Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams by Apoorva Purohit Ma’am

Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams covers key High Court and Supreme Court rulings from criminal law, evidence law, and education law. Major updates include the Allahabad High Court’s observations on rape FIRs after failed live-in relationships and a detailed judgment on murder based purely on circumstantial evidence.

The updates also include the Supreme Court staying the ban on internship fees in private veterinary colleges, the Padma Vibhushan award to Justice K.T. Thomas, and important MCQs on circumstantial evidence and the “last seen together” theory, making them highly relevant for exam preparation.

Rape FIRs Filed After Relations Fail

Chandresh v. State of Uttar Pradesh

One of the most discussed Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams comes from the Allahabad High Court concerning allegations of rape after failed relationships.

Court Observation

The Allahabad High Court observed an increasing trend among youth to enter live-in relationships without formal marriage, influenced by Western ideas. The Court noted that when such relationships fail, criminal cases, including rape FIRs, are often lodged.

Case Background

The appellant was earlier convicted under:

• Section 363 IPC (Kidnapping)

• Section 366 IPC (Abduction for marriage)

• Section 323 IPC (Voluntarily causing hurt)

• Section 6 POCSO Act

• Section 3(2)(v) SC/ST Act

Key Findings

• The prosecution alleged that the accused enticed the victim on the pretext of marriage.

• The High Court found the victim to be a major, based on the ossification test report indicating her age to be around 20 years.

• School records produced lacked proper documentary foundation under Juvenile Justice Rules.

Exam Relevance

This case is important for understanding:

• Consent in live-in relationships

• Misuse of criminal law after relationship breakdown

• Evidentiary value of age determination tests

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Woman Threw One-Year-Old Son Into Sea and Faces Trial

State v. Sharanya Valsaraj

Another crucial Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams deals with murder based on circumstantial evidence.

Facts of the Case

• Sharanya Valsaraj was accused of killing her 1½-year-old son, Vivaan, in 2020.

• Prosecution alleged a strained marriage and an extramarital relationship with co-accused Nidhin.

• It was alleged that she took the child outside and threw him into the sea.

• Initially registered as a missing case, later converted into murder.

• Medical evidence showed death due to head injury, not drowning.

• Bloodstains and seawater on clothes supported prosecution claims.

Issues Framed

1. Whether Sharanya committed murder under Section 302 IPC?

2. Whether Nidhin conspired or abetted under Sections 120B and 109 IPC?

3. Whether circumstantial evidence formed a complete chain?

Law Involved

• Section 302 IPC – Murder

• Section 120B IPC – Criminal conspiracy

• Section 109 IPC – Abetment

Legal Principles Applied

• Circumstantial evidence must form a complete and unbroken chain.

• “Last seen together” theory shifts burden to accused.

• Suspicion cannot replace proof.

• Dog-tracking evidence is only corroborative.

• Death penalty applies only in rarest of rare cases.

Judgment

• Sharanya convicted under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment with ₹1 lakh fine.

• Acquitted of Sections 109 and 120B IPC.

• Co-accused Nidhin acquitted due to lack of evidence.

• Death penalty not awarded considering possibility of reform.
  
  

Exam Relevance

Highly important for:

• Circumstantial evidence questions

• Murder vs conspiracy distinction

• Sentencing principles
  
  

SC Stays HC Ban on Internship Fees in Private Veterinary Colleges

Khalsa College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences v. State of Punjab

This case is a key Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams related to education law and statutory regulations.

Facts

• Punjab & Haryana High Court barred private unaided veterinary colleges from charging fees during mandatory internships.

• HC held charging fees as exploitative and against VCI Regulations.

• Colleges argued interns perform professional duties and should receive allowance.

• Khalsa College challenged the HC ruling before the Supreme Court.
  
  

Issues

• Can private unaided veterinary colleges charge internship fees?

• Whether VCI Regulations were correctly interpreted?

Supreme Court Order

• Supreme Court issued notice.

• Stayed the High Court judgment.

Present Status

• Private colleges may continue charging internship fees temporarily, subject to final outcome.

Exam Relevance

Important for:

• Effect of stay orders

• Interpretation of statutory regulations

• Education law questions

Justice K.T. Thomas Conferred Padma Vibhushan

• Former Supreme Court Judge Justice K.T. Thomas was conferred the Padma Vibhushan.

• Served as Supreme Court Judge from 1995 to 2002.

• Earlier awarded Padma Bhushan in 2017.

• Authored landmark judgments in criminal and constitutional law.

• Began judicial career as District & Sessions Judge in 1977.

MCQs for Judiciary Exams

These MCQs are based on recent judicial rulings and core legal principles frequently tested in Judiciary, APO, and APP examinations.

The doctrine of “rarest of rare” in awarding death penalty was propounded in which case?

A. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab
B. Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab
C. Kehar Singh v. State (Delhi Admn.)
D. Rajendra Prasad v. State of U.P.

 Correct Answer: A. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab

When two views are possible on circumstantial evidence, the court must:

A. Adopt stricter interpretation
B. Order death penalty
C. Adopt the view favourable to the accused
D. Refer the case to a larger bench

Correct Answer: C. Adopt the view favourable to the accused

In a case resting entirely on circumstantial evidence, which test was laid down in Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra?

A. Preponderance of probabilities
B. Five golden principles (Panchsheel)
C. Proof beyond reasonable doubt only
D. Doctrine of proportionality

Correct Answer: B. Five golden principles (Panchsheel)

Under the “last seen together” theory, the burden lies on the accused to:

A. Prove innocence beyond doubt
B. Explain what happened to the victim
C. Prove motive of prosecution
D. Produce eyewitness

 Correct Answer: B. Explain what happened to the victim

Why Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 Are Important

Legal Current Affairs 27 January 2026 for Judiciary/APO/APP Exams strengthens conceptual clarity in:

• Criminal law

• Evidence law

• Sentencing principles

• Statutory interpretation

These updates are frequently tested through:

• Case-law based MCQs

• Legal reasoning questions

• Interview discussions

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