Advocate | Legal Blogger | Judicial Insights & Updates

By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Case Title: Rajesh Chaddha v. State of Uttar Pradesh Citation: Criminal Appeal No(s). of 2025 [Arising out of SLP (Crl.) Nos. 2353-2354 of 2019] Bench: Justice Satish Chandra Sharma Factual Matrix The Supreme Court addressed an appeal arising from a protracted dowry-related prosecution, where the appellant, Rajesh Chaddha, had been convicted under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The complainant, Mala Chaddha, had alleged persistent mental and physical harassment for dowry by her husband and in-laws. The prosecution’s case relied primarily on the testimonies of the complainant and her father, with no corroborative medical or documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations of physical cruelty or miscarriage. Procedural History The trial court acquitted the appellant of charges under Sections 323/34 and 506 IPC due to lack of evidence but convicted him under Section 498A IPC and Section 4 of the...

  Landmark Supreme Court Ruling: Acquittal in High-Profile Murder Case Highlights Critical Legal Safeguards By Abhishek Jat, Advocate In a landmark judgment that underscores the paramount importance of procedural integrity in criminal trials, the Supreme Court of India has acquitted Chandrabhan Sudam Sanap, overturning his death sentence in a high-profile 2014 murder case. The Court’s decision, delivered on January 28, 2025, highlights the critical role of adhering to legal standards, particularly in cases involving electronic evidence. Case Background The case revolved around the tragic murder of a 23-year-old IT professional in Mumbai. The prosecution’s case was built entirely on circumstantial evidence, with the Bombay High Court previously upholding the trial court’s decision to convict Sanap and sentence him to death. The prosecution heavily relied on CCTV footage to establish the accused’s presence at the crime scene and his alleged involvement in the crime. However, t...