{"id":348624,"date":"2025-05-23T13:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T07:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=348624"},"modified":"2025-05-23T13:20:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T07:50:22","slug":"justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The right of the accused to defend himself in a criminal trial is guaranteed by Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574949\" target=\"_blank\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>. He is entitled to a fair trial. But if effective legal aid is not made available to an accused who is unable to engage an advocate, it will amount to infringement of his fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 21.&#8221;<a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. Ashok v. State of U.P., (2025) 2 SCC 381\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; text-align: right; font-weight: bold;\">&#8211; Justice Abhay S. Oka<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the realm of Indian judiciary, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka stands as a distinguished figure, known for his profound legal acumen, unwavering commitment to justice, and relentless pursuit of upholding the rule of law. Looking into Justice Oka&#8217;s life, career and important judgments which have been instrumental in protecting the rights of marginalized communities and promoting freedom of expression, thereby making him a harbinger of social change and preserver of administrative accountability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">Early Life and Education<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Born on 25-05-1960, Justice Abhay S. Oka hails from a family with legal background as his father, Shreeniwas W. Oka was a renowned lawyer.<a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, High Court of Karnataka\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> Justice Oka did his bachelor&#8217;s in science (BSc) from Mumbai University and decided to become an engineer.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ff0000;\">Did You Know?<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Justice AS Oka at one point decided to become an engineer but gave up the idea midway and decided to join the legal fraternity instead.<a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. Who is Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka recommended for elevation to Supreme Court?, India Today\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">As a Lawyer<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka enrolled as an advocate on 28-06-1983 and started practising in Thane District Court in the chamber of his father.<a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka, Supreme Court of India\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> He practised for 19 years in the High Court, Appellate Side, Bombay in Civil, Constitutional and Service matters and specialised in all the matters.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Did You Know?<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">In 1985-86, Justice Oka joined the chamber of V. P. Tipnis, a former Judge of the Bombay High Court and former Lokayukta.<a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka, Supreme Court of India\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">Judgeship<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On 29-08-2003, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Bombay and became a Permanent Judge in High Court of Bombay on 12-11-2005. He was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka in 2019, before being elevated as a Supreme Court Judge in 2021.<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. Hon'ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka, Supreme Court of India\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">Notable Judgments by Justice Oka<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka is known for his deep knowledge of the law, impartiality, and dedication in upholding the principles of justice and his tenure as the Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka has been a living proof for exercising a delicate balance in the PIL jurisdiction, even as concurrently making sure protection from fundamental right violations of the maximum vulnerable. He also passed many orders on environmental protection and for better living conditions in Bangalore and Bombay. He is known for his orders on civil liberties. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he passed several orders protecting the rights of migrant workers and questioned the handling of the government. Some of his prominent Supreme Court and High Courts judgements are discussed below.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ff0000;\">Did You Know?<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">As a Judge of Supreme Court India, Justice Abay S. Oka has authored 295 judgments and was part of 1000+ decisions.<a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. scconline.com\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-underline-style: solid; text-underline-mode: continuous; text-underline-color: #c00000; color: #c00000;\">Supreme Court<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shaurabh Kumar Tripathi<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vidhi Rawal<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wW2b3rTC\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1158<\/a><\/span>, an appeal pertaining to whether the High Court can invoke its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 of the CrPC<a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a> to quash proceedings initiated under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001560338\" target=\"_blank\">12<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002829238\" target=\"_blank\">Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005<\/a> (the DV Act), a Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., held that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/22\/high-courts-inherent-jurisdiction-section-482-crpc-quash-proceedings-section-12-dv-act\/\" target=\"_blank\">High Court can exercise jurisdiction under Section 482 of the CrPC to quash proceedings of an application under Section 12(1) or orders passed in accordance with Sections 18 to 23 of the DV Act<\/a>. However, the Court cautioned against a liberal invocation of this power:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;While exercising jurisdiction under Section 482 of the CrPC for quashing proceedings under Section 12(1), the High Court should be very slow and circumspect. Interference can be made only when the case is clearly of gross illegality or gross abuse of the process of law.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court expressly overruled contrary High Court decisions and clarified that Section 26 of the DV Act does not confer jurisdiction on civil or family courts to entertain Section 12 applications; it only allows the granting of similar reliefs if legal proceedings are otherwise pending.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vanashakti<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/KUlPAGA8\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1139<\/a><\/span>, a case revolving around the legality of the Office Memorandum (OM) dated o7-07-2021 (the &#8220;2021 OM&#8221;) and the Environment Impact Assessment Notification dated 14-03-2017 (the &#8220;2017 Notification&#8221;) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), both of which enabled the grant of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ex post facto<\/span> Environmental Clearances (ECs) to projects that had commenced operations without prior environmental clearance as mandated under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808050\" target=\"_blank\">Environment (Protection) Act, 1986<\/a> and the EIA Notification, 2006, a Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., struck down the 2017 Notification and the 2021 OM for being illegal and unconstitutional. The Court restrained the Central Government from issuing any future orders, OMs, circulars, or notifications permitting ex post facto ECs. However, the Court held that the environmental clearances already granted under the 2017 Notification and the 2021 OM before the date of this judgment, i.e., 16-05-2025, should remain unaffected.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;Can there be development at the cost of environment? Conservation of environment and its improvement is an essential part of the concept of development. Therefore, going out of the way by issuing such OMs to protect those who have caused harm to the environment has to be deprecated by the Courts which are under a constitutional and statutory mandate to uphold the fundamental right under Article 21 and to protect the environment. In fact, the Courts should come down heavily on such attempts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Prasannatma Das<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K.N. Haridasan Nambiar<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/yJJWh6LH\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1140<\/a><\/span>, a bunch of civil appeals arose out of a long-standing dispute between two religious societies associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Mumbai (registered under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002919602\" target=\"_blank\">Societies Registration Act, 1860<\/a> and the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950) and ISKCON Bangalore (registered under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001917631\" target=\"_blank\">Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960<\/a>), a Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Augustine George Masih, JJ., set aside the Karnataka High Court&#8217;s judgment and held that ISKCON Bangalore is the absolute owner of the Schedule &#8216;A&#8217;, &#8216;B&#8217;, and &#8216;C&#8217; properties and ISKCON Mumbai or its Executive Committee has no authority to control or interfere with ISKCON Bangalore.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tukesh Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Chhattisgarh<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/nti84t0w\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1110<\/a>,<\/span> an appeal against conviction on grounds of failure to conduct a joint trial with the counter case which prejudiced the accused, a 3-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka,*<\/span> Pankaj Mithal, and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, JJ., acquitted the appellants of all charges and held that the failure of the eyewitnesses to identify the accused in the court as the accused they had seen committing the crime is fatal to the prosecution&#8217;s case.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;unless the eyewitnesses identify the accused present in the Court, it cannot be said that, based on the testimony of the eyewitnesses, the guilt of the accused has been proved.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Jitender<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/kRu7wctK\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1099<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal seeking reconsideration of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/15\/experience-shows-points-based-assessment-in-senior-advocate-designation-not-flawless-sc\/\" target=\"_blank\">guidelines laid down for conferment of Senior Advocate designation<\/a> in 2017 and 2023 in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indira Jaising<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Supreme Court of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1N1zKiJy\" target=\"_blank\">(2017) 9 SCC 766<\/a> (Indira Jaising &#8212; 1) and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indira Jaising<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Supreme Court of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/JYSbP1sF\" target=\"_blank\">(2023) 8 SCC 1<\/a> (Indira Jaising &#8212; 2), the 3-Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S Oka*<\/span>, Ujjal Bhuyan, and SVN Bhatti, JJ. directed that:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p>the directions of Indira Jaising-1 as amended by Indira Jaising-2 shall not be implemented;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>the High Courts to frame Rules in terms of what is held in this decision within a period of 4 months from today by amending or substituting the existing Rules. The Rules shall be made keeping in view the following guidelines:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li>\n<p>The decision to confer designation shall be of the Full Court of the High Courts or this Court;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The applications of all candidates found to be eligible by the Permanent Secretariat along with relevant documents submitted by the applicants shall be placed before the Full House. An endeavour can always be made to arrive at. However, if a consensus on designation of Advocates is not arrived at, the decision-making must be by a democratic method of voting. Whether in a given case there should be a secret ballot, is a decision which can be best left to the High Courts to take a call considering facts and circumstances of the given case;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Minimum qualification of 10 years of practice fixed by Indira Jaising-1 needs no reconsideration;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The practice of Advocates making applications for the grant of designation can continue as the act of making an application can be treated as consent of the Advocates concerned for designation. Additionally, the Full Court may consider and confer designation dehors an application in a deserving case;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>In the scheme of Section 16(2), there is no scope for individual Judges of this Court or High Courts to recommend candidate for designation; and<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">At least one exercise of designation should be undertaken every calendar year.