Criminal Law - Conviction and Sentence Review – Appellant convicted under Section 302 IPC for the murder of an eight-year-old by setting him on fire – Sentenced to life imprisonment by the II Additional District Sessions Judge, Thoothukudi – Conviction based on circumstantial evidence, including the presence of the appellant at the crime scene and her actions post-incident [Paras 2, 7-9, 16].

Circumstantial Evidence and Mental Health Defense – No direct eyewitnesses to the incident – Appellant, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, set her nephew on fire following a quarrel – Defense centered around her mental health and lack of intent due to mental illness [Paras 3.1-3.4, 4.5-4.7, 5, 9, 10, 15].

Medical Evidence of Mental Illness – Appellant diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia – Evidence of mental illness for over ten years prior to the incident, during the occurrence, and after – Impact of mental health on criminal responsibility under Section 84 IPC highlighted [Paras 4.7, 9, 10-11, 13-14, 17].

Acquittal on Grounds of Mental Illness – High Court set aside the trial court's conviction – Appellant acquitted under Section 84 IPC, recognizing her mental illness and inability to understand the nature of her act [Paras 16, 14].

Custodial Care and Treatment Ordered – Appellant to be detained in safe custody under Section 335 Cr.P.C. – Treatment at the Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai, followed by potential transfer to a Welfare Home for Women – Family or relatives can seek custody with court's approval [Paras 17-18].

Transfer of Investigation and Limitation – Application under Section 482 Cr.P.C for transfer of investigation due to alleged inaction by police in Crl.OP.No.433 of 2024 – Final report filed after four years, exceeding limitation period under Section 468 Cr.P.C – Court exercised powers under Section 473 Cr.P.C – Directed Court below to pass orders within six weeks regarding delay [Paras 2-3, 30].

Quashing of FIR – Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash FIR in Crime No.749 of 2015 due to non-filing of final report within prescribed limitation – Offences under Sections 294(b), 323, 506(i) IPC – Exceeded limitation period without sufficient cause – FIR quashed [Paras 32-34].

Limitation for Taking Cognizance – Relevance of limitation period for offences punishable with imprisonment – Distinction between “complaint” under Section 2(d) Cr.P.C and “information” under Section 154 Cr.P.C – Limitation period calculated from date of filing final report, not from FIR date – Clarification on Sarah Mathew v Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases [2014] 2 SCC 62 and Kishore v State [2023] 2 LW (Cri) 285 [Paras 14, 24, 26-27].

Legal Principles for Limitation in Criminal Cases – Examination of decisions including Arun Vyas v Anita Vyas [1999] 4 SCC 690 and Ramesh v. State of T.N. [2005] 3 SCC 507 – Limitation period starts from the date of final report filing in cases initiated by police report [Paras 12, 26-27].

Civil Law - Court Fee – Declaration and Consequential Relief – Mandatory Injunction as Distinct Relief – Challenge to trial court's order directing plaintiff/petitioner to pay ad-valorem court fees for relief of mandatory injunction, separate from the relief of declaration. The trial court found mandatory injunction not to be a consequential relief to the declaration, necessitating separate court fees. Petitioner's argument of injunction being consequential to the declaration in a suit for declaration rejected by the court. Reliance on Civil Revision No. 433 of 2006 and Delhi High Court judgment in Sujata Sharma vs. Manu Gupta & Ors for determining the nature of consequential relief. The High Court's judgment emphasized that the consequential relief must follow directly from the declaration and cannot be claimed independently as a 'substantial relief'. [Paras 2-3, 5-7]

Retiral Dues Dispute – Claim for Declaration and Mandatory Injunction – Petitioner filed a suit for declaration and mandatory injunction regarding the retiral dues of a late employee. The suit sought to declare actions by respondent Nos. 1 and 2 as null and void and claimed an injunction for the dues to be paid to the petitioner instead of respondent Nos. 3 and 4. The court found that the claim for injunction was independent and not consequential to the declaration, thereby requiring separate court fees. [Paras 3-4, 8]

Judicial Interpretation – Separation of Declaration and Consequential Relief – The court’s interpretation based on various precedents, determining that a relief of injunction in a declaration suit is not always consequential. Emphasis on the substance over the form of the plaint, and the need for a relief to follow as a natural consequence from the declaration. The court distinguished between 'further relief' and 'consequential relief', underlining that not all further relief constitutes consequential relief. [Para 7]

Decision – Dismissal of Petition – High Court upheld the trial court's observation and dismissed the petition. The court found no illegality or perversity in the trial court's order and clarified that the relief of declaration and injunction should be valued separately for court fees. The reliance of the petitioner on previous case law was found inapplicable in the present case. [Paras 8-9]

