ARIJIT PASAYAT

The appellants, long‑time tenants of a plot, had erected a tin shed and operated a religious bookshop that was recognised by the municipal council. Following a complaint by a private individual, the Sub‑Divisional Magistrate, invoking Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, ordered the removal of the shop as a p…

The appellant, Sub‑Inspector Suresh Chandra Sharma, was found to have surreptitiously inserted timings into several investigation documents in a murder‑robbery trial, thereby fabricating false evidence. The defence counsel himself witnessed the manipulation but did not report it. The Sessions Court convicted the appell…

The Supreme Court examined the convictions of two accused in a murder case under sections 302 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code. The trial court had convicted A‑12 despite a prosecution concession that there was no evidence against accused Nos.2‑15, and the High Court upheld the conviction of A‑14 based on PW9’s identif…

The Residents Welfare Association, Noida sought stamp duty relief on deeds transferring leasehold rights of plots allotted by the Noida Authority to cooperative societies and subsequently to its members. The authorities demanded duty under Article 23 of Schedule 1‑B of the U.P. Stamp Act based on the current market val…

The State of Rajasthan appealed against the acquittal of Mohan Lal and others, who had been convicted for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The Rajasthan High Court set aside the conviction, holding that the testimony of four alleged eyewitnesses was not credible due to inconsisten…

A complaint was lodged alleging rape and criminal intimidation under Sections 376 and 506 of the IPC and an offence under Section 3(1)(xii) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The investigation was carried out by a police officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of …

The State of Kerala appealed the Kerala High Court’s order acquitting five accused of murder and related offences. The trial court had convicted them based on the testimony of two eye‑witnesses, but the High Court set aside those convictions, finding the First Information Report (FIR) incomplete, the FIR’s transmission…

The State of Andhra Pradesh appealed a High Court order that had quashed an FIR registered against Vangaveeti Nagaiah under Sections 7(A) and 8(e) of the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition Act, 1995 and Section 109 of the IPC. The appeal raised the question of whether the High Court correctly exercised its inherent power under…

The appellant Saban Bandu Patil and six co‑accused were tried for the death of Vithoba and injuries to others arising from a family dispute that escalated into a violent altercation. The trial court convicted three of the accused under Sections 302 and 324 read with Section 34 IPC, while acquitting four. The High Court…

The appeal challenged a High Court order that interfered with pending civil suit proceedings concerning an injunction over disputed land. The Supreme Court examined whether Article 226 writ jurisdiction extends to private disputes between individuals, particularly whether a writ of certiorari can quash civil court orde…

The Karnataka Urban Water Supply & Drainage Board appealed against a Karnataka High Court judgment that fixed compensation for land acquired for a drainage scheme at Rs.4,00,000 per acre without providing a basis for that figure. The Supreme Court examined whether rates for small, developed plots could be used to value…

The State of Andhra Pradesh appealed the acquittal of Sayyad Siraj Mohammed and others, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence was sufficient. The High Court had observed that the sole eyewitness (PW1) had been taken to the central jail and shown the accused before a test identification parade was conducted on 20 Marc…

The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) levied a fuel surcharge on high‑tension consumers under its 1993 tariff notification, using a formula in clause 16.10.3. Consumers challenged the calculation, arguing that the Board improperly included purchases from Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Ltd (TVNL) and treated the DVC‑to‑TISCO …

The State of Orissa prosecuted thirteen accused under IPC sections 302, 149, 148, 326 and Explosives Act section 9. The trial court convicted them, relying on a dying declaration of the deceased and the testimony of injured eye‑witnesses, as well as forensic evidence of bomb residues. The Orissa High Court set aside th…

The State of Andhra Pradesh prosecuted P. Khaja Hussain for murder under Section 302 of the IPC, alleging he poured kerosene on his wife and set her on fire. The trial court convicted him based on two dying declarations—one recorded by a magistrate and another by a police constable an hour later. The Andhra Pradesh Hig…

The respondent filed a claim under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 alleging that the appellant, a dentist, abandoned the treatment of his daughter's teeth, causing pain and suffering. The District Consumer Forum awarded the respondent compensation of Rs.25,000 plus costs, while the State Commission held…

Vasant Tukaram Pawar was convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for possessing assets disproportionate to his known income and sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,00,000. He appealed to the Bombay High Court seeking suspension of the sentence and release on bail under Sect…

The Supreme Court entertained Transfer Petition (C) No. 29 of 2005 arising out of a matrimonial suit between Ashwani Kumar and Seema. The Court ordered an interim stay of the pending suit and directed issuance of notice. While hearing, the Court observed that the absence of official records of marriage dates and partie…

Des Bandhu was appointed as a surveyor on 15 February 1988 and was terminated on 26 March 1989 without notice. He filed a civil suit for a declaration of continuance, which was dismissed, and his appeal was also dismissed in 1997. Subsequently, a reference under Section 10(1)(c) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 was…

The petitioner, a peon appointed as "fourth peon" in an aided secondary school, sought State approval for his appointment, which was denied by the authorities. The High Court held that the denial was unjustified and ordered the appointment to stand. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the relevant circulars fixing st…

Mahesh Chand, a workman, claimed that his termination in 1998 was illegal because he had continuously worked for more than 240 days in each calendar year from 1987 to 1998, invoking Section 25‑F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The employer, G.M., B.S.N.L. & Ors., contended that Chand was engaged on a purely tempo…

The case concerned Inam lands endowed to a deity in Karnataka where several persons applied for occupancy rights. The Land Tribunal initially granted occupancy rights to Gowdara Nanjappa and others, but the Appellate Tribunal set aside the grant to Matada Basaiah for 2 acres 26 guntas, holding that the landlord Subbara…

The father, an employee of State Bank of Patiala, died in service and his widow was appointed on compassionate grounds. When the daughter turned 18, she applied for family pension under the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 and the 1995 Pension Regulations. The bank rejected the claim, stating that the o…

The appellant Shyam was convicted for the murder of Kailash on 27 October 1995 based on the testimony of the deceased's widow, who witnessed the assault and identified Shyam as the assailant. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC; the High Court upheld the …

Abbas Ali was convicted by the trial court and the Rajasthan High Court for murder under Section 302 IPC for stabbing a sleeping victim on a railway overbridge. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the mens‑rea requirements of Sections 299 and 300 IPC, focusing on the distinction between knowledge of a victim’s specia…

