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State Tax Officer cannot prosecute if Central Authority has already initiated action in respect of the same subject matter: Madras High Court

Madars High Court said that truth will come out only when the petitioner appears before the respondent pursuant to the summons received by him and not otherwise. Further, held that if it is the same subject matter, the State Authority cannot prosecute the petitioner once again as the Central Authority has already initiated action against the petitioner in respect of the very same subject matter

Case Briefs High Courts

Allahabad High Court quashes criminal proceedings against Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid for uttering offending sentence against Yogi Adityanath

Allahabad High Court said that as Salman Khurshid has regretted his offending comment, thus the continuation of the impugned proceedings against him would not be justified

Case Briefs High Courts

‘Temporary employee should be replaced by a regular employee and not another temporary employee’; Kerala High Court reiterates

Going along with the contention that a temporary employee shall be replaced only by a regular employee and not another temporary employee, the Division Bench of Kerala High Court refused to interfere with the discretionary orders by Single Judge directing the University to continue with engagement of sweeper-cum-cleaners on a daily wage basis.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Section 51 of the Transfer of Property Act applies on transferee who makes improvements in good faith on a property, believing himself to be its absolute owner: Supreme Court

Supreme Court upheld the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s order holding the respondent as the owner of the encroached land, as an encroacher cannot claim benefit of Section 51 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

‘Blanket order directing status quo stalling entire 115-acre project not justified’: Supreme Court

Guided by the principles of prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable injury, the Supreme Court set aside the decision of Division Bench of Delhi High Court restraining a commercial project spread across 115-acres.

Case Briefs High Courts

[IBC] Statutory authorities chose not to submit their proof of claim; Delhi High Court quashes show cause issued by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

In the instant case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence neither submitted proof of claim nor responded to a specific communication via an e-mail addressed to Senior Intelligence Officer. This is a case where despite knowledge, the statutory authorities chose not to submit their proof of claim.

Legislation Updates Notifications

SEBI introduces Issue Summary Document and Dissemination of Issue to facilitate consumption of data by stakeholders

On 15-2-2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (‘SEBI’) issued circular on Introduction of Issue Summary Document (ISD) and dissemination of

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Supreme Court grants bail to murder accused in custody for more than 14 months

In a case of Cross FIRs relating to murder and attempt to murder, the Supreme Court has granted bail to the main accused in the murder case

Case Briefs High Courts

Bombay High Court refuses to interfere with arbitration award for consolidated claims

Concluding that the principal contention raised by the petitioner regarding consolidation of claims arising out of nine separate contracts is devoid of substance, the Bombay High Court dismissed the petition refusing to interfere with the arbitral award.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Decriminalisation of Adultery| Applicability of 2018 Joseph Shine judgment to defence personnels: Supreme Court reserves judgment

Applicant submitted that the 2018 judgment may cause instability within the defence personnel’s services since they function in peculiar conditions who are separated from their families for long durations when posted on borders under challenging conditions, in view of the 2018 judgment, there will always be a concern in their minds about the family indulging in untoward activity.

Legislation Updates Rules & Regulations

SEBI introduces Chapter VI A on Obligations of Manager vide SEBI (REIT) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023

On 14-2-2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (‘SEBI’) notified the SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 to amend

Case Briefs Supreme Court Supreme Court (Constitution/Larger Benches)

[Eknath Shinde v Uddhav Thackeray] SC Constitution bench defers to decide on the issue of reference of 5-judge bench decision of ‘Nabam Rebia’ to a larger bench

The Supreme Court held that the issue of whether a reference to a bench of 7 judges should be made cannot be considered in the abstract, isolated and divorced from the facts of the case. The bench to decide the issue, along with the merits of the case on 21-02-2023.

Case Briefs High Courts

There is a difference between false promise to marry and breach of promise to marry; Calcutta High Court quashes offence of Rape

While examining the difference between false promise to marry and breach of promise to marry, the Court held that from the facts and circumstances of the case i.e., the extent of being physically involved with her on the false promise to marry in near future. The defacto-complainant being already married, the petitioner cannot be held liable for committing the alleged offences.

Case Briefs High Courts

KFC cannot have exclusive right in the word “CHICKEN”; Delhi High Court directs Trade Mark Registry to instead consider application for advertisement of the mark “CHICKEN ZINGER” in Class 29

The Delhi High Court held that KFC cannot have any exclusive right in the word “CHICKEN”, but the Court directed the Trade Mark Registry to proceed for advertisement of application for the mark “CHICKEN ZINGER” in Class 29.

Case Briefs High Courts

Special Courts under SC/ST Act can order lodging of FIR and pre-trial proceedings, under Section 156(3) of CrPC: Allahabad High Court reiterates

Allahabad High Court saidthat in absence of any specific exclusion, Exclusive Special Courts/Special Courts under SC/ST Act, 1989 may exercise powers to order FIR and investigation as per provisions of Cr PC to achieve object of the Act and ensure speedy justice.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Supreme Court grants bail to the accused for economic offences under PMLA on having served 50% of his sentence

The petitioner had contended that on account of his wife’s death, he was released on interim bail and had duly complied with all the conditions and had timely surrendered himself. The petitioner had also mentioned the fact that the two main accused in the case were enlarged on bail three years ago who were residents of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Case Briefs High Courts

Jharkhand High Court acknowledges customary provision for adoption of child in Santhal Community

Jharkhand High Court refused to disturb the findings of Trial Court and Appellate Court in a title suit for succession by an adopted son, whose adoption was questioned on the ground of customary provisions of Santhals.

Case Briefs Supreme Court (Constitution/Larger Benches)

Eknath Shinde v Uddhav Thackeray| SC Constitution bench reserves order on question of reference of 5-judge bench ‘Nabam Rebia’ verdict to a 7-judge bench

The Supreme court while considering the plea posed by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing on behalf of Uddhav Thackeray faction seeking reference of the Nabam Rabia judgment reserved its order dated 16-02-2023.

Case Briefs High Courts

Court cannot interfere with the enforcement of a bank guarantee except cases where fraud or special equity is prima facie made out so as to prevent irretrievable injustice: Delhi High Court

A Single Judge Bench of Chandra Dhari Singh, J. disposed of the petition and restrained from invoking/encashing the bank guarantee.

Case Briefs High Courts

Tribunals have no authority to issue instructions determining dress code for appearance of Advocates: Madras High Court

Madras High Court reiterated that wearing “gown” is only optional and not mandatory before any Courts other than the Supreme Court or the High Courts. Thus, it held that the order of the National Company Law Board imposing a dress code for Advocates for appearance before the Tribunal is without authority and hence, illegal.