Criminal Law – Murder Conviction – Reversal on Appeal – Appellant convicted for the murder of the deceased by severing his head with a chopper – Trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment – On appeal, High Court finds that key witnesses (P.W. 1, P.W. 2, P.W. 6) were unreliable and inconsistent with the prosecution's case – Confessional statement and recovery of the chopper failed to substantiate the conviction in the absence of corroborative evidence – Held: Prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 1-50].

Witness Testimony – Credibility of Eye-Witnesses – P.W. 1 (wife of the deceased) and P.W. 6 (brother of the deceased) claimed to be eye-witnesses but their statements were inconsistent with the FIR and later depositions – Investigating Officer (P.W. 10) confirmed that these witnesses had not initially claimed to have seen the incident – Court found that the witnesses developed their version during the trial, undermining the credibility of their testimonies [Paras 25-40].

Circumstantial Evidence – Recovery of Chopper – Chopper was recovered from the appellant’s house, allegedly based on his confessional statement – However, the seizure list was incomplete, and the mere presence of blood on the chopper (as reported by the FSL) was insufficient to prove guilt without corroborative evidence – Motive related to a land dispute was vaguely stated and not conclusively proved [Paras 35-50].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction and sentence under Section 302 IPC set aside – Appellant acquitted – Appellant to be released from custody immediately if not wanted in any other case.

Criminal Law – Corruption – Sections 120-B, 420 IPC and Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act – Allegations of conspiracy and wrongful loss – Held, the prosecution alleged that the applicants conspired to manipulate tender procedures and awarded contracts for substandard Digital Display Boards for the SAFAR project, causing a loss of ₹2.50 crores to IITM. However, the court found no direct or circumstantial evidence suggesting any financial gain to the applicants. The court also noted that the procurement process was approved by committees and the Director of IITM, with no irregularities in the decision-making process. [Paras 20-80].

Administrative Law – Departmental Exoneration – Effect on criminal prosecution – The court noted that Applicant No. 2 (Vipin Mali) had been exonerated in a departmental enquiry on identical charges, and this exoneration on merits raised doubts about the likelihood of securing a conviction in criminal prosecution. The court referred to the standard of proof required in criminal cases, which is higher than that in departmental proceedings. [Paras 90-105].

Judicial Precedent – Radheshyam Kejriwal case – Impact of exoneration in disciplinary proceedings – The court cited Radheshyam Kejriwal v. State of West Bengal, holding that where exoneration in departmental proceedings occurs on merits, it can significantly affect the continuation of a criminal prosecution based on the same facts. The court ruled that continuing the prosecution would amount to an abuse of the legal process. [Paras 110-125].

Decision:

Applications Allowed – Discharge Granted – The court discharged both applicants, setting aside the trial court’s orders rejecting their applications for discharge. The prosecution had insufficient evidence to proceed against the applicants, particularly in light of Applicant No. 2's departmental exoneration. [Paras 130-135].

Criminal Law – Maintenance – Section 125 CrPC – Enhancement of Maintenance – Whether the monthly maintenance of ₹5000 awarded under Section 125 CrPC should be enhanced – Held, the Court considered the financial status of both parties, inflation rates, and the prevailing standard of living, ruling that the ₹5000 awarded by the Family Court was insufficient – Maintenance was enhanced to ₹7500 per month, subject to adjustment with the maintenance under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act – [Para 12-14].

Maintenance – Adjustments under Different Statutes – The respondent contended that the ₹7500 awarded under the Domestic Violence Act should be considered and adjusted – The Court agreed, stating that maintenance orders under different statutes should be harmonized to avoid duplication – Accordingly, the revised amount is subject to adjustment against the ₹7500 already granted under the Domestic Violence Act – [Para 14].

Loan Deduction – Impact on Maintenance – The respondent argued that loan repayments for house construction, reducing his net income, should be factored into the maintenance calculation – The Court rejected this argument, noting that loan deductions undertaken voluntarily after separation cannot be considered mandatory statutory deductions and should not reduce the maintenance obligation – [Para 15].

Decision: Revision allowed – The monthly maintenance under Section 125 CrPC is enhanced from ₹5000 to ₹7500, subject to adjustment with the amount awarded under the Domestic Violence Act. The enhanced maintenance will take effect from the date of the original application.