The case concerned the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (DERC) decision to reduce the depreciation rate for the newly privatized distribution companies from 6.69% to 3.75% in its 2003 tariff order. The respondents, the distribution companies including BSES Yamuna Power Ltd., argued that the reduction violated …

Four jute mills filed writ petitions seeking a declaration that the 1998 amendment (Act 10 of 1998) removing clause (d) of Section 16 of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 did not affect the "infancy protection" they had already accrued. The amendment eliminated the exemption that allow…

The workman, S.T. Hadimani, claimed that he had rendered service for 240 days in the relevant year and that his employment was terminated without payment of retrenchment compensation. The employer, the Range Forest Officer, denied that the workman had completed the requisite 240 days. The Labour Tribunal accepted the w…

The Supreme Court examined the conviction of appellant Pogula Komuriah, who was originally found guilty of murder under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC. The Court considered the evidence, including the nature of the weapon (iron rod) and the delay in filing the complaint, and found that the facts did not s…

The appellants were convicted for murder, attempt to murder and criminal intimidation arising from a family feud that culminated in the fatal assault of Tanaji and grievous hurt to Dattatraya. The prosecution relied on the testimony of three eye‑witnesses (PW‑11, PW‑12 and PW‑13) and a complainant (PW‑9), with PW‑12 be…

The dispute concerned a joint ancestral property sold to L, who claimed to be the widow of R, while the respondents alleged she was merely a mistress. The trial court held that a presumption of a valid marriage existed because L and R had cohabited for decades and their children were married off by R. The first appella…

The Supreme Court examined allegations of irregularities in the allotment, conversion and regularisation of plots in NOIDA, which led to a one‑man inquiry commission and the initiation of departmental disciplinary proceedings against Smt. Neera Yadav, then CEO of NOIDA. While a CBI investigation was pending, the Uttar …

The plaintiff filed a suit claiming title to land on the basis of a sale deed from Ramasami Konar and his daughter, who were recorded as Ryotwari patta holders. The defendant contended that the patta had been wrongly granted to the vendors and that the sale deed was procured through fraud, undue influence and the plain…

The Kagajkal Thikadar Sramik Union filed a representation under Rule 25(2)(v)(a) of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Assam Rules, 1971, seeking equal wages and benefits for contract labourers employed at Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. The Labour Commissioner, after an inspection by the Assistant Labour …

A public interest litigation was filed alleging large‑scale malpractice in examinations conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and claiming that the investigating police officer was transferred to pre‑empt the investigation. The High Court dismissed the writ petitions, directing that the investig…

The government granted a parcel of land to the husband of the petitioner, a Scheduled Caste member, with a condition that it could not be alienated for fifteen years. The husband sold the land in violation of this condition, and the purchaser later sold it to the appellant. After the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe…

The owners of a land in Karnataka applied for permission under the Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976 to fell certain trees, including reserved varieties, and were conditionally permitted to transport a portion of the timber to a government depot. After the timber was taken to the government godown, the owners s…

The Union of India issued a recruitment notice for the post of cook with an upper age limit of 25 years. Shri Ramesh Singh Rajput was selected based on the date of birth he disclosed (17‑03‑1978), but school records showed 17‑03‑1977, rendering him over‑aged and he was not appointed. He filed an application before the …

Miss Singh Enterprises appealed to the Supreme Court against the order of the Jharkhand High Court which had dismissed its writ petition challenging the dismissal of its appeal under Section 35 of the Central Excise Act. The appeal had been filed 21 months after the service of the original order, far beyond the 60‑day …

The Commissioner of Income Tax appealed against the High Court’s order upholding the Tribunal’s view that investment allowance under Section 32A of the Income Tax Act could be claimed in more than one assessment year, based on Section 43A(1). The assessing officer argued that the allowance should be allowed only in the…

The mother of a 31‑year‑old government employee who died in a bus accident filed a claim for compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal awarded Rs 12 lakh with 15% interest, using a multiplier based on the deceased's age. The appellant, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporat…

Harshad Chimanlal Modi filed a suit in the Delhi High Court for specific performance and possession of immovable property situated in Gurgaon. The suit was later transferred to the Delhi District Court, where the defendants amended their written statement to raise a jurisdictional objection under Section 16 of the CPC,…

The petitioner, a member of the legal profession, filed a petition styled as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Bombay High Court, alleging unauthorized constructions and seeking redress. The High Court dismissed the petition, finding no genuine public interest, noting the petitioner’s alleged blackmail of r…

The deceased, Alagu Ambalam, was cutting trees when his son (the accused) confronted him over a land dispute. A verbal altercation escalated into a sudden fight during which the accused snatched the deceased’s aruval (machete) and struck him on the neck and shoulder, causing death. The trial court convicted the accused…

An international car manufacturer entered into a joint venture with an Indian company that appointed Prem Nath Motors Ltd as its dealer. In response to advertisements, individuals applied for a Peugeot 309 car through Prem Nath Motors, paying a booking amount of Rs.25,000 in the name of the Indian principal. When the c…

A scooter insured under a statutory (Act) policy met with an accident, resulting in the death of the pillion rider, a gratuitous passenger. The legal heirs of the deceased filed a claim for compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the insurer. The Additional Special Judge (MACT) held that…

The Vivekanand School challenged a tax demand made by the Zila Panchayat under Section 121 of the Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal (Kshetra Panchayat and Zila Panchayat) Adhiniyam, 1961, on the ground that the fees collected from students were being treated as taxable income. The school argued that it was not a commercial…

The husband filed a suit for declaration of title and possession of a schedule property where his wife and children were residing. The trial court and the first appellate court decreed possession in favour of the husband. The wife appealed, asserting her right to reside in the matrimonial home and relying on a previous…

The conductor of a bus owned by Mewat Transport Co. died in a 1984 accident, and his widow, children and parents claimed Rs 1.40 lakh compensation. The Motor Vehicles Tribunal awarded Rs 57,600 with 12% interest, limiting the insurer's liability to Rs 50,000. The Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced the award to Rs 1…

Labourers travelling in trolleys attached to tractors were injured in motor accidents and claimed compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded compensation, rejecting the insurer's claim that it was not liable and that the tractor owner alone was responsible. The insurer a…

The appellant ONGC required offshore vessels (OSVs) from the respondent Garware Shipping and the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) under long‑term charters. Dispute arose over the computation of repair and maintenance (R&M) charges for the 11th to 16th years of operation, with the parties relying on recommendations o…

