Motor Vehicle Accident – Compensation – Assessment of Liability – Claim under Section 163A of the M.V. Act for the death of a passenger in a tractor and trailer accident – Tribunal awarded Rs. 1,89,000 – Appeal by claimants for enhancement and by insurance company for reduction of liability – High Court reviewed the pending appeals simultaneously – Tribunal’s award modified – Enhanced compensation to Rs. 2,57,000 – Apportioned liability between insurers of tractor and trailer [Paras 1-23].
Rash and Negligent Driving – Evidence – Tribunal’s finding of negligence by the tractor driver affirmed – High Court emphasized no requirement to establish negligence under Section 163A of M.V. Act – Confirmed involvement of the vehicle in the accident sufficient for compensation claim – Witnesses and documentary evidence considered [Paras 18-22].
Compensation – Quantum – Deceased was a bachelor earning Rs. 2,500/month – Applied multiplier of 17 – Total compensation enhanced – Directed interest on enhanced amount – Liability apportioned 75% to tractor insurer and 25% to trailer insurer – Interest rates specified [Paras 20-22].
Review Petition – Procedural Error – Acknowledged oversight in earlier appeal where pendency of related appeal was not disclosed – High Court rectified by common judgment in both appeals – Ensured comprehensive review and just resolution [Paras 5-8].
Decision: Review application I.A. No. 2 of 2024 in M.A.C.M.A. No. 1054 of 2012 and M.A.C.M.A. No. 3576 of 2008 are disposed of – Compensation enhanced to Rs. 2,57,000 – Interest at 9% p.a. on original amount and 7.5% p.a. on enhanced amount – Apportioned liability 75% on tractor insurer and 25% on trailer insurer – Directed deposit within two months – No order as to costs [Paras 23].
 

Temporary Injunction – Prima Facie Title – Registered Gift Deed vs. Unregistered Will – Petitioners challenged the appellate court’s order granting a temporary injunction to the respondents (plaintiffs) based on a registered gift deed – Contention revolved around alleged fraudulent procurement of the gift deed – Lower appellate court ruled in favor of the respondents, emphasizing the protection of prima facie title and possession derived from the registered gift deed – High Court upheld this decision, stressing the legal principle that prima facie title and possession under a registered document should be protected pending resolution of disputes [Paras 12-13].

Co-ownership and Possession – Family Property Dispute – Defendants (petitioners) argued for co-ownership based on an unregistered will and the permissive possession of the property – High Court acknowledged the ongoing comprehensive suit challenging the validity of the gift deed but maintained that the prima facie title under a registered deed grants stronger possession rights compared to claims under an unregistered will [Paras 10-11].

Legal Question – Unilateral Cancellation of Gift Deed – The case highlighted the issue of whether a gift deed could be unilaterally cancelled via an unregistered will – Court recognized the necessity of a registered instrument for cancellation, thus invalidating the unilateral cancellation attempt by the defendants – Emphasized that such legal questions require thorough examination in a full-fledged trial [Para 13].

Decision: Civil Revision Petition dismissed – High Court affirmed the appellate court’s order granting temporary injunction to protect the prima facie title and possession of the respondents based on the registered gift deed – Interlocutory applications pending in this C.R.P. were closed [Para 14].

Expulsion of a Partner – Good Faith Requirement – Section 33 of Indian Partnership Act, 1932 – Expulsion of Meraj Yusha from the partnership firm Serajuddin & Company due to allegations of misconduct and obstructing business operations – Show cause notice issued, subsequent expulsion ordered by majority partners – High Court found procedural lapses in expulsion process, particularly in adherence to principles of natural justice – Expulsion deemed improper due to insufficient notice and lack of good faith in proceedings.

Interim Orders in Arbitration – Appellate Jurisdiction Principles – Trial court’s discretion in granting interim orders under Section 9 of Arbitration Act affirmed – High Court emphasized the principle that appellate courts should not interfere with trial court’s discretion unless it is shown to be arbitrary or capricious – Interim order maintaining status quo continued to protect interests until arbitration.

