Criminal Law - Rash and Negligent Driving – Acquittal - High Speed Not Proof of Negligence – Sections 279, 304A, IPC – The appellant sought to challenge the acquittal of the accused, claiming the bus was driven in a rash and negligent manner – Held: High speed alone is not sufficient to infer rashness or negligence – The testimony indicating that the bus was being driven at 60 km per hour was within the prescribed speed limit under Section 112(1), Motor Vehicles Act – There was no material to substantiate negligence solely based on speed [Paras 24-30].

Parking on Highway – Violation of Rule 15(2), Rules of Road Regulations – Contributory Negligence – The accident occurred due to a collision between the bus and a stationary truck parked on the highway – Held: The truck driver violated Rule 15(2) by parking alongside another vehicle, causing a dangerous obstruction – The accident cannot be attributed solely to the bus driver, as the truck driver’s negligence contributed significantly to the incident [Paras 31-35].

Witness Testimony – Inconsistencies and Inferences – The key witnesses either did not witness the accident or provided contradictory statements regarding the bus driver’s negligence – Held: Witnesses cannot infer negligence without factual support – The testimonies lacked the necessary facts to establish the accused’s negligence beyond a reasonable doubt [Paras 36-40].

Decision – Acquittal Upheld – Appeal Dismissed – The trial court’s judgment was reasonable based on the evidence presented – The court found no reason to interfere with the acquittal of the accused, as the prosecution failed to prove rash and negligent driving beyond a reasonable doubt [Paras 41-45].

Delayed FIR – Impact on Credibility – FIR Quashed - The FIR, filed more than three years after the alleged interview, lacked explanation for delay – Court held that unexplained delays in filing FIRs often lead to embellishment, weakening the authenticity of the allegations – FIR quashed as per Supreme Court’s guidance in Manoj Kumar Sharma v. State of Chhattisgarh, (2023) SCC Online SC 156 [Paras 8-12].

Intent and Context in Hate Speech Cases – Mens Rea Absent - Remarks made during the interview did not show malicious intent or incitement to hatred required under Section 153A IPC – FIR allegations, taken at face value, lacked specific elements of intent to promote enmity or public disorder [Paras 14-18].

Procedural Non-Compliance – Section 196 Cr.P.C. – FIR Invalidated - Prosecution under Section 153A IPC without prior sanction from the State or Central Government violated mandatory procedural requirements under Section 196 Cr.P.C., rendering the FIR unsustainable [Paras 20-22].

SC/ST Act – Insufficient Evidence of Caste-Based Intent – No Prima Facie Case - Alleged remarks lacked evidence of intent to insult or intimidate based on caste identity – Court relied on Shajan Skaria v. State of Kerala, (2024) SCC Online SC 899, holding that mere offensive language does not constitute a caste-based offense under Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act unless motivated by caste prejudice [Paras 25-28].

Decision: FIR No. 258/2017 quashed. Pending applications disposed of [Para 30].
 

Green Card System – Unauthorized Issuance – Prima Facie Case – Articles of Association – The issuance of Green Cards to overage dependents violated Articles 13(3a) and 13(3b) of the Delhi Gymkhana Club’s AoA – The Green Card system was an informal practice introduced without legal sanction, lacking recognition in the AoA – Held: The Green Cards issued in 2019 were illegal and void ab initio, and the termination of these privileges was justified [Paras 14-20].

Historical Practices – No Legal Rights – Custom and AoA – Plaintiffs sought to claim Green Card privileges based on past practices of the Club – Held: Historical practices that contradict the express terms of the AoA cannot confer enforceable legal rights – The issuance of Green Cards was ultra vires and unenforceable under the AoA, despite past practices [Paras 22-29].

Natural Justice – Principles of Fairness – No Notice or Hearing – Plaintiffs argued that the suspension and termination of Green Card privileges without notice violated the principles of natural justice – Held: Given the broader corrective context following the Naidu Committee Report and NCLT directives, procedural infirmities were not substantial enough to invalidate the termination of illegal privileges [Paras 46-48].

Contractual Rights – No Membership Status for Green Card Holders – Plaintiffs claimed contractual rights under Company Law and the AoA – Held: Green Card holders were not recognized as members under the AoA and could not claim the same rights or protections as formal members – The Green Card arrangement was a discretionary policy without legal standing [Paras 34-40].

Interim Injunction – Balance of Convenience and Irreparable Harm – Plaintiffs failed to establish a prima facie case for interim relief, as the Green Cards were issued outside the scope of the AoA – The balance of convenience did not favor the Plaintiffs, and the offer of refunds mitigated potential financial harm – Interim injunction denied [Paras 49-55].

