Criminal Law – Acid Attack – Conviction under Sections 326/34 and 304/34 IPC – Appeals against conviction – FIR held ante-timed – Effect of ante-timing – FIR shown to be registered at 6:30 a.m. but evidence established that informant returned from Delhi only around 7:45 a.m. and FIR was lodged after consultation around 9:00 a.m. – Held: FIR clearly ante-timed and belonging to category affecting prosecution case – Ante-timed FIR requires cautious scrutiny of prosecution evidence [Paras 32–38, 68–72].

Evidence Appreciation – Ocular Testimony – Injured Witness – PW-2 (injured son) gave detailed account but admitted at end of testimony that all were asleep and he did not know anything – Material self-contradiction going to root of prosecution case – Injured witness though generally accorded higher weight, testimony liable to be discarded if wholly unreliable – Held: Evidence of PW-2 not trustworthy [Paras 49–50, 59–60, 73].

Evidence Appreciation – Eye-witness Testimony – PW-3 (daughter of deceased) – Claimed to have witnessed acid attack while awake – Version found inherently improbable and self-contradictory – Contradictions regarding sequence of events, manner of assault, role of accused, and position of witnesses – Material inconsistencies with testimony of injured witness – Held: PW-3 not a reliable eye-witness [Paras 55–57, 65–67].

Contradictions in Prosecution Evidence – Material Discrepancies – Inconsistent accounts as to who poured acid on deceased – One witness attributing fatal act to Bablu, another to Anil – Discrepancies regarding resistance by victims, running to hydrant, physical scuffle – Not minor variations but contradictions on core incident – Held: Prosecution failed to present a coherent and consistent version [Paras 62–67, 74].

Motive – Double-edged Weapon – Prior conviction of two appellants for rape of informant’s daughter – Possible motive for accused to commit offence as well as for informant and family to falsely implicate – In blind crime with unreliable eyewitnesses, motive to falsely implicate assumes relevance – Held: Possibility of false implication could not be ruled out [Paras 17–22, 77–90].

Related and Interested Witnesses – Principles of Scrutiny – Evidence of close relatives requires careful and discerning scrutiny, especially where animosity exists – Court relied on Vadivelu Thevar, Raju @ Balachandran, Dalip Singh and other precedents – Held: Testimony of related witnesses failed to meet standard of credibility required for conviction [Paras 58–60, 83–86].

Criminal Jurisprudence – Burden of Proof – Benefit of Doubt – Prosecution required to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt – Ante-timed FIR coupled with unreliable, contradictory ocular evidence created grave doubt – Held: Prosecution failed to discharge burden – Accused entitled to benefit of doubt [Paras 92–94].

Decision – Appeals Allowed – Conviction and sentence set aside – Acquittal of all appellants – Release directed forthwith unless required in any other case – Bonds under Section 481 BNSS / Section 437-A CrPC directed [Paras 95–96].

Education Law – Student Union Elections – Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations – Petitioners sought mandamus for annual conduct of Student Union elections within 6–8 weeks of commencement of academic session as per Lyngdoh Committee – Court examined scope, enforceability and present applicability of recommendations in light of academic exigencies and institutional autonomy [Paras 1–3, 14–21].

Constitutional Law – Article 226 – Locus Standi – Writ petitions filed by a handful of students without representative authorization – Held: Petitioners lacked locus standi to espouse cause of lakhs of students across State – Petitions not framed as PIL – Individual writs seeking representative relief not maintainable [Paras 43–44.1].

Writ Jurisdiction – Prematurity – Exhaustion of Alternative Remedies – Petitioners failed to approach Dean, Student Welfare or University Election Authorities prior to invoking writ jurisdiction – No representation, grievance or adverse decision on record – Held: Courts do not issue writs in vacuum or at pre-decisional stage – Petitions premature [Paras 43–44.4].

Fundamental Rights – Articles 19(1)(a) & 19(1)(c) – Scope – Right to freedom of speech and association does not translate into an enforceable fundamental right to demand conduct of Student Union elections at a particular time – Participation in elections held to be statutory/administrative, not absolute fundamental right [Paras 23–25, 34–36].

