burden of proof – Lawcutor

Court Rejects Police “C-Summary,” Takes Cognizance Against Police Personnel for Murder in Custodial Firing Case

Introduction In a significant order, the Court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class at Padadhri has rejected a police "C-Summary" report — filed by the investigating agency to close a…

Supreme Court Acquits Accused in Cheque Bounce Case: Material Alteration of Cheque Voids Conviction

Background The appellant was convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 for dishonour of a cheque. The trial court held that the cheque was for ₹1,10,000. The…

Supreme Court Hears Appeal on Execution of Will – Lakshmi v. Gopi & Ors. (2026)

The Supreme Court has admitted a Civil Appeal arising from a long-standing dispute over the execution of the alleged last Will and Testament of one Thankam. The appeal challenges the…

Supreme Court Restores Trial Court Decree in Property Title Dispute – Rectification Deed Cannot Alter Identity of Property Without Original Vendor’s Consent

In a significant ruling on property law, the Supreme Court has allowed the appeal, set aside the first appellate decree and the High Court’s judgment, and restored the trial court’s…

Supreme Court Acquits Accused in 1977 Murder Case – Benefit of Doubt Extended Due to Inconsistencies, Delays, and Unreliable Evidence

the Supreme Court has acquitted the surviving appellants in a decades-old murder case from Uttar Pradesh, highlighting serious lapses in the prosecution’s case including unnatural conduct of witnesses, unexplained delays…

Supreme Court Decrees Tribal Property Suit – Nearest Male Agnate Preferred Over Daughter/Ghardamad Under Oraon Custom

The Supreme Court allowed an appeal and decreed the plaintiff's suit for ownership of ancestral lands, holding that under Oraon customary law, the nearest male agnate succeeds in the absence…

Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of Central Excise Officers in Bribery Case – Reiterates Necessity of Proving Demand & Acceptance under PC Act

The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh against the acquittal of Central Excise officers accused of demanding and accepting bribe, holding that the prosecution…

Rajasthan High Court Allows Accused’s Application Under Section 45 Evidence Act for Handwriting Expert Opinion on Disputed Cheque in Section 138 NI Act Case

The Rajasthan High Court has held that when an accused in a proceeding under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, disputes his signatures on the cheque right from…

Kerala High Court Holds Unattested Alteration in Will Has No Legal Effect and Grants Probate by Excluding Tampered Portion Changing Bequest from Sole Daughter to All Children

The Kerala High Court has held that any obliteration, interlineation or alteration made in an unprivileged Will after its execution shall have no legal effect unless the alteration is executed…

Supreme Court Restores Conviction in Corruption Case, Holds That Testimony of Hostile Witness Cannot Be Discarded in Toto and Creditworthy Portions Establishing Demand and Acceptance of Bribe Must Be Acted Upon

The Supreme Court on 15 April 2026 allowed the appeal filed by the State of Kerala and set aside the acquittal order passed by the High Court in a prosecution…