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Aejaz Ahmad Sheikh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P<\/span>., <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0YZfMII2\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 913<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal filed against the judgment passed by the Allahabad High Court, wherein the accused was acquitted of the offence punishable under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561607\" target=\"_blank\">302<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (&#8216;IPC&#8217;), i.e., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/04\/25\/prosecution-failed-prove-guilt-supreme-court-upholds-acquittal-burning-family\/\" target=\"_blank\">accused of burning wife and three daughters alive 17 years ago<\/a>, the three-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S Oka*<\/span>, Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, JJ. upon reappreciating the evidence, found that the view taken by the High Court, that the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt was a plausible and reasonable interpretation of the evidence on record. Even if an alternative view could be reasonably drawn from the same evidence, the Court reiterated that this alone does not justify overturning the order of acquittal. In criminal law, the benefit of doubt must go to the accused, and unless the evidence decisively proves guilt, the acquittal must stand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Compensation Amounts Deposited with Motor Accident Claims Tribunals &amp; Labour Courts, In re<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/5Y9fxqta\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 876<\/a><\/span>, an instant suo motu petition, wherein the Court took note of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/04\/24\/motor-vehicles-act-directions-on-compensation-lying-deposited-with-mact-labour-courts-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">large amounts payable by way of compensation under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726964\" target=\"_blank\">Motor Vehicles Act, 1988<\/a> (MV Act) and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002768474\" target=\"_blank\">Workmen&#8217;s Compensation Act, 1923<\/a> (the 1923 Act&#8217;) which are lying deposited with the Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT) and Labour Courts<\/a>; the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., pointed out that it is not clear how many States have exercised the rulemaking power under Section 176(a) of the MV Act for prescribing the form of the application under Section 166(1) of the MV Act. Applications for compensation can be made by the persons who have sustained injuries or by the owners of the damaged property and in case of fatal accidents, by all or any of the legal representatives of the deceased. Even an agent duly authorised by the person injured or the legal representatives of the deceased can also file a claim petition.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ramesh Kumaran<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Toe6Xr28\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 667<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal against the Madras High Court dismissing the plea for quashment of criminal proceedings in a matter arising from a dispute between two advocates, practicing in the Courts at Kodaikanal, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. allowed the appeal and quashed the FIR and impugned proceedings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;An attempt made all along by this Court was to bring about a settlement between the first appellant and the second respondent who are members of the Bar practising before the same Courts. The reason was that this Court felt that both of them, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/04\/03\/sc-quashes-cross-fir-proceedings-ending-dispute-between-kodaikanal-lawyers\/\" target=\"_blank\">instead of fighting cases against each other, should contribute to the legal system by representing litigants<\/a> before the Court. We felt that the pending cases may adversely affect the professional prospects of both the first appellant and the second respondent.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">While considering the instant appeal in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K. Gopi<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sub-Registrar<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1J09tgAq\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 740<\/a>,<\/span> which incorporated a challenge to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/04\/11\/rule-55ai-registration-rules-declared-ultra-vires-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">legality of Rule 55A(i) of the Registration Rules<\/a>; the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., declared the impugned Rule to be ultra-vires. The Court explained that under the scheme of the 1908 Act, it is not the function of the Sub-Registrar or Registering Authority to ascertain whether the vendor has title to the property which he is seeking to transfer. Once the registering authority is satisfied that the parties to the document are present before him and the parties admit execution thereof before him, subject to making procedural compliances as narrated above, the document must be registered. The execution and registration of a document have the effect of transferring only those rights, if any, that the executant possesses. If the executant has no right, title, or interest in the property, the registered document cannot effect any transfer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;No provision under the 1908 Act confers power on any authority to refuse registration of a transfer document on the ground that the documents regarding the title of the vendor are not produced, or if his title is not established&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering the instant appeal filed by the State of Madhya Pradesh against the impugned order the High Court whereby the Court let go of the respondents (accused persons) taking into account their old age in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of M.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shyamlal<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/3PwHKw1X\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 590<\/a>;<\/span> the 3-Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka,*<\/span> Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Agustine George Masih, JJ., opined that considering the pendency of very old criminal appeals, priority is usually given to the hearing of the appeals where the accused are in prison. The appeals against conviction where the accused are on bail take a backseat. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/27\/right-balance-between-hearing-appeals-against-conviction-accused-in-prison-accused-on-bail-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">a right balance must be struck by taking up for hearing even some of the old criminal appeals against conviction where accused are on bail<\/a>. Therefore, it is desirable that certain categories of appeals against conviction where the accused are on bail should be given priority.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mahesh Mukund Patel<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/zbaO9w6x\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 614<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal filed against the order passed by the Allahabad High Court wherein, the Court had stated that an application for dropping the criminal proceedings based on compromise to be moved before the Trial Court, the division bench of Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., said that the High Court overlooked the fact that the Trial Court could not have recorded the settlement, and this was a suitable case for the High Court to exercise its jurisdiction under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973<\/a> (&#8216;CrPC&#8217;) to quash the proceedings. As a result, the parties were unnecessarily compelled to approach the Court. The Court&#8217;s attention was also drawn to the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Hindu Marriages and Sub Registrar, Varanasi, which records that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/21\/sc-quashes-pocso-proceedings-accused-victim-married\/\" target=\"_blank\">marriage between the accused and the victim was solemnized<\/a> on 5-02-2016. It was further brought to the Court&#8217;s notice that from the wedlock between the accused and the victim, two children have been born. Consequently, the impugned order was set aside. The First Information Report (&#8216;FIR&#8217;) and the proceedings of Sessions Trial pending before the Special Judge were quashed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sukhdev Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sukhbir Kaur<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/GhljWXTe\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 299<\/a><\/span>, a set of two civil appeals wherein reference was made to a Larger Bench to deal with conflicting views on the applicability of Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543751\" target=\"_blank\">24<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543752\" target=\"_blank\">25<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726956\" target=\"_blank\">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/a>, (&#8216;1955 Act&#8217;) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/19\/spouse-of-void-marriage-under-s-11-of-hma-entitled-to-permanent-alimony-maintenance-under-s-25-sc\/\" target=\"_blank\">whether alimony can be granted where marriage has been declared void<\/a>, the Three Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka,*<\/span> Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih, JJ. answered the issue in the affirmative. The Court held- A spouse whose marriage has been declared void under Section 11 of the 1955 Act is entitled to seek permanent alimony or maintenance from the other spouse by invoking Section 25 of the 1955 Act. The grant of relief of permanent alimony can be granted or not always depends on the facts of each case and the conduct of the parties, as it is always discretionary. Even if a Court comes to a prima facie conclusion that the marriage between the parties is void or voidable, pending the final disposal of the proceeding under the 1955 Act, the Court is not precluded from granting maintenance pendente lite provided the conditions mentioned in Section 24 are satisfied.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;A grant of a decree under Section 25 of the 1955 Act is discretionary. If the conduct of the spouse who applies for maintenance is such that the said spouse is not entitled to discretionary relief, the Court can always turn down the prayer for the grant of permanent alimony under Section 25 of the 1955 Act. Equitable considerations do apply when the Court considers the prayer for maintenance under Section 25. The reason is that Section 25 lays down that while considering the prayer for granting relief under Section 25, the conduct of the parties must be considered.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While considering the instant suo motu petition revolving around the power of the appropriate Government to remit the whole or a part of the sentence of the convicts in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Policy Strategy for Grant of Bail, In re<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6Vh5t8Po\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 349<\/a>;<\/span> the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., concluded the following:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: decimal;\">\n<li>\n<p>Where there is a policy of the appropriate Government laying down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/19\/explained-appropriate-govt-power-remit-sentence-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">guidelines for consideration of the grant of premature release under Section 432 of the CrPC<\/a>, it is the obligation of the appropriate Government to consider cases of all convicts for grant of premature release as and when they become eligible for consideration in terms of the policy. In such a case, it is not necessary for the convict or his relatives to make a specific application for grant of permanent remission.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>In accordance with the afore-said conclusion, the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) shall endeavour to implement NALSA SOP in its true letter and spirit. Furthermore, the DLSAs shall maintain the relevant date of the convicts and as and when they become eligible to a consideration for grant of premature release. The State Legal Services Authorities shall endeavour to create a portal on which the data as aforesaid can be uploaded on real time basis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The Court also directed those States and Union Territories that do not have a policy dealing with the grant of remission in terms of Section 432 of the CrPC to formulate a policy within two months from 18-2-2025.