Negotiable Instruments Act – Section 138 Acquittal – High Court Dismisses Appeal Against Acquittal by Trial Court – Petitioner’s Complaint Lacked Credibility – Discrepancies and Inconsistencies in Petitioner’s Testimony and Evidence – Respondent’s Defence Rebutted Presumptions Under Sections 118(a) and 139 of NI Act – Trial Court’s Findings Not Perverse, Acquittal Upheld [Paras 1-35].

Appreciation of Evidence – Double Presumption of Innocence in Favor of Accused in Appeal Against Acquittal – High Court’s Role in Reviewing Acquittal Limited to Instances of Perversity – Not to Disturb Findings Where Two Reasonable Views Are Possible – Rebuttal of Presumptions under Sections 118(a) and 139 of NI Act Considered Sufficient – Defence of Non-Existence of Debt/Liability Proven on Preponderance of Probabilities [Paras 17-26].

Decision – Petition Dismissed – High Court Found No Grounds for Interference with Trial Court's Acquittal – Defence Evidence and Testimony Adequately Supported Respondent’s Case – Petitioner’s Inconsistent Statements and Lack of Credible Evidence Failed to Disprove Defence [Paras 33-34].

NDPS Act – Regular Bail – Prolonged Incarceration: The petitioner was accused of smuggling and possessing 75 kg of poppy husk and was arrested with his co-accused. He had been in custody for 01 year, 09 months, and 20 days, with no other criminal cases against him. The trial had progressed slowly, with only three out of 17 prosecution witnesses examined. In line with precedents, the court considered the prolonged incarceration as grounds for granting bail, emphasizing the importance of the right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. Bail granted with strict conditions [Paras 1-14].

Section 37 of NDPS Act – Non-Compliance – Prolonged Custody: The court noted that despite the stringent conditions of Section 37 of the NDPS Act, prolonged custody without significant trial progress warranted the granting of bail, as consistent with previous rulings by the Supreme Court. The petitioner’s lack of prior criminal record and the extended duration of custody were crucial factors in the decision [Paras 6-14].

Decision: Bail granted – Conditions imposed to prevent tampering with evidence and ensure the petitioner’s appearance in court.

Custody of Minor Child – Habeas Corpus – Petitioner, mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, sought custody of her minor son who was in the custody of his grandparents – Court held that the mother, being the natural guardian under Section 6 of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, is entitled to the custody of her minor son – The welfare of the minor child is paramount, and the mother, who is a government servant with a stable income, is better suited to take care of the child’s welfare and future [Paras 1-12].

Grandparents' Custody – Welfare of Child – The Court noted that the grandparents, particularly the grandfather, were elderly, lacked formal education, and had no regular income, making them less capable of ensuring the child's welfare compared to the petitioner-mother [Paras 10(ii)].

Decision:

Habeas corpus petition allowed – The Court directed the respondents to hand over custody of the minor child to the petitioner-mother immediately in the Court – The SHO was instructed to ensure the safety of the petitioner and her minor son while they return to their residence [Paras 11-13].

Criminal Procedure – Dismissal of Application under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. – Petitioner's application for registration of FIR against respondents under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. dismissed by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate and upheld by the learned ASJ – Allegations involved threats, trespass, and false implication in a criminal case – Petitioner sought cross FIR for events post-incident already subject of FIR No. 123/2021 – Court found no need for registration of FIR as the petitioner's evidence could be pursued under Section 200 Cr.P.C. without police assistance at this stage – Dismissal of petition confirmed. [Paras 1-10, 21-27]

Cross FIRs – Legal Principles – Whether a cross FIR should be registered depends on the facts and circumstances of each case – Although cross FIRs are permissible, the Court emphasized the necessity of determining whether it is justified based on the specific facts – In this case, the court ruled that identifying additional assailants did not warrant a new FIR at this stage, allowing the petitioner to continue his complaint under Section 200 Cr.P.C. – Reference to legal precedents Upkar Singh vs. Ved Prakash & Ors., and others made. [Paras 10, 24-26]

Decision – Dismissal of Writ Petition – Held – The writ petition challenging the orders of the lower courts is dismissed, with no infirmity found in their decisions – The petitioner still has the opportunity to lead evidence and seek police assistance later if necessary, under Section 202 Cr.P.C. [Para 27]

Negotiable Instruments – Promissory Note – Incomplete Document Allegation – Defendants challenged the validity of a promissory note on the grounds that it was incomplete and thus unenforceable. The High Court of Andhra Pradesh rejected this contention, holding that once the defendants admitted to signing the promissory note, a presumption of its validity arises under Section 118 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The Court further stated that even if the name of one of the signatories was missing in the body of the promissory note, the document is not rendered invalid if it meets the other statutory requirements [Paras 17-22].

Succession Certificate – Requirement for Execution of Decree – Plaintiffs failed to produce a Succession Certificate during the pendency of the suit and appeal. The Court observed that while the production of a Succession Certificate is required under Section 214 of the Indian Succession Act for the execution of a decree, the absence of the certificate does not render the decree null. The plaintiffs were granted permission to execute the decree upon producing the Succession Certificate before the execution court [Paras 24-26].

