Motor Vehicle Accident – Compensation Enhancement – Appeal against compensation awarded under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for the death of a 23-year-old in a road accident – Tribunal awarded ₹5,21,000 as compensation – Appellant claimed inadequate compensation, contesting the tribunal's assessment of income and personal expenses deduction – Court considered notional income due to lack of documentary proof of the deceased's earnings – Modified the award by applying Pranay Sethi's guidelines and awarded ₹5,38,300 with 7.5% interest per annum – Appeal partly allowed with enhanced compensation [Paras 1-16].

Assessment of Income – No documentary evidence to prove income of the deceased – Tribunal relied on notional income of ₹3,000 per month, affirmed by the High Court – Held, fixation of notional income and multiplier of 18 was appropriate as per Sarla Verma and Pranay Sethi judgments – Future prospects at 40% of notional income applied, considering the deceased was below 40 years [Paras 5-9].

Conventional Heads – Enhanced compensation for funeral expenses, loss of estate, and loss of filial consortium awarded under Pranay Sethi – Rs.18,150 for funeral expenses, Rs.18,150 for loss of estate, and Rs.48,400 for loss of filial consortium allowed, replacing the lower tribunal's award – Compensation increased based on the legal precedents [Paras 10-13].

Decision – Appeal partly allowed – Compensation increased to ₹5,38,300 from ₹5,21,000 with 7.5% interest per annum from the date of claim filing – The respondent insurer directed to pay the revised amount within two months – No order as to costs [Paras 14-16].

Criminal Law – Conviction Based on Circumstantial Evidence – Appellant Ram Chandra Thakur was convicted for the rape and murder of a 4-year-old child. The prosecution relied on the testimony of child witnesses (victim’s sisters) and the appellant’s disclosure statement leading to the recovery of the body. The court upheld the conviction based on circumstantial evidence, applying the "last seen" theory. [Paras 1-90].

Application of Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act – Court held that Ram Chandra Thakur failed to explain how the victim, last seen with him, died. The burden of proof shifted under Section 106 of the Evidence Act, as the facts were within the exclusive knowledge of the accused. [Paras 88-91].

Sentencing – Death Penalty – The court confirmed the death sentence under Section 302 of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, classifying the case as one of the "rarest of rare." The brutality of the crime—rape of a minor followed by throttling and abandonment of the body—justified the capital punishment. [Paras 92-110].

Acquittal of Co-Accused – Madhu Thakur, co-accused and father of the primary appellant, was acquitted due to lack of direct or circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime. His conviction by the trial court was set aside. [Paras 80-81].

Decision:

Death sentence for Ram Chandra Thakur upheld under Section 302 IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act.

Madhu Thakur acquitted; his appeal allowed.

Railway Accident – Claim for Compensation – Bona Fide Passenger – The appellants, legal representatives of the deceased (Rajbir Singh), sought compensation following his death in a railway accident. The claim was initially dismissed by the Railway Claims Tribunal due to the absence of a valid ticket. The deceased was allegedly travelling on the train from Tilak Bridge Railway Station when he fell and died after colliding with an electric pole. An RPF constable witnessed the incident.

No Ticket Recovered – Presumption of Bona Fide Passenger Status – The Tribunal rejected the claim based on the non-recovery of a train ticket from the deceased's person. However, the Court held that the absence of a ticket alone cannot negate the claim, especially when other belongings were scattered at the accident site. The principle of preponderance of probabilities was applied, and the Court emphasized that the deceased’s status as a bona fide passenger could be presumed, especially in light of evidence such as witness testimony and the location of the body near the platform​.

Untoward Incident – Liability for Compensation – The Court found that the incident qualified as an "untoward incident" under Section 123(c) of the Railways Act. The respondent’s argument that the accident occurred due to the victim’s negligence was rejected. The Court referred to Union of India v. Rina Devi (2019) 3 SCC 572, ruling that negligence or contributory negligence does not preclude compensation under the "no fault liability" regime​.

Decision: The appeal was allowed. The deceased was deemed a bona fide passenger, and the case was remanded to the Railway Claims Tribunal for assessment of compensation. The Tribunal was directed to award compensation within four weeks​.

Indian Forest Act – Illegal Transportation of Guchhi – The State appealed against the acquittal of the respondent, who was apprehended while transporting 13.7 kg of Guchhi without a valid permit. The trial court acquitted the respondent on the grounds that the forest produce was being transported on behalf of a third party with a valid permit – The Court upheld the acquittal, observing that the trial court's view was reasonable and based on evidence​.

