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Tinder Suitcase Murder and Marriage on Parole: Legal, Constitutional, and Penal Dimensions of the Priya Seth Case

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 Introduction The recent grant of parole to Priya Seth , a life-term convict in the infamous Jaipur “Tinder suitcase murder” case , to solemnise her marriage has reignited a nationwide debate on criminal justice, victims’ rights, prison reforms, and the limits of parole jurisprudence. The case presents a disturbing intersection of digital-era crime , heinous murder , and constitutional protections afforded even to convicted prisoners . This article examines the incident through the lens of relevant statutes, constitutional provisions, and judicial precedents , while situating the controversy within India’s evolving prison and parole framework. Factual Background of the Crime In early 2018, Dushyant Sharma , a 27-year-old aspiring businessman, matched with Priya Seth on the dating application Tinder. Their online interactions spanned weeks, fostering trust and emotional familiarity. Unbeknownst to Sharma, Priya was cohabiting with Dikshant Kamra , burdened by debts exceeding ₹21 la...

Wife’s Succession Rights Trump Bank Nominee: Orissa High Court Reaffirms Primacy of Hindu Succession Law

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Introduction Reinforcing the settled legal position that nomination does not override succession , the Orissa High Court has ruled that a legally wedded wife, being a Class-I heir under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 , has a superior right over her deceased husband’s estate, irrespective of any nomination made in favour of other family members with banks or insurance companies. The judgment underscores that banking and insurance nominations are merely facilitative arrangements and do not constitute a separate or superior mode of inheritance. Factual Background of the Case The case arose from a dispute concerning the terminal benefits of Subhransu Mohanty , an employee of Canara Bank , who died on 18 September 2023 . At the time of his death: He was married to Snigdha Patnaik (married in 2014) The couple had a daughter Divorce proceedings initiated by Mohanty were still pending No decree of divorce had been passed, and the marriage subsisted in law Upon his death, the bank assessed h...

Digital Arrest Fraud: Supreme Court Flags Alarming Vulnerability of Educated Senior Citizens

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Introduction The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the alarming rise of so-called “digital arrest” frauds, particularly highlighting how even highly educated and experienced senior citizens are falling prey to sophisticated cyber scams. The court’s observations came while issuing notice on a petition filed by a 78-year-old former banker who lost more than ₹23 crore after being impersonated and coerced by fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials. The case underscores systemic vulnerabilities in banking safeguards, cybercrime response mechanisms, and public awareness, prompting the apex court to intensify its scrutiny of institutional accountability. Background of the Case The observations arose from a petition filed by Naresh Malhotra , a 78-year-old former banker, who was allegedly defrauded in September last year in what is being described as the largest reported “digital arrest” fraud in India so far , involving losses exceeding ₹23 crore. Malhotra claim...

Citizenship Question in Bihar SIR: Supreme Court Seeks Clarity from Election Commission

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Background of the Case The Supreme Court is currently examining a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) June 24 notification directing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The petitions were filed in 2025 and raise serious constitutional and statutory questions concerning voter deletion, citizenship determination, and the scope of the Election Commission’s powers. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi , which sought to ascertain the true intent behind the SIR exercise. Supreme Court’s Core Question: Citizenship or Electoral Hygiene? During the hearing, the Supreme Court posed a pointed question to the ECI: “When you started this exercise, was citizenship in your mind or are you second-guessing it as a reason to begin this exercise?” The Court noted that the SIR notification primarily cited migration, urbanisation, and the need to update electoral entries as...

Albinder Dhindsa Takes Charge as CEO of Eternal: The Leadership Transition Explained

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Introduction: A Sudden Leadership Shift at Eternal In an unexpected move that has drawn widespread attention across India’s startup and corporate ecosystem, Deepinder Goyal , co-founder and long-serving CEO of Eternal Ltd. (formerly Zomato) , announced his decision to step down from the chief executive role. Effective 1 February 2026 , Goyal will hand over operational control to Albinder Dhindsa , the founder of Blinkit, while transitioning to the position of Vice Chairman . The leadership change marks a significant moment for Eternal, which operates one of India’s largest food delivery and quick-commerce platforms. Who Is Albinder Dhindsa? Educational Background Albinder Dhindsa is an alumnus of: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi , where he completed a degree in Civil Engineering (2000–2004) Columbia Business School , where he earned his MBA (2010–2012) His academic journey reflects a strong blend of engineering, analytical, and managerial expertise. Early Professional Caree...

Supreme Court Directs States to Frame Media Briefing Policies in Criminal Cases

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I. Background of the Supreme Court Directions The Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to frame and notify comprehensive media briefing policies for criminal cases within three months . The objective of the direction is to prevent media trials , protect the fairness of investigations , and safeguard the dignity and privacy of victims, witnesses, and accused persons . The direction was issued by a Bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh , while dealing with a long-pending public interest litigation filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in 1999 . The PIL highlighted the absence of structured guidelines governing police encounters and police communication with the media , especially during ongoing criminal investigations. Despite earlier judicial interventions and executive advisories, the Court noted that States had failed to demonstrate adequate seriousness in regulating police briefings, resulting in repeated...

