This volume of the Supreme Court Cases (SCC), Part 1 of Volume 9, embodies landmark cases decided by the Supreme Court on the power to implead/join a non-signatory to arbitration agreement, animal welfare vis-à-vis public safety, last seen theory under criminal law, and more.
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — S. 16 and Ss. 8, 11 and 45 r/w Ss. 2(1)(h) & 7 — Power to implead/join a non-signatory to arbitration agreement: Power to implead/join a non-signatory to arbitration agreement as a party to arbitration proceedings, vests in arbitrator/Arbitral Tribunal. Applicability of “group of companies” doctrine, upheld, [ASF Buildtech (P) Ltd. v. Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. (P) Ltd., (2025) 9 SCC 76]
Constitution of India — Arts. 21, 19(1)(d), 14 and 32 — Protection against the menace of stray dogs — Animal welfare vis-à-vis public safety, public health and freedom of movement: For balancing and keeping the earlier directions dt. 11-8-2025, City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price, In re, (2025) 9 SCC 12, within the ambit and contour of the legal framework i.e. Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, earlier directions dt. 11-8-2025 [(2025) 9 SCC 12] partly modified and additional directions, issued, City Hounded by Strays, [Kids Pay Price, In Re, (2025) 9 SCC 1]
Constitution of India — Arts. 21, 19(1)(d), 14 and 32 — Protection against the menace of stray dogs, 50% increase in dog bite cases in 2024 being due to rapid increase in dog population: Fundamental right of public health, public safety and right to freedom of movement and corresponding mandatory duty of State to protect the same, explained. Hence, directions issued, [City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price, In Re, (2025) 9 SCC 12]
Constitution of India — Arts. 21, 19(1)(d), 14 and 32 — Suo motu cognizance by Court and institution of writ petition under Art. 32 based on newspaper report: In the case of death of two children aged 6 and 4 from dog bites and large number of dog bites in Delhi, directions issued, [City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price, In Re, (2025) 9 SCC 26]
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — S. 168 — Permanent disability — Compensation — Enhancement of: Accident occurred when injured was travelling in a bus and there was 100% disability assessed by doctor, who was examined before Tribunal and same was accepted by Tribunal as well as High Court. Hence, compensation enhanced, [Meena v. Prayagraj, (2025) 9 SCC 28]
Penal Code, 1860 — Ss. 302 & 404 — Circumstantial evidence — Last seen theory: Conviction of accused of murder based on circumstantial evidence, confirmed. Applicability and admissibility of “last seen theory”, clarified, [Chetan v. State of Karnataka, (2025) 9 SCC 31]