Expert Testimony – Forest Produce – The Court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the botanical classification of Guchhi as required under the applicable rules – The forest guard’s testimony lacked the necessary scientific data, making the prosecution's case weak​.

Non-Cognizable Offence – Lack of Police Jurisdiction – It was further held that the police could not have investigated the case without a magistrate’s permission since the offences under Sections 41 and 42 of the Indian Forest Act are non-cognizable​.

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Acquittal upheld​.

Service Law – Recruitment – Seniority – Claim for Appointment and Seniority from 2007 Notification – The petitioner, Vijay Kaushik, applied for the post of Sub-Inspector (Executive) in the Delhi Police under the 2007 recruitment notification but was not selected as he scored 127 marks, one mark below the cut-off of 128. After being appointed under the 2009 recruitment process, he sought seniority from 2007, arguing that unfilled vacancies should have been filled from eligible candidates like himself​.

Unfilled Vacancies and Waiting List – Right to Appointment – The petitioner argued that vacancies left unfilled in 2007 should have been filled from a waiting list. However, the Court held that merely participating in the recruitment process does not confer an indefeasible right to appointment, and the respondent is not obligated to fill all vacancies unless a waitlist exists​.

Departmental Candidates – Parity in Appointments – The petitioner also sought parity with departmental candidates who were appointed against unfilled vacancies. The Court rejected this argument, noting that the departmental candidates were appointed under different circumstances, and their vacancies could not be claimed by the petitioner​​.

Decision: The petition was dismissed. The Court upheld the CAT’s decision, stating that the petitioner, having been appointed in 2009, could not claim seniority from 2007. His claims were found to be without merit​.

Grant-in-Aid – Reduction of Aid Without Notice – Violation of Natural Justice – The petitioners, government-aided educational institutions, challenged the reduction of their grant-in-aid from 90% to 80% without providing any notice or reasons for the change – Held: The court found that the reduction of grant-in-aid was carried out in violation of the principles of natural justice as no show-cause notice was issued to the petitioners nor were any reasons provided for the change in category – The impugned order and minutes of the meeting were quashed as they failed to comply with Rule 18 of the Rajasthan Non-Government Educational Institutions Rules, 1993 [Paras 5-8].

Power to Stop or Reduce Grant-in-Aid – Section 7 of the Act – The respondents argued that under Section 7(6) of the Act, the sanctioning authority is empowered to reduce, stop, or suspend grant-in-aid – Held: While the sanctioning authority has the power to reduce grant-in-aid, it must follow the prescribed procedure and provide an opportunity to the institution to show cause – The provision does not allow arbitrary reduction of aid without due process, especially when it has civil consequences affecting the education of students [Paras 6-7].

Requirement of Reasons and Adverse Material – The court emphasized the requirement to provide reasons for administrative actions that have civil consequences – It was noted that the reduction of grant-in-aid and change of category must be supported by adverse material or inspection reports – In this case, the respondents did not present any such evidence, and the impugned action was taken without proper justification [Para 9].

Decision – Writ Petitions Allowed – The court allowed the writ petitions, quashing the order reducing the grant-in-aid – The respondents were granted liberty to proceed in accordance with the law if they so choose, provided they follow the prescribed procedure and principles of natural justice [Para 10].

Hindu Law – Partition – Joint Family Property – Self-acquired property – The appellant sought partition of the family property, asserting certain properties (Ex.A6 to Ex.A9) were self-acquired. The Court ruled that these properties were part of the joint family assets. It was held that the burden of proving a property is self-acquired lies with the party claiming it as such. The evidence provided by the appellant did not establish that the properties were acquired without utilizing joint family funds [Paras 1-70].

Guardian and Minor – Sale of Minor’s Interest – Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act – The appellant sold properties under Ex.A6 and Ex.A7, including the minor’s share, claiming to act as the minor’s guardian. The Court found that the appellant was not the legal guardian of the minor at the time of sale, rendering the sales invalid and not binding on the minor. Since the first defendant was under the custody of his mother, the appellant lacked legal authority to execute the sale on behalf of the minor [Paras 50-58].

Additional Evidence – Order XLI Rule 27 of Civil Procedure Code – The appellant’s application to admit additional evidence after 24 years was rejected. The Court stressed the need for timely production of evidence and adherence to procedural requirements. It held that the documents were inadmissible under Order XLI Rule 27 and were irrelevant to the appeal’s subject matter [Paras 71-80].