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court further concluded that Appropriate Government has the power to incorporate suitable conditions in an order granting permanent remission. The conditions must aim at ensuring that the criminal tendencies, if any, of the convict remain in check and that the convict rehabilitates himself in the society. The conditions should not be so oppressive or stringent that the convict is not able to take advantage of the order granting permanent remission. The conditions cannot be vague and should be capable of being performed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Frank Vitus<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Narcotics Control Bureau<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8eu8gOUY\" target=\"_blank\">(2025) 3 SCC 1<\/a><\/span>, a set of two criminal appeals, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. answered the issue that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/10\/sc-directs-for-informing-registration-officer-if-bail-is-granted-to-foreigner\/\" target=\"_blank\">whether it is necessary to implead a Foreign Registration Officer appointed under Rule 3 of the Registration of Foreigners Rules<\/a>, 1992 (&#8216;the Rules&#8217;) in the bail application filed by a foreigner within the meaning of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002780398\" target=\"_blank\">Foreigners Act, 1946<\/a> (&#8216;the Act&#8217;) in negative. The Bench opined that while releasing a foreigner on bail, the Court should direct the investigating agency or the State, as the case may be, to immediately inform the concerned Registration Officer appointed under Rule 3 of the Rules about the grant of bail so that the Registration Officer can bring the fact of the grant of bail to the notice of Civil Authority concerned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The power to arrest or detain a foreigner under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002780398\" target=\"_blank\">Foreigners Act, 1946<\/a> is independent of the power of the Criminal Court to grant bail. Notwithstanding the bail granted by a Criminal Court, the power to arrest and detain a foreigner can be exercised, provided the Central Government makes an order in terms of clause (g) of Section 3(2) of the Act.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Punjab<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Om Prakash<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2Ee5c4Wo\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 119<\/a><\/span>, a batch of civil appeals, against Punjab and Haryana High Court&#8217;s decision, allowing the appeal of the present respondents, holding that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/28\/state-government-levy-royalty-on-production-and-disposal-of-brick-earth\/\" target=\"_blank\">mere declaration of brick earth as a minor mineral, no rights were vested in the State Government to levy royalty<\/a>, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court&#8217;s decision and restored the Trial Court&#8217;s decree dismissing the respondents&#8217; suit. The Court held that once it was accepted that brick earth was a minor mineral under the Mineral Rules, the State Government had the right to levy royalty on the production and disposal of minor minerals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Allahabad High Court Bar Assn.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/89fnehXW\" target=\"_blank\">(2024) 6 SCC 267<\/a><\/span>, the Constitution Bench comprising of Dr. DY Chandrachud, CJI along with <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JB Pardiwala, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Pankaj Mithal**<\/span> and Manoj Misra, JJ., reversed its own 2018 ruling of a 3-Judge Bench and held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/02\/29\/no-automatic-vacation-stay-orders-6-months-supreme-court-reverses-asian-resurfacing-judgment-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\">Constitutional Courts should not fix a timeline for disposal of cases pending in any court while exercising powers under Article 142<\/a>. The Court further justified the stance that pattern of cases pending in various courts including High Courts is different.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">In Re: Right to Privacy of Adolescents<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mt8I4LG9\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 2055<\/a><\/span>, a suo motu cognizance of the Calcutta High Court&#8217;s decision in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Probhat Purkait<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of W.B.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6cLR7C10\" target=\"_blank\">(2023) 1 HCC (Cal) 626<\/a>, whereby the High Court issued a slew of advisories to the male and female adolescents regarding the respect of a woman, protection of self-worth, dignity and privacy, and right to autonomy of the female&#8217;s body, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/08\/20\/supreme-court-sets-aside-calcutta-hc-verdict-advising-girls-to-control-sexual-urge\/\" target=\"_blank\">advised the female adolescent, identifying the duty or obligation to control sexual urge\/urges<\/a> as in the eyes of society she is the looser when she gives in to enjoying the sexual pleasure of hardly two minutes, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. set aside the impugned decision.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Frank Vitus<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Narcotics Control Bureau<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/MP0v05yZ\" target=\"_blank\">(2024) 8 SCC 415<\/a><\/span>, a special leave to appeal against the Delhi High Court&#8217;s decision imposing condition for granting interim bail to a Nigerian national, accused under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802179\" target=\"_blank\">Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985<\/a> (&#8216;NDPS Act&#8217;), the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. while examining that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/07\/08\/no-bail-condition-enabling-police-to-constantly-track-movements-and-virtually-peep-into-private-life-accused-supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\">whether a bail condition requiring an accused to share Google Maps pin with the investigating officer to access his location violates right to privacy<\/a>, said that there can&#8217;t be a bail condition enabling the police to constantly track the movement of the accused on bail.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;the object of the bail condition cannot be to keep a constant vigil on the movements of the accused enlarged on bail. The investigating agency cannot be permitted to continuously peep into the private life of the accused enlarged on bail, by imposing arbitrary conditions since that will violate the right of privacy of the accused, as guaranteed by Article 21.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ayub Khan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mn0WKFYE\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 3763<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal by a Judicial Officer assailing the Rajasthan High Court&#8217;s decision to the extent of adverse remarks and directions made against him, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Augustine George Masih, JJ., allowed the appeal and expunged the adverse directions and remarks, holding that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/12\/18\/sc-expunges-adverse-remarks-against-district-sessions-judge-by-rajasthan-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\">no Constitutional Court can direct the Trial Courts to write orders on bail applications in a particular manner<\/a>. The Court opined that the High Court&#8217;s observations against the Judicial Officer were completely uncalled for, the entire exercises done by the High Court right from issuing directions in the case of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Jugal Kishore<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/gSw881iy\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Raj 2691<\/a>, and passing impugned orders was not only unwarranted but illegal.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The Constitutional Courts can lay down the principles governing the grant of bail or anticipatory bail, however, the Constitutional Courts cannot interfere with the discretion of Trial Courts by laying down the form in which an order should be passed while deciding bail applications&#8230;Explanation of a Judicial Officer can be called for only on the administrative side.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ashok<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/A2489Nm6\" target=\"_blank\">(2025) 2 SCC 381<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal filed against the conviction order of a <a href=\"\" target=\"_blank\">man accused of rape and murder of a ten-year-old minor<\/a>, passed by the Trial Court and upheld by the Allahabad High Court, the three Judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka,*<\/span> Ahsanuddin Amanullah, and Augustine George Masih, JJ. set aside the conviction, as the accused was not provided with proper legal aid during the trial, which violated his fundamental right to a fair trial under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574949\" target=\"_blank\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>. Further, the Court issued a series of directives concerning the critical roles of the Public Prosecutor and Legal Aid Counsels in ensuring procedural fairness and safeguarding the fundamental rights of the accused in criminal trials.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The right of the accused to defend himself in a criminal trial is guaranteed by Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574949\" target=\"_blank\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>. He is entitled to a fair trial. But if effective legal aid is not made available to an accused who is unable to engage an advocate, it will amount to infringement of his fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 21.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Global Credit Capital Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sach Markerting (P) Ltd.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/bvs1M6dX\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 649<\/a><\/span>, a batch of civil appeals against separate judgments and orders of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Pankaj Mithal, JJ., dealt with the question that, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/05\/01\/debt-financial-debt-and-operational-debt-under-ibc-supreme-court-clarifies\/\" target=\"_blank\">when a debt is considered as financial debt and operational debt<\/a> under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002802178\" target=\"_blank\">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016<\/a> (IBC). The Bench said that the test to determine whether a debt is a financial debt within the meaning of Section 5(8) is the existence of a debt along with interest, if any, which is disbursed against the consideration for the time value of money.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Jalaluddin Khan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/uc2NlA45\" target=\"_blank\">(2024) 10 SCC 574<\/a><\/span>, the appellant who was being prosecuted for offences punishable under provisions of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> and Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554025\" target=\"_blank\">13<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554031\" target=\"_blank\">18<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554032\" target=\"_blank\">18-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554036\" target=\"_blank\">20<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808781\" target=\"_blank\">Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967<\/a> (UAPA); had applied for bail before the Patna High Court, which was rejected. The Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Agustine George Masih, JJ., while hearing the instant appeal challenging the impugned judgment of Patna High Court, emphatically reiterated that when a case is made out for a grant of bail, the Courts should not have any hesitation in granting bail. &#8220;The allegations of the prosecution may be very serious, but the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/08\/22\/uapa-pfi-bail-accused-nia-justice-abahy-s-oka-supreme-court-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">duty of the Courts is to consider the case for grant of bail<\/a> in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;Bail is the rule, and jail is an exception&#8221; is a settled law&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">The Court also berated the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for distortions in chargesheet vis-a-vis attributing certain statements to the protected witness, which he did not make.