The Society, formed by officers and employees of the Ordinance Equipment Factory (OEF), operated a CBSE‑affiliated secondary school in OEF premises on an annual rent of Rs 3,904. The OEF Board later ordered the school to cease operation after the 2005‑06 academic session, demanded payment of a large lease rent and prem…

The respondent, a candidate in the 2004 High School Certificate examination, discovered that his mark sheet incorrectly recorded 35 marks instead of 65 in one paper due to a computer entry error, later corrected to a total of 690 marks, exceeding the Board's cut‑off of 682. He petitioned for re‑valuation of his answer …

The Supreme Court examined a civil appeal (No. 918 of 2000) wherein the Himachal Pradesh High Court had allowed a second appeal under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, without formulating any substantial question of law. The appellant contended that the High Court erred by reversing the findings of fact…

The case arose from a dispute over mango trees that escalated into a violent altercation on 1 June 1991, during which the accused brothers assaulted several persons, causing the death of the deceased Murugesan and injuries to three eye‑witnesses who were relatives of the deceased. The trial court convicted both accused…

The Municipal Corporation of Ratlam appealed against a High Court order that it could not levy property tax on a building and superstructure erected by the Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti within a market yard located in the corporation's area. The dispute turned on the proviso to Section 9(3) of the Madhya Pradesh Krishi Upaj…

The appellant Mahindra Mulji Kerai Patel, aged 19, killed the grandmother of a girl and injured the girl's mother after they rejected his marriage proposal. He was initially convicted by the trial court under sections 324 and 452 of the IPC. The State appealed, and the Gujarat High Court substituted the conviction with…

The State of Rajasthan prosecuted licensed traders Mool Chand and others for evading market duty under the Rajasthan Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1961. The trial court convicted them, sentencing them to three months' imprisonment and ordering payment of the evaded duty. The High Court set aside the conviction, rely…

The respondent, whose father was a KVS employee who died in service, applied for a compassionate appointment in a Group‑D post under the 5 % reservation for such appointments. KVS rejected the application, and the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) directed KVS to appoint the respondent and later to keep his name on…

The Union of India appealed a High Court order that granted bail to Shri Shiv Shanker Kesari, who was charged under the NDNDPS Act for possession of a large quantity of poppy straw. The Supreme Court examined Section 37 of the NDPS Act, which mandates that bail may be granted only if the court is satisfied that there a…

The State of Karnataka appealed a Karnataka High Court order that reduced the custodial sentence of Raju, who had been convicted of raping a 10‑year‑old girl, from seven years to three and a half years. The trial court had sentenced Raju under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, which mandates a minimum term of ten y…

Kuldeep Singh appealed to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court, both at the Single Judge and Division Bench levels, denied his request to have his share in a plot converted from leasehold to freehold, holding that such a conversion would require amendment of the layout plan and would disturb development control…

The Shree Shankar Textiles Ex‑Employees Union sought benefits under the Textile Workers Rehabilitation Fund Scheme (TWRFS) 1991, contending that the scheme’s requirement that a mill be closed under Section 25‑O of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (or have an official liquidator appointed) violated Articles 14 and 16 o…

The appellant, serving a life sentence for murder, applied for release on probation under the Kerala Prison Rules, 1958, which require a minimum of eight years of actual custody. He had served about six and a half years in prison but argued that a six‑year‑plus period of study leave should be counted as time served. Th…

The appellants Phulia Tudu and another were convicted of murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 for allegedly assaulting the deceased Biti Murmu with a lathi, causing her death. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the distinction between murder and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, focusing on the men…

The tenants sought relief under Order VI Rule 17 of the CPC, arguing that the landlord had not served a notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act before filing an eviction suit. A single judge of the Rajasthan High Court allowed the plea, relying on Prakash Mal v. Jaswant Raj Soni, which held that a noti…

The Supreme Court examined a civil revision order passed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court under Section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which was decided after hearing only the applicant’s counsel and without issuing any notice to the appellant. A review petition highlighting the lack of notice was also dismi…

The employee joined Bank of India in 1976 under the Scheduled Tribe reservation and was promoted in 1984. His caste certificate was referred to the Scrutiny Committee in 1987, which repeatedly invalidated it on grounds of fraud. The Bank terminated his services in 2002, but the Bombay High Court reinstated him, holding…

The State of Rajasthan charged Bhanwar Singh and five others with murder under IPC s.302 and assault under s.323. The trial court convicted Singh, sentencing him to life imprisonment, while the High Court acquitted him, finding the prosecution case unreliable. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of three eyewitn…

Alembic Glass Industries Ltd., a glass manufacturer whose factory was closed after a strike, reduced its advertising expenditure. Its bulk purchaser, Mis Darshak Ltd., began advertising the glass to boost sales. The Central Excise authorities issued a show‑cause notice demanding duty on the basis that the advertising c…

The police raided Satrohan's house and seized 309 kg of poppy straws. He was convicted by the trial court under Sections 8(c) and 15 of the NDPS Act and sentenced to ten years' rigorous imprisonment. The Allahabad High Court acquitted him, holding that Sections 42(2) and 50 were not complied with and that his father's …

Raj Kumar, a bus driver, was convicted under IPC sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) after a collision caused the deaths of two children. The trial court sentenced him to one year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine; the Sessions Court dismissed his appeal, and the High Court rejected his…

Shaikh Azim, residing next to the deceased Abdul Jabbar Qureshi, got into a heated verbal altercation with the deceased's family over alleged filth being thrown across the boundary. During the ensuing fight, Azim struck the deceased on the head with a stick, causing a fatal bleeding injury; the deceased died the next d…

Navraj Singh, a Patwari, was convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (ss.7, 13(1)(d) r.w. s.13(2)) and sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment. He appealed the conviction and, after the appeal was admitted, applied under CrPC s.389(1) read with s.482 for suspension of the conviction. The Punjab a…

The plaintiff filed a suit for recovery of money based on a promissory note. The defendant contended that he had discharged the debt by making payments evidenced by receipts (Exhibits B‑1 to B‑12) issued to the plaintiff’s son, who was later examined as a witness and denied his signatures on those receipts. The defenda…

The accused were charged with offences under Sections 147, 148, 149 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code for stabbing the deceased to death. The Trial Court convicted them under Sections 148 and 302 IPC and imposed life imprisonment for murder. On appeal, the Andhra Pradesh High Court altered the conviction to Section 326 …

