Understanding Criminal Law & Court Procedure

This infographic highlights the major changes in the new criminal laws, including the introduction of trial in absentia, compulsory videography during search and seizure, and a fixed 90-day limit for filing a charge sheet.

The police are not legally bound to provide you with a copy of a complaint before an FIR is registered. I explain your rights in this situation and how you can use an RTI application, especially in CAW cell cases, to obtain a copy of the complaint.

If a police officer repeatedly fails to appear in your court case, causing delays, you have recourse. I explain how you can request the court to summon the officer's duty roster or use RTI to prove their absence was intentional, helping to combat harassment.

If the accused in a check bounce case passes away during the trial, the criminal proceedings end. I explain that the criminal liability cannot be transferred to the legal heirs, and the complainant must file a separate civil recovery suit to claim the money.

In a check bounce case, if the accused claims the signature on the check is not theirs, they have the right to request a handwriting expert's analysis. I explain the legal basis for this and why it is a crucial part of ensuring a fair trial.

Citing the N. Subbarao v. Nageshwar Rao Supreme Court judgment, I explain the important role of a handwriting expert in a cheque bounce case. Denying this opportunity to the accused can be a violation of their fundamental right to a fair trial.

This infographic explains the different categories of illegal drugs under the NDPS Act. It details the small, non-commercial, and commercial quantities for substances like heroin, opium, and ganja, and the corresponding punishments for possession.

Did you know that bhang is legal in India, while ganja and charas are not, even though they come from the same cannabis plant? I explain the distinction made in the NDPS Act, which bans the flowers and resins but not the leaves and stems of the plant.

While the sale, production, and import of e-cigarettes and vapes are illegal in India, using them is not an arrestable offense. I clarify the law, explaining that at most, the police can issue a challan for personal use.