC] examined and decided whether the minimum period of six months stipulated under Section 13B (2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (HNA) for a motion for passing decree of divorce on the basis of mutual consent is mandatory or can be relaxed in any exceptional situations.

No fresh Suit can be filed to Challenge a Consent Decree

By K Rajasekharan 19 August 2021Civil law

No fresh or separate suit can be filed to set aside a decree, which was passed by a court on compromise between the parties of a suit, on the ground that the compromise was not based on free consent or lawful. The only remedy available to the party is to approach the court which recorded the compromise.

Multiple Roles Indian Supreme Court Plays

By K Rajasekharan 16 August 2021Constitutional law

The Supreme Court of India (SC) has original, appellate and advisory jurisdiction. The Constitution of India, in Part 5, Chapter 6, from Article 124 to Article 147, deals with the power, function, appointment, retirement, jurisdiction, etc. of the SC.

Marital Rape is a Ground to Claim Divorce

By K Rajasekharan 11 August 2021Criminal law

Marital rape is not an offence in India but it is a good ground to claim divorce, the High Court of Kerala (HC) says. This was stated by the HC in its verdict in xxx v xxx (names masked) on 30th July 2021 while disposing a set of two appeals against a family court verdict. One appeal was by the husband seeking restitution of conjugal rights and the other was by the wife for divorce. The HC upheld the divorce.

Privileges do not Protect Legislators from Crimes

By K Rajasekharan 8 August 2021Constitutional law, Criminal law

In a landmark judgement in State of Kerala v K Ajith, the Supreme Court (SC) allowed to continue the criminal proceedings against some former MLAs in Kerala and declared categorically that the privileges and immunities of the MLA does not protect them from criminal offences in which they engage in. This writeup highlights the essential points in the judgement in an easy-to-learn language.

Whether a MoU is legally binding as a Contract?

By K Rajasekharan 7 August 2021Civil law

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as the term is being used now, is a written declaration by two or more parties. It expresses their common or mutual intention in regard to a project. A MoU looks like a contract. It is a less formal document than a contract. A contract is legally binding and enforceable. But a MoU is not a legally binding one in India. A MoU acts only as the foundation document. It indicates that a contract is imminent.

Hearing of the Accused on Sentence u/s 235(2) CrPC

By K Rajasekharan 1 August 2021Criminal law

If the accused is convicted for any offence, he shall have the right to be heard on the question of sentence before the court pronouncing its sentence. This is what the Section 235 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) states. This hearing usually ends up as a meaningless routine in most of the cases.

Order of Examination of Witnesses during Trial

By K Rajasekharan 30 July 2021Criminal law

The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC), in its Section 230, states that in a Sessions trial, the Sessions Judge shall proceed to take all such evidence on the date so fixed for prosecution, as may be produced in support of the prosecution (see Section 231(1) CrPC).

Right of Senior Citizen to evict Daughter-in-law

By K Rajasekharan 25 July 2021Family, Marriage & Divorce

When a senior citizen approaches a writ court to direct the eviction of his son and daughter-in-law from a shared household, it must be viewed from the prism of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This is the remark that the Calcutta High Court made on 23rd July 2021 in the case Ramapada Basak & Anr v. State of West Bengal & Ors while deciding a plea by two senior citizens (petitioners) seeking the eviction of the son and daughter-in-law from their residence.

Sedition Law in India : An Overview

By K Rajasekharan 24 July 2021Criminal law

The Section 124A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) lays down in broad terms what sedition is. Sedition generally means conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the legally established authority of the State. In a democracy every citizen has the right to question the government. Any criticism becomes sedition only when it leads to incitement of violence or overthrow of rule of law. Sedition is closely allied to treason. Any criticism becomes seditious only when it should have a pernicious tendency to create public disorder or disturbance of law and order.