The appellant State of Madhya Pradesh challenged the High Court's reduction of the rigorous imprisonment term for Santosh Kumar, who was convicted of raping a six‑year‑old girl under Section 376(2) of the IPC and also under Section 342. The trial court had sentenced him to ten years' rigorous imprisonment; the High Cou…

Dr. B.N. Raman, a non‑resident Indian, deposited US$5,000 in a Foreign Currency Non‑Resident (FCNR) account with Standard Chartered Bank in August 1979, which was to mature in November 1984 and was later reinvested at higher rates. The bank later claimed the deposit was prematurely withdrawn in November 1979, a claim t…

The Supreme Court heard a group of appeals challenging the Bombay High Court's handling of a public interest litigation that questioned the legality of Regulation 33(7) of the Development Control Regulations, 1991 as amended in 1999. The petitioners alleged that the amendment, which fixed a minimum floor space index of…

Multiple appeals and writ petitions challenged various state levies imposed by Haryana, alleging that the taxes were compensatory in nature and violated Article 301 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court examined the judicially evolved concept of "compensatory tax" and overruled the earlier "some connection" test from …

The appellant insurer disputed a claim for damage to a taxi when a tree fell on it, arguing that the loss was caused by a storm and therefore excluded under the policy. The complainant initially admitted the storm in his claim and in a letter from his brother, but later produced a meteorological certificate asserting t…

The appellants, including Niranjan Singh, were convicted for robbery and for attempting to cause grievous hurt after they assaulted the shopkeeper with a knife, inflicting injuries on his chest just below the nipple and on his arm. The appellants contended that the injuries did not amount to "grievous hurt" under Secti…

The appellant, Deepak Rajak, was convicted under Sections 302 and 201 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The co‑accused in the same case were later acquitted by the Supreme Court. The appellant sought to enjoy the benefit of that acquittal, but the State argued that he was not entitled because he had not surrendered imme…

The State of Punjab appealed against the Punjab & Haryana High Court's acquittal of six accused persons in a case where nine individuals were charged under Sections 302, 323 read with Section 149 IPC for a violent altercation over photographs that resulted in two deaths. The trial court had convicted all nine, but the …

The appellant, Rajkumar Gurwara (deceased) thr. LRs, filed a suit seeking a declaration of his exclusive right to mine a parcel of land. After the evidence was closed, the second defendant, M/s S.K. Sarwagi & Co. Pvt. Ltd., was impleaded, and the appellant then applied under Order VI Rule 17 of the CPC for amendment of…

Bhupendra was detained under Section 3(2) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drugs Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act, 1981, and filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the order on the ground that there was no live link between his activities and the date of detention.…

The plaintiffs, Tikka Ram and Sewa Ram, claimed to be tenants of a 40-kanal land for 12‑13 years and filed suits for pre‑emption against the vendor who had sold the land to the defendants. The trial court dismissed the suits; the first appellate court reversed the decision, but the High Court set aside that reversal an…

The Supreme Court examined petitions filed by developers who had created plots in the Aravalli Range and sold them to non‑resident buyers, seeking relief from a 1992 notification under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 that prohibited certain activities for 30 years. The petitioners argued t…

A claim petition under Sections 166, 140 and 141 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 was filed by the husband of Kaushalya Devi after their 14‑year‑old son died in a road accident. The driver, Karan Arora, was a minor without a licence; the Tribunal held the driver not liable but held the vehicle owner liable, awarding Rs …

The appellant, a landlord, filed a release petition under Section 21 of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Building (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972. The Prescribed Authority, on the Commissioner’s report, held the petition non‑maintainable and the First Appellate Authority upheld that order. The appellant the…

The appellant, a retired police constable, was accused in an FIR of demanding dowry from her daughter‑in‑law. She filed an application for anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the CrPC. The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the application and, besides denying bail, ordered the seizure of her passport, the reco…

The appellant, Mohd. Kalam, was convicted under Section 395 IPC for robbing the house of Vishwas Jain and his wife on the night of 8‑9 May 1994. After his arrest on 27 March 1998, a test identification parade was held on 3 April 1998, where the complainant (PW‑3) identified the appellant. The appellant challenged the c…

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) installed a high‑voltage electricity line over the land of B. Sreekumari, allegedly reducing the market value of her property. The trial court enhanced the compensation awarded to her, and KSEB filed a civil revision petition before the Kerala High Court. The High Court dismiss…

The respondent, employed as a baildar by the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad, suffered an accident in August 1992 and was unable to work, subsequently filing a claim petition. The employer contended that the respondent had worked only 179 days, not the 240 days required for entitlement to back wages, but the Labour …

The plaintiffs filed a summary suit under Order XXXVII Rule I of the CPC for recovery of amounts due to four dishonoured cheques issued by the defendants. The defendants applied for leave to defend, but the Single Judge of the Delhi High Court held the defence to be a moon‑shine defence and refused leave, granting a de…

M. Singh, appointed as Patwari in 1958, claimed his date of birth was 1 Oct 1934, but an enquiry established it as 25 Nov 1931, leading to his dismissal. He sued to have the service book entry of 1 Oct 1934 upheld, relying on a horoscope. The trial court dismissed the suit; the first appellate court accepted the horosc…

The M.P. Housing Board advertised residential and commercial units, stating an estimated cost of Rs 39 lacs for a showroom. The respondent, Anil Kumar Khiwani, applied and paid the 10 % registration amount based on that advertisement. After detailed project reports, the Board revised the actual cost to Rs 71 lacs and g…

The trial court convicted five accused of offences under Sections 148, 323, 324, 325 and 326 read with Section 149 of the IPC and sentenced them to imprisonment and fines. On appeal, the High Court reduced some sentences, enhanced the fine and ordered the accused to be released on probation under Section 360 of the CrP…

The petitioners, who were engaged on a daily‑wage basis at the Rajasthan Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya research centre, were terminated when work ceased and sought regularisation as Class IV employees with regular pay, also challenging sections 7, 9, 11 and 19 of the Rajasthan Regulation of Appointments to Public Service and…

The appeals concerned whether a High Court could condone a delay in filing a reference application under Section 35‑H of the Central Excise Act, 1944. The reference applications were filed after the statutory period of 180 days. The Court examined the provisions of Sections 35‑G, 35‑E(3) and the lack of any condonation…

