SC voids Punjab and Haryana HC verdict, sends case back for review

The Supreme Court on Friday set aside a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had reversed the acquittal of three men in a murder case, saying the reasoning in the impugned judgment was so obscure that top court judges had struggled to understand it. Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, who led the bench, said many of the retired high court judge's rulings were overturned when challenged in the apex court and added, "Fortunately, he the high court judge has demitted office." The top court remitted the matter to the high court for fresh consideration.

The appeals arose from an October 1, 2024 division bench decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that reversed a trial court acquittal and convicted the three accused. While hearing the appeals, the Supreme Court bench said the high court order employed language and reasoning that were "incomprehensible," and that the lack of clarity prevented proper appellate scrutiny. Senior advocate Narender Hooda, appearing in the case, told the court that many of the judge's decisions had been overturned; the CJI replied that every decision of the judge which was challenged in the Supreme Court had been overturned, according to the bench...