65 Days of Marriage, 13 Years of Litigation: Supreme Court Dissolves Marriage Citing Irretrievable Breakdown

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Background of the Case In a significant ruling highlighting the judiciary’s concern over prolonged matrimonial litigation, the Supreme Court of India dissolved a marriage that lasted only 65 days , where the spouses have lived separately for over 13 years and were entangled in more than 40 civil and criminal cases against each other. The marriage was solemnised on January 28, 2012 . Within 65 days, the wife left the matrimonial home alleging cruelty by the husband and his family members . Since then, the parties have remained estranged, litigating across courts in Delhi, Allahabad, Ghaziabad and Lucknow , effectively turning the judicial system into a forum for sustained personal conflict. Proceedings Before the Supreme Court The matter came before a Bench of Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Manmohan . The wife approached the Supreme Court invoking Article 142 of the Constitution , seeking: Dissolution of marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown Quashing of multiple pending...

Tamil Nadu Governor vs Stalin Government: A Constitutional Confrontation Explained

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I. Introduction The prolonged standoff between Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi and the DMK-led government under Chief Minister M K Stalin has once again come into sharp focus following the Governor’s walkout from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly . What appears on the surface as a disagreement over speeches and protocol raises deeper constitutional questions about the role of Governors in India’s federal structure , the limits of their discretion , and the authority of elected state governments . II. Background of the Conflict The conflict between the Governor and the state government has not emerged overnight. It has evolved over several years, manifesting through disputes over: The Governor’s Assembly address Delay or refusal to grant assent to Bills Public comments by the Governor on governance issues Alleged interference by the Union government via Raj Bhavans The friction became visibly public when Governor Ravi walked out of the Assembly , refusing to read the full government-ap...

CHS REGISTRATION NEED NOT WAIT FOR PROJECT COMPLETION: BOMBAY HIGH COURT

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Developer Cannot Postpone Society Formation Due to Future Wings I. Case Background In a significant ruling strengthening the rights of flat purchasers, the Bombay High Court has held that the registration of a Co-operative Housing Society (CHS) for a completed wing cannot be deferred until the entire real estate project is completed . The Court set aside the orders passed by the Divisional Joint Registrar (DJR), Co-operative Societies , and the Minister for Co-operation , which had cancelled the registration of a society in Mulund West, Mumbai . II. Facts of the Case The dispute concerned the 360 Degree Business Park Premises Co-operative Society , formed for the Brite Building , a 10-storey commercial structure constructed in 2007 by Brite Tools Pvt Ltd . Key Facts: Full Occupancy Certificate (OC) issued in August 2013 44 units sold by the developer Building fully occupied and functional No society formed by the developer despite completion As a result, 31 ...

SUPREME COURT RESTORES BAIL AFTER PATNA HC STAFF TYPO ERROR

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Courts Cannot Recall Signed Orders Except for Clerical Errors I. Background of the Case In a rare and procedurally significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India restored anticipatory bail granted to an accused in a narcotics case after holding that the Patna High Court acted without jurisdiction in recalling a bail order that had already been signed. The case highlights a critical question of criminal procedure: Can a court undo a signed judicial order because of an internal staff error? The Supreme Court answered with a clear no . II. FIR and Allegations Under NDPS Act The case originated from an FIR registered in October 2024 in Vaishali district, Bihar , under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) . Key Allegations: 6.33 kg of ganja was allegedly recovered from a co-accused During interrogation, the co-accused claimed that the contraband was meant to be delivered to Rambali Sahni No recovery was made from Sahni S...

IndiGo Fined ₹22.2 Crore for December 2024 Operational Chaos: A Legal and Regulatory Analysis

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Background of the Crisis India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced unprecedented operational disruption between December 3 and 5, 2024 , resulting in 2,507 flight cancellations and 1,852 delays , stranding over three lakh passengers across the country. The disruption followed the enforcement of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, which imposed stricter caps on pilot duty hours and enhanced mandatory rest requirements. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the breakdown. Based on its findings, the regulator imposed a record financial penalty of ₹22.2 crore , issued warnings to senior leadership, and mandated sweeping systemic reforms within the airline.

Supreme Court Pulls Up Telangana Speaker Over Delay in Defection Cases

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Introduction The Supreme Court of India has once again intervened to reinforce constitutional discipline under the anti-defection law, sharply criticising the Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker for prolonged delay in deciding disqualification petitions against rebel Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) MLAs . Granting a final two-week deadline , the Court warned that continued inaction would undermine the authority of constitutional institutions and the rule of law. Background of the Dispute The case arises from petitions filed by senior BRS leaders, including K T Rama Rao (KTR) , challenging the Speaker’s inaction on disqualification pleas against 10 BRS MLAs who allegedly defected to the ruling Congress party after the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections. Out of these: Seven disqualification petitions have already been rejected by the Speaker Three petitions remain pending, triggering the present round of litigation The delay directly violates a July 31, 2025 Supreme Court judgment , w...