The appellant Suman Pandey alleged that her brother was murdered by Jitendra Pratap Singh, the sole accused. An eye‑witness, Priyanka Tiwari, had given a statement under Section 164 CrPC but was studying abroad and could not be examined until her summer vacation. The High Court, after several bail applications, granted…

The appellants, JAKKI @ SELVARAJ and another, were convicted under Sections 148 and 302 IPC for the murder of a deceased, based primarily on the testimony of an eye‑witness (PW‑13) and corroborating medical evidence. Two other eye‑witnesses turned hostile, and the High Court acquitted four co‑accused, holding PW‑13's e…

The Supreme Court, hearing a transfer petition concerning a matrimonial suit, observed that the lack of official marriage records in many States enables unscrupulous persons to deny the existence of marriages, adversely affecting women and children. It noted that while several States have rules for voluntary registrati…

The case concerned surplus‑area determinations made under the Haryana Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1972, where land owners sought ejectment of tenants and the tenants challenged the orders after a long lapse of time. The Supreme Court examined whether the phrase "at any time" in Section 18(6) of the Act imposes a reas…

The respondent filed a suit for specific performance of a contract of employment, alleging that the employer had failed to appoint his son despite a clause promising employment for four persons. The trial court, first appellate court, and High Court held the suit maintainable and ordered specific performance. On appeal…

The appellant challenged the validity of a lease agreement, alleging it was forged, and the Kerala High Court's Single Judge ordered a criminal complaint under Section 340 of the CrPC based on a handwriting expert's report. The High Court set aside that order, holding that Section 340 could not be invoked because the a…

The Supreme Court entertained a public‑interest petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties alleging that the Central and State Governments had failed to implement earlier court directions for universalisation of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). The petition highlighted that many Anganwadi C…

The Union of India appealed against a Calcutta High Court order that quashed a detention order issued under Section 3(1) of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA) against Rajen Ghosal, an exporter accused of mis‑declaring export consignments. The High Court had …

The respondents, appointed as part‑time lecturers, filed writ petitions seeking regularisation of their services. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the petitions and directed the authorities to regularise the respondents notwithstanding the contractual terms of their appointments. The State appealed, contending…

The appellants were convicted of murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC for a fatal assault on the deceased during a quarrel. The Supreme Court examined whether the incident fell within Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC, which applies to killings occurring in a sudden fight without pre‑meditation, undue advanta…

The respondent, an associate professor at NIT Jamshedpur, applied for admission to a Quality Improvement Programme at IIT Madras and sought leave from the institute. The institute denied permission, citing a rule that staff strength in the department could not fall below 70% upon relieving a teacher. A Single Judge all…

The assessee, Mohan Brickfield, was engaged in brick manufacturing and sales. During two surveys of its premises in 1984-85, it failed to produce its books of accounts, which were later produced at the time of assessment. The Assessing Officer rejected the books, citing the non‑production at the surveys and other discr…

Supra Marketing Agencies, a dealer registered under the Andhra Pradesh General Sales Tax Act, 1957 and the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, entered into a supply agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Cooperative Finance Corporation for the Adarna project. The State Commercial Tax Department directed the Corpor…

The Cambridge School, an unaffiliated institution, repeatedly violated CBSE's Examination and Affiliation Bye‑Laws by admitting students without meeting required standards. Despite CBSE’s warnings and withdrawal of provisional affiliation, the school sought permission for its Class X and XII students to sit for the 200…

A dispute over panchayat elections led Arumugam (A‑1), Shanmugavel (A‑2) and Subbiah (A‑3) to attack their brother Vairamuthu with a spike, an aruval and a stick, causing his death. The trial court convicted A‑1 under s.302 IPC and the High Court upheld the conviction. On appeal, the accused argued that the testimony o…

The appellant, Sidhapal Kamala Yadav, a prisoner, was convicted of murdering co‑prisoner Dilip Sitaram Chaudhary in a hospital ward. He pleaded the defence of unsoundness of mind under Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code, claiming he was incapable of knowing the nature of his act. Two psychiatrists who examined him tes…

The appellants Bur Singh and others were convicted for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for the killing of Surjan Singh. The prosecution relied on the testimony of two eye‑witnesses who were relatives of the deceased. The appellants argued that the witnesses were interested and that the doctrine…

The accused (respondents 2 and 3) were tried for offences under Sections 147, 452, 364, 302/149 and 201/149 of the IPC. Two prosecution witnesses, PW‑3 (Bhopalaram) and PW‑5 (Nandaram), had been examined and cross‑examined in the trial court and later again as witnesses before a Juvenile Court, where they gave statemen…

Ram Singh and an accomplice were convicted of murder, house‑trespass and intimidation under Sections 302, 452 and 504 of the IPC after the deceased’s wife and son testified that the accused stabbed the victim inside his house. The appellants challenged the conviction on the ground that the eyewitnesses were close relat…

Dharam Singh filed a suit seeking a declaration of ownership of a property and restraining the defendants from transferring it. The trial court and the first appellate court decreed in his favour, but the High Court, on a second appeal filed by the defendants under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, set aside …

The Revenue appealed against the Bombay High Court's order upholding the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's view that interest earned by Ratnakar Bank Ltd. on government securities was not chargeable to tax under Section 2(7) of the Interest Tax Act, 1974. The Supreme Court examined whether such interest falls within the …

The Revenue appealed against the Bombay High Court’s order upholding the Tribunal’s view that interest earned by ICICI Bank on government securities was not taxable under section 2(7) of the Interest Tax Act, 1974. The Supreme Court examined whether the interest in question fell within the definition of "interest charg…

The Commissioner of Income Tax appealed against the Bombay High Court's order upholding the Tribunal's view that interest earned by the Industrial Development Bank of India Ltd. on government securities was not assessable under Section 2(7) of the Interest Tax Act, 1974. The Supreme Court examined whether the interest …

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by the Commissioner of Income Tax challenging the High Court's affirmation that interest earned by City Union Bank on government securities was not assessable under section 2(7) of the Interest Tax Act, 1974. The Tribunal and the High Court had held the interest non‑taxable, relying…

The appellants were charged under Sections 306, 498A read with Section 34 of the IPC for the death of Sharmila. The complainant sought to introduce a later death certificate dated 10‑04‑2004, which alleged a different cause of death from an earlier certificate dated 18‑05‑2000. The trial court kept the certificate issu…

