Negotiable Instruments Act – Section 138 – Compounding of Offence – Post-Conviction Settlement – Acquittal – Petitioner convicted by JMIC and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of two years with compensation of Rs. 20,60,002/- – Appeal dismissed by Sessions Court for want of prosecution – During pendency of revision, parties reached amicable settlement and full payment acknowledged by JMIC vide order dated 11.12.2024 – Held: Offence under Section 138 NI Act is compoundable at all stages, including before the High Court, even after conviction and dismissal of appeal – Conviction and sentence set aside; petitioner acquitted [Paras 2, 3, 5.3, 6, 7].

Compounding Guidelines – Costs – Waiver – Discretion of Court – Supreme Court in Damodar S. Prabhu laid down graded cost structure for delayed compounding, subsequently revised in Sanjabij Tari reducing the cost percentages – Courts retain discretion to waive costs in exceptional and compelling circumstances upon recording of reasons – Held: Discretion to waive costs must not be exercised as a matter of course but requires exceptional justification – In the present case, petitioner having faced criminal litigation since 2011, no costs imposed [Paras 5, 5.4, 6.1].

Inherent Powers of High Court – Section 528 BNSS – Quashing of Conviction on Compromise – Where dispute is personal in nature and genuine compromise reached, High Court may exercise inherent powers to quash conviction, provided settlement does not impinge upon public interest or undermine the cause of justice – Held: Inherent powers under Section 528 BNSS are wide, plenary, and must be construed with the widest possible amplitude to prevent abuse of process and secure ends of justice [Para 5.5].

Decision: Criminal revision petition allowed – Conviction and sentence dated 09.11.2017/13.11.2017 passed by JMIC and order dated 21.12.2017 passed by Sessions Judge set aside – Petitioner acquitted – No order as to costs.

Judicial Discipline – Repeated Petitions – Abuse of Process – Petitioner repeatedly filed petitions under Section 340 Cr.P.C. seeking similar relief – Court dismissed previous petitions on the same grounds – Petitions considered as 'bench hunting' and abuse of process – Courts bound by doctrine of judicial discipline, findings of higher courts or coordinate benches must be respected – Current petition dismissed with costs [Paras 1-19].

Perjury – False Affidavit – Previous Judgments – Petitioner alleged respondent filed false affidavit leading to dismissal of her writ petition – Earlier courts found no basis for inquiry under Section 340 Cr.P.C. – Petitioner’s repeated attempts to re-litigate same issue deemed frivolous and misleading – Petition dismissed for lack of merit and non-disclosure of full facts [Paras 2-18].

Judicial Conduct – Clean Hands Doctrine – Petitioner concealed previous court orders and facts – Court emphasized that litigants with intent to deceive and mislead are not entitled to relief – Petition dismissed with costs imposed on petitioner for wasting judicial time during COVID-19 pandemic [Paras 17-19].

Decision – Petition Dismissed with Costs – Held – Petition dismissed as non-maintainable – Costs of Rs. 25,000 imposed to be deposited with Haryana Corona Relief Fund [Paras 18-19].

Negotiable Instruments Act – Section 138 – Adjustment of Payment – Convict sought adjustment of ₹33,10,000 recovered by complainant in civil execution proceedings towards compensation of ₹1.5 crore imposed in criminal proceedings under Section 138 NI Act. Held: Section 357(5) CrPC permits adjustment of compensation paid or recovered in one proceeding against another relating to the same transaction. No legal impediment to applying the principle in reverse — amount realized in civil decree can be adjusted towards compensation in criminal proceedings arising from the same cheque dishonour [Paras 10–11].

Criminal Procedure – Compensation and Default Sentence – Section 357(3) read with Sections 431 CrPC & 64 IPC – Court empowered to impose default sentence to secure payment of compensation; supported by Vijayan v. Sadanandan K., (2009) 6 SCC 652. Amount already recovered through civil process to be treated as partial satisfaction of compensation amount [Paras 8–9].

Proportionate Reduction of Default Sentence – Section 69 IPC – Where part of fine or compensation has been paid, imprisonment in default must be proportionately reduced. ₹33.1 lakh received equals approx. 22% of compensation; default sentence of six months reduced by equivalent proportion (≈39 days). Since appellant had already undergone that period, held entitled to immediate release [Paras 12–13].

Civil and Criminal Proceedings – Same Cause of Action – Where both civil decree and criminal conviction arise from same dishonoured cheques, duplication of recovery not permissible. Courts empowered to ensure equitable adjustment to avoid double recovery [Paras 5–11].

Decision: Amount of ₹33,10,000 recovered in civil execution adjusted towards ₹1.5 crore compensation. Default sentence reduced proportionately; appellant having undergone reduced sentence directed to be released forthwith. Appeal disposed of accordingly [Paras 13–15].

