Legal Compendium- February

In February, the legal landscape saw several significant rulings from the Supreme Court and High Courts across India. 

The Supreme Court clarified that a mere demand for ransom after kidnapping would not constitute an offence under Section 364A of the IPC unless there was a specific death threat. It also emphasised that a wife’s suicide within seven years of marriage would not raise the presumption of her husband’s abetment without evidence of cruelty. 

Furthermore, the court declared that a sale agreement with a minor is void and unenforceable in law. These rulings, along with others such as the High Court’s decision on the eligibility of Sabarimala Melshanthi, highlight the nuanced legal interpretations and important precedents set in the month of February.

Table of Contents

1. Mere Demand For Ransom After Kidnapping Won’t Amount To S.364A IPC Offence If There’s No Death Threat: Supreme Court
2. Wife’s Suicide Within 7 Years Of Marriage Won’t Raise Presumption Of Husband’s Abetment If There’s No Evidence Of Cruelty: Supreme Court
3. Sale Agreement With Minor Void, Not Enforceable In Law: Supreme Court
4. Right To Property Under Article 300A Available To A Person Who Isn’t A Citizen Of India: Supreme Court
5. One Bench Of High Court Cannot Cancel Bail Granted By Another Bench: Supreme Court
6. ‘Not Untouchability’: Kerala High Court Upholds Condition That Sabarimala Melshanthi (Chief Priest) Must Be Malayali Brahmin
7. Convicted Prisoners Can Argue Their Own Case From Prison Through Use Of Video Conferencing Facilities: Madras High Court
8. Can Divorced Muslim Woman File For Maintenance Under Section 125 CrPC? Supreme Court To Consider
9. S.125(4) CrPC | Wife Residing Away From Husband Without Any Reasonable Cause Not Entitled To Maintenance: Jharkhand High Court
10. If Consent Of Woman Was Based On False Promise Of Marriage From Inception, Offence Of Rape Is Made Out: Supreme Court
11. ‘Bail The Exception, Jail The Rule Under UAPA’: Supreme Court Expounds Tests To Grant Bail In UAPA Cases
12. Mere Delay In Complying Court’s Order Doesn’t Amount To Contempt Unless It’s Deliberate & Wilful: Supreme Court
13. Appointment Of Deputy Chief Ministers Not Unconstitutional: Supreme Court
14. Allowing Unlimited Corporate Donations Through Electoral Bonds Violates Free & Fair Elections: Supreme Court Voids Companies Act Amendment
15. Electoral Bonds | Supreme Court Rejects Union’s Argument That Citizens Have No Right To Know About Political Funding
16. Terminating Women Officer On Ground Of Marriage Is Arbitrary: Supreme Court Asks Union To Pay Rs 60 Lakh Compensation To Ex-Military Nurse
17. Mere Withdrawal From Marriage Won’t Amount To Offence Of Cheating Under Section 417 IPC: Supreme Court

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