Academic Autonomy vs Student Democracy – Doctrine of Balance – Student elections recognized as beneficial for democratic values and leadership – However, academic primacy, discipline and institutional harmony held paramount – Elections are ancillary to core academic mandate and must not disrupt educational ecosystem [Paras 41–42].

Lyngdoh Committee – Binding Nature – Court noted conflicting submissions on continued enforceability of Lyngdoh Committee recommendations post dismissal of University of Kerala appeal – Declined to issue mandamus enforcing elections for current academic year – Issue left to be addressed through institutional mechanisms [Paras 32–33, 52].

Prospective Directions – Judicial Guidelines – Despite dismissal of writs, Court issued extensive prospective directions in aid of good governance – Universities directed to evolve consultative and transparent mechanism for future conduct of Student Union elections – Directions issued under constitutional role of Court as sentinel on the qui vive [Paras 45–61].

Directions to Students – Grievance Redressal Mechanism – Students directed to first approach University authorities (DSW/Election Board) – Mandatory hearing to be afforded – Special meeting directed to be convened on 19.01.2026 for consultation with student representatives and affiliated colleges [Paras 47–49].

Directions to Universities and State – Accountability – Universities directed to maintain Election Boards, ensure transparency in use of election-related fees, and follow principles of natural justice – Decision on election framework to be taken within 15 days of consultative meeting [Paras 50–51].

Prospective Conduct of Elections – Court refrained from directing elections for academic year 2025–26 as session at fag end – Directed future election calendars to be issued ordinarily in March – Deviations to be supported by cogent reasons – Mode of elections to comply with RUSU Guidelines, 2017 [Paras 52–53].

Campus Discipline – Political Interference – Court cautioned against external political influence (ABVP, NSUI, SFI, etc.) – Student elections to remain student-centric – Age limits, expenditure caps and disclosure norms to be strictly enforced [Para 52(e)].

Use of University Infrastructure – General Elections – Court issued prospective directions to Election Commission of India and civil authorities to avoid requisitioning Universities as polling/counting centres where it disrupts academics – Academic calendars to be respected, especially under semester system [Paras 54–60].

Decision: Writ Petitions dismissed as not maintainable and premature – No mandamus issued for conduct of Student Union elections for academic year 2025–26 – Extensive prospective guidelines issued to students, Universities, State Government and Election Commission – Registrar (Judicial) directed to forward judgment to concerned authorities – No order as to costs [Paras 44–65].

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Section 34 – Scope of Interference – Challenge to arbitral award on grounds of perversity and patent illegality – Court reiterated that reappreciation of evidence is impermissible under Section 34 – Arbitral Tribunal is the master of evidence – Interference warranted only where findings are perverse, arbitrary, capricious or based on no evidence – Mere possibility of a different view no ground to set aside award [Paras 32–33, 47].

Arbitration – Termination of Contract – Operating and Services Agreement – Safety Audit –Respondent stopped operations at railway siding pursuant to Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) audit report – OISD recommended partial/full shutdown and declared continuation of operations unsafe – Tribunal held stop work notice to be justified and prudent – Termination of contract by petitioner solely on ground of stoppage at siding held wrongful and illegal – Finding upheld [Paras 30–31, 36–40, 46–47].

Arbitration – Contractual Interpretation – Arbitrator’s Domain – Interpretation of terms of Operating and Services Agreement and Stop Work Authority circular undertaken by Tribunal – Court held that a plausible interpretation by arbitrator cannot be substituted under Section 34 – No rewriting of contract or travel beyond its terms established [Paras 15, 41].

Arbitration – Safety Obligations – Effect of Government Safety Audit – OISD, a statutory authority, flagged serious safety hazards at railway siding – Respondent’s reliance on safety audit could not be treated as voluntary abandonment of contract – Prior knowledge of siding condition at tender stage held irrelevant once statutory authority declared operations unsafe [Paras 34–37, 39–40].

