Customs Law – Demand of Duty – Fraudulent DEPB Licenses – DEPB licenses found to be forged/fake are void ab initio – Fraud vitiates everything – Department justified in invoking the extended period of limitation – Duty liability confirmed by the Department, Tribunal, and High Court upheld by Supreme Court [Paras 1-12].
Extended Limitation – Ju...
Service Law – Illegal Termination – Reinstatement and Back Wages – Appellant, a watchman, terminated without notice or procedure under Industrial Disputes Act – Labour Court and Single Judge found termination illegal, ordered reinstatement without back wages – Division Bench replaced reinstatement with lump sum compensation – Supreme Court restores reinstatement...
Land Acquisition – Compensation – Enhancement – Appeals challenge compensation awarded by the High Court – Supreme Court enhances compensation further by Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 200,000 per acre for different sets of appeals, following precedent cases – Delay in filing appeals leads to denial of statutory benefits including interest from the date of the High Court judgmen...
Motor Accident Claims – Compensation Enhancement – Deceased persons were drivers with valid licenses – Tribunal awarded compensation based on Rs. 7500/- per month income – High Court enhanced to Rs. 8500/- per month – Supreme Court further enhances considering income as Rs. 10000/- per month with 40% future prospects [Paras 2-4].
Loss of Dependency &ndash...
Maritime Law – Port Dues and Anchorage Charges – Vessel sold in public auction free of encumbrances – Dispute over liability for port dues and anchorage charges accrued prior to sale – Vessel docked at Mumbai Port since March 23, 2020 – Appellant contended charges should be borne by previous owner – Supreme Court held liability from the date of sanction of sale ...
Execution of Decree – Identifiability of Suit Property – Decree can only be executed if the suit property is easily identifiable – Dispute over exact boundaries of Plot No. 4/4 vs. Plot No. 4/5 – Court mandates precise demarcation by Local Commissioner [Paras 45-47, 51].
Possession and Mesne Profits – Determination and Restoration – Appellant direct...
Right of Appeal – Statutory Basis – Appeal rights are conferred by statute and are not automatic – Second Appeal under Section 100 of CPC can only be entertained on substantial questions of law, not on factual findings of lower courts [Paras 1-2, 36-37].
Substantial Question of Law – Definition and Tests – To be substantial, a question of law must be deba...
Insolvency Law – Withdrawal of Application – Before Committee of Creditors (CoC) Constitution – Section 12A of IBC allows withdrawal of an application admitted under Sections 7, 9, or 10 upon approval by 90% voting shares of the CoC – Prior to CoC constitution, applicant can withdraw the application without CoC approval – NCLT’s inherent powers under Rule 11 of ...
Insolvency Law – Financial Debt – The appellant challenged the initiation of CIRP against Doshi Holdings, arguing that no disbursement was made to Doshi Holdings and thus no financial debt existed. The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Appellate Authority, stating that Doshi Holdings was party to the Loan-cum-Pledge Agreements in a dual capacity as borrower and pledgor. The appr...
Administrative Law – Retrospective Effect – It is a settled principle that Parliament and State Legislatures have plenary powers to legislate prospectively and retrospectively, subject to constitutional and judicially recognized restrictions. Retrospective legislation must be expressly provided by the Legislature in the Statute. Administrative/executive orders or circulars cannot be ap...