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;NIA owes an explanation for that. The investigating machinery has to be fair&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rakesh Ranjan Shrivastava<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Jharkhand<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/KUT0F9bc\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 309<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal against Jharkhand High Court&#8217;s order dismissing the challenge to the Trial Court and Sessions Court&#8217;s decision for payment of interim compensation of Rs. 10,00,000\/- to the respondent under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002899816\" target=\"_blank\">143-A<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726957\" target=\"_blank\">Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881<\/a> (N.I. Act), the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., set aside the impugned judgments for non-application of mind. The Court laid down several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/04\/01\/factors-laid-by-sc-for-discretion-on-payment-of-interim-compensation-u-143-a-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">factors which must be considered by the Courts while exercising discretionary power under Section 143-A of the N.I. Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Noble M. Paikada<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mn1qx5m7\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 369<\/a><\/span>, appeals challenging judgment and order passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 28-10-2020 and order dated 24-12-2020 by NGT rejecting review petition, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Sanjay Karol, JJ. found item 6 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/03\/26\/supreme-court-strikes-blanket-exemption-under-ep-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\">Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 (EP Rules) granting blanket exemption to the Central Government for obtaining environmental clearance<\/a>. The Court struck down item 6 of the substituted Appendix-IX forming part of the impugned notification dated 28-03-2020 and item 6 of amended impugned notification dated 30-08-2023.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sailendrabhai Damodarbhai Shah<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Gujarat<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Er5IR2y8\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 285<\/a>,<\/span> a criminal appeal against Gujarat High Court&#8217;s decision, wherein the State&#8217;s appeal against the order of the Trial Court acquitting the accused of the charges under Section 7 read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001553760\" target=\"_blank\">16<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002948138\" target=\"_blank\">Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954<\/a> was allowed, setting aside the Trial Court&#8217;s order and the matter was remanded for trial de novo, the Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court&#8217;s order. Further, the Court said that the burden of proof cannot be put on the accused to prove that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/03\/15\/misbranding-of-zero-calorie-sweetener-sc-sets-aside-gujarat-hc-order-for-trial-de-novo-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">they were not manufacturing table top sweeteners<\/a> as the State&#8217;s case was not that the accused were manufacturing tabletop sweeteners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Javed Ahmad Hajam<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/v1De3jJ6\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 249<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal filed against the Bombay High Court&#8217;s order, wherein the Court refused to quash the FIR against the accused for the offence punishable under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561415\" target=\"_blank\">153-A<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (&#8216;IPC&#8217;), the division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ., while setting aside the impugned judgment and quashing the FIR, said that if every criticism or protest of the actions of the State, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/03\/08\/criticising-abrogation-art-370-whatsapp-status-wishing-independence-day-pakistan-not-offence-under-section-153-a-ipc-sc-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">criticising abrogation of Art. 370 on whatsapp status or wishing Independence Day to Pakistan<\/a>, is to be held as an offence under Section 153-A, democracy, which is an essential feature of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>, will not survive. The right to dissent in a legitimate and lawful manner is an integral part of the rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">High Court Bar Association, Allahabad<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/yd5FtP80\" target=\"_blank\">2024 SCC OnLine SC 207<\/a>,<\/span> a Constitution Bench comprising of Dr. DY Chandrachud, CJI along with <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JB Pardiwala, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Pankaj Mithal**<\/span> and Manoj Misra, JJ., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/02\/29\/no-automatic-vacation-stay-orders-6-months-supreme-court-reverses-asian-resurfacing-judgment-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\">reversed its own 2018 ruling of a 3-Judge Bench<\/a> and held that Constitutional Courts should not fix a timeline for disposal of cases pending in any court while exercising powers under Article 142. The Court further justified the stance that pattern of cases pending in various courts including High Courts is different. Abhay S. Oka, J., held that constitutional Courts should not normally fix a time-bound schedule for disposal of cases pending in any Court, since the situation at the grassroots level is better known to the judges of the Courts concerned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;To avoid any prejudice to the opposite parties, while granting ex-parte ad-interim relief without hearing the affected parties, the High Courts should normally grant ad-interim relief for a limited duration&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Adivasis for Social and Human Rights Action<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/TJlMLu8t\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 601<\/a><\/span>, a division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ., was called upon to decide an interesting and important question of law revolving around the rights of non-tribals residing in the Scheduled Areas, the Court has held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/17\/supreme-court-non-tribals-can-settle-down-and-vote-in-scheduled-areas\/\" target=\"_blank\">Non-Tribals can settle down and vote in Scheduled Areas<\/a>. The matter specifically pertained to Sundargarh District in Odisha, that was declared as a Scheduled Area on 31.12.1977.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">First Global Stockbroking (P) Ltd.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Anil Rishiraj<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/627Bp27k\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 1199<\/a><\/span>, an appeal against the judgment passed by the Bombay High Court, wherein the Court has dismissed an application filed by the appellants under Section 482 of the CrPC, the division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Sanjay Karol, JJ., has held that an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/09\/30\/enforcement-officer-can-file-complaint-repealed-provisions-fera-sunset-period-after-fema-supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\">Enforcement Officer can file a complaint under repealed provisions of Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA) during the sunset period of 2 years, after enforcement of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Javed Shaukat Ali Qureshi<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Gujarat<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/1ox45D2C\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 1155<\/a>,<\/span> an appeal filed by a convict against the judgment passed by the Gujarat High Court, wherein the Court convicted some of the accused, while acquitting others in a case, the division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Sanjay Karol, JJ. has acquitted the convict by setting aside the judgment of the Trial Court and the impugned judgment of the High Court. Further, it acquitted other 3 convicts, by suo motu exercising its powers under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574865\" target=\"_blank\">136<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a> and extended the benefit of parity to these convicts who did not challenge the judgment of the High Court.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The Criminal Court should decide like cases alike, and in such cases, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/09\/20\/court-cannot-convict-accused-acquit-other-when-similar-evidence-against-them-supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\">Court cannot make a distinction between the two accused<\/a>, which will amount to discrimination&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pradeep<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Haryana<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/ga7yl4S4\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 777<\/a><\/span>, a Criminal Appeal challenging the judgment and order passed by Punjab and Haryana High Court on 12-01-2009 dismissing appeal by against conviction order passed by the Trial Court for offences punishable under Sections 302, 449 and 324 read with Section 34 of IPC, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ. set aside both the judgments of Trial and High Court and acquitted the appellant while holding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/07\/12\/supreme-court-judgment-section-118-evidence-act-child-witness\/\" target=\"_blank\">conviction solely based on the testimony of child witness which did not inspire confidence to be unsafe<\/a>. The Court opined that the possibility of child witness being tutored could not be ruled out, since there was no support or corroboration to his testimony apart from other deficiencies in the prosecution case.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Pavana Dibbur<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Directorate of Enforcement<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/4ieR3VUD\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 1586<\/a><\/span>, a criminal appeal against the Karnataka High Court&#8217;s judgment, whereby the accused person&#8217;s application under Section 482 of the CrPC for quashing the complaint filed by Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the second proviso to Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001534467\" target=\"_blank\">45(1)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002801311\" target=\"_blank\">Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002<\/a> (PMLA), the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Pankaj Mithal, JJ., held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/11\/30\/conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-if-alleged-conspiracy-is-to-commit-an-already-scheduled-crime-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">an accused in the PMLA case who comes into picture after the scheduled offence is committed by assisting in the concealment or use of proceeds of crime need not be an accused in the scheduled offence<\/a> and such an accused can still be prosecuted under PMLA so long as scheduled offence exists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Raj Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/rN01DJ1p\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 609<\/a><\/span>, a Criminal Appeal against conviction by the Trial Court in 2003 for offences under Ss. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561607\" target=\"_blank\">302<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561614\" target=\"_blank\">307<\/a> read with S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561375\" target=\"_blank\">120-B<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a>, sentence of life imprisonment and rigorous imprisonment for 7 years, which was confirmed by the High Court, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ., set aside the appellant&#8217;s conviction for being vitiated and directed the State to set him at liberty. The Court observed that the only circumstance appearing against the appellant was not put to him in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/13\/supreme-court-judgment-on-section-313-of-crpc-knowledge-of-material-circumstances-against-accused\/\" target=\"_blank\">statement under Section 313 of CrPC<\/a>, remaining untouched by the High Court as well, and that the Trial Court also did not produce submissions made by the counsel for accused.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shanti Bhushan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P<\/span>., <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/EP54rscx\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 489<\/a>,<\/span> a case related to determination of the market value of a property at Allahabad, registered in 2010 for the purpose of stamp duty, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ., allowed the appeal and set aside the impugned judgment of the High Court of Allahabad and Assistant Stamp Collector (Collector) and has remanded the case for fresh consideration to the Collector. The Court held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/02\/supreme-court-stamp-duty-on-sale-deed-can-be-calculated-on-market-value-of-property\/\" target=\"_blank\">market value is the one which a bona fide and willing buyer will offer.