Arbitration – Alleged Inconsistencies – Indenting of Rakes – Respondent placed railway indents after issuance of stop work notice – Tribunal accepted explanation that time was taken to assess implications of OISD report – Minor inconsistencies not affecting ultimate conclusion do not render award perverse [Paras 42–43].

Arbitration – Composite Contract – Partial Performance – Argument that OSA was a composite contract incapable of partial performance rejected – Respondent stopped only railway siding operations while continuing other depot activities – Stoppage of one mode of transportation did not amount to frustration or abandonment of entire contract [Paras 18, 45].

Arbitration – Loss of Profit – Proof – Claim for loss of profit awarded on basis of unchallenged oral and documentary evidence and conservative calculations – Tribunal’s findings held neither speculative nor perverse – No interference warranted [Paras 19, 28].

Arbitration – Counterclaims – Effect of Illegal Termination – Counterclaims towards penalty, differential transportation cost and placement cost rejected – Once termination held illegal, counterclaims automatically failed – Rejection upheld [Paras 21, 28–29].

Arbitration – Bank Guarantee – Wrongful Invocation – Invocation of bank guarantee pursuant to illegal termination held wrongful – Award directing refund with interest upheld [Paras 27–29].

Interest and Costs – Arbitral Discretion – Award of interest at 13% p.a. and costs of arbitration upheld – No arbitrariness or excessiveness shown [Paras 6–7, 27].

Administrative Law – Jurisdiction – Powers under Special Statutes – Rehabilitation Act – Sale Permission – Jurisdictional Error – Divisional Commissioner revoked a sale permission granted under Section 12 of the Maharashtra Rehabilitation Act, 1999 after the transaction was completed via a registered sale deed – Held: The Rehabilitation Act does not confer appellate or revisional powers to the Divisional Commissioner in respect of such permissions – The officer granting permission under the Act acts under special statutory authority, not as a revenue officer under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code – Sections 247 and 257 of the Code are inapplicable [Paras 12-15].

Civil Procedure – Limitation – Appeal Without Condonation – Respondents filed a delayed appeal without obtaining condonation – The Divisional Commissioner proceeded to hear the matter on merits without deciding the delay application – Held: Jurisdiction must be established before adjudication – Proceedings vitiated for lack of jurisdiction and procedural irregularity [Para 16].

Property Law – Transfer of Property – Agreement to Sell – Rights – Respondents claimed through an un-enforced 1995 agreement to sell – No suit for specific performance filed – Held: Mere agreement to sell does not confer ownership or right to object to transfer – Respondents lacked locus and were not “aggrieved persons” under Section 12 of the Act [Paras 17-18, 22].

Administrative Law – Functus Officio – No Power of Review – Once permission was acted upon by execution of sale deed and possession transfer, the authority under the Act became functus officio – There is no power to review or recall such permission under the Act – Cancellation after completion is illegal [Para 19].

Fraud – Allegations Based on Non-Disclosure – Alleged non-disclosure of prior agreement did not amount to fraud – No enforceable rights arose from said agreement – Non-disclosure of an irrelevant fact does not constitute fraud under law [Para 22].

Constitutional Law – Alternative Remedy – Not a Bar – Availability of appeal or revision under Land Revenue Code does not bar writ petition where jurisdiction is wrongly assumed – The petitioner cannot be forced to pursue an alternative remedy under an inapplicable statute [Para 21].

Decision: Writ petition allowed – Impugned order dated 1 August 2014 set aside – Sale permission dated 13 December 2010 restored – Registered sale deed held valid – No costs [Paras 24-25].

Criminal Law - Sections 8(c), 21, 25, 27-A, 28 and 29 NDPS Act – Appeal Against Acquittal – Scope of Interference – Presumption of Innocence – Trial Court Acquittal – Held: Appellate court can interfere only if findings are perverse or based on misreading of evidence – Where trial court view is a possible and plausible view, acquittal cannot be reversed merely because another view is possible [Paras 15–16, 18].