Civil Law – Maintenance Order – Petition under Article 227 – The petitioner challenged the maintenance order passed by the Family Court, which granted only Rs. 2,500/- per month, claiming that it was too low considering the husband's income of Rs. 80,000/- per month – The High Court initially handled the matter as a writ petition under Article 226 – However, referencing the Supreme Court ruling in Radhey Shyam v. Chhabi Nath (2015), which clarified that judicial orders of civil courts are not amenable to writ jurisdiction under Article 226, the court held that the petition should have been filed under Article 227 – The court granted the petitioner four weeks to convert the writ petition into a Civil Miscellaneous Petition, in compliance with the amended High Court rules [Paras 1-30].

Article 226 vs. Article 227 Jurisdiction – The Supreme Court in Radhey Shyam emphasized that while Article 226 cannot be used to challenge judicial orders from civil courts, Article 227 provides the correct recourse for such matters – The High Court’s power of superintendence under Article 227 remains unaffected by amendments to Section 115 of the CPC, but it must be exercised cautiously to avoid interference in ongoing cases unless there is a clear violation of the law – Orders under Article 227 are not meant for routine challenges but are limited to supervisory corrections of jurisdictional errors or gross procedural violations [Paras 18-30].

Decision: The court allowed the petitioner's request for time to convert the writ petition to a Civil Miscellaneous Petition, directing the registry to cooperate and ensure priority listing once converted.

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act – Acquittal - Search and Seizure – Non-Compliance with Section 42 - The investigating officer failed to obtain a search warrant or authorization from the jurisdictional Magistrate, a requirement under Section 42 of the NDPS Act - The search was conducted without the proper authorization, vitiating the procedure - Held: Non-compliance with mandatory provisions under Section 42 of the NDPS Act led to the vitiation of the search and seizure process - Acquittal granted [Paras 20, 21].

Evidence – Chain of Custody – Break in Chain - The prosecution did not produce the examined contraband in court for identification by witnesses, leading to a break in the chain of custody - The link between the seized contraband and the samples tested by the FSL was not maintained, raising questions about the integrity of the evidence - Held: Failure to maintain the chain of custody casts doubt on the integrity of the prosecution’s case - Benefit of the doubt given to the accused [Paras 21, 22].

Criminal Procedure – Expert Reports – Section 293 Cr.P.C. – Fair Trial - Section 293 of the Cr.P.C. allows the court to summon and examine an expert as to the subject matter of their report - However, the trial judge did not summon the FSL expert for cross-examination, thus denying the defense this opportunity - Held: The omission violated the accused's right to a fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution - The FSL report, while presumptive evidence, is not conclusive without expert examination [Paras 22, 23].

Constitutional Law – Article 21 – Right to Fair Trial - The trial court's failure to allow cross-examination of the FSL expert compromised the appellant's right to a fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution - Held: The right to a fair trial was infringed, rendering the conviction unsustainable - Conviction set aside [Paras 22, 23].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction and sentence set aside – Appellant acquitted of the charges – Fine amount, if deposited, to be refunded – Personal and surety bonds canceled – Case property to be dealt with in accordance with the law after the expiry of the limitation period for filing an appeal [Final Order].

Landlord-Tenant Relationship – Cross-examination – Section 21(2)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017 – Petitioners (tenants) sought to recall P.W.1 (landlords) for cross-examination after proceedings were initiated under Section 21(2)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Act, due to lack of an agreement as required under Section 4 – Held, cross-examination is not a right for tenants where the landlord-tenant relationship is undisputed – Petition dismissed in line with prior precedents [Paras 1-20].

Departmental Delay and Procedural Fairness – Petition for Reopening Evidence – Order on Eviction Proceedings – Tenants claimed denial of their opportunity to present a defense due to being set ex parte – Held, tenants have the right to present evidence before 18.09.2024, failing which they forfeit the right – Rent Controller instructed to complete the proceedings by 04.10.2024 [Paras 21-40].

Decision: Petitions dismissed – Tenants not entitled to cross-examine or reopen P.W.1 in the eviction proceedings initiated under Section 21(2)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Act. However, the ex parte orders were set aside, allowing tenants to submit evidence before 18.09.2024.

Service Law – Rule 29(1)(vi) of CCS CCA Rules – Revisional Authority's powers to enhance punishment – Whether the Revisional Authority was justified in exercising its powers under Rule 29(1)(vi) to enhance the punishment of the respondent after five years – Held, the enhancement of the punishment by the Revisional Authority was not justified due to the lapse of a reasonable period since the original order. The Court applied the judgment in Union of India v. Vikrambhai Maganbhai Chaudhari, which held that revision powers must be exercised within a reasonable time even when no specific time limit is prescribed under the rules. [Paras 20-55].