<\/a> It was further noted that there was no doubt that a property in possession of a tenant will fetch lesser value in the open market than the market value of a similar property exclusively in possession of the vendor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shiva Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/ZnzxdTNq\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 345<\/a><\/span>, the division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ., allowed an appeal against the order of life-time sentence to the accused by the Trial Court for offence punishable under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561607\" target=\"_blank\">302<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (IPC) and modified the sentence to a fixed-term period of 30 years. The appeal before the Court was limited to the modification of the awarded sentence by the Trial Court for the offence punishable under Section 302, IPC. The Court held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/04\/04\/sc-and-hc-can-modify-fixed-term-sentence-wherein-capital-punishment-not-imposed-sc-legal-research-legal-news-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\">Constitutional Courts could exercise power of imposing a modified or fixed-term sentence even where capital punishment is not imposed or proposed.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mah. Adiwasi Thakur Jamat Swarakshan Samiti<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/04H5LUMV\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 326<\/a><\/span>, the full bench of Sanjay Kishan Kaul, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Manoj Misra, JJ. held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/03\/28\/supreme-court-affinity-test-is-not-a-litmus-test-to-decide-a-caste-claim-legal-research-legal-news-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\">affinity test is not a litmus test to decide a caste claim and is not an essential part in the process of the determination of correctness of a caste or tribe claim in every case.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a criminal appeal filed against order of the Delhi High Court upholding the order of conviction the Special Judge, Delhi, wherein the Court convicted the appellant\/convict for the offences punishable under S. 7(i) and (ii), S. 13(1)(d) read with S <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001564434\" target=\"_blank\">13(2)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825997\" target=\"_blank\">Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988<\/a>, the division bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span> and Rajesh Bindal, JJ., in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Neeraj Dutta<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2e008d21\" target=\"_blank\">2023 SCC OnLine SC 280<\/a><\/span>, reiterated that in absence of direct evidence for offences punished under Prevention of Corruption Act, reliance can be placed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/03\/30\/circumstantial-evidence-can-be-relied-on-to-prove-demand-of-gratification-under-corruption-act-sc-reiterates-legal-research-legal-news-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\">circumstantial evidence to prove demand of gratification and set aside the order of conviction.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In a detailed judgment of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Maniben Maganbhai Bhariya<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">District Development Officer Dahod<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2ex4LS39\" target=\"_blank\">2022 SCC OnLine SC 507<\/a><\/span>, the bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Ajay Rastogi*<\/span> and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ., while stressing on the importance of the work done by the Anganwadi workers\/helpers at the grassroot level, held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/04\/26\/anganwadi-workers-helpers-gratuity-plight-salary-supreme-court-judgments-legal-updates-research-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">Anganwadi workers\/helpers are entitled to gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972<\/a>. Writing separate but concurrent opinions, both the judges agreed that the Anganwadi Workers\/Helpers have been entrusted with the important tasks of providing food security to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women as well as lactating mothers, apart from rendering pre-school education. And for all this, they are being paid very meagre remuneration and paltry benefits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;If we look towards the problems plaguing the Anganwadi workers\/helpers, the first and foremost, they are not holders of civil posts due to which they are deprived of a regular salary and other benefits that are available to employees of the State. Instead of a salary, they get only a so called paltry &#8216;honorarium&#8217; (much lower 24 than the minimum wages) on the specious ground that they are part-time voluntary workers, working only for about 4 hours a day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K. Shanthamma<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Telangana<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2MR37l4I\" target=\"_blank\">(2022) 4 SCC 574<\/a><\/span>, an interesting case relating to corruption, the Division Bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/03\/24\/trap-party-recovers-tainted-currency-notes-from-tax-officer-accused-of-demanding-bribe-read-why-supreme-court-acquitted-the-officer-in-spite-of-proved-recovery\/\" target=\"_blank\">acquitted a Commercial Tax Officer despite proved recovery of tainted currency notes from her.<\/a> The Bench observed that though the recovery was proved in the absence of demand being conclusively proved conviction cannot be made under Ss. 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the PC Act.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rama Kant Singh<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/c9j1rKZ8\" target=\"_blank\">(2022) 3 SCC 237<\/a><\/span>, a case relating to Bihar Public Works Contracts Disputes, the Division bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/03\/16\/explained-which-law-to-prevail-if-provisions-of-bihar-public-works-contracts-disputes-arbitration-tribunal-act-2008-are-in-conflict-with-the-arbitration-and-conciliation-act-1996\/\" target=\"_blank\">if any of the provisions of the Bihar Public Works Contracts Disputes Arbitration Tribunal Act, 2008 are in conflict with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, the 2008 Act shall prevail to the extent of the conflict.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">While deciding an appeal in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Deepak<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2kD7G07K\" target=\"_blank\">2022 SCC OnLine SC 99<\/a><\/span>, where the appellant challenged the externment order issued against him under S. 56(1)(a)(b) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, the Division Bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ., quashed the impugned externment order observing that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/03\/05\/an-order-of-externment-is-an-extraordinary-measure-which-should-be-used-sparingly-sc-reiterates-the-duties-of-competent-authority-and-court-while-issuing-and-testing-externment-orde\/\" target=\"_blank\">an order of externment is not an ordinary measure and it must be resorted to sparingly and in extraordinary circumstances<\/a>. The Bench held that,<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;If the order of externment for the maximum permissible period of two years is passed without recording subjective satisfaction regarding the necessity of extending the order of externment to the maximum permissible period, it will amount to imposing unreasonable restrictions on the fundamental right guaranteed under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574926\" target=\"_blank\">19(1)(d)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a>&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Debananda Tamuli<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kakumoni Kataky<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tWjY2964\" target=\"_blank\">(2022) 5 SCC 459<\/a><\/span>, a case where it was argued that merely because husband and wife are staying separately since a long time, an inference regarding desertion cannot be drawn, the bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/02\/18\/divorce-can-long-separation-lead-to-inference-regarding-desertion-in-all-cases-supreme-court-decides\/\" target=\"_blank\">whether a case of desertion is established or not will depend on the peculiar facts of each case.<\/a> It is a matter of drawing an inference based on the facts brought on record by way of evidence.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a breather to SK Supiyan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee&#8217;s Election Agent in the Vidhan Sabha Elections held in 2021, the bench of L Nageswara Rao and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ in <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">S.K. Supiyan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">CBI<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/P2Na629p\" target=\"_blank\">2022 SCC OnLine SC 164<\/a><\/span>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/02\/10\/post-poll-violence-anticipatory-bail-to-mamtas-banerjees-election-agent-sk-supiyan-in-murder-case-must-fully-cooperate-in-the-probe-sc\/\" target=\"_blank\">granted him anticipatory bail<\/a> in the Nandigram murder case but has directed him to fully cooperate with CBI for investigation and to remain present for investigation as and when called upon by the investigating officer. The Court made clear that the pre-arrest bail is liable to be cancelled if it is found that the appellant is not cooperating for the investigation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vasudha Sethi<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kiran V. Bhaskar<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/eVl14Z0x\" target=\"_blank\">2022 SCC OnLine SC 43<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka<\/span>*, JJ., held that in a case for custody of the child the rights of the parties to a custody dispute (parents) are irrelevant. However, adding an exception, the Bench stated,<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;We may note here that a writ Court while dealing with the issue of habeas corpus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/02\/02\/can-court-compel-a-parent-to-go-aboard-with-child-in-a-habeas-corpus-case-supreme-court-answers\/\" target=\"_blank\">cannot direct a parent to leave India and to go abroad with the child.<\/a> If such orders are passed against the wishes of a parent, it will offend her\/his right to privacy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vinod Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Amritpal<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/z79xA657\" target=\"_blank\">2021 SCC OnLine SC 1150<\/a><\/span>, a Division bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ held that once the prosecution establishes the existence of the three ingredients forming a part of &#8220;thirdly&#8221; in Section 300, it is irrelevant whether there was an intention on the part of the accused to cause death. Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/12\/13\/explained-when-does-the-intention-to-cause-death-becomes-irrelevant-to-prove-an-offence-under-section-300-thirdly-ipc\/\" target=\"_blank\">it does not matter that there was no intention even to cause the injury of a kind that is sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature.<\/a> Even the knowledge that an act of that kind is likely to cause death is not necessary to attract &#8220;thirdly&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Thwaha Fasal<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/3rW3T0V3\" target=\"_blank\">2021 SCC OnLine SC 1000<\/a><\/span>, a Division bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/10\/30\/uapa-mere-association-with-a-terrorist-organisation-not-enough-sc-grants-bail-to-2-kerala-men-booked-over-maoist-links\/\" target=\"_blank\">granted bail to Thwaha Fasal and Allan Shuaib<\/a>, booked under punishable under Ss. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554036\" target=\"_blank\">20<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554060\" target=\"_blank\">38<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001554061\" target=\"_blank\">39<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808781\" target=\"_blank\">Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967<\/a> for alleged links with Communist Party of India (Maoist). The Court noticed that in the absence of sanction and the fact that NIA did not even seek sanction for the offence punishable under S. 20, a <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">prima facie<\/span> case of the accused being involved in the said offence is not made out at this stage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of M.