Search and Seizure – Sections 42 and 43 NDPS Act – Public Place Search – Alleged seizure at toll plaza – Prosecution contended applicability of Section 43 – Trial court held non-compliance of Section 42 – Evidence disclosed receipt of prior information and procedural lapses – Held: Trial court justified in holding violation of mandatory safeguards – Entire proceedings vitiated [Paras 17–24, 36].

Confessional Statement – Section 67 NDPS Act – Voluntariness – Accused allegedly confined overnight and kept under restraint – Statement containing technical legal terminology – Held: Statement not voluntary and hit by Section 36 of Evidence Act – No evidentiary value could be attached to such statement [Paras 25–26, 31–32].

Independent Witnesses – Panch Witnesses Turning Hostile – Non-examination of Material Witness – Driver of vehicle not examined – Complainant not examined despite opportunity – Held: Serious infirmities in prosecution case – Adverse inference rightly drawn by trial court [Paras 17, 27, 31].

Possession of Contraband – Exclusive Possession – Prosecution failed to establish conscious and exclusive possession of 5.800 kg heroin – Contradictions in evidence of official witnesses – Independent corroboration absent – Held: Presumption under Sections 35 and 54 NDPS Act not attracted [Paras 27, 31, 37].

Criminal Conspiracy – Sections 27-A and 29 NDPS Act – Evidence Against Co-accused – Case against A2 to A4 based solely on alleged statement of co-accused – Retraction of confession – Delay in arraying accused – Held: No reliable evidence of conspiracy or role of co-accused – Acquittal justified [Paras 33–35].

Compliance with NDPS Safeguards – Sections 50, 52, 55 and 57 – Custody and sealing procedures – Failure to hand over seal to independent witnesses – Non-production before nearest police station – Held: Procedural safeguards not complied with – Prosecution case rendered doubtful [Paras 30–31].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Judgment of acquittal dated 14.10.2011 passed in Spl. Case No. 46/2005 by the Principal Sessions Judge & Special Judge (NDPS), Tumkur affirmed – No interference warranted.

Death Penalty – Post-Mercy Judicial Review – Article 21 – Even after confirmation of death sentence and rejection of mercy petitions under Articles 72 and 161, the fundamental right to life and human dignity continues to subsist – Constitutional Courts are empowered to examine supervening circumstances affecting fairness, humanity and constitutionality of execution – Scope of judicial review confined to post-conviction events without reopening guilt [Paras 25–27, 52].

Solitary Confinement – Illegal Segregation Prior to Finality of Sentence – Appellants kept in separate cells from 21.12.2006 to 2009 before exhaustion of judicial and constitutional remedies – Such segregation held illegal and violative of Article 21 – Section 30(2) of Prisons Act applicable only when death sentence becomes final, conclusive and executable – Reliance on Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration – Illegal solitary confinement itself a valid ground for commutation [Paras 28–33, 39–43, 53(i)].

Punjab Jail Manual – Statutory Segregation – Constitutional Limits – Provisions permitting confinement “apart from other prisoners” cannot be enforced to impose complete social and sensory isolation – Jail authorities lack power to add punitive solitary confinement beyond judicial sentence – Any segregation resulting in denial of sight and communication with fellow prisoners held unconstitutional [Paras 29–31, 43].

Delay in Disposal of Mercy Petitions – Executive Apathy – Mental Torture – Unreasonable and unexplained delay of more than four years attributable to State authorities at multiple stages – Failure to inform appellants of right to file mercy petitions and denial of legal aid post dismissal of review – Misrouting of mercy petitions, prolonged inaction despite repeated reminders by MHA, erroneous reliance on Sriharan judgment, and one-year delay in communicating rejection by Governor – Held: Delay caused severe mental agony and violated Article 21 [Paras 34–37, 44–49, 53(ii)].

Mercy Petition – Procedural Safeguards – Mandatory Compliance – MHA guidelines requiring immediate intimation to convicts and legal assistance for preparation of mercy petitions are binding – Non-compliance vitiates post-conviction process – Making convicts sign multiple mercy petitions without legal aid held impermissible – Procedural lapses constitute relevant supervening factor for commutation [Paras 44–50].