Criminal Law - Quashing FIR - Challenging FIR and Proceedings – Petitioners, school authorities of Vivekanand School, challenged FIR and subsequent criminal proceedings related to the suicide of a student post admonishment for misconduct. [Paras 1-2, 4-5]

School Discipline and Social Control – Discussion on social control methods in schools; citing sociological theories and Informal Social Controls like shaming, praising, gossiping. Emphasized on balanced approach in maintaining discipline. [Paras 15-19, 21-24]

Legal Interpretation of Abetment to Suicide – Analysis of Section 306 IPC and Section 107 IPC; emphasized the need for proving instigation, conspiracy, or aiding in the act of suicide for conviction under Section 306. [Paras 27-31, 33-34]

Absence of Abetment Evidence – Court found no evidence of abetment or instigation by the petitioners leading to the student’s suicide. Noted the absence of physical violence and the duty of teachers in student welfare. [Paras 26, 35-37]

Application of Section 482 Cr.P.C. – The court exercised its jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to prevent abuse of process and miscarriage of justice, citing the Supreme Court’s guidelines in Ch. Bhajan Lal and others, AIR 1992 SC 604. [Paras 38-40]

Quashing of FIR and Proceedings – The FIR at Crime No.371/2022 and all consequential proceedings against the petitioners were quashed, discharging them from all allegations. [Paras 41-42]

Conviction and Sentencing Under NDPS Act – Lavkesh Singh and Pawan Kumar convicted under Sections 20(b) II(c), 25, 29 of NDPS Act for narcotics transport – Sentenced to 14 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fine for Section 20(b) II(c), and 10 years for Sections 25 and 29 [Para 1].

Raid and Recovery of Narcotics – Intelligence Officer R.K. Tiwari received information about transportation of narcotics in a train – A raid conducted, resulting in the recovery of 124 kg charas and 77 kg ganja, valued at Rs. 38,74,000 [Paras 3-6].

Non-Compliance with NDPS Act Provisions – Violation of Sections 42(1), 42(2), and 55 of NDPS Act – Failure to reduce information into writing, lack of search warrant, and improper handling and custody of recovered narcotics [Paras 12-16, 19-21].

Absence of Independent Witnesses and Link Evidence – Independent witnesses not produced in court, and no explanation given – Missing link evidence for custody of narcotics from seizure to deposition in malkhana [Paras 26, 27].

Appeal Allowed – Given the non-compliance with NDPS Act, procedural lapses, and absence of independent witnesses, the appeal was allowed, setting aside the lower court’s conviction and sentencing [Para 30].

Service Law - Challenge to Armed Forces Tribunal Order – Petitioner, an Indian Air Force Corporal, challenges the Armed Forces Tribunal's decision dismissing his appeal for permission to join a civilian post – Petitioner's appeal for NOC and discharge to join as Assistant Professor in Rajasthan Government contested. [Para 1-3]

Online Application Rejection – Petitioner's failed attempts to apply online for civilian post due to non-acceptance by the software – Offline application attempt also rejected – Petitioner appeared for the selection process without formal permission from the authorities. [Para 3-8]

Armed Forces Tribunal Decision – AFT concludes petitioner failed to comply with necessary procedures for applying to civilian post – No substantial proof of online or offline application submissions – Petitioner's participation in selection process without permission deemed non-compliant with Air Force Order 33/2017. [Para 13]

Petitioner’s Argument – Contention of procedural oversight and non-availability of offline application process – Challenge to the constitutional validity of AFO 33/2017, arguing it imposes unreasonable conditions on airmen seeking civilian employment. [Para 14]

Respondents’ Counterargument – Emphasis on the importance of compliance with AFO 33/2017 guidelines – Argue petitioner failed to provide evidence of attempting to apply online or offline – Highlighting the significant investment in training airmen and operational impact of their premature discharge. [Para 15-23]

High Court's Analysis – High Court finds no evidence of petitioner's online or offline application submissions – Upholds AFT's finding of non-compliance with AFO 33/2017 by the petitioner – Dismisses the petition for lack of merit. [Para 29-35]

Decision – High Court affirms AFT's decision, rejecting petitioner’s appeal for lack of procedural compliance – Petition for NOC and discharge to join civilian post dismissed. [Para 35]

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Appeal under Section 37 – Challenging the dismissal of objections under Section 34 against the Arbitral Award dated 20.02.2019 – Award directed appellants to pay substantial sums with interest and costs – Dismissal of objections upheld by the High Court. [Para 1, 2, 37]

Commercial Court’s Order – Compliance with Order XLI Rule 5 CPC – Appellants directed to deposit 50% of the principal amount and provide an undertaking for the remaining amount – Special Leave Petition against this order dismissed by the Supreme Court. [Para 3]