Decision: The applications for interim injunction are dismissed. The termination of Green Card privileges is upheld, and the Plaintiffs are not entitled to interim relief.

Landlord-Tenant Dispute – Oral Lease Agreement – Enhancement of Rent – The appellants, representing a corporation, appealed against the trial court’s decision to award enhanced rent and repair costs to the respondent-plaintiff, who had leased six godowns to the appellants. The respondents claimed that the appellants had agreed to an oral contract for rent enhancement and repair charges. Held: The appellants continued possession after the lease expiry, and their failure to respond to the plaintiff’s repeated notices implied acceptance of the enhanced rent. The court upheld the trial court’s findings, except for the interest rate awarded. [Paras 13-20]

Failure to Enter Witness Box – Adverse Inference – The appellants did not enter the witness box to rebut the plaintiff’s claims, leading to an adverse inference under the principle set by the Supreme Court in Vidhyadhar vs Manikrao. The defense was unsupported by evidence, and the court concluded that the plaintiff's claims stood unchallenged. [Para 21]

Modification of Interest Rate – Judicial Discretion – The court reduced the interest rate on the awarded amount from 12% to 6% p.a. post-decree, while maintaining 12% interest from the date of suit till the decree. This was in line with legal precedents discouraging excessive interest rates. [Paras 22-25]

Decision: Appeal Partially Allowed – The court modified the trial court’s judgment regarding the interest rate but upheld the award of ₹11,78,851/- for enhanced rent and repair costs. Interest at 12% p.a. was awarded from the date of suit till the decree, and 6% p.a. thereafter till realization. [Paras 25-27]

Review Application – Scope of Review – Order 47 Rule 1 CPC – The applicants sought a review of the court's judgment dismissing their plea for enhanced compensation for acquired land in light of the Full Bench decision in Gajraj Singh vs. State of U.P. Held: Review is limited to the discovery of new evidence, error apparent on the face of the record, or analogous grounds. The applicants failed to demonstrate any error apparent or new evidence that could not have been produced earlier. The review was not meant for re-hearing the matter on merits or as an appeal in disguise [Paras 12-22].

Acquisition of Land – Compensation Claims – Review Dismissed – The court upheld the original judgment denying the applicants' claim for enhanced compensation under the Gajraj Singh ruling, as the applicants’ land had been purchased through sale deeds executed in November 2001, before the acquisition notifications. The applicants were not entitled to additional compensation, and the review did not meet the grounds necessary for reconsideration [Paras 7-9, 24-25].

Decision:

Review Application Dismissed – The court dismissed the review application, holding that no error apparent on the face of the record or new evidence had been demonstrated by the applicants. The judgment dated 22.04.2022 stood affirmed [Paras 23-25].

Criminal Procedure – Closing of Cross-Examination – Delay Tactics – The petitioner’s counsel deferred the cross-examination of the prosecutrix on multiple occasions, citing inadequate preparation and change of lawyer – Held: The trial court rightly closed the petitioner’s right to cross-examine the prosecutrix after repeated delays and refusal to pay costs – The petitioner’s conduct was deemed an attempt to harass the prosecutrix, and the change of counsel was not considered a valid reason for further adjournments [Paras 2-19].

Right to Cross-Examination – Impact of Delaying Tactics – The court emphasized that while cross-examination is a vital right for the accused, it must not be misused to delay proceedings or harass witnesses – Repeated adjournments for cross-examination without valid reasons violate the principles of a fair trial and timely justice – Held: The petitioner is solely responsible for the consequences of the non-cross-examination, and the trial court’s order stands [Paras 16-19].

Decision: Petition dismissed – The trial court’s decision to close the petitioner’s right to cross-examine the prosecutrix is upheld – The petitioner’s attempts to delay proceedings and harass the prosecutrix cannot be condoned [Para 19].

Pre-Arrest Bail – Alleged Sexual Intercourse on False Promise of Marriage – Petitioner accused of establishing a sexual relationship with the survivor on the false promise of marriage – Prosecution alleged that petitioner retracted his promise when the survivor became pregnant – Crime registered under Section 376(2)(n) IPC – Petitioner claimed the relationship was consensual, and the allegation of false promise was baseless, citing an agreement between the parties to live together – Petitioner’s marriage was subsisting at the time, leading to complications – Petitioner sought anticipatory bail, asserting he was being harassed due to the survivor's ulterior motives [Paras 2-5].

