Commercial Law – Maintainability of Commercial Suit – Appellant challenged classification of suit as commercial on ground that no formal written agreement existed and service was not commercial – Held: Provision of transportation and storage of goods by Plaintiff (a packers and movers business) is a commercial transaction falling under Section 2(1)(c)(vii) and (xviii) of the Commercial Courts Act – Objection held untenable – Suit rightly instituted as a commercial suit [Paras 23-24]

Contract and Cause of Action – Recovery of Storage Rent – Plaintiff proved entrustment of goods and obligation to pay monthly rent of Rs.25,000/- – Defendant failed to lead evidence – Cause of action clearly made out – Existence of valid agreement inferred from conduct and documentary evidence – Plea that document was only a quotation held to be afterthought [Paras 25, 31]

Procedure – Electronic Records – Compliance with Order XI Rule 6 CPC – Plaintiff fulfilled requirements of declaration and certification under Section 65B of IEA and Section 63 of BSA – Court held procedural compliance was adequate – Defendant’s objections dismissed [Para 26]

Evidence Law – Relevance of Prior Judgments – Objection raised to admissibility of previous unchallenged judgments under Section 43 IEA / Section 37 BSA – Held: Judgments inter-partes admissible not as conclusive proof but as evidence of habitual default under Sections 8 and 13 of IEA – Relevance upheld [Paras 28-29]

Inspection and Condition of Goods – Local Commissioner Report – Allegation of damage to goods rejected – Most items intact, minor wear due to time – Refusal of Defendant to open sealed items led to adverse inference – No proof of misappropriation found [Para 30]

Equity and Unjust Enrichment – Defendant continued to enjoy benefit of storage without fulfilling payment obligations – Conduct showed intent to avoid liability while taking advantage of services – Trial Court's decree found just and equitable [Paras 32-34]

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Trial Court’s decree for Rs.6,00,000/- with interest @10% p.a. affirmed – Suit rightly treated as commercial – No procedural or evidentiary infirmity found – Costs imposed on Appellant.

Civil Law – Rejection of Plaint – Cause of Action – Distinction Between Non-disclosure and Non-existence – Rejection Set Aside – Suit filed by Indian-origin locally recruited staff of Italian Embassy alleging pay discrimination under Italian Presidential Decree – Trial court rejected plaint under Order VII Rule 11(a) CPC, holding no cause of action existed – Held: Learned Single Judge erred in prematurely evaluating merits – Factual questions such as classification, equal pay, and cost of living require evidence – Plaint disclosed triable issues – Impugned order set aside – Suit to proceed to trial [Paras 1–3, 16–22, 26–27]

Service Law – Equal Pay for Equal Work – Diplomatic Employment – Prima Facie Claim – Appellants pleaded being in the same homogeneous category as their Italian-origin counterparts – Alleged violation of Article 157 of Italian Presidential Decree – Held: Prima facie case made out – Whether pay parity applies requires trial – Plaint not liable to rejection at threshold [Paras 4–5, 17–18]

Pleadings – Scope of Order VII Rule 11 CPC – Summary Rejection Improper – Court reiterated that plaint must only be rejected if it fails to disclose any cause of action on its face – Distinction drawn between non-disclosure (procedural defect) and non-existence (merits-based conclusion) – Rejection not warranted where plaintiffs allege material facts supporting a right to sue, even if ultimately unproven [Paras 20–22]

Limitation – Recurring Cause of Action – Suit Maintainable – Respondents’ objection of limitation rejected – Held: Discriminatory pay alleged to be ongoing, giving rise to recurring cause of action – Part relief may be barred, but entire suit not liable to be dismissed – Doctrine of laches inapplicable [Paras 24–25]

International Law – Sovereign Immunity – Consent Under Section 86 CPC – Appellants obtained prior consent from Government of India to sue foreign state – Objection to maintainability on grounds of sovereign immunity not accepted at preliminary stage [Para 7, 14]

Judicial Precedents – Reiterated Principles – Reliance placed on Popat and Kotecha Property v. State Bank of India Staff Assn., (2005) 7 SCC 510, Mayar (H.K.) Ltd. v. M.V. Fortune Express, (2006) 3 SCC 100 – Courts must not adjudicate merits while considering rejection under Order VII Rule 11 CPC [Para 22]

