Supplementary Charge Sheet Not Mandatory After Arrest of Absconding Accused

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that an accused cannot claim default (statutory) bail merely because the police did not file a supplementary charge sheet after his arrest, provided a valid charge sheet had already been filed while he was absconding. The Court clarified that the filing of a supplementary charge sheet in such circumstances is discretionary and that seeking additional time for investigation after arrest does not automatically render the investigation incomplete.

Case – Bablu Alias Arvind Dubey v. The State of Madhya Pradesh (2026)

Suspicious Will Requires Stronger Proof Than Attesting Witness Testimony

The Supreme Court has clarified that when a Will is surrounded by suspicious circumstances, simply examining the attesting witness or witnesses is insufficient to establish its validity. The person relying on the Will must remove every legitimate doubt and satisfy the Court that the document genuinely reflects the voluntary and informed intentions of the testator.

Case: Sardari Lal v. Bishan Dass & Ors. (2026)

Demand for Wife’s Share in Ancestral Property May Constitute Dowry Demand

The Calcutta High Court has observed that continuous pressure by a husband on his wife to bring her share of ancestral property from her parental family may amount to a dowry demand under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code. While affirming the husband’s conviction for dowry death, the Court reduced his sentence from life imprisonment to ten years’ rigorous imprisonment and acquitted the parents-in-law due to insufficient evidence.

Case: Sajal Parui v. State of West Bengal (2026)

Premature Divorce Petition Cannot Be Decided on Merits

The Gujarat High Court has held that if a divorce petition is filed within one year of marriage in violation of Section 14 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Family Court cannot examine the merits of the case. It may only return the petition or dismiss it while preserving the parties’ right to institute fresh proceedings in accordance with law.

Case: Yogesh Amrutbhai Patel v. Hansaben Yogeshbhai Patel (2026)

Magistrate Must Give Reasons Before Ordering Further Investigation

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has ruled that a Magistrate cannot reject a police closure report and direct further investigation solely because a protest petition raises objections. Before taking such a step, the Magistrate must record clear reasons indicating deficiencies in the investigation or explain why the evidence collected by the police is unreliable. Where allegations of manipulation of witness statements are made, the Court emphasized that the Magistrate should examine the available material and, where necessary, verify the allegations by interacting with the concerned witnesses.

Case: Vishnu Kant Sharma & Ors. v. Union Territory of J&K & Anr. (2026)

Child Marriage Laws Override Personal Law

The Allahabad High Court has held that provisions of Muslim Personal Law recognizing puberty as a sufficient age for marriage cannot override statutory protections under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and the POCSO Act. The Court observed that the legally prescribed minimum age for marriage applies equally to all citizens, irrespective of religion.

Case: Rubi & Others v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Others (2026)

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