Civil Law  – Partition Suit – Maintainability – CPC S.100 – Plaintiffs (daughters and wife of deceased owner) sought partition of self-acquired property of late S. Sarvayya who died intestate in 1982 – Defendants 1 to 3 (sons) sold property in 2004 to Defendants 4 & 5, leaving out daughters – Appellants (purchasers) contended suit not maintainable without cancellation of sale deeds – Held: Under Specific Relief Act S.31, cancellation is discretionary (“may sue”) and not mandatory, particularly when plaintiffs were not parties to sale deeds – Plaintiffs can ignore alienations to the extent of their shares – Suit maintainable [Paras 17-20].

Hindu Succession Act – Coparcenary Rights of Daughters – Section 6(5), Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as amended by 2005 Act – Daughters born before amendment also acquire coparcenary rights by birth – Oral partition plea not acceptable unless supported by registered deed or decree – In absence of registered partition prior to 20-12-2004, plaintiffs (daughters) entitled to equal share with sons – Sale deeds by sons in favour of appellants not binding on daughters to the extent of their shares [Paras 19-20].

Relinquishment of Rights – Requirement of Registration – Specific Relief Act S.31 – Registration Act S.17 – Alleged consent letters/affidavits relied upon by appellants do not constitute valid relinquishment of plaintiffs’ rights – No registered relinquishment deed produced – Mutation entries or pattadar passbooks do not confer or extinguish title – Hence plaintiffs’ rights remain unaffected [Paras 25-29].

Second Appeal – Scope of Interference – CPC S.100 – High Court can interfere with findings of fact of first appellate court only if perverse, contrary to law or without evidence – Both trial and first appellate courts concurrently found plaintiffs entitled to partition – No substantial question of law arises – Second appeal dismissed [Paras 15, 30-32].

*Decision – Second Appeal dismissed – Judgments and decrees of trial court and first appellate court confirming partition decree upheld – Pending applications closed – Each party to bear own costs [Para 32].

Criminal Law – Rash and Negligent Driving – Conviction under Sections 279, 338, 304-A IPC – Modification of Sentence – Applicant, a state transport driver, convicted for rash and negligent driving causing death and injuries – Trial Court and Appellate Court concurrently held him guilty – High Court found no perversity in findings – However, considering the applicant's age (now 60), sentence under Sections 279, 338, and 304-A IPC reduced from 6 months and 1 year to 3 months each – Sentences ordered to run concurrently – Set-off granted under Section 428 CrPC [Paras 1, 11, 15].

Criminal Procedure – Revisional Powers – Limited Scope – Sections 397 and 401 CrPC – Held: Revisional jurisdiction is supervisory in nature – Cannot re-appreciate evidence unless there is manifest illegality, jurisdictional error, or gross miscarriage of justice – Concurrent findings of conviction by Trial and Appellate Court upheld – Reliance placed on State of Kerala v. Puttumana Illath Jathavedan Namboodiri, (1999) 2 SCC 452 and Malkeet Singh Gill v. State of Chhattisgarh, (2022) 8 SCC 204 [Paras 6–8].

Criminal Procedure – Sanction for Prosecution – Section 197 CrPC – Applicability – Plea that applicant was a government servant acting in official duty and sanction was required under Section 197 CrPC rejected – Held: Driving a government vehicle in a rash and negligent manner is not an act in discharge of official duty – Therefore, sanction not required – Plea also held to be raised for the first time at revision stage and not tenable [Paras 2.1, 13].

Motor Vehicles Act – Overlap with IPC Offences – Sentencing – No separate sentence awarded for offences under Sections 177 and 184 MV Act as they are covered by conviction under Section 279 IPC – Fine imposed for Section 134 MV Act sustained [Para 1].

Appellate Practice – Concurrent Findings – Interference by Revisional Court – High Court declined to interfere with findings of fact recorded by two courts below based on eyewitnesses and medical evidence – Observed that revisional interference unwarranted unless there is glaring legal error or miscarriage of justice [Paras 6–7, 12].

Sentence Reduction – Age and Passage of Time – Court exercised discretion to reduce sentence considering the passage of nearly 20 years since the offence and the advanced age of the applicant (above 60) – Sentence reduced while maintaining conviction [Paras 14–16].

Decision:

Revision application dismissed – Conviction confirmed – Sentences under Sections 279, 338, and 304-A IPC reduced to 3 months – Other sentences maintained – All sentences to run concurrently – Applicant to surrender within 4 weeks – Set-off for time already undergone under Section 428 CrPC [Para 16].

Criminal Law -  Complaint To Register FIR – Dismissal under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. – Order Set Aside – Petitioner filed complaint alleging assault over election dispute but no FIR was registered – Trial Court dismissed petition due to petitioner’s non-cooperation and absence during hearing – Held: Complaint disclosed prima facie case warranting enquiry – One more opportunity granted to petitioner – Trial Court’s order set aside and fresh enquiry ordered [Paras 2–4].

Police Inquiry – Direction to Register FIR – Court Exercises Supervisory Power – High Court directed petitioner to appear before police within two weeks – On finding any material constituting offence, police directed to register FIR and proceed in accordance with law – Ensures procedural fairness while not pre-judging the complaint [Para 4].