Decision: Appeal allowed – Order rejecting plaint set aside – Application under Order VII Rule 11(a) CPC dismissed – Suit restored for trial on merits [Paras 26–28]

Criminal Law – NDPS Act – Bail – Commercial Quantity – Section 37 – Applicant found with 460 grams of MD (Commercial Quantity) – Held: The rigors of Section 37 apply. The Court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe the accused is not guilty. Given the recovery and circumstances, such satisfaction cannot be recorded. [Paras 12-14]

Criminal Law – NDPS Act – Section 50 Compliance – Search of Person – Applicant argued panchas did not sign the Section 50 notice – Held: The Applicant signed the notice waiving her right to be searched by a Magistrate. The failure of panchas to countersign the Section 50 notice is a minor lapse and does not vitiate the search or entitle the accused to bail at this stage, especially when the search was conducted by a Gazetted Officer. [Para 9]

Criminal Law – NDPS Act – Section 42 Compliance – Held: The information received from co-accused was reduced to writing and forwarded to the Senior Officer. Section 42 compliance was prima facie established. [Para 7]

Decision: Bail Application rejected. [Para 17]

Civil Law – Rejection of Plaint – Order 7 Rule 11(d) CPC – Limitation – Suit for Specific Performance – Plaintiff filed suit in 2015 for an oral agreement allegedly made in 2008, asserting cause of action arose in 2010 when defendant sold land to third party – Held: Under Article 54 of the Limitation Act, the period is 3 years from the date fixed for performance or when notice of refusal is received. Even by plaintiff's own admission, refusal was manifest in 2010. Suit filed in 2015 is ex-facie barred by limitation. Clever drafting to create an illusion of cause of action cannot save a time-barred suit. [Paras 12-14, 18]

Civil Procedure – Rejection of Plaint – Refund of Money – Limitation – Plaintiff alternatively sought refund of money paid in 2008 – Held: Suit for recovery of money is governed by Article 113 (3 years). Suit filed 7 years after alleged payment is barred. [Para 17]

Decision: Revision Application allowed. Plaint rejected. [Para 20]

Intellectual Property Law – Passing Off – Trade Dress – Trinity Test – Suit for injunction in respect of packaging and get-up of coconut oil containers – Plaintiff’s packaging in yellow and green HDPE bottles used since 2006 – Defendant’s similar packaging introduced in 2017 – Trial court granted interim injunction restraining use of deceptively similar trade dress – Held: Plaintiff has established (i) prior and continued goodwill since 1945 and with HDPE bottles since 2006, (ii) deceptive similarity in shape, colour scheme and label, and (iii) potential damage to market reputation – All three limbs of Trinity Test satisfied – No illegality in trial court’s order [Paras 47–77]

Trademarks – Infringement and Passing Off – Scope – Registration of individual elements (logo, label) does not bar common law action for passing off based on overall trade dress – Held: Section 27(2) of Trade Marks Act preserves passing off rights irrespective of registration – Passing off provides a broader remedy than infringement – Distinctive appearance and packaging entitled to protection [Paras 27–30, 42–45]

Interim Relief – Prima Facie Case – Irreparable Injury – Balance of Convenience – Where plaintiff demonstrates long-standing market dominance (Rs. 450 crore turnover), unique trade dress, and clear likelihood of confusion due to similar packaging used by defendant, interim injunction justified – Defendant’s claim of hair oil packaging refuted by lack of disclosure and admitted edible oil sales [Paras 55–61, 76]

Trade Dress – Average Consumer Test – Applicability in India – Court applied Indian test of average market-goer with ordinary recall value, not meticulous scrutiny – Impressionistic similarity between plaintiff’s and defendant’s packaging sufficient to cause confusion – Colour schemes, shape of bottles, coconut tree graphics and overall appearance compared holistically [Paras 48–54]

Publici Juris – Defence of Generic Packaging – Rejected – Defendant failed to prove common trade use of same trade dress – On the contrary, defendant’s own application for design registration of the bottle shape post cease-and-desist notice acknowledged distinctiveness [Paras 72–73]

Judicial Review – Appellate Interference – Appellate court will not interfere merely because another view is possible – Trial court’s reasoning was plausible and supported by record – No perversity or error found [Para 79]

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Order dated 15.05.2024 passed by Commercial Court at Alipore in Title Suit No. 23 of 2023 upheld – Connected applications CAN 2 and CAN 3 of 2024 also disposed of – Trial Court directed to adjudicate suit uninfluenced by findings in this order – No order as to costs.

