HIGH COURT APRIL 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Hauz Khas ‘Social’; Nepal Student’s Death; Karuvannur Bank Scam; Harley-Davidson trade mark; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
honour killing
‘Amendment of charges post witness examination should not lead to de novo trial’; Allahabad HC upholds conviction of seven men in honour killing case
Allahabad High Court said that the deposition of the informant, recorded during his examination-in-chief and cross-examination prior to the amendment of charges, could not be discarded merely because of his subsequent statements made during the later examination-in-chief conducted after the inclusion of Sections 504 and 506 IPC.
Supreme Court commutes death sentence of father convicted for murdering his pregnant daughter over inter-caste marriage
The Court affirmed the father’s conviction but converted the death penalty to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment without remission considering several mitigating factors favouring the accused.
“Unless a work exists, there cannot be any question of copyright or reproducing it”: Punjab and Haryana HC overturns stay on release of film ‘Dear Jassi’
The entire aspect of the said life story had been part of court records in Canada extradition proceedings, and Indian courts where trail was conducted on account of honour killing, which also had been a subject matter of publications in media and five other films.
Decoding Madras High Court verdict on Gokulraj Murder committed “under the influence of demon called caste”
Madras High Court said that this is a case which brings out the dark side of human behavior. It focuses our attention on the ugly facets of our society; the caste system, bigotry, inhuman treatment of persons belonging to the marginalised section etc.
Madras High Court directs Police for conducting a public meeting to disseminate information on inter-caste marriages and honour killing
Madras High Court said that it is a laudable object, and we cannot prohibit or prevent such public meeting.
Questions of faith have no bearing on individuals’ freedom to choose a life partner; Delhi High Court rejects bail for mother and grandmother
Wherever the life and liberty of any individual is concerned, especially in cases of couples legally marrying out of their own freewill and volition, the police is expected to act expeditiously and with sensitivity in accordance with law and take necessary measures for protection and safety of applicants concerned, if they apprehend hostility and concerns for their safety from different quarters including their own family members.
‘Not planned but committed in sudden spur of the moment’; Bombay High Court reduces father-brother’s LI to 10 years RI for killing girl’s lover
Bombay High Court : In an appeal filed questioning the legality of Judgment and convicting both Appellants i.e. a father
Patna High Court| Women have right to marry anyone of choice; Family/Societal Recognition not required under law
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) under Article 16 explicitly states that Men and Women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality, or religion, have the right to marry and form a family. They are entitled to equal rights to marriage, during the marriage, and at its dissolution. A marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
No conviction based on ‘last seen together’ theory when possibility of suicidal death not ruled out; SC sets man free in a 28-year-old honour killing case
“The suspicion howsoever strong cannot take place of proof.”
[Honour Killing] Raj HC | Exercising judicial discretion as well as invoking the sense for exercising judicial discretion lies with the Court; Rejects bail
Rajasthan High Court: Farjand Ali, J. dismissed the bail application of petitioner being accused of honour killing and observed that the investigating
MP HC | Major Couple entitled to police protection in event of any future threats from parents; Permission granted to approach police commissioner directly
Madhya Pradesh High Court: Vivek Rusia, J. decided on a petition which was filed seeking police protection. The facts of the case
[Honour Killing] Killing of a Dalit man for his interfaith marriage in broad public view: NHRC notice to Telangana Government
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a 25-year-old man was brutally killed in broad
Erosion of Choice, but dignity should remain intact: How are Courts saving young adults’ choice of marriage?
“Neither the State nor the law can dictate a choice of partners or limit the free ability of every person to decide
“…we boast ourselves as an educated society, but we live our lives with double standards”: Allahabad HC condemns prevailing caste system even after 75 years of independence
Allahabad High Court: While expressing that “Caste system in our society is deeply rooted, we boast ourselves as educated society, but we
[Honour Killing] ‘Could have cut off relations, instead opted to commit cold blooded murder’: Bom HC upholds death penalty of brother for pre-planned murder of sister and lover
Bombay High Court: Division Bench of V.K. Jadhav and Shrikant D. Kulkarni, JJ., addressed a case of ‘Honour Killing’ by a brother
[Honour Killing] P&H HC | “Culpable failure to supervise investigation”; HC slams police for laxity in investigation, issues detailed directions for effective dealing of Honour Killing cases
Punjab and Haryana High Court: Arun Kumar Tyagi, J., while addressing bail application of accused in a case pertaining to Honour Killing,
Madras HC | Police protection for a member of LGBTQIA+ Community on having apprehensions of honour killing on receiving threats from family
Madras High Court: M. Nirmal Kumar, J., directed police protection to a member of the LGBTQIA+ Community who had apprehension of being
Telangana HC | Are principles of res judicata applicable to bail applications? Can repeated filing of bail applications without change in circumstances be accepted? Read on
Telangana High Court: G. Sri Devi, J., while addressing a bail application filed in a case of ‘Honour Killing’ enumerated the factors
All HC | An order to protect life and liberty of petitioners from any threat arising from or being occasioned by their marriage – life & liberty being foundation of all freedoms guaranteed under Constitution; HC issues directions
Allahabad High Court: Saumitra Dayal Singh, J. decided on a writ petition which was filed praying for a direction the nature of