Prima Facie Case for Arbitration – Evaluation of Evidence – High Court noted the necessity of further investigation into allegations against expelled partner Meraj Yusha – Evaluation of evidence revealed prima facie case deserving arbitration – Ordered continuation of interim protection and directed reconstitution of partnership firm including legal heirs of deceased partner for fresh adjudication.

Decision: Appeals dismissed – Interim order by Single Judge upheld – Fresh adjudication of expulsion to be carried out by reconstituted partnership firm under supervision of appointed Special Officers.
 

Service Conditions – Entitlement to Benefits – Petitioners, hostel/mess employees of Bengal Engineering College (subsequently BESU and then IIEST), challenged denial of GPF and pension benefits by MHRD – Initially entitled to benefits as per Government of West Bengal notifications – IIEST contended NITSER Act did not extend these benefits – Court found MHRD’s memo denying benefits lacked reasoning, violating natural justice principles – Directed MHRD to reconsider the issue with reasons and opportunity for hearing [Paras 1-19]. 

Statutory Interpretation – Section 5A of NITSER Act – Applied to determine rights of employees post-upgradation of BESU to IIEST – Court held employees retained rights to benefits existing prior to upgradation – MHRD’s stance found legally untenable, as the right to GPF and pension declared before the NITSER amendment remained protected [Paras 16-17]. 

Decision: Writ petition allowed – MHRD’s impugned memo set aside – Directed reconsideration of GPF/Pension benefits for petitioners with a reasoned decision within 8 weeks – Maintained that hostel/mess positions to be treated as a “dying cadre” with no new recruitment post-28.10.2014, to be managed by outsourcing [Paras 18-20]. 

Criminal Procedure – Quashing of Proceedings – Loan Repayment Dispute – Petitioners sought quashing of criminal proceedings initiated due to a dispute over loan repayment – Accused allegedly criminally trespassed, abused, and threatened the complainant and her husband – Court found the proceedings manifestly attended with mala fide intentions and instituted to wreak vengeance – Prosecution materials insufficient to constitute the alleged offences – Quashment of proceedings justified under Section 482 Cr.P.C. [Paras 1-10].

Inherent Powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C. – Abuse of Judicial Process – Court emphasized that judicial process must not be abused for personal grudges or vendetta – Reference made to precedents underscoring the duty of the court to quash frivolous or vexatious proceedings aimed at harassment [Paras 8-10].

Decision: Criminal Miscellaneous Case allowed – Annexure A9 Final Report and all further proceedings in C.C.No.541/2019 quashed – Emphasized the need for courts to scrutinize the motives behind criminal complaints to prevent misuse of legal processes [Para 10].
 

Disciplinary Proceedings – Suspension and Punishment – Challenge to Orders – Petitioner was suspended pending enquiry and later issued a memo of charges – Charges included spreading false information via WhatsApp and unauthorized entry into a restricted area – Petitioner admitted to unauthorized entry but contested the other charges – Held, the formal enquiry was not necessary for the admitted charge, but the objectionable posts were protected under the right to freedom of speech – Orders partially set aside [Paras 1-12].

Fundamental Rights – Freedom of Speech – Petitioner’s objectionable posts in a private WhatsApp group expressing concerns on safety – Held, expression of safety concerns in a private forum cannot be grounds for punishment – Charge based on such posts found violative of Article 19(1)(a) – Charge quashed [Paras 10-11].

Procedure and Enquiry – Necessity of Enquiry – Petitioner admitted to unauthorized entry into a restricted area – Held, formal enquiry not necessary for admitted misconduct – Punishment of “WARNING” upheld as it did not warrant interference [Paras 9-11].

Decision: Writ Petition partly allowed – Charge related to spreading false information quashed as violative of Article 19(1)(a) – Charge of unauthorized entry upheld and punishment of “WARNING” sustained – No further relief granted [Para 12].
 