Service Law – Principles of Natural Justice – Allegation of forged vouchers – The Court addressed the issue of whether allegations of forged vouchers, not part of the original charge sheet, could be considered during the inquiry – Held, that the allegation of forged vouchers, which came to light during the inquiry, should have been part of the original charge sheet. Failure to include these charges violated principles of natural justice. [Paras 56-70].

Judicial Precedent – Reliance on Supreme Court decisions – The Court relied on the precedent set in Union of India v. Vikrambhai Maganbhai Chaudhari, where it was held that the exercise of revisional powers must be within a reasonable period, even in the absence of a specific timeline in the rules. [Paras 40-60].

Decision:

Writ Petition Dismissed – The Court upheld the decision of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), quashing the order of compulsory retirement and reinstating the respondent. The Court ruled that the Revisional Authority’s decision to enhance the punishment after nearly five years was unreasonable and invalid. [Paras 75-85].

Live-in Relationships – Protection of Life and Liberty – Petitioners in CRWP No. 4660 of 2021 and CRWP No. 149 of 2024, though already married to third parties, sought protection for their life and liberty while living in a live-in relationship – Held: Despite societal and moral objections, the right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution must be protected, irrespective of marital status or social norms – The Court affirmed the right of individuals, including those already married, to live in a live-in relationship, provided the threat to their life and liberty is genuine [Paras 1-5, 28, 37-39, 45].

Marital Status – Denial of Protection – In LPA No. 968 of 2021, the High Court had earlier denied protection to individuals in live-in relationships where one partner was married, citing potential harm to the social fabric – Held: The previous judgment was overturned, reaffirming that the right to protection under Article 21 overrides societal norms, and protection must be granted where threats exist, even if one partner is already married – The appeal was dismissed with costs [Paras 6, 45].

Societal Morality vs. Constitutional Rights – The Court held that the right to privacy and autonomy under Article 21 includes the right to form relationships of one’s choice, even in live-in arrangements, irrespective of societal moral disapproval – Social fabric concerns cannot outweigh fundamental rights – Court highlighted the decriminalization of adultery in Joseph Shine v. Union of India as a basis for granting protection to those in live-in relationships where one partner is married [Paras 13-19, 22-24].

Protection Mechanism – Overburdened Police – A mechanism for live-in couples seeking protection was outlined, involving first approaching District Legal Services Authorities or the State Human Rights Commission for counseling and mediation – The Court suggested this as a first step before approaching the Courts, thereby easing the burden on the judicial and police systems [Paras 25-27].

Minors in Live-in Relationships – The Court clarified that minors cannot enter into live-in relationships due to legal incapacities under laws like the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 – Minors cannot claim protection in such cases, and their welfare must be ensured through custody arrangements with parents or guardians, or by sending them to appropriate care homes under the Juvenile Justice Act [Paras 40-44].

Decision: CRWP No. 4660 of 2021 and CRWP No. 149 of 2024 allowed – LPA No. 968 of 2021 dismissed – Clear mechanisms outlined for protection of individuals in live-in relationships, including pre-litigation counseling, and reaffirmation of minors’ legal incapacities regarding live-in relationships [Paras 45-47].

Criminal Law – Prevention of Corruption Act – Demand and Acceptance of Illegal Gratification – The appellant, State of Gujarat, challenged the acquittal of the respondent, a Clerk in the SRP Group, who was accused of demanding and accepting ₹200 for fixing the pay and leave salary of the complainant – The trial court acquitted the respondent on the grounds of insufficient evidence – Held: The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the respondent made a demand for illegal gratification and that the accused had the authority to fix the complainant’s pay – There were material contradictions in the testimony of witnesses and no clear evidence of demand and acceptance [Paras 3, 9, 10].

Judicial Standards – Acquittal in Corruption Cases – The trial court’s acquittal was based on the principle that the prosecution must prove both the demand and acceptance of illegal gratification – The appellate court reaffirmed that mere possession of currency notes is insufficient to convict under the Prevention of Corruption Act without concrete proof of demand and acceptance – Held: The view taken by the trial court was plausible and did not suffer from illegality or perversity, warranting no interference [Paras 10-11].

Presumption of Innocence – High Standard for Reversal of Acquittal – The appellate court reiterated that in acquittal appeals, the presumption of innocence is strengthened – The acquittal can only be reversed if the trial court's decision is found to be manifestly erroneous or based on misinterpretation of law or facts – Held: The trial court's reasoning was based on sound legal principles, and no compelling evidence was found to overturn the acquittal [Paras 8, 11].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – The acquittal of the respondent by the 5th Additional District and Sessions Judge, Surat, in Special ACB Case No. 4/1993 is upheld – Bail bond canceled – Judgment dated 26.02.2010 is confirmed [Paras 12-14].