The State of Andhra Pradesh filed a complaint under Sections 199 and 200 of the Cr.P.C. alleging that the appellants, through a telecast on E TV-2, intended to defame the Chief Minister, other ministers and public servants. The appellants sought to quash the criminal proceedings under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., claimi…

The landlords applied under Section 21(1)(a) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972 for eviction of a shop occupied by the tenant, claiming a bona‑fide requirement. The Prescribed Authority, the District Judge and the High Court all upheld the eviction. During the pend…

The deceased was poisoned with brandy allegedly mixed with a toxic substance by the first accused (A-1). The prosecution claimed that the appellant, A-2, the deceased's former wife, instigated A-1 to commit the murder, leading to convictions under Section 302 read with Section 109 of the IPC. On appeal, the Supreme Cou…

Allied Air‑Conditioning Corp manufactured package‑type air conditioners that were cleared in a knocked‑down condition and assembled on site. The Commissioner of Central Excise alleged duty evasion and invoked the extended period of limitation under the proviso to Section 11(A) of the Central Excise Act, 1944, assessing…

Ravi Constructions Co. appealed a Bombay High Court order that had allowed a second appeal under Section 100 of the CPC without framing a substantial question of law, challenging the validity of a consent decree entered in an earlier suit filed by the chief trustee of the Somvanshi Arya Kshatriya Samaj trust. The trust…

Bhagwan Das, a daily‑wages worker, claimed that he was employed continuously from 1 March 1990 to 15 July 1992 and that his termination amounted to retrenchment under Sections 25(F), (G) and (H) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which require at least 240 days of work in the preceding twelve months. The employer co…

The accused, a school teacher, forcibly had sexual intercourse with his 4th‑standard student, who was about 14 years old at the time, and later became pregnant. The victim lodged an FIR after a delay, leading to trial where the accused was convicted under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The Hig…

The appellant was convicted under Section 3 read with Section 7(1)(a)(ii) of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 for allegedly violating the Madhya Pradesh Sarvajanik Purti Vitaran Scheme, 1991. The appellant argued that the Scheme does not constitute an "order" as required by Section 3, and therefore Section 7 could n…

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by Malwa Cotton & Spinning Mills Ltd. against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order quashing criminal proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against its former director, Virsa Singh Sidhu. The director claimed to have resigned before the disputed cheques…

The appellant, Sandur Micro Circuits Ltd., challenged a decision of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal which held that Circular No. 42 of 1997 issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs conflicted with Notification No. 2/95‑CE (and its amendments) issued under Section 5A(1) of the Central Exc…

The case concerned a petition filed by Gajendra Haldea before the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) under Section 52 read with Section 79(1)(g) of the Electricity Act, 2003, seeking that Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd (GRIDCO) adhere to a 4 paise per unit trading margin prescribed by CERC. CERC dismissed…

On 15 March 1983, a group of armed men entered the house of the informant Yusuf Ali Khan, injured him, his father and brother, and looted household property, constituting a dacoity. The trial court convicted five appellants under Section 396 IPC, later altered by the High Court to Section 395 IPC with a reduced sentenc…

The appellant Kittusamy, along with Channappan and Palanisamy, were convicted for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC for the killing of Ayyasamy, their son‑in‑law. The prosecution case relied on three eyewitnesses – the victim's cousin and his parents – who described the accused arriving armed and…

Asian Thermal Insulation (I) Ltd entered into a contract with Bridge & Roof Co. (I) Ltd that contained an arbitration clause. A dispute arose and the High Court, on the respondent's application, directed the matter to be placed before the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court for the appointment of an arbitrator und…

The accused, an Assistant Commercial Manager in the Indian Railways, demanded and accepted a Rs 300 bribe from his subordinate, PW‑1, leading to a CBI investigation and charge‑sheet. The Special Judge convicted him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Andhra Pradesh High Court set aside the co…

Mukkarram Ali Khan appealed against an order of the appellate authority under the Urban Land Ceiling Regulation Act, 1976, contending that the issues had already been decided by a prior order. The High Court refused to interfere, holding that the point was not raised before it. The appellant submitted an affidavit show…

The appellant, HMT Ltd., a manufacturer of dairy machinery, classified its machines such as pasteurizers, chillers, pumps, separators and butter packing machines under Chapter 84.34 of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985. The revenue authorities issued show‑cause notices alleging mis‑classification and proposed re‑clas…

The appellant, U.P. State Road Transport Corporation, challenged the award of Rs.5,12,000 made by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to the widows and children of Rajveer Singh, who died in a motor accident on 29‑Nov‑1990. The Tribunal had used a multiplier of 22, based on the deceased’s presumed 22 years of service left…

The appellants were arrested for a dowry death under Section 304B(8) of the IPC and applied for bail, contending that the police challan had not been filed within the statutory period. The trial magistrate rejected bail, holding that the challan was filed within 90 days, while the Sessions Judge granted bail, interpret…

The State of Andhra Pradesh appealed to the Supreme Court against a High Court order acquitting several accused, including D.V. Chandrasekhar (A‑3). While the appeal under Article 136 was pending, Chandrasekhar died, and his wife filed a petition asserting that the appeal had abated. The Court examined whether an appea…

The State of Madhya Pradesh prosecuted Saleem@Chamaru and another accused for assaulting a police constable with a knife, invoking IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 333 (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant). The trial court sentenced them to five years for the 307 charge and four years for the 333 charg…

Five persons were tried for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. The trial court acquitted all, finding the prosecution’s case unproved. The State appealed under Section 378(1) and (3) of the CrPC. The Andhra Pradesh High Court upheld the acquittal of four accused but convicted the appellant, Syed …

The case arose from an FIR lodged by the mother of a six‑year‑old girl alleging that the appellant had taken the child to a secluded place and raped her on 25 November 1997. The trial court and the Patna High Court convicted the appellant under Section 376 read with Section 511 of the IPC and sentenced him to ten years…

Shankar Prasad Ghosh was convicted under several provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, and his conviction was upheld by the High Court with altered sentences. He filed a special leave appeal before the Supreme Court, but died while the appeal was pending. Five years after his death, his relatives …

The appellant Hemchand Jha and two co‑accused approached a jeep at a petrol pump; Kripal Singh fired a pistol, killing Krishna Singh. Hemchand Jha was driving the motorcycle and was present at the scene but did not fire the weapon. He was convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC. On appeal, he conten…