Decision – Revision Allowed – Order dated 09.12.2024 passed by Judicial Magistrate-I, Tindivanam, in Crl.M.P.No.2439 of 2024 set aside – Petitioner granted opportunity to cooperate in fresh enquiry – Criminal Revision Petition disposed [Paras 4–5].

Medical Law – Organ Transplantation – Delay in Authorization – Petitioners challenged delay in obtaining necessary approvals for kidney transplant – High Court emphasized need for prescribed timelines under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014 – Absence of such timelines caused significant delays – Court directed establishment of clear timelines for processing applications, document verification, and scheduling of interviews – Petition allowed. [Paras 1-50]

Organ Transplantation – Right to Health – Timely decision-making critical for life-saving transplants – Court emphasized that delays in authorization processes can jeopardize patients' lives – Importance of maintaining integrity and effectiveness of transplantation protocols underscored – Right to health integral to right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution – Court called for expeditious and systematic decision-making. [Paras 38-42]

Judicial Review – Administrative Efficiency – High Court criticized administrative delays in organ transplant approval process – Directed Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to prescribe specific timelines for all steps in approval process – Recommended timely communication and documentation to prevent prolonged delays – Emphasized judicial oversight to ensure adherence to legal and ethical standards in organ transplantation. [Paras 43-50]

Decision:

Held: Writ petition allowed – Respondents directed to adhere to prescribed timelines for organ transplant approvals – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to ensure proper communication and adherence to timelines – Petition disposed of. [Paras 48-50]

Specific Performance – Sale During Pendency of Suit – Violation of Injunction Order – Appeal Dismissed – The appellant, a purchaser pendente lite, challenged the Trial Court’s decree directing the execution of the sale deed in favor of the respondents/plaintiffs, despite an injunction order restraining the sale – The Court held that the sale executed by the appellant during the pendency of the suit violated the interim injunction and was illegal – The appellant’s appeal was dismissed on grounds of maintainability under Section 96(3) of the CPC, which bars appeals from consent decrees [Paras 16-36].

Consent Decree – Bar on Appeal – Section 96(3) CPC – The Court found that the impugned judgment of the Trial Court was a consent order, with both parties agreeing to the terms, including the payment of balance consideration by the plaintiffs – The appellant’s argument that it was not a consent order was rejected, as the order explicitly recorded the parties' consent [Paras 17-21].

Purchaser Pendente Lite – Effect of Transaction in Violation of Injunction – The Court held that the sale deeds executed by the appellant in violation of the injunction were illegal and void – Relying on the Supreme Court's decision in Vidur Impex and other cases, the Court reiterated that transactions violating injunction orders cannot be upheld [Paras 24-35].

Decision: The appeal was dismissed as not maintainable. The appellant was barred from challenging the consent decree under Section 96(3) of the CPC.

Criminal Law – Sexual Assault – POCSO Act – Determination of Victim’s Age – The appellant was convicted under Section 7/8 of the POCSO Act for sexual assault on a minor girl – The appellant argued that the age of the prosecutrix had not been correctly determined and that the scholar register alone was insufficient to prove the age – Court upheld the trial court’s reliance on the scholar register (Exhibit-P/6), showing the prosecutrix's date of birth as 09/10/2007, making her under 12 years of age at the time of the incident – Held: The prosecutrix was below 18 years and falls within the scope of a "child" under the POCSO Act – Conviction upheld Paras10−13.

Outraging Modesty of a Minor – Section 7/8 POCSO Act – The appellant contended that the sexual intent was not proven – Court held that the act of pressing the prosecutrix's chest and threatening her was sufficient to indicate sexual intent – Under Section 30(1) of the POCSO Act, the presumption of culpable mental state was applicable, and the appellant failed to prove the absence of such intent – Conviction under Section 7/8 of the POCSO Act was upheld based on the prosecutrix’s testimony and corroborative evidence Paras19−22.

Contradictions in Testimonies – Materiality in Criminal Cases – The appellant pointed out contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence, particularly in the testimony of the prosecutrix’s friend, who turned hostile – Court held that minor contradictions or omissions are not grounds to discard the testimony of the prosecutrix, who is considered an injured witness – In cases of sexual assault, the victim’s consistent testimony is of paramount importance and minor discrepancies do not affect the overall credibility Paras16−18.

Sentencing in POCSO Cases – Stringent Punishment Required – The appellant sought leniency in sentencing, arguing that the charges under Section 9/10 POCSO Act should have been applied due to the victim’s age – Court noted that although the charges were framed under Section 7/8, no remand was necessary for re-trial – The three-year sentence imposed under Section 7/8 POCSO Act was appropriate given the circumstances of the case and the appellant's conduct Paras24−26.

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence of three years R.I. with a fine of Rs.1,000/- under Section 7/8 of the POCSO Act affirmed – Appellant to serve the remainder of his sentence  Paras27−28.