Criminal Law – Murder - Appeal Against Acquittal – Interference – Principles – High Court reiterates that interference is permissible only when findings are perverse, based on misreading of evidence, or when only one view (guilt) is possible – Double presumption of innocence applies – Trial court’s findings found sound and not perverse [Paras 16–20, 49–51].

FIR – Delay and Suspicious Registration – Material contradictions between FIR version, GD entry (Ex. Ka-26), testimony of informant (P.W.1) and I.O. (P.W.5) regarding where, when and how FIR was lodged – Delay in FIR reaching Magistrate (4 days) and Circle Officer (2 days) further strengthened suspicion – Finding of trial court that FIR timing doubtful upheld [Paras 22–26].

Eyewitness Testimony – Chance Witnesses – P.W.1 (wife) and P.W.2 (son) claimed to witness incident while returning from doctor – Their presence found improbable due to contradictions regarding timings, medical treatment, travel distance, and improbable conduct – Court affirms trial court’s conclusion that both were ‘chance witnesses’ whose presence was not naturally explained [Paras 27–33].

Witness Credibility – Major Contradictions – P.W.1 and P.W.2 contradict each other on: (i) who drove the Bolero, (ii) number of assailants inside vehicle, (iii) manner of attack, (iv) direction of road, (v) presence of mud/grass in mouth, (vi) location of body – Such contradictions strike at core of prosecution case – Trial court rightly held their evidence unreliable [Paras 34–44].

Medical Evidence vs Ocular Evidence – No Crush Injuries – Prosecution alleged Bolero ran over deceased 3–4 times breaking limbs – Postmortem (Ex. Ka-2) showed no crush injuries, no broken limbs; only multiple abrasions/contusions; internal injuries inconsistent with running over by heavy vehicle – Ocular version not corroborated by medical evidence – Creates serious doubt on prosecution story [Paras 45–48].

Two Views Possible – Acquittal Sustained – Trial court’s findings based on reasonable appreciation of evidence; appellate court cannot substitute merely because another view is possible – Appeal dismissed [Paras 49–51].

Decision: Criminal Appeal dismissed – Acquittal of all accused affirmed – No perversity in trial court’s judgment – Findings consistent with evidence and established principles for appeal against acquittal [Paras 49–51].

Education Law – Withholding of Original Certificates – Petitioner, an MBBS student, withdrew mid-course due to health reasons and sought return of original certificates for admission to another university – Respondent institution withheld certificates citing pending balance fee for IV and V year – Held: Retaining original documents of a student is not a lawful means for fee recovery – Educational institutions have no lien over original documents of students – Such action unjustifiably hampers career progression [Paras 1-5, 17-19]

Right to Education – Unlawful Retention of Documents – Court held that documents like Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate are personal property of the student and cannot be used as collateral for enforcement of financial obligations – Recovery of dues must follow legal procedure – Affidavits by student and parent empower university to recover dues but not to withhold original documents [Paras 17-18]

Judicial Precedents – Reliance on High Court Judgments – Reliance placed on judgments of Punjab & Haryana High Court in Sukhmanpreet Singh Cheema v. Union of India and Monika v. PT. B.D. Sharma University – Held: Institutions cannot retain documents for fee recovery – Also referred to Madras High Court decision in M. Kesavan v. Principal, Cheeran College of Pharmacy affirming same principle [Para 6-7]

Institutional Practice – MBBS Admission Guidelines – Information booklet clauses relied upon by University only pertain to submission of documents at admission – No clause permits prolonged custody or retention post withdrawal of admission – Court found no agreement, clause, or affidavit authorising retention of documents against unpaid fees [Paras 10-11, 18]

Fee Recovery – Appropriate Legal Remedies – Institutions may recover unpaid fee through legal means but cannot enforce payment by impounding student’s certificates – Petitioner had already paid three years’ fees for two years of study – Refusal to return documents disproportionate and without authority [Paras 12-13, 19]

Equity and Fairness – Career Prejudice – Court observed that unjustified withholding of documents severely prejudices educational rights of students – Petitioner’s admission in new university was at risk due to non-availability of documents required for examinations – Directed immediate release [Paras 19-20]

Decision: Application allowed – Jaipur National University directed to release original Class 12 Transfer Certificate and Migration Certificate to the petitioner forthwith and not later than 04/12/2025 – University may pursue lawful recovery of fees through appropriate legal process – Main writ petition listed for 22/01/2026.

