Criminal Law – Conviction for Rape and Kidnapping – Accused convicted of kidnapping a minor girl and committing rape – Trial court’s judgment upheld by High Court with partial modifications – Appeal mainly contested on grounds of unreliable evidence and improper conviction under special statutes – High Court affirms conviction under IPC, sets aside conviction under SC/ST Act and JJ Act due to lack of specific intent to commit crime based on caste and lack of legal control over the victim [Paras 1-32].

SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – Requirement of Proof of Caste-based Offense – High Court sets aside conviction under Sections 3(1)(xi) and 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act – Prosecution failed to prove that the offense was committed due to the victim’s caste – Emphasizes that mere membership of the victim in a Scheduled Caste is insufficient to attract these sections without proof of specific intent [Paras 21-28].

Juvenile Justice Act – Actual Control Requirement – Conviction under Section 23 of the JJ Act set aside – Court highlights that the accused must have actual charge or control over the child to be convicted under this section – Accused did not have such control over the victim in this case [Paras 29-31].

Decision: Appeal allowed in part. Conviction under SC/ST Act and JJ Act set aside. Conviction under IPC upheld. Court grants liberty to appellant to seek state government remission of sentence considering mitigating factors and time already served [Para 32].

Criminal Law – Murder and Conspiracy – The appellants were convicted for the murder of Divakaran, sustaining injuries on his family members, and vandalizing his property – Convictions by the Additional Sessions Court affirmed by the High Court – The High Court emphasizes discrepancies in the investigation and procedural flaws, particularly regarding the involvement and identification of all accused – Despite this, the Court finds the evidence provided by eyewitnesses, especially close relatives of the deceased, credible, noting their consistency in key details across multiple statements [Paras 1-26].

Investigation Flaws – The Court criticizes the initial investigation conducted by PW18 and PW21, noting their bias and failure to arrest key accused timely – Statements of witnesses recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C. played a crucial role in correctly identifying all involved parties – The High Court highlights the importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation, stressing that faulty investigation should not undermine credible evidence [Paras 27-41].

Witness Credibility – Eyewitnesses, particularly the family members of the deceased, provided consistent testimonies regarding the sequence of events, the involvement of all six accused, and their actions during the crime – The Court underscores the reliability of these witnesses despite the hostile environment and procedural issues faced during the investigation [Paras 10-25].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence affirmed – High Court reiterates the necessity of proper investigation and unbiased judicial process – Grants liberty to appellants to seek remission of sentence considering mitigating factors and time already served [Para 42-44].
 

Limitation Act – Application under Order VII, Rule 11 CPC – Petition for Rejection of Plaint – Suit for recovery of cost of repair and penalty for non-performance of contract filed beyond the statutory period – Petitioner contends suit is barred by limitation – Trial court rejected petition on grounds of mixed questions of law and fact requiring trial – High Court examines statutory obligations, mixed questions of law and fact, and evidentiary requirements – Civil Revision Petition dismissed – Trial court’s decision upheld [Paras 1-7.15].

Mixed Questions of Law and Fact – Order VII, Rule 11 CPC – Jurisdiction – High Court reiterates jurisdictional scope of courts under Order VII, Rule 11 – Emphasizes that the question of limitation, being a mixed question of law and fact, cannot be decided solely on plaint averments but requires trial – Reaffirms principles for rejection of plaints under Order VII, Rule 11 CPC [Paras 7.1-7.15].

Decision – Civil Revision Petition Dismissed – Held – Order dated 30.03.2022 by Additional Senior Civil Judge, Balangir upheld – Suit to proceed to trial for determination of mixed questions of law and fact including limitation – Petitioner’s argument for rejection of plaint under Order VII, Rule 11 CPC on limitation grounds not sustained [Para 7.15].
 

Service Law – Termination – Acquittal in Criminal Case – Petitioner, an Anganwadi Worker, terminated without enquiry due to ACB case pendency – Court held termination illegal post-acquittal in criminal case, emphasizing principle of “innocent until proven guilty” – Mere pendency of criminal proceedings insufficient for termination without due enquiry [Paras 1-18]. 

Disciplinary Action – Principles of Natural Justice – Termination without issuing show cause notice or conducting enquiry violated natural justice – Court directed reinstatement with 50% back wages and service benefits – Highlighted need for fair disciplinary proceedings [Paras 13-18]. 

Decision: Writ Petition Allowed – Impugned termination proceedings set aside – Petitioner to be reinstated with 50% back wages and all service benefits to be computed and paid within four weeks [Paras 17-18]. 

Divorce by Mutual Consent – Right to Sue – Appellants’ Claim: Issue regarding whether the right to sue for divorce by mutual consent survives to the legal heirs of the deceased husband when he dies before the second motion is moved. The Family Court’s decision denying the legal heirs’ request to continue the proceedings and directing the return of money paid under the mutual consent agreement was challenged [Paras 1-13]. 

Section 13-B(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act – Requirement of Second Motion – Legal Interpretation: Section 13-B(2) mandates a second motion by both parties within a specific timeframe for the court to grant a divorce. Absence of this second motion due to the husband’s death rendered the petition infructuous. The court held that the right to seek divorce is a personal right that does not survive to the heirs, thus abating the petition [Paras 14-16]. 

