38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, October 23, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Jharkhand HC takes suo moto action against Universal LexisNexis for error in New Criminal Law Publication [Read Order]

By Saket Sourav      02 July, 2024 11:26 AM      0 Comments
Jharkhand HC takes suo moto action against Universal LexisNexis for error in New Criminal Law Publication

Jharkhand: The High Court of Jharkhand has taken suo moto action on a critical error found in the published version of the newly enacted Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, highlighting the potential for miscarriage of justice due to typographical errors in legal publications.

In an order passed on July 1, 2024, a Division Bench comprising Justices Ananda Sen and Subhash Chand noted a significant omission in the publication of Section 103(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita by Universal LexisNexis, a major legal publisher.

The court observed that the word "similar" was omitted from the phrase "or any other similar ground" in Section 103(2), which deals with punishment for murder committed by a group on various grounds. This omission, the court noted, "entirely changes the intent, purport, and interpretation" of the provision.

Further, the court emphasized the importance of accurate legal publications, stating that "Any small error at any place will have a huge impact on the interpretation of the law and also their applications. A small typographical error or an omission will lead to great injustice and embarrassment to all concerned, even to the lawyers and the court."

The court directed Universal LexisNexis to take immediate corrective measures by publishing a prominent corrigendum in national and regional newspapers across the country, halting the sale of uncorrected copies of the Bare Act and Criminal Manual, and informing the court about steps taken to rectify copies already sold and distributed.

The court also made Universal LexisNexis a party respondent in the case and ordered that copies of the erroneous publication and the correct Gazette Notification be kept on record.

Further, Bare Acts and Criminal Manual published by Universal LexisNexis so far as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is concerned, which have not been sold and are lying with the booksellers or distributors, should not be sold further unless their contents are rectified and corrected. They should be sold only after carrying out the necessary rectification/correction, the court said.

Expressing the urgency of the matter, the court directed that the order be immediately communicated to Universal LexisNexis via email and fax. It also ordered copies to be provided to the Advocate General of Jharkhand, the Chairman of the Jharkhand State Bar Council, and the President of the Advocates' Association, High Court of Jharkhand for wide circulation.

In conclusion, the court highlighted the critical nature of accurate legal publications, especially in light of the implementation of three new criminal laws replacing longstanding codes. The matter has been placed before the Acting Chief Justice for further action.

 

[Read Order]



Share this article:

About:

Saket is a final-year law student at The National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam. He has...Read more

Follow:
Linkedin


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Dhanbad Judge's Death: Jharkhand High Court Asks CBI to Probe Injury Angle Dhanbad Judge's Death: Jharkhand High Court Asks CBI to Probe Injury Angle

The judge was struck by an autorickshaw with a passenger in the front seat, as well as the driver. A motorcyclist is also seen following the autorickshaw that saw the injured judge fall to the ground. Jharkhand High Court, Jharkhand High Court chief justice, Jharkhand High Court judgement, Jharkhand High Court order, CBI

Supreme Court Collegium approves new Chief Justices for five key High Courts in India [Read Recommendations] Supreme Court Collegium approves new Chief Justices for five key High Courts in India [Read Recommendations]

The Supreme Court Collegium approves new Chief Justices for Allahabad, Jharkhand, Gauhati, Punjab & Haryana, and Rajasthan High Courts. Read about the appointments.

'Arbitrary, impermissible,' SC quashes HC's resolution raising aggregate cut off marks on district judges appointment [Read Judgment] 'Arbitrary, impermissible,' SC quashes HC's resolution raising aggregate cut off marks on district judges appointment [Read Judgment]

SC overturns Jharkhand HC's post-exam 50% cut-off for judge candidates, calling it arbitrary and enforcing no mid-process rule changes.

Jharkhand High Court issues notice to ED in Hemant Soren's plea challenging arrest Jharkhand High Court issues notice to ED in Hemant Soren's plea challenging arrest

Jharkhand HC will hear Hemant Sorens plea challenging EDs arrest on February 27.

TRENDING NEWS


TOP STORIES

father-of-deceased-pilot-in-ahmedabad-crash-moves-sc-for-court-monitored-probe
Trending Judiciary
Father of deceased pilot in Ahmedabad crash moves SC for court monitored probe

91-year-old father of pilot killed in Ahmedabad Air India crash moves SC seeking court-monitored probe into alleged biased and flawed investigation.

17 October, 2025 10:54 AM
child-cant-consent-to-sex-life-imprisonment-upheld-for-sexual-assault-on-minor-girl-madras-hc
Trending Judiciary
Child Can’t Consent to Sex — Life Imprisonment Upheld for Sexual Assault on Minor Girl: Madras HC [Read Judgment]

Madras HC upholds life imprisonment for assault on minor SC girl, reiterating that a child cannot consent to sex; school records key for age proof.

17 October, 2025 11:45 AM
sc-criticizes-casual-declaration-of-witnesses-as-hostile-upholds-conviction-under-sc-st-act
Trending Judiciary
SC Criticizes Casual Declaration of Witnesses as Hostile, Upholds Conviction under SC/ST Act [Read Judgment]

Supreme Court slams casual practice of declaring witnesses hostile; upholds life imprisonment in SC/ST Act case involving rape of minor girl.

17 October, 2025 11:55 AM
delhi-hc-quashes-22-year-old-complaint-against-advocate-reiterates-that-a-lawyers-office-is-not-a-commercial-activity
Trending Judiciary
Delhi HC Quashes 22-Year Old Complaint Against Advocate, Reiterates That A Lawyer’s Office Is Not A Commercial Activity [Read Judgment]

Delhi HC quashes 22-year-old complaint against advocate, rules that a lawyer’s office is not a commercial activity under MDP 2001 and Building Bye-Laws.

17 October, 2025 01:42 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email