Criminal Law – Bail - Rape Allegation – Consent – Breach of Promise to Marry – Petitioner accused of offences under Sections 69 and 75(1) r/w 3(5) of BNS for allegedly refusing to marry the victim after a consensual relationship – Relationship between petitioner and respondent lasted over three years – Victim lodged complaint only after petitioner refused marriage – Held: In light of Supreme Court rulings, consensual relationship based on a genuine promise to marry, later not fulfilled due to intervening circumstances, does not amount to rape – FIR lacks allegations showing false promise from inception – No prima facie case under Section 69 BNS made out [Paras 3–14]

Bail – Principles for Grant – Promise to Marry – Consent and Misconception of Fact – Court relies on binding precedents from Supreme Court including Amol Bhagwan Nehul, Prithivirajan, Kunal Chatterjee, and Maheshwar Tigga – Held: Physical relations on the basis of a genuine promise to marry do not constitute rape unless it is proved that the promise was false from the beginning – Petitioner's prolonged relationship and absence of coercion negate allegation of misconception of fact – Bail granted with stringent conditions [Paras 4–16]

Bail – Conditions Imposed – Accused directed to furnish bond with sureties and report weekly to police – Restrictions imposed on travel outside Andhra Pradesh and on influencing witnesses – Cooperation with investigation mandated [Para 16]

Decision: Criminal Petition allowed – Bail granted to the petitioner/accused on furnishing bond and subject to strict conditions including weekly reporting, restricted travel, non-interference with witnesses, and cooperation with investigation.

Muslim Law – Maintenance – Rights of Divorced Muslim Woman – Maintainability under Section 125 Cr.P.C. – Scope of Ext.D1 Agreement – Divorced Muslim woman entered into agreement (Ext.D1) with husband receiving Rs.1,00,000/- as matah and Rs.35,000/- for iddat – Family Court rejected claim under Section 125 Cr.P.C. relying on Kunhimohammed v. Ayishakutty – Held: Ext.D1 agreement does not bar remedy under Section 125 Cr.P.C. unless adequacy of settlement is established – Application maintainable even after such agreement [Paras 3, 8-13]

Minor Status – Validity of Agreement – Representation by Guardian – Contention that agreement (Ext.D1) was void ab initio as petitioner was a minor rejected – Held: Under Muslim law, marriage and related agreements by minor female represented by her father (wali) are valid if she has attained puberty [Para 7]

Quantum of Maintenance – Adequacy of Provision under Personal Law – Review of Maintenance Order – Rs.1,00,000/- fixed as lifetime maintenance found inadequate in comparison to Rs.35,000/- for three-month iddat – Held: Family Court erred in not assessing whether petitioner could maintain herself – Remanded for fresh consideration with opportunity to adduce evidence [Paras 13-14]

Child Maintenance – Sufficiency of Award – Maintenance of Rs.750/- per month awarded to minor daughter found inadequate considering needs and father's means – Matter remanded for reconsideration [Para 14]

Interpretation of Law – Harmonious Construction – Parallel Remedies – Supreme Court in Mohd. Abdul Samad v. State of Telangana (AIR 2024 SC 3665) held that Sections 125 Cr.P.C. and Section 3 of Muslim Women Protection Act operate in distinct domains – Right to claim maintenance under Section 125 continues unless extinguished by payment under Section 3 and order under Section 127(3)(b) Cr.P.C. [Paras 9-12]

Decision: Impugned order set aside – Matter remanded to Family Court for fresh disposal – Maintenance claim of divorced wife and quantum for child to be reconsidered after allowing parties to lead evidence – Directed to conclude proceedings within six months.