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Case Background and Procedural History The Allahabad High Court has set aside the conviction of Azad Khan, who had spent nearly 24 years in prison following a life sentence awarded in 2002 in connection with a dacoity case. The trial court had convicted him under Section 395 (dacoity) and Section 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code, solely on the basis of his admission recorded during his statement under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The conviction arose from allegations that in the year 2000, the appellant, along with 10–15 unidentified miscreants, allegedly entered the complainant’s residence, assaulted family members, looted valuables, and opened fire, injuring three persons. Conviction Based Solely on Section 313 CrPC Admission — Judicial Scrutiny The Division Bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Sanjiv Kumar observed that the trial court had erroneously premised the conviction exclusively o...

Supreme Court of India to Organize Special Lok Adalat In its 75th year, the Supreme Court of India is set to organize a special Lok Adalat from July 29 to August 3 to facilitate the amicable settlement of pending cases. This initiative underscores the judiciary's commitment to accessible and efficient justice delivery for all sections of society. Understanding Lok Adalat Lok Adalat, or "People's Court," is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism integral to India's judicial system. It aims to expedite and foster amicable settlements, bypassing lengthy and expensive court procedures. Lok Adalats handle various cases, including matrimonial and property disputes, motor accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, service, and labor disputes. Legal Foundation of Lok Adalat The power and functioning of Lok Adalats are derived from the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. According to this Act, Lok Adalats have the authority to settle disputes amicably through ...