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Somdutt Sharma<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k7263lMz\" target=\"_blank\">(2021) 12 SCC 53<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench comprising of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ., held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/10\/02\/is-irrigation-department-a-factory-will-it-be-governed-by-industrial-disputes-act-supreme-court-analyses\/\" target=\"_blank\">Irrigation Department was not a factory within the meaning of Factories Act, 1948<\/a> as there was no indulgence in manufacturing process in the Department. The Bench expressed that, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;even assuming that some of the employees may be doing the work of pumping of water, that is not sufficient to hold that Irrigation Department of the first appellant is carrying on manufacturing process.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;Overall activities and functions of the Irrigation Department would have to be considered while deciding the question whether it is carrying on manufacturing activities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Nagendra Sah<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Bihar<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/lPRRMh7v\" target=\"_blank\">(2021) 10 SCC 725<\/a><\/span>, a bench of Ajay Rastogi and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Abhay S. Oka*<\/span>, JJ held that when the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/09\/25\/false-defence-no-ground-to-convict-if-chain-of-circumstantial-evidence-is-incomplete-10-years-after-wifes-death-sc-sets-man-free\/\" target=\"_blank\">chain of circumstantial evidence is not complete<\/a>, falsity of the defence is no ground to convict the accused.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;falsity of defence cannot take the place of proof of facts which the prosecution has to establish in order to succeed. A false plea can at best be considered as an additional circumstance, if other circumstances point unfailingly to the guilt of the accused.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-underline-style: solid; text-underline-mode: continuous; text-underline-color: #c00000; color: #c00000;\">High Court<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Girish Bharadwaj<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9tgnIRw7\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 445<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and B.V. Nagarathna, J. while addressing a petition about the release of information of people who contracted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/04\/24\/covid-19-kar-hc-release-of-information-regarding-people-contracting-covid-19-at-nizamuddin-religious-ceremony-a-policy-decision-court-declines-to-interfere\/\" target=\"_blank\">COVID-19 at Nizamuddin, Delhi<\/a>, remarked that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">it is a policy decision and Court cannot interfere in the same.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sandhya U. Prabhu<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/79D443ik\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 441<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and B.V. Nagarathna, J., while addressing a petition held that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;decision to keep open <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/04\/22\/coronavirus-kar-hc-decision-to-open-super-markets-24x7-is-a-policy-decision-nothing-per-se-illegal-in-allowing-bmtc-buses-to-transport-people-connected-with-essential-services\/\" target=\"_blank\">super markets 24&times;7<\/a> relates to purely a policy decision and nothing arbitrary in the said policy decision is found.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mohammed Arif Jameel<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/U7TQuv4O\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 391<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and B.V. Nagarathna, J. asked the State Government of Karnataka to take cognizance on various significant issues that have been raised in wake of the outbreak of Corona Virus., like &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/03\/31\/corona-virus-kar-hc-state-govt-to-take-cognizance-on-issues-like-provision-of-supply-of-hot-meal-to-pregnant-women-lactating-mothers-malnutritioned-children-needy-people\/\" target=\"_blank\">Supply of hot meal to pregnant women, lactating mothers, malnutritioned children &amp; needy people<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mohammed Arif Jameel<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/d30L6Jom\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 539<\/a><\/span>, a petition dealing with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/05\/30\/kar-hc-complete-absence-of-transparent-no-assurance-provided-to-migrants-to-avoid-unrest-amongst-them\/\" target=\"_blank\">issue of migrant workers who had applied to be accommodated to the Shramik Special Trains<\/a> to their origin State, a Division Bench of Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, CJ and B.V. Nagarathna, J. held that,<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;though several orders have been passed by this Court from time-to-time, the State has not placed on record any transparent and fair policy for selecting persons out of those who registered on Seva Sindhu website.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vijayakumar Rai<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/b9hGk3qB\" target=\"_blank\">2019 SCC OnLine Kar 2186<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ. and Mohammad Nawaz, J. directed the state government to refund the amount already deducted from the salaries of judicial officers by the end of February 2020. The Court held that the State has no power to tinkle with quantum of salaries and pension payable to judicial officers and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/12\/07\/kar-hc-state-govt-without-scs-permission-has-no-power-to-tinkle-with-quantum-of-salaries-new-contributory-pension-scheme-not-applicable-to-them\/\" target=\"_blank\">new defined Contributory Pension Scheme not applicable to them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Monkeys Death &#8211; Suo Motu, in re<\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/19s11836\" target=\"_blank\">2021 SCC OnLine Kar 15713<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka CJ and N S Sanjay Gowda J. remarked that it is necessary to lay down the guidelines to ensure that inhuman and shocking incidents of animal cruelty are hereafter prevented. The Court took up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/08\/04\/monkey-deaths\/\" target=\"_blank\">suo moto cognizance of large number of monkey deaths<\/a> on the roadside in Belur Taluk of Hassan District on Wednesday night after 15 alive monkeys who were put in a large bag were found as per news reports published in the leading newspapers &#8212; Deccan Herald, Indian Express, Times of India, Prajavani, etc.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sanathana Kalakshetra<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k8viu91Q\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 871<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and M. Nagaprasanna, J., while addressing a matter held that<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;right to construct unauthorized temple and that also on a footpath cannot be said to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/07\/20\/kar-hc-right-to-construct-unauthorized-temple-and-that-also-on-a-footpath-cant-be-an-essential-part-of-any-religion-which-can-be-protected-under-article-25\/\" target=\"_blank\">an essential part of any religion or religious practice which can be protected under Article 25<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">V. Mara Nayaka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/X8A0UZMl\" target=\"_blank\">2019 SCC OnLine Kar 681<\/a><\/span>, the Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, C.J. and H.T. Narendra Prasad, J. while not going into the legal issue involved &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/07\/03\/kar-hc-pil-against-construction-of-hostel-building-for-girl-students-belonging-to-scheduled-caste-dismissed\/\" target=\"_blank\">PIL against construction of hostel building for girl students belonging to Scheduled Caste<\/a>, dismissed the petition and held that the act of the petitioner is not pro bono and should not be allowed to invoke the extraordinary jurisdiction of this Court by filing a Public Interest Litigation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">High Court of Karnataka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0H3dUa74\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 762<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and Vishwajith Shetty, J., laid down the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/06\/29\/covid-19-lockdown-kar-hc-procedure-to-securely-release-payments-to-claimants-in-mv-cases-workmens-compensation-act-matrimonial-cases-la-compensation-cases-evolved\/\" target=\"_blank\">guidelines to be followed for payment of dues to the claimants<\/a> in Motor Vehicle Accident Claim cases, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002768474\" target=\"_blank\">Workmen&#8217;s Compensation Act, 1923<\/a> Matrimonial Cases and Land Acquisition Compensation cases etc. Due to the partial functioning of the district and trial Courts in the State in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic, entry of litigants in the Courts premises has not been permitted.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">High Court of Karnataka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/QO8Y9slX\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 543<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and S Vishwajith Shetty, J., while dealing with many issues held that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/06\/05\/kar-hc-no-legal-basis-for-practice-adopted-by-some-family-courts-in-the-state-when-they-insist-on-personal-presence-of-petitioner-at-the-time-of-filing-cases-presence-of-complainant-while-filing-ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">no legal basis for Family Courts insisting on personal presence of petitioners at the time of filing cases<\/a> and presence of complainant while filing S. 138 of the NI Act case not necessary.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mohammed Arif Jameel<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/hatEb5lO\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 448<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and B.V. Nagarathnna, J. held that, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/05\/02\/kar-hc-police-officers-can-exercise-power-under-s-1023-crpc-to-give-custody-of-vehicles-seized-for-covid-19-guidelines-violation-owners\/\" target=\"_blank\">owners of seized vehicles due to breach of COVID-19 Guidelines may approach jurisdictional Police Officers for the same.<\/a> The Cour stated that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;in case of such seizure of vehicles for the offences relating to breach of the directions concerning COVID-19, it will be open for the jurisdictional Police Officers to exercise the powers under sub- section (3) of Section 102 of Cr.P.C and to give custody of the vehicles in terms of sub-section (3) of Section 102 to the owners.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K.C. Kondaiah<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0Wyu4h54\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 2419<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka CJ. and Ashok S. Kinagi J., while partly allowing the present petition, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/11\/18\/kar-hc-while-exercising-discretionary-powers-of-deciding-exceptional-circumstances-sec-cannot-ignore-constitutional-mandate-under-art-243e-directions-issued-to-schedule-panchaya\/\" target=\"_blank\">discussed the powers and obligations of the State Election Commission<\/a> and the limited intervention of the State Government in exercise of such powers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SEBI<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Franklin Templeton<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/cnG45NhA\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 1650<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka CJ. and Ashok S.Kinagi J., while allowing the present writ petition held, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;the decision of the Trustees (the Franklin Templeton Trustee Services private Limited) to wind up six Schemes mentioned in paragraph-1 of the Judgment by taking recourse to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/11\/02\/kar-hc-franklin-templeton-and-the-provisionary-application-of-sebi-mutual-fund-regulations-petition-allowed-with-necessary-directions\/\" target=\"_blank\">sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of Regulation 39 of the Mutual Funds Regulations cannot be implemented unless the consent of the unit-holders is obtained in accordance with sub-clause (c) of clause (15) of Regulation 18.<\/a>&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">High Court of Karnataka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8UJeF71a\" target=\"_blank\">2020 SCC OnLine Kar 557<\/a><\/span>, a Division Bench of Abhay S. Oka, CJ and S. Vishwajith Shetty, J., in view of the present situation of COVID-19 outbreak held that, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;&#8230;course adopted by the Courts while recording the plea of the accused and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2020\/06\/22\/kar-hc-recording-the-plea-of-accused-under-s-313-crpc-can-be-procured-through-video-conferencing-amidst-covid-19-situation\/\" target=\"_blank\">recording the statement of the accused under Section 313 of CrPC through video conferencing<\/a> hearing will be step taken to reduce the physical presence of the stakeholders in the Courts precincts to meet the exceptional situation and to secure the functioning of the Courts by following the best possible health practice.