Habib Ibrahim, a Pakistani national, was arrested for residing in India without a valid document. He possessed only a six‑month transit visa for Nepal and was found with a Pakistani passport but no permission to stay in India. He was charged under Section 3 read with Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, convicted by…

The appellant, Nehru @ Jawahar, was convicted under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code for raping a girl who initially claimed to be 14 years old, later found to be about 16. The appellant argued that the prosecution case was inconsistent because the medical examination was recorded at 9:15 AM while the FIR was lodge…

A dispute over a road between two villages escalated into violence, during which the accused A‑1 stabbed a villager (D‑1) who later died. The accused claimed he acted in private defence. The trial court convicted him under Section 302 IPC (murder) with life imprisonment; the High Court upheld this conviction. On appeal…

The State of Rajasthan appealed against the acquittal of Om Prakash, who had been convicted for murder under Section 302 IPC by the trial court based primarily on the testimony of a single eyewitness who was the younger brother of the deceased. The Rajasthan High Court set aside the conviction, holding that a solitary …

The petition under Article 32 sought a writ of quo warranto against the Chief Minister and a Minister, alleging that their appointment was invalid because they were members of the Rajya Sabha and not of the State Legislature, thus supposedly falling outside Article 164(4). The Supreme Court examined Articles 163, 164(1…

The deceased was in police custody and was alleged to have been slapped and kicked on his testicles by the Sub‑Inspector, resulting in his death. The trial court convicted the Sub‑Inspector under Section 304 Part II of the IPC based on the testimony of a witness (PW‑6). The High Court acquitted, finding the witness’s s…

The appellant, a father, was convicted under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code for raping his minor daughter, with the prosecution relying on three eyewitnesses, medical examination reports, and age verification by X‑ray. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment and a fine, a sentence affirmed by the High …

The appellant was convicted in a murder case and sought, through a petition under Section 482 of the CrPC, to have the investigation transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a fresh probe. The Madras High Court ordered the case to be re‑investigated afresh by the CBI. The appellant challenged this directi…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against the High Court's reduction of a seven‑year rigorous imprisonment awarded to Babbu Barkare @ Dalap Singh for rape under Section 376 IPC to the eleven months already served, on the ground that the accused was an illiterate labourer from a rural area. The Supreme Court held tha…

The respondents, who were land oustees whose property was acquired by the appellant corporation for a sub‑station, filed a writ petition seeking that the corporation consider them for suitable employment as displaced persons. The High Court directed the corporation to consider their cases as per any existing schemes or…

The case arose from an FIR alleging that the accused raped PW4 on 30 May 1992. After a protracted trial (1994‑2004), the accused sought to recall the victim for further cross‑examination under Section 311 of the CrPC, claiming that the parties had settled the dispute outside court and that the informant could not ident…

The complainant appealed against the Allahabad High Court's orders granting bail to five convicted respondents under Section 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, while their appeals against convictions for murder and related offences were pending. The High Court had justified the bail on the ground that the acc…

The Supreme Court Bar Association filed a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the appointment of retired High Court judges as Executive Chairmen of State Legal Service Authorities, alleging it contravenes the Legislative Services Authorities Act, 1987 and hampers the authorities' effectiveness. The petition high…

The State of Maharashtra appealed against a Bombay High Court order that released convicted rapist Suresh Pandurang Darvakar on furlough. Darvakar, sentenced to seven years for offences under Sections 376 and 354 IPC, applied for furlough but his sister refused to stand surety, and police reports indicated no recommend…

The Supreme Court examined the High Court's order granting bail to a convicted murderer (respondent No.2) under Section 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure while his appeal was pending. The conviction was based on three eye‑witnesses and the trial court had held that the injuries could have been caused by iron rods. …

Surinder Singh Rathore, a Signal Man in the Indian Army, was discharged in 1993 with a 30% disability due to maculopathy of the eye. The Release Medical Board concluded that his disability was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service, and consequently his claim for a disability pension was rejected. T…

The appellants were convicted under Section 304(II) of the Indian Penal Code for murder, based largely on the testimony of witnesses who were relatives of the deceased (PWs 1, 2 and 5). They appealed, arguing that the evidence of these related witnesses should be excluded as biased. The Supreme Court held that a witnes…

The appellants, Subhakar and others, claimed occupancy rights as Chalgeni tenants over two parcels of "Punja" land in Dakshina Kannada under the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961. The respondent, Harideesh Kumar, asserted ownership based on a gift deed. The Land Tribunal initially granted occupancy rights to the appella…

The appellant Gopal was charged under Sections 498A and 306 IPC for allegedly subjecting his wife to cruelty that led to her death by asphyxia 22 years after their marriage. The trial court acquitted him on both counts, but the Rajasthan High Court convicted him under Section 498A, holding that the cruelty provision ap…

The State of Madhya Pradesh appealed against a High Court judgment that granted Abdul Kadir, a life convict for murder, release on probation under the Madhya Pradesh Prisoners (Release on Probation) Act, 1954. Although the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police recommended release, the Probation Board rejecte…

The Kannada Mutt, a religious institution, held jagir lands that were abolished under the Karnataka Certain Inams Abolition Act, 1977, vesting the lands in the State. The Mutt was later re‑granted the land, but the mortgagees claimed that the earlier mortgage was revived by the re‑grant and sought possession. The Karna…

The Special Land Acquisition Officer appealed against the Karnataka High Court’s dismissal of reference petitions filed under Section 54(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, seeking enhanced compensation for structures on acquired land. The High Court had held that the reference court’s valuation, which fixed a higher…

Unison Electronics Pvt. Ltd. manufactured ice‑cream makers under its own brand "CREMICA" and sold them to United Tele Shopping (UTS) and Tele Shopping Network (TSN). The customers' supervisors affixed stickers bearing the abbreviations "UTS" and "TSN" on the goods before dispatch. The Central Excise Department treated …

B. Vishwanath was convicted by a trial court for offences under Sections 307, 427 and 448 of the Indian Penal Code for assaulting his sister‑in‑law and mother with a sickle. He appealed to the Karnataka High Court, which on 1 July 2006 disposed of the appeal without indicating whether it was allowed or dismissed, merel…

The State of NCT of Delhi sought to compel the accused, Ravi Kant Sharma and others, to be supplied with the "gists" of statements recorded by the investigating officer during interrogation. The trial court held that such gists amounted to statements under Section 161(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and must b…

