#Section 29

The Delhi High Court affirmed the teacher’s conviction, ruling that a trustworthy child’s statement, even without corroborative evidence, meets the evidentiary threshold under the POCSO Act. It further held that the statutory presumption of guilt in Section 29 remains valid when the child’s testimony is reliable, strengthening the evidentiary position of minor victims in future cases.

The Calcutta High Court acquitted the accused, ruling that an unexplained nine-month FIR delay destroys the statutory presumption of guilt under Section 29 of the POCSO Act. The decision limits the presumption to promptly filed FIRs, safeguarding defendants from automatic liability.

The Supreme Court ruled that while financial corporations must exercise their statutory power to auction properties fairly under Section 29 of the State Financial Corporations Act, borrowers cannot obstruct recovery through frivolous or delayed litigation. The auction sale is final unless vitiated by fraud or material irregularity, and persistent defaulters forfeit equitable relief.

Kerala High Court rules that trademark registrations in different classes (goods vs services) do not immunize infringers from liability. The court emphasizes deceptive similarity, prior use, and passing off as key determinants, reinforcing that trademark protection extends beyond class boundaries where consumer confusion is likely.

Bombay High Court rules that private lands cannot be notified as 'protected forests' under Section 29 of the Indian Forests Act, 1927, unless they are government-owned or subject to government proprietary rights. The judgment quashes notifications issued without prior inquiry into ownership, reinforcing landowners' rights against arbitrary state declarations.

MP High Court rules that Section 29 of the MP Land Revenue Code imposes no bar on filing successive transfer applications before revenue authorities. The court quashed an order rejecting a second application, emphasizing that procedural fairness and natural justice require reconsideration of each valid request on merits, regardless of prior applications.