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">Justice Oka&#8217;s Views and Initiatives<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Did You Know?<\/span> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">During the tenure of Justice A.S. Oka as the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, the Court become a constitutional shield for the protection of the rights of many marginalised communities including slum dwellers, sweepers, prisoners and transgender persons.<a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. Justice A.S. Oka: the judge known for taking suffering seriously, The Leaflet\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka took the Public Interest Litigation&#8217;s version of locus standi seriously and used it in facilitative role as opposed to a &#8220;command-and-control&#8221; position.<a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. Justice A.S. Oka: the judge known for taking suffering seriously, The Leaflet\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a> His conviction to uphold justice, harbingering social change and preserving administrative accountability can be reflected through his judgments like &#8212; right to protest and requirements of Section 144 of CrPC, Rights of the urban poor: illegal evictions, Right to shelter: upholding the state&#8217;s obligation to provide shelter to the homeless under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574949\" target=\"_blank\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a> and ordering the setting up requisite night shelters for the homeless across urban areas in the State, right of prisoners, Secularism, inviolable right to legal representation, combating atrocities against Scheduled Castes &amp; Tribes, implementation of prohibition on manual scavenging and judicial intervention in the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;\">On Technology and Courts<a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. Courts must embrace unstoppable march of technology for greater efficiency: CJI, ET LegalWorld\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka while delivering a lecture on <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8216;The Role of Technology in courts: Accessible justice, timely justice&#8217;<\/span> at the High Court of Bombay, recommended all high courts to start using technology to rule out manual intervention and automate the listing of new cases. According to him, technology will help in bringing transparency in Constitutional Courts and their way of working.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm;font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;\">On Importance of District Court<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka believes that if one must succeed in the high courts or the Supreme Court, they must spend a few years as a lawyer in trial courts. He himself has credited his success to his time in the trial courts.<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. Who is Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka recommended for elevation to Supreme Court?, India Today\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a> Justice Oka said that District and taluka courts play an important role in providing justice to common people therefore they are the core of the judicial system and should not be looked upon as &#8220;secondary courts&#8221;.<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. District courts are not &#8216;secondary&#8217;, they are core of judicial system: Justice Oka, The Hindu\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;\">Alarm over Eroding Public Trust in Judiciary<a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. Public faith in judiciary has eroded considerably, says Justice Abhay Oka, Hindustan Times.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">While addressing at 2<span style=\"vertical-align: super;\">nd<\/span> Shyamlha Pappu memorial lecture on &#8216;A<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ccess to justice in the context of 75 years of the Indian Constitution<\/span>&#8217;, Justice Oka emphasised that the judiciary, despite being a vital pillar of democracy, has not adequately met the expectations of the common citizen. He underlined the importance of remaining connected with the real-world challenges litigants face. He expressed concern that the justice delivery system has not evolved in pace with public needs and that essential aspects &#8212; accessibility, quality, and affordability of justice&#8212;remain serious concerns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;I firmly believe that judges should not stay in ivory towers. What I can gather from my interaction with stakeholders is that the judiciary has not fulfilled the expectations of the common citizens of India. We are lagging far behind&#8230; After India became a republic, every citizen had very high expectations towards easy access to justice. It is not simply filing complaints before courts or police. It has to be quality and expeditious justice at reasonable cost,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;\">Media Trials undermines Justice System<a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. &#8216;Moral conviction&#8217; due to media pressure has no place in Constitution: Justice Oka, The News Minute\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a compelling address during a webinar &#8220;Towards a Responsible and Reliable Judiciary in India&#8221; organized by the All India Lawyers&#8217; Association for Justice (AILAJ), Justice Oka raised serious concerns about the influence of media trials on the judicial process and emphasized the urgent need for reforms to ensure a more equitable and efficient justice system.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka highlighted the detrimental effect of public pressure and sensationalised reporting on judicial independence and stated that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;media trials create an atmosphere of pressure when heinous crimes are committed, which could affect the delivery of justice.&#8221;<\/span> He asserted that the role of a judge is confined to examining the admissibility of evidence and determining guilt based on proof beyond reasonable doubt and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;if a judge goes by social media or media pressure, then what they will grant is moral conviction.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka also acknowledged the perception among ordinary citizens that the judiciary is not fully independent and stated that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;Judges should introspect more. Why do common people and litigants have the impression that the judiciary is not independent?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;\">Hate Speech in India<a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. SC Judge Justice Abhay S. Oka on Hate Speech for Electoral Gains and the Right to Dissent, The Wire.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">At an event hosted by Columbia Law School, Justice Abhay S. Oka delivered a powerful address on the theme &#8220;Hate Speech: Against Religious and Caste Minorities,&#8221; offering a candid assessment of the rising use of hate speech in India, particularly in political discourse. Drawing on constitutional principles and judicial precedents, Justice Oka underscored the corrosive impact of hate speech on both individual dignity and democratic values.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka began by outlining India&#8217;s unique social and linguistic diversity and stated that unlike many other nations, India does not share a single language or homogenous culture as its vast population comprises various religious groups, castes, and ethnic communities, including historically oppressed classes such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, nomadic tribes, and Other Backward Classes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 1%;\">Justice Oka provided a working definition of hate speech as any form of communication, verbal, written, or symbolic, that spreads hatred against particular communities based on religion, race, caste, or ethnicity. These speeches often incite violence or enmity between groups, threatening both societal harmony and constitutional values. He stressed that hate speech not only violates legal statutes but also deeply injures the constitutional promise of dignity. It strips individuals of their right to live respectfully and securely within the social fabric. In this light, hate speech becomes not merely a legal issue but a moral and constitutional crisis.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;The provisions regarding hate speeches or provisions which make certain speeches or utterances or spoken or written words as offences &#8212; those provisions cannot be abused or misused to prevent people from expressing their views, expressing their dissent.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #c00000;\">Bidding Farewell<a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. CJI Gavai lauds Justice Oka for his contribution to judiciary calls him 'workaholic', The Week.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">At his farewell function, held in advance of his retirement due to the Court&#8217;s summer schedule, heartfelt tributes were paid by colleagues, members of the bar, and court staff. Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, recalling a friendship of more than forty years, described Justice Oka as a man of remarkable dedication and humility, &#8220;a workaholic&#8221; whose legal mind is matched only by his sense of fairness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Gavai, in his remarks, commended Justice Oka&#8217;s industrious nature and emphasised that his <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;retirement would not be a retirement, but the beginning of a new life.&#8221;<\/span> Colleagues noted that even after superannuation, Justice Oka would remain active, having expressed an interest in restricted consultation work.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Secretary of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), Nikhil Jain lauded Justice Oka&#8217;s contributions to civil society, calling his judgments both <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;grounded and far-reaching.&#8221;<\/span> SCAORA President Vipin Nair likened his unwavering presence in the legal landscape to that of a mighty oak &#8212; strong, enduring, and dependable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice Oka, in his parting address, reaffirmed his commitment to service till the last hour. He openly expressed disagreement with the tradition of judges not sitting in court on their final day, stating his wish to continue hearing matters and delivering judgments on his last working day. He further urged continued efforts in training and nurturing young members of the Bar, underlining the importance of judicial education and cooperation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #000000; border-top-width: 0.5pt; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 2.12mm; margin-top: 2.12mm; padding-bottom: 1.41mm; padding-top: 1.41mm; text-align: center; font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"color: #c00000;\">Legacy<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">As he steps away from the Bench, Justice Oka leaves behind a judicial legacy rich in wisdom, fairness, and humanity. His commitment to justice was not only limited to interpreting the law but extended to ensuring that the law served the people. He has set a benchmark for future generations of legal fraternity, a reminder that service to the Constitution and to society does not end with retirement. Justice Oka may have laid down his judge&#8217;s robes, but his contributions will continue to guide the path of Indian jurisprudence for years to come.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-indent: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">* Judge who has penned the judgment.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ashok<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/A2489Nm6\" target=\"_blank\">(2025) 2 SCC 381<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in\/bio_data\/former_judges\/asoj.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Hon&#8217;ble Mr. Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka<\/a>, High Court of Karnataka<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/law\/story\/karnataka-hc-justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-elevation-supreme-court-collegium-1842605-2021-08-19\" target=\"_blank\">Who is Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka recommended for elevation to Supreme Court?<\/a>, India Today<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/main.sci.gov.in\/chief-justice-judges\" target=\"_blank\">Hon&#8217;ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka<\/a>, Supreme Court of India<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/main.sci.gov.in\/chief-justice-judges\" target=\"_blank\">Hon&#8217;ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka<\/a>, Supreme Court of India<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/main.sci.gov.in\/chief-justice-judges\" target=\"_blank\">Hon&#8217;ble Mr. Justice Abhay.S. Oka<\/a>, Supreme Court of India<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">scconline.