Gravity of Crime – Irrelevance in Post-Mercy Proceedings – Heinous nature of offence and brutality involved cannot be considered at post-mercy stage – Focus confined to delay, prison conditions, dignity, and fairness – Reliance on Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India [Paras 11, 36, 52].

Long Incarceration on Death Row – ‘Death Row Phenomenon’ – Appellants incarcerated for over twenty years under constant threat of execution – Prolonged uncertainty and psychological trauma recognised as infringement of Article 21 – Mental suffering outweighs relevance of physical health alone [Paras 35–37, 51, 53(iii)].

Maintainability – Letters Patent Appeal – Writ Based on Mercy Delay – Proceedings challenging delay in mercy petitions are independent of original conviction – Intra-court appeal maintainable against dismissal of such writ petitions – Supreme Court remand settled maintainability issue [Paras 7–8].

Sentence – Commutation – Life Imprisonment for Remainder of Natural Life – Cumulative effect of illegal solitary confinement, inordinate delay, prolonged incarceration and procedural lapses warranted commutation – Death sentence substituted with life imprisonment for remainder of natural life – No remission or premature release permissible – Balance struck between constitutional rights of convicts and societal interests [Paras 22, 54].

Decision: Letters Patent Appeals partly allowed – Death sentence commuted to life imprisonment for remainder of natural life – Impugned judgment of Single Judge modified accordingly.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 – Compounding of Offence – Section 41 FCRA – Effect of Compounding – The petitioner received foreign contribution without prior permission, which was a technical contravention of the FCRA – The offence was subsequently compounded by the Ministry of Home Affairs upon payment of a compounding fee – Once an offence is compounded under Section 41 of the FCRA, the slate is wiped clean, and the contravention cannot be cited as an adverse ground for rejecting a registration application – To disqualify an applicant on this ground after compounding would be disproportionate and a failure to consider relevant material – The authority failed to clarify that compounding would only shield from prosecution but lead to disqualification under Section 12(4)(a)(vii) – The impugned order is set aside on this ground [Paras 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19].

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 – Religious Organization – Section 11(1) FCRA – Interpretation of "definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme" – The respondent rejected the application stating the petitioner-organization "appears to be religious" based on its engagement in imparting Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta – Section 11(1) allows religious organizations to receive foreign contributions if registered – The authority must form a "definite" conclusion based on materials, not a tentative one – Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta are not confined to a specific religion but are part of Bharatiya civilization and moral science, as held in 2007 SCC OnLine All 1301 (Shyamal Renjan Mukherjee v. Nirmal Ranjan Mukherjee) and 2014 SCC OnLine All 15395 (Indian Academy of Naturopathy and Yoga v. State of UP) regarding Yoga – The petitioner is also registered as a charitable organization under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which is a relevant material – The impugned order is set aside on this ground [Paras 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19].

Writ Jurisdiction – Alternative Remedy – Article 226 Constitution of India – Section 31(2) FCRA – Maintainability of Writ Petition – Despite the availability of an appeal under Section 31(2) of the FCRA to the High Court, a writ petition is maintainable if there is a fundamental breach of natural justice or the impugned order suffers from disproportionality – The Supreme Court in 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 1129 (Rikhab Chand Jain v. UOI) held that while refusal to entertain a writ petition is the rule when the alternative forum is the High Court itself, it can be an exception in cases of fundamental breach of natural justice or disproportionality – The impugned order in this case suffers from both, making the writ petition maintainable [Paras 17, 18].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Impugned order set aside – Matter remitted to the second respondent for fresh consideration within three months, taking into account all relevant materials and observations made in this order, after issuing a fresh notice to the petitioner regarding the alleged transfer of FC funds [Paras 19, 20].

Criminal Procedure – Quashment of FIR – Scope of Section 528 BNSS (Old Section 482 CrPC) – Inherent powers to be exercised sparingly – FIR cannot be quashed at threshold when allegations, taken at face value, disclose commission of cognizable offences – High Court cannot conduct mini-trial or evaluate defence material at investigation stage [Paras 6–11].