Decision – Appeal dismissed. The High Court upheld the trial court’s judgment that the properties in dispute (Ex.A6 to Ex.A9) were part of the joint family assets and that the first defendant was entitled to his share. The Court also rejected the appellant’s application for additional evidence, citing unexplained delay and procedural shortcomings [Paras 81-85].

Service Law - Civil Law – Reservation in Promotion – Cadre of Head Teachers – Petition filed challenging the benefit of reservation to scheduled caste candidates beyond their entitled quota in promotions to Head Teachers – Petitioners contended that 20% quota for reserved category candidates had been exhausted – High Court directed the State to ensure that reservation did not exceed the prescribed quota as per R.K. Sabarwal vs. State of Punjab – Held: The State must ascertain the exact number of scheduled caste candidates promoted through reservation and adjust promotions accordingly to maintain parity with the 20% quota [Paras 1-10].

Reservation Quota – Calculation and Application – Petitioners argued that the reserved category candidates were being granted promotions to Head Teacher posts even after exhausting the 20% quota – Respondents countered that the promotions would be made in accordance with the total number of posts, ensuring the 20% reservation was respected – Court observed that promotions beyond 20% quota would not be allowed once all cadre posts had been filled under the roster [Paras 2-8].

Promotion Roster – Operation and Cessation – Court emphasized that once all 319 posts in the promotion quota were filled, the roster system for reservation would stop operating – Further promotions would be made only from the source that vacated the post, ensuring the reserved category did not exceed the mandated percentage [Paras 8-10].

Decision: Petition allowed – The State directed to conduct a review to ascertain the correct number of promotions granted under the reserved category and adjust future promotions accordingly – Promotions exceeding the 20% quota to be discontinued unless a new vacancy arises within the quota [Paras 9-10].

Constitutional Law – Compensation for Violation of Article 21 – High Court's Jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution – Claim for compensation for the death of the petitioner’s husband due to electrocution – Petitioner sought ₹50 lakhs from BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. (BSES) and the Government of NCT of Delhi under Article 226 for alleged violation of fundamental rights under Article 21 – BSES denied liability, attributing the cause to a defective meter installed by a shopkeeper and maintained that no negligence could be attributed to its network – Court held that compensation under public law for violation of Article 21 could be granted even where the State is not directly involved, but negligence must be clear – Given the disputed facts regarding the cause of the electrocution, the principle of res ipsa loquitur could not be invoked – Petitioner directed to pursue civil remedies in an appropriate court for a full determination of negligence, while ex-gratia compensation was granted [Paras 1-47].

Electricity Law – Liability in Cases of Electrocution – Regulations 13, 30, and 34 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electricity Supply) Regulations 2010 and the Electricity Act, 2003 examined – BSES argued that the consumer/shopkeeper was responsible for maintaining the outgoing wire that caused the electrocution – Petitioner alleged breach of duty by BSES, relying on obligations imposed on electricity suppliers under the regulations – Court found that the responsibility for the defective wire rested with the consumer/shopkeeper, not BSES – In cases involving electricity accidents, the Court emphasized the need to establish clear negligence on the part of the electricity supplier before awarding public law compensation [Paras 6-47].

Public Law Remedy – Scope of Writ Jurisdiction under Article 226 – Petition for compensation under Article 226 of the Constitution – Court discussed the scope of its jurisdiction in cases involving disputed facts – Reiterated that writ jurisdiction under Article 226 is not appropriate for resolving disputed questions of fact unless negligence is manifest – Court found that whether the negligence lay with BSES or the shopkeeper could only be determined after examining the evidence, and thus civil proceedings were necessary – Court distinguished this case from instances where negligence was clear or undisputed, allowing for compensation under Article 226 [Paras 11-47].

Decision – Ex-gratia Relief and Further Legal Recourse – Held – Petition partially allowed with an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakhs directed to be paid by BSES to the petitioner within three months – BSES not held liable for negligence, but compensation awarded to alleviate petitioner’s suffering due to the tragic loss of her husband – Petitioner permitted to pursue appropriate civil remedies to seek further compensation – Civil Court directed to adjudicate within one year of filing – Court clarified that the ex-gratia amount is independent of any compensation that may be awarded in civil proceedings – No order as to costs [Paras 47].