Appeal – Dismissal of Second Appeal – The High Court dismissed the second appeal, affirming the lower courts' judgments. The Court found no merit in the appellants' claims regarding the promissory note's incompleteness or the absence of a Succession Certificate. The substantial questions of law were resolved in favor of the respondents [Paras 27-28].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – Held – The appeal is dismissed, with the Court permitting the plaintiffs to execute the decree after presenting the necessary Succession Certificate. The concurrent findings of the trial court and the first appellate court were upheld, affirming the enforceability of the promissory note and the validity of the decree [Para 28].

Civil Procedure – Execution of Decree – Non-performance of Reciprocal Obligations – Application of Sections 51 and 52 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 – Delhi High Court dismisses objections to execution petition filed by Decree Holder (DH) against Judgment Debtor (JD) for refusal to sign documents necessary to enforce settlement terms in a partnership dispute – DH entitled to seek execution despite JD’s objections related to non-payment within stipulated time – DH had prepared a demand draft and was ready to perform but JD raised unjustified objections – Reciprocal promises in the settlement agreement required simultaneous performance [Paras 1-25, 33-52].

Contract Law – Settlement Agreement – Full and Final Settlement – Interpretation of Contract Terms – Delhi High Court affirms that the payment of Rs.2 crores was in full and final settlement of JD's claims in the partnership, including capital account, not limited to her 8% share – JD's refusal to sign documents was deemed unjustified, and her objections were dismissed as an attempt to reopen settled matters [Paras 26-29, 53-56].

Legal Principle – Execution of Consent Decrees – Role of Courts in Enforcing Compromise Agreements – Court emphasizes that in cases of mutual obligations in consent decrees, the obligations are to be performed simultaneously unless expressly stated otherwise – JD’s insistence on prior payment was unfounded, as per judicial precedent, reciprocal promises are to be performed in conjunction [Paras 37-50].

Decision – Dismissal of Objections – Costs Imposed – Held – The execution petition is allowed, and the objections raised by the JD are dismissed with costs of Rs.1,00,000 to be paid to the DH – DH directed to provide modified documents reflecting the current status for JD’s signature – JD required to execute documents within specified period, failing which DH may seek court intervention for enforcement [Paras 57-61].

Income Tax Act – Reassessment – Validity of Sanction – The petitioner challenged the reopening of its assessment under Section 148, asserting that the sanction under Section 151 was granted mechanically, without independent application of mind by the PCCIT. The Delhi High Court held that the approval granted was flawed in law, as it merely used the word "approved" without recording reasons or showing a rational nexus between the material considered and the conclusion reached. The approval did not meet the mandatory requirement of a meaningful, non-ritualistic process. The court quashed the reassessment notice and order issued under Sections 148A(d) and 148, emphasizing the need for reasoned satisfaction by the approving authority. [Paras 1-19]

Decision:

Writ Petition allowed – The order passed under Section 148A(d) and the notice under Section 148 were set aside and quashed.

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 – Section 138 and 141 – Quashing of Summons – Liability of Directors – Non-Executive and Independent Directors – Petitioners sought quashing of summoning orders issued under Section 138/141 NI Act, claiming they were Non-Executive and Independent Directors with no role in day-to-day management – High Court reiterated that vicarious liability of Directors arises only if they were in charge of and responsible for the conduct of the company's business – No sufficient averments in the complaint indicating petitioners' involvement in day-to-day affairs – Complaint against petitioners quashed [Paras 1-15].

Criminal Law – Section 482 Cr.P.C. – Inherent Powers of High Court – Quashing Summons – Inadequate Averments – Court emphasized that while exercising powers under Section 482 Cr.P.C., it must scrutinize whether the complaint makes necessary allegations to fasten liability on the accused – If complaint lacks necessary particulars, proceedings can be quashed at the threshold – Principles reiterated from landmark judgments on quashing of proceedings under Section 138 NI Act [Paras 10-14].

Decision:

Petitions allowed. Summoning orders against petitioners quashed.

Specific Performance of Contract – Readiness and Willingness – Appellant sought specific performance of an agreement to sell immovable property – Trial court granted refund of earnest money but denied specific performance, accepting respondent as a bona fide purchaser – High Court reversed the decision, holding that the appellant proved readiness and willingness, and the respondent was not a bona fide purchaser due to prior knowledge of the existing agreement – Directed execution of sale deed in appellant's favor [Paras 10-29].

Transfer of Property Act, 1882 – Section 54 – Sale and Agreement to Sell – Court reaffirmed that an agreement to sell does not confer title or interest in property – Title transfer requires a duly executed and registered sale deed – Appellant's right to specific performance upheld due to the respondent's failure to prove a valid sale deed [Paras 20-26].

Specific Relief (Amendment) Act, 2018 – Court emphasized that post-amendment, specific performance is a statutory remedy rather than discretionary – The shift in law favors enforcing contractual obligations unless proven otherwise [Paras 15-17].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Trial court judgment set aside – Directed execution of the sale deed in favor of appellant with payment of balance consideration – Consequential reliefs of peaceful possession granted – No order as to costs [Paras 27-29].