Chhattisgarh High Court rules that a statement made under expectation of death loses admissibility under Section 32 Evidence Act if the maker survives, but may be used under Sections 155/157 for corroboration or contradiction.
Madhya Pradesh High Court suspends sentence in POCSO case, holding that age determination without proven source in scholar register cannot sustain conviction.
Madras High Court rules that criminal appeals against conviction cannot be dismissed summarily for non-appearance, mandating merits-based disposal under Sections 385-386 BNSS.
Bombay High Court upholds acquittal in a Prevention of Corruption Act case, emphasizing that demand, acceptance, and valid sanction must be proved with cogent evidence.
Madhya Pradesh High Court suspends life sentence where conviction rests solely on DNA report without expert examination and delayed seizure without witness testimony.
Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that suicide note alone cannot sustain conviction under Sections 304-B, 306, or 498-A IPC without proof of cruelty or abetment as defined in Section 107 IPC.
Rajasthan High Court upholds conviction under Section 302 IPC, emphasizing that last seen evidence coupled with recovery of weapon forms complete chain of circumstances.
Karnataka High Court acquits accused under Sections 498A and 306 IPC, holding that conviction requires concrete evidence of cruelty or abetment, not mere presumption or general allegations.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court grants bail pending appeal under Section 389 CrPC when prolonged delay renders the appeal futile, even without adjudicating merits.
Madhya Pradesh High Court condones seven-year delay in filing criminal appeal, emphasizing no prejudice to state and remanding for merits-based hearing under Section 12 of Probation of Offenders Act.
Bombay High Court holds that unbroken chain of custody is essential for DNA evidence in POCSO cases; failure to prove custody invalidates forensic reports.
Madhya Pradesh High Court grants leave to appeal after finding failure to appreciate caste certificate evidence in SC/ST Act prosecution, reinforcing evidentiary standards.