Legal Heirs and Right to Appeal – Scope of Right to Sue: The right to seek divorce being a personal right does not survive to the legal heirs of the deceased. The appeal against the Family Court’s decision was dismissed, and the divorce petition was declared infructuous. Additionally, the court directed the respondent to redeposit the sum received as part of the mutual consent terms [Paras 17-24]. 

Decision:  Appeal Dismissed – Petition Abated: The court upheld the Family Court’s decision that the divorce petition became infructuous upon the husband’s death before the second motion under Section 13-B(2) was moved. The right to sue did not survive to the legal heirs. The court also affirmed the Family Court’s order directing the respondent to redeposit the sum received as part of the mutual consent terms [Paras 1-24]. 

Land Acquisition – Review of Orders – Possession and Compensation – Review applicants, Union of India and Defence Estate Officer, sought review of orders dated November 21, 2016, and December 6, 2016, directing compensation to Terai Tea Company under the Act of 2013 – Review sought on grounds of not being parties to the original proceedings and adverse effect on their rights due to State Government’s concession – Held, Terai Tea had no right, title, or interest in the subject land as possession was taken by the Defence Estate in 1972 – Renewal of lease by State Government in 1976 was invalid as Terai Tea was not in possession – Orders under review recalled [Paras 1-50]. 

Review Jurisdiction – Error Apparent on the Face of Record – Non-party Review Applicants – Supreme Court precedents allow review by non-parties if adversely affected – Error in the original orders recognized, as State Government’s concession was beyond its delegation authority – Principles of Order 47, Rule 1, CPC applied, allowing review due to mistake of fact and law [Paras 35-51]. 

Decision: Review allowed – Orders dated November 21, 2016, and December 6, 2016, recalled – State Government’s direction to initiate proceedings under the Act of 2013 set aside – Review application and connected applications disposed of without costs [Paras 50-51]. 

Mutation Proceedings – Summary Nature – Petitioners' Father’s Property Mutation Dispute – Petitioners challenged the mutation orders favoring the respondent, based on an earlier Will – Petitioners claimed subsequent Will in their favor – Court observed the mutation proceedings are summary and fiscal, not determining title – Petitioners required to pursue civil court for title dispute – Writ petition dismissed [Paras 1-46].

Writ Jurisdiction – Mutation Orders – The writ petition under Article 227 challenged mutation orders – Court emphasized writ jurisdiction limitations in summary proceedings of mutation – Affirmed previous rulings that mutation entries do not confer title, only fiscal effects [Paras 1-22, 29-45].

Delay in Filing Restoration Application – Petitioners' delay in seeking restoration and challenging the mutation orders – Court noted procedural deficiencies and failure to timely assert claim under subsequent Will – Restoration application deemed time-barred [Paras 7-10, 35-37].

Decision: Writ Petition Dismissed – Held – Petitioners directed to seek redressal through appropriate civil court to establish their title based on the subsequent Will – Mutation proceedings not interfered with under writ jurisdiction** [Paras 45-46].
 

Criminal Law – Rape Conviction – Appellant convicted for rape and impregnating a minor girl – Trial court sentenced appellant to 12 years R.I. and fines – High Court notes discrepancies in prosecution’s case and victim’s contradictory statements – Victim and her mother retracted accusations, stating pressure from villagers – No substantial evidence proving victim’s age below 18 years – Doubts raised about the prosecution’s handling and veracity of charges [Paras 1-26].

Victim Testimony – Retracted Accusations – Victim initially accused appellant of rape resulting in pregnancy – During trial, she and her mother denied accusations, claiming pressure from co-villagers – High Court scrutinizes reliability of retracted testimony and lack of corroborative evidence [Paras 10-21].

Age Determination – Lack of Proof – Prosecution failed to conclusively prove victim’s age as under 18 – High Court emphasizes importance of verifying victim’s age to establish jurisdiction under POCSO Act [Para 21].

Benefit of Doubt – High Court acknowledges inconsistencies and lack of reliable evidence – Appellant given benefit of doubt – Conviction and sentence set aside – Appellant ordered to be released if not required in any other case [Paras 25-28].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction and sentence set aside – Appellant to be released forthwith if not required in connection with any other case [Paras 26-28].

Bail – Conditions for Grant – Judicial Custody Duration – Petitioner arrested for assault with a wooden stick, causing grievous injuries – Petitioner in custody for 30 days, investigation complete, no criminal antecedents – Bail granted with stringent conditions to prevent evidence tampering and ensure compliance with legal procedures [Paras 1-10].

Criminal Jurisprudence – Presumption of Innocence – Emphasized fundamental presumption of innocence until proven guilty – Any imprisonment before conviction viewed as punitive – Reference to Sanjay Chandra v. CBI and Dataram Singh v. State of U.P. regarding principles of bail being the rule and jail an exception [Paras 7-9].

Investigative Process – Completion and Recovery – Court noted completion of investigation and recovery of relevant evidence – Conditions imposed to ensure non-interference with the investigation and prevention of new offenses during bail period [Paras 6-10].

Decision: Bail application allowed with conditions: appearance before Investigating Officer on specified days, prohibition against tampering with evidence or committing new offenses, surrender of passport, and provision for bail cancellation in case of conditions’ violation. Conditions subject to modification by the jurisdictional court [Paras 10-11].