The respondent, a driver for the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, caused a fatal accident; he was acquitted in the criminal trial but the corporation dismissed him after departmental proceedings found him guilty of misconduct. The Labour Court reinstated him without back wages, citing the acquittal, but the Hi…

The accused were convicted of raping and murdering a young woman, Shivamma, under IPC sections 376 and 302 read with section 34, based solely on circumstantial evidence. The trial court sentenced them to death, which the Karnataka High Court confirmed under Section 366 of the CrPC. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined…

The appellants, Vemareddy Kumaraswamy Reddy and another, had surrendered surplus agricultural land that contained fruit‑bearing cashew trees. The dispute centered on the amount payable for those trees under the Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973, specifically the seignorage rates n…

Vaman Narain Ghiya, accused of smuggling antiques, was charged under IPC sections 413, 457, 380 and 411. He argued that he should be released on bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relying on the fact that he had obtained bail in six of ten cases, had been in custody for over two and a half …

The appellant issued a cheque on 31 March 1998 which was dishonoured on two occasions; notices were served and a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act was filed on 28 November 1998. The appellant sought to quash the complaint on the ground that the complaint was filed beyond the one‑month limita…

M. Venurangnanath, a branch manager of UCO Bank, was charged with offences under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act and was acquitted with benefit of doubt. He had been suspended from service during the criminal proceedings and, after reinstatement, faced departmental enquiry which found him guilty, resulting…

The Director General of the Border Security Force appealed against a Kerala High Court order that directed the authorities to consider the representation of Deenamma Sandel, an employee who had resigned under Rule 19 of the BSF Rules, 1969, and was claiming a pension. The central issue was whether an employee who resig…

The film actress Shilpa S. Shetty filed a civil suit for Rs 20 crore in damages and an injunction against Magna Publishers and others, alleging that three articles published in the magazine 'Stardust' were defamatory and would damage her career. The Bombay High Court, on a prima facie view, granted an ad interim injunc…

The Commissioner of Central Excise appealed against the CEGAT order that refrigeration, cold storage, central air‑conditioning and caustic soda plants assembled at site are not excisable goods. The appellants contended that assembling duty‑paid components into a new marketable plant creates a new commodity liable to ex…

The appellant, Bablu (Mubarik Hussain), was convicted of murdering his wife, three minor daughters and a minor son by strangulation. The trial court relied on an extrajudicial confession, the appellant's presence at the crime scene and the recovery of the wife's earring to uphold a conviction under Section 302 IPC and …

The respondent, a conductor, was suspended and later removed from service for not issuing tickets. The Labour Court reinstated him but held he was not a permanent conductor and therefore denied back wages. The respondent filed an application under Section 6(6) of the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Disputes Act seeking modifi…

The respondents, landholders under the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955, were initially found not to hold surplus land. After the Rajasthan (Imposition of Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973 came into force, they were later declared to have surplus land and the State sought to reopen the earlier 1955 proceedings und…

The State of Uttar Pradesh prosecuted Ilyas and a co-accused for robbery committed with a country-made pistol and knife, during which injuries were inflicted on victims. The trial court, relying on three eye‑witnesses and a test identification parade, convicted both under Section 397 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and …

The appellant, who kept the deceased as his mistress, allegedly poured kerosene on her and set her alight, causing fatal burns. The prosecution relied on three dying declarations recorded by the deceased’s mother, a Mandal Revenue Officer and a Sub‑Inspector of Police, all of which consistently identified the appellant…

The State of Tamil Nadu detained Abdullah Kadher Batcha under Section 3(1)(i) of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 on 11 August 1999. The detenu filed a representation on 4 September 1999 requesting copies of documents that formed the basis of his detention, including…

The appellant, S. Raghu Ramaiah, a Junior Assistant in the Commissioner’s Endowments Office, was convicted under Sections 7, 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for receiving illegal gratification. He appealed the conviction before the Andhra Pradesh High Court (Criminal Appeal No. 1922 of 1999…

The appellants and a co‑accused were charged with offences including murder (s.302 IPC) arising from a violent dispute in which the deceased was attacked with lathis. The accused claimed they acted in private defence, asserting that the victim and his brother had assaulted them first. The Supreme Court examined the sta…

MIS. India Cine Agencies appealed against the Commissioner of Income Tax, Madras, contending that the conversion of jumbo rolls of photographic film into smaller rolls constituted manufacture/production under Sections 32AB, 80HH and 80I of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and therefore qualified for a permissible deduction. T…

The respondents were appointed as conductors on a daily‑wage basis and were later regularized on 1 August 1987. In 1999 they filed a writ petition under Article 226 seeking regularization retroactive to their initial appointment date, without explaining the long delay. The High Court allowed the petition, relying on th…

Gali Venkatiah was convicted of murder for stabbing his brother Gali Krishnaiah, based on the testimony of the deceased's wife and sons. The appellant argued that the witnesses were interested parties and that the killing occurred in a sudden quarrel, invoking Exception 4 to Section 300 IPC. The Supreme Court held that…

The Food Corporation of India contracted Vikas Majdoor Kamdaar Sahakari Mandli Ltd. to perform stevedoring and cargo handling at Kandla Port. The corporation later requested the contractor to increase the discharge rate, leading the contractor to incur extra expenses and seek higher remuneration. The trial court dismis…

Mis. Canon Steels Ltd appealed to the Supreme Court against the Punjab & Haryana High Court’s dismissal of its customs appeal, arguing that the High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction because the original adjudication order was passed in Mumbai and the appellate order by CESTAT was issued in Delhi. The Supreme Court…

The Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board deleted clauses 21(t) and 21(g) of its general conditions that required payment of interest on security deposits. Grasim Industries Ltd challenged the deletion through writ petitions. A Single Judge of the High Court held the deletion permissible, but a Division Bench reversed…

The assessee, Mis. Somaiya Organics (India) Ltd., operated a distillery that produced ethyl alcohol denatured (SDS) and a chemical factory that consumed the SDS for manufacturing specified chemicals. The assessee valued the transferred SDS on a costing basis under Rule 6(b)(ii) of the Central Excise Valuation Rules, 19…

The appellant, an exhibitor of cinematograph films, was found to have admitted 878 school children without tickets and was penalised under Section 10 of the Rajasthan Entertainment and Advertisement Tax Act, 1957. The Assessing Officer imposed a penalty of Rs.500 per viewer, totalling Rs.4,39,000, in addition to a Rs.5…