Top 5 Criminal Law Cases for Judiciary Aspirants: Part II

Mastering criminal law is essential for anyone preparing for judicial service examinations in India. It’s not just about rote learning statutes, but truly understanding how courts interpret and apply laws in real-life scenarios. In this second part of our “Top Landmark Cases for Judiciary Aspirants” series, we focus on pivotal criminal law cases that continue to shape India’s legal landscape.

These aren’t just important for exams, they’ll also sharpen your legal reasoning for the courtroom. Let’s explore five key criminal law judgments every judiciary aspirant must know.

1. Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985)

📘 Relevant Statute: Section 125 CrPC
🧕 Facts: A Muslim woman, Shah Bano, sought maintenance post-divorce. The husband claimed his duty ended with the iddat period.
⚖️ Judgment: The SC ruled that Section 125 applies universally, emphasizing that constitutional rights override personal laws.
💡 Why It Matters: Landmark in balancing secular legal principles with religious laws—frequently asked in judiciary exams.

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2. R v. Govinda (1876)

📘 Relevant Statutes: Sections 299 & 300 IPC
👨‍⚖️ Facts: Govinda’s physical altercation led to a death. Was it murder or culpable homicide?
⚖️ Judgment: The court held it as culpable homicide not amounting to murder. No intention to kill was found.
💡 Why It Matters: Clarifies the thin line between culpable homicide and murder—core to criminal law prep.

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3. Nirbhaya Case (Mukesh & Anr. v. State, 2020)

📘 Relevant Statutes: Sections 376, 302, 34 IPC; Section 235 CrPC
🕯️ Facts: A horrifying gang rape in Delhi sparked national outrage and legal reforms.
⚖️ Judgment: SC confirmed the death penalty, terming it a “rarest of rare” case. Forensic and circumstantial evidence played key roles.
💡 Why It Matters: Sets benchmark for sentencing in sexual violence cases, vital for both criminal and procedural law.

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4. Laxmi v. Union of India (2014)

📘 Relevant Statutes: Sections 326A & 326B IPC
👩 Facts: Acid attack survivor Laxmi sought legal reform through a PIL.
⚖️ Judgment: SC directed regulation of acid sales, free treatment, and compensation for victims.
💡 Why It Matters: Shows judiciary’s proactive role in social justice and victim rehabilitation.

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5. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (Oleum Gas Leak, 1987)

📘 Relevant Statutes: Section 268 IPC, Article 21 of Constitution
🏭 Facts: A gas leak endangered lives; petitioner claimed violation of right to life.
⚖️ Judgment: The court introduced absolute liability, no excuses for hazardous industries.
💡 Why It Matters: A criminal law + constitutional law crossover; vital for environmental and public safety jurisprudence.

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Conclusion

These five landmark cases serve as a foundation for interpreting criminal law in judiciary exams and beyond. From maintenance rights to death penalty guidelines and environmental accountability, these cases shape our legal conscience.

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