Facts of the Case – Financial transactions between appellants and respondent – MoU for commission and refund of principal amount – Allegations of defaults in payments by appellants leading to legal action and arbitration. [Para 4, 5]

Arbitration Proceedings – Objections to arbitrator’s appointment by appellants – Arbitrator proceeded with the case, leading to the Award – Appellants contested the arbitrator’s decision and the validity of the MoU. [Para 7-14, 28, 29, 35, 36]

Fraud Allegations – Appellants accused respondent of forgery and violating public policy – Respondent highlighted appellants’ history of legal issues and defaulting tendencies – Commercial Court dismissed appellants’ claims of forgery. [Para 11, 15-19]

Legal Principles – Analysis of arbitration clause under MoU – Limited scope of interference by courts under Section 34 of the Act – Importance of distinguishing between contract interpretation errors and patent illegality. [Para 26, 31-34]

Conclusion – Dismissal of Appeal – No illegality or perversity found in the Arbitral Award and Commercial Court’s decision – Upholding of Arbitral Award dated 20.02.2019. [Para 37]

Medical Termination of Pregnancy – Request for Termination Beyond 24 Weeks – Psychological Impact and Ethical Considerations: Petitioner sought medical termination of a 30-week pregnancy due to severe depression and life changes following her husband's death. AIIMS reports and psychological assessments evaluated the petitioner's mental health and the ethical implications of feticide, considering the fetus showed no abnormalities. [Para 1, 2, 3, 4, 21, 22]

Court's Intervention in Late Pregnancy Termination Cases – Medical and Ethical Guidelines: The Court, referencing the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, and relevant guidelines, highlighted the ethical considerations in late pregnancy terminations, especially when the fetus is normal. The Court emphasized the need for careful evaluation of physical and mental health risks to the mother and potential child. [Para 14, 15, 16, 22, 23]

Psychological Evaluation and Treatment of Petitioner – Importance of Mental Health in Pregnancy Decisions: Detailed psychological assessment revealed the petitioner's severe depression but without psychotic features, emphasizing the importance of mental health in decisions regarding pregnancy termination. [Para 19, 20, 21]

Judicial Precedent and Legislative Provisions – Termination of Pregnancy Beyond Permissible Limits: The Court considered previous Supreme Court judgments and statutory provisions under the MTP Act, highlighting the legal framework for pregnancy termination and the extended considerations for cases beyond 24 weeks. [Para 17, 18, 19, 10]

Court's Decision – Recall of Earlier Judgment Permitting Termination, Emphasis on Future Care: The Court recalled its previous judgment allowing pregnancy termination, taking into account subsequent medical reports and ethical considerations. The judgment focused on future medical care for the petitioner and the newborn, including the possibility of adoption. [Para 24, 25, 26, 27, 28]

Decision: Original judgment permitting termination of pregnancy recalled. The Court directed the petitioner to consult with the Medical Board for future pregnancy and delivery management, ensuring medical and psychological support, and outlined provisions for potential adoption. [Para 24-28]

Servioce Law - Writ Petition – Delhi High Court – Group-D to Group-C Upgradation in Delhi Police – Petition challenging Central Administrative Tribunal’s decision dismissing the Original Application for parity in grade pay with Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMFs) – Dismissed as non-combatised roles in Delhi Police do not equate with combatised roles in CPMFs. [Paras 1, 2, 15-24]

Training and Upgradation – Comparison of Training and Duties – Distinct nature of training and roles between erstwhile Group-D employees in Delhi Police and ‘Followers’ in CPMFs – Lack of rigorous Arms and Ammunition Training and law enforcement duties for Delhi Police Group-D staff, unlike CPMFs – Tribunal’s rejection of parity in grade pay upheld. [Paras 28-34]

Pay Commission Recommendations – 6th Central Pay Commission – Implementation and interpretation – 6th CPC’s specific recommendations for CPMFs not applicable to Delhi Police’s non-combatised roles – Tribunal’s interpretation upheld in distinguishing between roles in Delhi Police and CPMFs. [Paras 20-21]

Equal Pay for Equal Work – Legal Principles – Supreme Court guidelines on equal pay for equal work – Necessity of examining duties, responsibilities, training, and nature of posts for determining pay parity – Tribunal’s decision in line with Supreme Court’s principles on job evaluation and pay determination. [Paras 22]

Decision – Dismissal of Writ Petition – Tribunal’s decision to reject OA for grade pay parity upheld – Distinction between duties and nature of employment in Delhi Police and CPMFs justifies different pay scales – Petitioners’ claim for grade pay of ₹2000/- dismissed, maintaining their grade pay at ₹1800/-. [Para 24]