Consent and False Promise – Legal Standards – Court examined whether the promise to marry was made in bad faith, citing Pramod Suryabhan Pawar v. State of Maharashtra and other precedents – Held: If the relationship is consensual and the promise of marriage was not made with the intent to deceive from the outset, the offence of rape cannot be attributed – No sufficient evidence to establish that the petitioner’s promise was false at the time of the relationship's commencement [Paras 10-12].

Consensual Relationship Distinguished from Rape – Court referenced Dr. Dhruvaram Murlidhar Sonar v. State of Maharashtra and Vishnu vs. State of Kerala to draw a distinction between consensual sex and rape based on false promises – Found that there was a consensual relationship between the parties, and the petitioner’s inability to marry the survivor due to an ongoing marriage did not amount to rape – FIR registered with a significant delay, further indicating that the case was not clear-cut [Paras 10-13].

Pre-Arrest Bail – Principles for Granting – Court applied the legal principles for granting anticipatory bail as laid down in Bhadres Bipinbhai Sheth v. State of Gujarat – Held that courts must carefully examine the allegations, particularly whether they are frivolous or aimed at unjust harassment – Found the petitioner had made a valid case for pre-arrest bail, subject to stringent conditions [Paras 14-15].

Decision – Bail Granted – Application for pre-arrest bail allowed – Court directed petitioner to surrender before the Investigating Officer and comply with bail conditions, including furnishing a bond and appearing for interrogation – Observations made for the purpose of granting bail should not affect the merits of the case during trial [Paras 15-16].

Civil Law - Limitation for Reference – Section 10 and 2A of the Industrial Disputes Act – Delay Beyond Reasonable Period – The petitioner challenged the Central Government's order of reference to the Industrial Tribunal made after an 11-year delay post-appeal dismissal – The court noted that while Section 10 of the ID Act does not prescribe a limitation period, a reasonable period must be implied based on principles of justice – Held: The respondent's application was served beyond a reasonable period of limitation; thus, the reference order was deemed invalid [Paras 7-10, 13].

Distinction Between Departmental and Criminal Proceedings – Validity of Acquittal Impact – The respondent's claim for reinstatement based on his acquittal in criminal proceedings was examined – Citing relevant Supreme Court precedents, the court emphasized that disciplinary proceedings are distinct from criminal trials and are based on different standards of proof – Held: Acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically entitle an employee to revive employment claims that have become stale [Paras 11-12].

Judicial Review Scope – High Court's Interference – Articles 226/227 of the Constitution – The court reiterated that judicial review should not re-evaluate the evidence or interfere with findings of disciplinary authorities unless the punishment is shockingly disproportionate – Held: The High Court found no exceptional grounds for interference under Article 226/227 [Para 12].

Decision: The writ petition was allowed; the order dated 28.08.2006 referring the matter to the Industrial Tribunal was set aside [Para 14].

Criminal Law – Murder - Appeal Against Acquittal – Standard of Appellate Scrutiny – Section 378, CrPC – Presumption of Innocence Reaffirmed – The appellate court held that acquittal can only be set aside when the trial court’s findings are perverse or based on a misapprehension of evidence – Emphasis placed on the injured witness’s consistent testimony and corroborating medical evidence, strengthening the prosecution’s case – Appeal partly allowed to overturn acquittals of accused nos. 5, 6, and 10, but conviction modified from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II, IPC, due to a lack of premeditated intent [Paras 18-24].

Evidentiary Value of Injured Witness – Credibility of Eyewitness Testimony – Injured eyewitness, also the complainant, provided a consistent account of the incident, corroborated by an independent eyewitness and medical records – Trial court erred in dismissing this testimony due to minor contradictions – Court reiterated the high evidentiary value of injured witness statements unless compelling reasons for dismissal exist [Paras 13-16].

Unlawful Assembly – Common Intention and Individual Liability – Sections 147, 149, and 34, IPC – The court held that despite the gathering of the accused with deadly weapons and involvement in a lethal altercation, no sufficient proof of common object to murder existed – Convictions altered to reflect lesser offense under Section 304 Part II, IPC due to lack of premeditation and evident escalation from a mutual confrontation [Paras 19-23].

Acquittal Affirmed for Accused No. 3 – Insufficient Evidence – Allegations against accused no. 3 were limited to verbal abuse without physical participation in the assault – Court upheld trial court’s acquittal for accused no. 3, citing lack of incriminating evidence beyond abuse [Para 23.1].

Decision: The appeal is partly allowed. The acquittal of respondent accused nos. 5, 6, and 10 is reversed, with conviction under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code. The sentence for these respondents is limited to the period already undergone, considering the incident’s age and lack of clear premeditated intent. The acquittal of accused no. 3 is affirmed, as no substantive evidence links them to the assault beyond verbal abuse [Paras 23-25].