Chhattisgarh HC Reduces Rape Conviction to Attempted Rape, Citing IPC Section 376 & 511, Sets 3.5-Year Sentence

Chhattisgarh HC Rules Shariyat Court Cannot Legally Dissolve Marriage; Triple Talaq Order Set Aside

Chhattisgarh High Court held that a Shariyat Court's declaration of triple talaq (Talaq-e-Hasan) has no legal authority. The judgment reinforces the supremacy of constitutional law over religious decrees, a crucial topic for UPSC mains on secularism and Uniform Civil Code.

Chhattisgarh HC Rules Religious Institutions Cannot Function as Courts; Quashes Shariya Court Triple Talaq Order

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that no religious institution can assume the authority of a court established by law, striking down a Shariya court's triple talaq order. This reinforces the constitutional supremacy of the legal system over personal religious practices, a critical issue for UPSC Polity and Social Justice.

Karnataka HC Quashes BNS Section 69 Case in 5-Year Consensual Live-In Relationship

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that a five-year consensual live-in relationship cannot sustain a charge of sexual intercourse based on a false promise of marriage under Section 69 of the BNS. The court quashed criminal proceedings, emphasizing that a prolonged consensual relationship negates the element of deceit, a critical ruling for understanding judicial interpretation of consent and criminality in intimate relationships.

Delhi HC Overturns Acquittal in 2013 Harassment Case, Upholds IPC Section 354A, POCSO Charge Dropped

Delhi High Court overturned a 2014 acquittal in a 2013 sexual harassment case, convicting the accused under IPC Section 354A while dismissing POCSO charges due to age proof deficiencies. The court delivered strong observations against victim-blaming based on clothing and character, and cautioned judicial officers against humiliating cross-examination.

Delhi HC Releases 2 Life Convicts Citing Chekhov; SRB Rejection 'Arbitrary' Under Article 21

The Delhi High Court ordered the release of two life-term convicts, holding that prolonged imprisonment 'kills slowly' and that Sentence Review Boards cannot reject early release pleas based on stereotyped reasoning. The judgment reinforces Article 21 rights and sets important guidelines for evaluating post-conviction conduct.

Kerala HC Quashes POCSO Conviction, Flags Misuse in Matrimonial Disputes

The Kerala High Court has quashed a POCSO conviction, observing that the Act is being misused in matrimonial disputes to settle personal scores. The court emphasized that trial courts must carefully scrutinize evidence to rule out false implications, especially when matrimonial discord is present. This judgment is crucial for understanding judicial safeguards in child protection laws.

Madras HC Calls for Amendment to Section 15 Hindu Marriage Act: Right to Marry is Human Right

The Madras High Court has urged Parliament to amend Section 15 of the Hindu Marriage Act, recommending that a spouse appealing a divorce decree must obtain an interim stay within two months, or the other spouse should be free to remarry. The Court held that the right to marry is a human right and prolonged appeals should not leave remarriage uncertain for years.

Centre Reduces NEET-SS Qualifying Percentile to 30% for Special Stray Vacancy Round; 40 Seats Returned to TN

The Centre agreed in the Supreme Court to lower the NEET-SS qualifying percentile from 50% to 30% for a special stray vacancy round, aiming to fill 1,857 vacant super-speciality seats. Additionally, 40 vacant in-service seats originally diverted to the All-India Quota will be returned to Tamil Nadu for its own counselling, a significant win for the state's in-service reservation policy.