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Wednesday, February 18, 2026
TopicTrial court

Topic: trial court

Trial courts handed 128 death sentences in 2025, highest female convictions since 2016, says report

Decadal findings by Square Circle Clinic show that an overwhelming majority of death sentences imposed by trial courts did not withstand scrutiny at higher judicial levels.

In rare move, MP HC takes suo motu note of own judge’s ‘disparaging remarks’ against sessions judge

Court directs state to move SC within 10 days against Justice Rajesh Kumar Gupta’s order suggesting disciplinary action against first ASJ of Shivpuri, Vivek Sharma.

In 2024, most death sentences handed out by Indian courts were for murder, not sexual offences

From 2019 to 2023, most death sentences by trial courts were for sexual offences, according to National Law University's Project 39A.

How an Instagram post led to 20-year jail term for tutor who sexually exploited minor student

Uploaded in 2019, the post gives details of the abuse the teenager suffered when she was 13. In its judgment, trial court placed strong reliance on testimony of survivor, her parents.

‘Armed robbery’, MCOCA & 15-year trial — a timeline of 2008 Soumya Vishwanathan murder case

In 2008, journalist Soumya Vishwanathan was shot dead on Nelson Mandela Road, Delhi, while on her way back from work. Saket court set to deliver verdict today.

‘You Kashmiris are like this’—Rafik’s wrongful arrest for rape, murder in Mumbai cost him 7 yrs

One night, 'The Kashmir Files' was screened in Arthur Road jail. Rafik was riveted. An inmate suddenly turned on him. “You Kashmiris are like this,” he shouted.

‘Blatantly erroneous’ — how 56 death sentences in 14 months defied latest Supreme Court guidelines

From not seeking mental health reports of convicts to ignoring mitigating factors, many trial courts have sidestepped Supreme Court’s guidelines while awarding the death penalty.

Are courts awarding too many death sentences? 539 convicts on death row in 2022, highest in 17 yrs

A look at judgments shows that trial courts often award death penalty without adhering to SC guidelines & precedents, and that 'rarest of rate' criterion is inconsistently understood.

On Camera

Telangana spoke up for Muslim vendor who was attacked. South is different from the North

A poor Muslim man from Kurnool, selling khoya buns during the Medaram Jatara in Telangana, was harassed by some YouTubers and surrounded by a mob over allegations of 'food jihad'.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.