Supreme Court Archives | Page 56 of 178

Ad-hoc judicial service does not count as ‘judicial service’ for elevation as a High Court judge: Supreme Court

Some members of the Andhra Pradesh State Judicial Service had claimed that the service rendered by them as District & Sessions Fast Track judges on Ad-hoc basis was not considered for elevation to the Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Supreme Court to examine scope of SHRC’s power to examine a medical negligence case dismissed by NHRC

NHRC had refused to interfere with the instant case of medical negligence, while SHRC issued certain directions. The High Court also did not find anything wrong with the directions of SHRC, hence, the petitioner approached the Supreme Court in the present matter.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

No illegality associated with the establishment of Delimitation Commission for the UT of Jammu and Kashmir: Supreme Court

Supreme Court held that there is neither illegality associated with the establishment of the Delimitation Commission, nor anything illegal about the exercise of delimitation of the constituencies undertaken by it.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Authorities cannot be punished for inaction in exercise of power within the prescribed period in the absence of statutory bar: Supreme Court

Supreme Court said that the Allahabad High Court committed a serious error in interpreting Rule 176(4) of Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Rules, 1952.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

“Child cannot be used as a pawn to prove allegation of adultery against wife”; SC lays down scope of using DNA profiling in divorce cases

The Supreme Court held that merely because either of the parties have disputed a factum of paternity, it does not mean that the Court should direct DNA test or such other test to resolve the controversy. Only in exceptional and deserving cases, where such a test becomes indispensable to resolve the controversy the Court can direct such test.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Can Scientist in NTRO be entitled to pensionary benefits, if she is relieved before completion of probation period? Supreme Court answers

Supreme Court held that the respondent could not have been given the pensionary benefits as Scientist -H in NTRO, as before her probation period was completed, she was relieved.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Effect of estoppel cannot be warded off by persons claiming through the one whose conduct generated such estoppel: Supreme Court

In a suit property where father executed a release deed for relinquishment of rights for valuable consideration, Supreme Court held that the effect of principle of estoppel cannot be warded off by appellants claiming through their father whose conduct generated this estoppel.

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 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 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.

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 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 Supreme Court

‘Right to property not absolute; can be regulated under Town Planning laws’; Supreme Court upholds Rule mandating reservation of Open Spaces in Development Projects

The Supreme Court observed that an owner of land may not have an absolute and unqualified right which is the idea which not unnaturally comes to mind when the idea of ownership is under consideration.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

‘Amount deposited with the Registry should be deposited with banks to avoid loss’; Supreme Court asks Courts/Judicial Forums to frame guidelines

In a builder-home buyers’ dispute, the Supreme Court agreed with the builder ‘s argument that the rule embodied in Order XXI, Rule 4 of CPC, was applicable and the builder could not be fastened with any legal liability to pay interest after April 2005. The bench further opined that all courts and judicial forums should frame guidelines in cases where amounts deposited with the office or registry of the court or tribunal, should mandatorily be deposited in a bank or some financial institution, to ensure that no loss is caused in the future.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

‘Additional Special Road Tax not manifestly unjust’; Supreme Court upholds validity of Section 3A (3) of Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1972

The State of Himachal Pradesh had appealed against the High Court’s decision which held Section 3A (3) of Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1972 as ultra vires of the powers conferred upon the State Government under the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court set aside the said judgment of Himachal Pradesh High Court upholding the validity of Section 3A (3) and related notifications.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

SC Constitution Bench| Eknath Shinde v Uddhav Thackeray: Uddhav Thackeray faction seeks a 7-judge bench reference to reconsider 5-judge ‘Nabam Rebia’ verdict

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal went on to argue that the ‘rebel’ MLA’s action was a misuse of the Nabam Rebia principle as this could mean that the disqualification proceedings could be stalled by merely sending a notice seeking the Speaker’s removal. He placed heavy reliance on Article 179 and 181 and the 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India. The hearing before the Supreme Court will continue tomorrow i.e., 15-02-2023.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

Explained| Justice LC Victoria Gowri appointment case vis-à-vis scope of judicial review in matters relating to appointment of High Court judges

Supreme Court said that the conduct of the judge and her/his decisions must reflect and show independence, adherence to the democratic and constitutional values. This is necessary as the judiciary holds the centre stage in protecting and strengthening democracy and upholding human rights and the Rule of law.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

‘Conviction on the basis of ‘last seen’ theory not justified’; Supreme Court acquits accused in a 7-year-old boy’s kidnapping and murder case

The Supreme Court was of the view that the basic principle of criminal jurisprudence is that in circumstantial evidence cases, the prosecution is obliged to prove each circumstance, as well the as the links between all circumstances, beyond reasonable doubt. Such circumstances, taken cumulatively, should form a chain so complete that there is no escape from the conclusion that within all human probability, the crime was committed by the accused and the same should unerringly point towards the guilt of the accused.

Case Briefs Supreme Court

PF and gratuity dues not part of liquidation estate; cannot be recovered under Section 53 of IBC which provides for waterfall mechanism: Supreme Court

Supreme Court upheld the NCLT order that the provident fund, pension fund and gratuity fund are not part of the liquidation estate, for distribution under Section 53 of the IBC and the same has to be paid to the employees under the stated heads.