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> Section 528 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/theleaflet.in\/justice-a-s-oka-the-judge-known-for-taking-suffering-seriously\/\" target=\"_blank\">Justice A.S. Oka: the judge known for taking suffering seriously<\/a>, The Leaflet<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/theleaflet.in\/justice-a-s-oka-the-judge-known-for-taking-suffering-seriously\/\" target=\"_blank\">Justice A.S. Oka: the judge known for taking suffering seriously<\/a>, The Leaflet<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/legal.economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/litigation\/courts-must-embrace-unstoppable-march-of-technology-for-greater-efficiency-cji\/112298082\" target=\"_blank\">Courts must embrace unstoppable march of technology for greater efficiency: CJI, ET LegalWorld<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/law\/story\/karnataka-hc-justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-elevation-supreme-court-collegium-1842605-2021-08-19\" target=\"_blank\">Who is Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka recommended for elevation to Supreme Court?<\/a>, India Today<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/mumbai\/district-courts-are-not-secondary-they-are-core-of-judicial-system-justice-oka\/article65974994.ece\" target=\"_blank\">District courts are not &#8216;secondary&#8217;, they are core of judicial system: Justice Oka<\/a>, The Hindu<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/public-faith-in-judiciary-has-eroded-considerably-says-justice-abhay-oka-101705565036203.html\" target=\"_blank\">Public faith in judiciary has eroded considerably, says Justice Abhay Oka<\/a>, Hindustan Times.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenewsminute.com\/karnataka\/moral-conviction-due-to-media-pressure-has-no-place-in-constitution-justice-oka\" target=\"_blank\">Moral conviction&#8217; due to media pressure has no place in Constitution: Justice Oka<\/a>, The News Minute<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/thewire.in\/law\/full-text-sc-judge-justice-abhay-s-oka-on-hate-speech-for-electoral-gains-and-the-right-to-dissent\" target=\"_blank\">SC Judge Justice Abhay S. Oka on Hate Speech for Electoral Gains and the Right to Dissent<\/a>, The Wire.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theweek.in\/wire-updates\/national\/2025\/05\/21\/lgd46-scaora-farewell-justice-oka.html\" target=\"_blank\">CJI Gavai lauds Justice Oka for his contribution to judiciary calls him &#8216;workaholic&#8217;<\/a>, The Week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">Marking the conclusion of an extraordinary judicial career spanning more than four decades, Justice Abhay Oka retires on 23-5-2025. His journey, from the courtrooms of Thane to the pinnacle of the Indian judiciary, has been defined by a deep commitment to justice, tireless work ethic, and unshakable integrity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67514,"featured_media":348633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38347],"tags":[32667,9971,29517,34379,3516,47247,82455,38349,70328,2832,2785,82456,34169,82457],"class_list":["post-348624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-judges-information","tag-constitutional-law","tag-human-rights","tag-judge","tag-judicial-independence","tag-judicial_service","tag-justice-abhay-s-oka","tag-karnataka-high-court-bombay-high-court","tag-know-thy-judge","tag-legal-reforms","tag-public_interest_litigation","tag-retirement","tag-supreme-court-farewell","tag-supreme-court-of-india","tag-work-ethic"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-23T07:30:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-23T07:50:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"886\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ritu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ritu\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"45 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/\",\"name\":\"Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India | SCC Times\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-23T07:30:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-23T07:50:22+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/392f265bae2f48f0f0d02b8e0e9015b9\"},\"description\":\"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp\",\"width\":886,\"height\":590,\"caption\":\"Justice Abhay S. Oka\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"SCC Times\",\"description\":\"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/392f265bae2f48f0f0d02b8e0e9015b9\",\"name\":\"Ritu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c47318594774c1fe55e3e8c85dcd1909276373d9bf11730032fc1a7d05d56a47?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c47318594774c1fe55e3e8c85dcd1909276373d9bf11730032fc1a7d05d56a47?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ritu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_7\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India | SCC Times","description":"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India","og_description":"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/","og_site_name":"SCC Times","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/","article_published_time":"2025-05-23T07:30:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-23T07:50:22+00:00","og_image":[{"width":886,"height":590,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ritu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ritu","Est. reading time":"45 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/","name":"Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India | SCC Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp","datePublished":"2025-05-23T07:30:06+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-23T07:50:22+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/392f265bae2f48f0f0d02b8e0e9015b9"},"description":"Read to know all about the life, career and important judgments of Supreme Court of India\u2019s Justice Abhay S. Oka.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp","width":886,"height":590,"caption":"Justice Abhay S. Oka"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/23\/justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-a-tireless-champion-of-justice-bids-farewell-to-supreme-court-of-india-scc-times\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Justice Abhay S. Oka, a tireless Champion of Justice, bids farewell to Supreme Court of India"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/","name":"SCC Times","description":"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/392f265bae2f48f0f0d02b8e0e9015b9","name":"Ritu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c47318594774c1fe55e3e8c85dcd1909276373d9bf11730032fc1a7d05d56a47?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/c47318594774c1fe55e3e8c85dcd1909276373d9bf11730032fc1a7d05d56a47?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ritu"},"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_7\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":293054,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/05\/25\/supreme-court-judge-justice-abhay-s-oka-know-thy-judge-scc-blog-legal-research-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":0},"title":"Know Thy Judge | Supreme Court of India: Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka","author":"Ritu","date":"May 25, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Looking into Justice Abhay S. Oka\u2019s life, career and important judgments which have been instrumental in protecting the rights of marginalized communities and promoting freedom of expression, thereby making him a harbinger of social change and preserver of administrative accountability.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Know thy Judge&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Know thy Judge","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/judges-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"justice abhay s. oka","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/justice-abhay-s.-oka.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/justice-abhay-s.-oka.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/justice-abhay-s.-oka.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/justice-abhay-s.-oka.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":267349,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2022\/05\/25\/know-thy-judge-justice-abhay-oka-supreme-court-social-change-administrative-accountability-legal-knowledge-research-update-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":1},"title":"Know Thy Judge | Justice Abhay S. Oka \u2013 Harbinger of Social Change and Preserver of Administrative Accountability","author":"Editor","date":"May 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ritu Singh\u2020","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Know thy Judge&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Know thy Judge","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/judges-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-187.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-187.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-187.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-187.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/MicrosoftTeams-image-187.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":322906,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/05\/25\/supreme-court-judge-justice-abhay-s-oka-know-thy-judge-scc-blog-legal-research-news-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":2},"title":"Know Thy Judge | Supreme Court of India: Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka","author":"Ritu","date":"May 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Looking into Justice Abhay S. Oka\u2019s life, career and important judgments which have been instrumental in protecting the rights of marginalized communities and promoting freedom of expression, thereby making him a harbinger of social change and preserver of administrative accountability.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Know thy Judge&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Know thy Judge","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/judges-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Justice Abhay S. Oka","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Justice-Abhay-S.-Oka.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":288484,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/04\/04\/sc-and-hc-can-modify-fixed-term-sentence-wherein-capital-punishment-not-imposed-sc-legal-research-legal-news-updates\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":3},"title":"Constitutional Courts can exercise power of imposing a modified or fixed-term sentence even where capital punishment is not imposed or proposed: SC","author":"Editor","date":"April 4, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"To identify whether the case of an accused under S. 302, IPC falls in the category of \u2018rarest of the rare\u2019 case, for the purpose of modification of sentence, it is no consideration by itself that the accused is a first-time offender and has no antecedents.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Constitutional Courts' power","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MicrosoftTeams-image-982.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MicrosoftTeams-image-982.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MicrosoftTeams-image-982.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MicrosoftTeams-image-982.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":296809,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/07\/14\/know-thy-judge-supreme-court-of-india-justice-aravind-kumar-legal-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":4},"title":"Know Thy Judge | Supreme Court of India: Justice Aravind Kumar","author":"Sucheta","date":"July 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Aravind Kumar, as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, took steps to tackle pendency of cases and initiated the conversion of roadways buses into schools for poor children.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Know thy Judge&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Know thy Judge","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/judges-information\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"justice aravind kumar","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/justice-aravind-kumar.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/justice-aravind-kumar.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/justice-aravind-kumar.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/justice-aravind-kumar.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":214183,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/05\/01\/karnataka-hc-appointment-of-justice-abhay-shreeniwas-oka-as-chief-justice\/","url_meta":{"origin":348624,"position":5},"title":"Karnataka HC | Appointment of Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka as Chief Justice","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"May 1, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"President appointed Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, Judge of the Bombay High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office. [Order dt. 30-04-2019] Ministry of Law and Justice","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Appointments &amp; Transfers&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Appointments &amp; Transfers","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/news\/appointments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67514"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}