Criminal Law – Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault – Appellant convicted of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child below twelve years under sections 5(m) and 5(l) of the POCSO Act, and sentenced to twenty years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs.30,000/- for each offence – Conviction under sections 376AB, 375(a) and 354B IPC also recorded, but sentencing limited to POCSO Act in view of section 42 – Total imprisonment to run concurrently, with set off for time already served – Rs.5,00,000/- compensation awarded to the minor victim from the Victim Compensation Fund [Paras 1-2, 12].

Witness Testimony – Reliability and Consistency – Defense highlighted contradictions in victim’s statements under section 164 Cr.P.C. and court deposition – Prosecution’s case supported by consistent victim testimony, corroborated by the mother (PW-11) and other witnesses – Victim’s mother’s eyewitness account and medical evidence substantiated charges – Minor discrepancies attributed to victim’s age, deemed non-detrimental to overall testimony integrity [Paras 3-10].

Medical Evidence – Corroboration – Medical examination of the victim corroborated history of repeated sexual assault – Absence of recent injuries explained by delay in examination and prior washing of evidence by victim’s mother – RFSL report showed no traces of blood or semen due to elapsed time – Court held medical evidence supported the victim’s narrative despite defense’s attempt to highlight inconsistencies [Paras 10-11].

Decision: Appeal partly allowed – Conviction for the offences under the POCSO Act upheld – Sentence under section 354B IPC set aside in view of section 71 IPC – Remaining directions and victim compensation award confirmed – Appeal disposed of accordingly [Para 12-13].
 

Sports Gradation Certificate – Eligibility Criteria – Petitioner, a sportsman aspiring to join a five-year integrated law course, sought a sports gradation certificate from UT Chandigarh’s Sports Department. The Department refused, citing the petitioner’s educational background outside Chandigarh. The High Court examined the Chandigarh Administration’s policy dated May 5, 2003, and found that the policy pertained to institutions under the Chandigarh Administration’s control, not Panjab University. The policy did not bar issuing gradation certificates to students representing Chandigarh teams, regardless of where they studied. The Court directed the issuance of the certificate to the petitioner [Paras 1-33].

Administrative Law – Reasoned Decisions – The High Court criticized the Sports Department’s mechanical application of policy without proper consideration of the petitioner’s achievements and the context of his application. Emphasized the need for administrative authorities to provide reasoned decisions, especially in matters affecting individuals’ educational and professional futures [Paras 6-8, 29-30].

Judicial Review – Ultra Vires – The policy, when interpreted to bar issuance of certificates to students like the petitioner, was found to be misapplied and ultra vires the authority’s mandate. The High Court underscored the judicial responsibility to rectify administrative misapplications adversely affecting the rights of individuals [Paras 26-28].

Decision: Writ Petition Allowed – High Court set aside the Sports Department’s order dated June 13, 2024. Directed issuance of the Sports Gradation Certificate within three days and Panjab University to reserve a seat for the petitioner, subject to his merit and eligibility [Paras 30-32].

Revocation of Probate – Citation of Interested Parties – Applicant’s Status as Biological Son – Application for revocation of probate granted to respondents. Applicant, Michael Soumen Ghosh, contended he was the biological son of the testator, Satyabrata Ghosh, but was not cited in the probate proceedings. The court emphasized the necessity for a testamentary court to verify that the testamentary disposition reflects the testator’s genuine intent without fraud or collusion [Paras 1-22].

Non-citation – Legitimacy and Legal Presumption – Applicant born during the wedlock of Phyllis Irene Roy with Sudhindra Narayan Roy, name on birth certificate and passport/visa. Respondents relied on Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, establishing presumption of legitimacy. Testamentary court’s limited jurisdiction does not extend to ordering DNA tests or declaring status [Paras 9-20].

Decision – Petition for Revocation Dismissed – Held – Testamentary court cannot adjudicate on the status of the applicant as biological son without a civil court’s declaratory decree. The application for revocation of probate dismissed on contest [Paras 21-22].