Dowry Harassment – Cruelty by Husband and In-laws – FIR Allegations – Specific allegations of demand of ₹30 lakhs, ₹50 lakhs, jewellery, physical assault, threats to life and misappropriation of stridhan – Allegations disclose continuing offence – Prima facie case made out – Quashing declined [Paras 2, 4, 11].

Criminal Investigation – Stage of Interference – Investigation Pending – Charge-sheet not filed – Courts should ordinarily refrain from interfering during investigation unless FIR discloses no offence at all – Reliance placed on Neeharika Infrastructure principles – FIR not an encyclopaedia [Paras 9–11].

Section 188 CrPC – Offences Allegedly Committed Outside India – Sanction of Central Government – Sanction not required at stage of registration of FIR or investigation – Requirement arises at stage of cognizance/trial – Allegations disclose commission of offences partly in India as well – FIR not liable to be quashed on this ground [Paras 12–13].

Inherent Jurisdiction – Defence Pleas – Delay in FIR – Alleged Omnibus Allegations – Foreign Residence – Defence contentions regarding photographs, mediation, notices, travel history and alleged extortion – Held: Disputed questions of fact – Matters for trial – Not grounds for quashing FIR [Paras 3–4, 14].

Maintainability – Section 528 BNSS – Quashing of FIR – Petition sought quashing of FIR alone without placing charge-sheet or cognizance order on record – As per Supreme Court in Pradnya Pranjal Kulkarni v. State of Maharashtra – Once cognizance is taken, FIR can be quashed under Section 528 BNSS only if charge-sheet and cognizance order are specifically assailed – Petition held not maintainable [Paras 15–17].

Suppression of Material Facts – Conduct of Petitioners – Respondents alleged suppression of proceedings under Domestic Violence Act and divorce petition – Court noted lack of bona fides but primarily declined relief on merits and maintainability [Para 4.1].

Decision: Petition dismissed – FIR No.198/2025 not quashed – Investigation to proceed in accordance with law – Observations not to influence trial Court.

Execution of Decree – Confirmation of Possession – Recovery of Possession Permissible – Decree holder obtained decree for declaration of title, confirmation of possession and permanent injunction – After finality of decree, judgment debtor forcibly entered into possession – Held: Such conduct amounts to obstruction – Executing Court rightly directed eviction to enforce decree – A decree of confirmation of possession, once violated, can be enforced by removal of obstruction [Paras 6, 8, 17–18]

Civil Procedure – Section 47 CPC – Repeated Applications – Judgment debtor filed multiple applications under Section 47 CPC on same grounds after rejection of earlier ones – Held: Such repeated objections barred by principle akin to res judicata – Supreme Court’s directions in Rahul S. Shah v. Jinendra Kumar Gandhi followed – Frivolous objections to execution to be sternly dealt with [Paras 5, 14–15]

Limitation – Execution of Decree – Applicability of Article 136 – Petitioners contended execution was barred by limitation – Court held decree also involved permanent injunction, and thus not governed by 12-year limitation under Article 136 – Execution was within time as obstruction occurred post-second appeal – Held: Enforcement of perpetual injunction not time-barred [Paras 8–9, 19]

Interpretation of Decree – Executing Court’s Role – Judgment debtor contended that eviction not permissible as decree lacked specific direction for possession – Court held: Executing Court can interpret decree to determine its enforceability, especially when decree holder’s possession was confirmed and later obstructed – Relief sought does not go beyond decree but seeks its enforcement [Paras 21–22]

Abuse of Process – Judgment Debtor’s Tactics – Repeated filing of objections and technical pleas by judgment debtor seen as an attempt to delay and frustrate decree – Held: Courts cannot allow decree holder to be driven to file fresh suit when earlier decree has attained finality – Conduct of judgment debtor amounted to abuse of process [Paras 1, 17–18, 23]

Decision: Civil Miscellaneous Petition dismissed – Executing Court’s and Revisional Court’s orders upheld – Decree holder entitled to recover possession in enforcement of decree confirming possession and restraining interference – Executing Court directed to conclude proceedings within two months.