Criminal Law – Conviction Based on Ballistic Evidence – Appellant Wazir Singh challenged his conviction for murder and arms possession – Trial court’s decision upheld based on ballistic expert’s testimony linking the recovered bullet to the appellant’s firearm – Eyewitnesses turned hostile, failing to identify the appellant – The court emphasized the significance of ballistic evidence in establishing the appellant’s guilt despite the witnesses’ hostility [Paras 1-28].

Hostile Witnesses – Impact on Prosecution – Both key eyewitnesses, including the complainant, declared hostile, denying identification of the appellant as the assailant – The court relied heavily on circumstantial and ballistic evidence due to the witnesses’ unreliability – Reinforces that hostility of witnesses does not automatically weaken the prosecution if other substantial evidence supports the case [Paras 10-20].

Ballistic Evidence – Forensic Link – Ballistic expert’s report crucial in confirming that the bullet retrieved from the crime scene matched the revolver recovered from the appellant – Highlights the importance of forensic evidence in criminal trials where direct witness testimony is compromised [Paras 18-20].

Test Identification Parade – Refusal by Accused – Appellant’s refusal to participate in a test identification parade taken as corroborative evidence against him – Court discusses precedent on adverse inferences drawn from such refusals, stressing the need for corroborative material before reaching a verdict [Paras 22-23].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – Held – Appellant’s conviction and sentence upheld – Court finds the forensic evidence and circumstances sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt – Orders immediate arrest of appellant to serve the remaining sentence [Paras 27-28].

Land Encroachment – Possession Certificate Cancellation – Petitioners challenged the cancellation of their possession certificates for house sites granted by the government and the threat of demolition by state authorities – State respondents argued the certificates were invalid due to a prior civil court decree favoring a third party – High Court ruled cancellation without a hearing violated principles of natural justice – Decree execution should be sought through proper legal channels by the third party [Paras 1-21].

Procedural Fairness – Principles of Natural Justice – Cancellation of possession certificates without prior notice or hearing to the affected parties deemed unlawful – High Court emphasized the necessity of following due process before taking adverse actions impacting civil rights [Paras 20-21].

Interim Orders – Continuation of Status Quo – Interim relief granted to maintain status quo on house sites pending final adjudication – Petitioners allowed to retain possession until lawful eviction or cancellation procedures are followed [Paras 6-7, 19].

Decision: W.P. No. 199 of 2018: Allowed – State respondents directed not to demolish petitioners’ houses on their patta lands without following due process.

W.P. No. 23333 of 2018: Allowed – Notice cancelling possession certificate quashed – State respondents may issue fresh notice after giving opportunity of hearing.

Criminal Law – Sexual Assault – Acquittal Reversed – Trial court acquitted the respondent (father) of charges of sexual assault on his minor daughters, finding the evidence insufficient – High Court re-evaluates evidence, including statements under Section 164 Cr.P.C. and testimonies of victims consistent with sexual assault allegations – High Court concludes trial court's appreciation of evidence was flawed and perverse – Acquittal set aside; respondent convicted under Section 354A(1)(i) and Section 506 IPC – High Court highlights importance of considering consistent victim testimonies and the protective purpose of the POCSO Act [Paras 1-19].

Section 222(2) Cr.P.C. – Conviction for Minor Offence – Respondent acquitted of major offences under POCSO Act due to lack of evidence on victims' ages – Convicted under minor offences of IPC using Section 222(2) Cr.P.C. – Clarifies that absence of specific charge for a minor offence does not preclude conviction if the accused had notice of the allegations [Para 20].

Delay in FIR – Not Fatal – High Court addresses the issue of delay in lodging FIR, acknowledging societal and psychological factors that delay reporting in cases of sexual assault, especially involving minors – Delay deemed non-fatal to prosecution case [Paras 15, 16].

Legal Principles – Appeal Against Acquittal – High Court discusses principles guiding interference in acquittal – Emphasizes that acquittal can be overturned if appreciation of evidence is flawed or perverse – Reinforces that protection under POCSO Act necessitates careful consideration of minor victims' consistent testimonies [Paras 10-14].

Decision- Appeal allowed – Acquittal set aside – Respondent convicted under Section 354A(1)(i) and Section 506 of IPC – Matter posted for hearing on sentence.

Seized Vehicles – Return Pending Trial – Petitioner, the registered owner of the vehicle No. WB 32J-4623, challenged the rejection of his request for the vehicle’s return, seized for allegedly transporting commercial quantities of ganja – High Court examined precedents and legal provisions regarding interim custody of seized vehicles – Held that seized vehicles may be returned to registered owners under specific conditions to ensure availability during trial and prevent misuse [Paras 1-14].

Section 451 and 457 of Cr.P.C. – Applicability to NDPS Cases – Cited Supreme Court and High Court judgments affirming that provisions under Sections 451 and 457 Cr.P.C. apply to cases under the NDPS Act – Conditions for interim return of vehicles include furnishing a bond, ensuring non-alteration of the vehicle, and presenting it as required during trial [Paras 11-12].

Decision – Revision Allowed – Impugned order dated 12.12.2022 by the Special Court, Tamluk, Purba Medinipur set aside – Directed return of vehicle to petitioner upon furnishing bond with surety of Rs. 8,00,000/- and conditions ensuring vehicle’s presentation during trial – Connected applications disposed of, and interim orders vacated [Paras 13-19].

Income Tax Law – Hybrid System of Accounting – Methodology Adopted by the Company – Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Shillong challenged the company’s use of the hybrid system of accounting, arguing it was in contravention of Section 145 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 – Tribunal had quashed the revisionary proceedings under Section 263, considering them erroneous and prejudicial to the interest of the revenue – Tribunal’s decision upheld – Appeal dismissed [Paras 1-13].

Revision of Orders – Section 263 of the Income Tax Act – Powers of Principal Commissioner – Principal Commissioner set aside the original assessment and ordered reassessment – Tribunal found that conditions for invoking Section 263 were not satisfied as the original order was neither erroneous nor prejudicial to revenue [Para 10].

Real vs. Hypothetical Income – Application of Judicial Pronouncements – Company’s adoption of cash basis for interest on debtors upheld by the Tribunal – Supported by precedent from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court, emphasizing that hypothetical income should not be taxed [Paras 6-7].

Consistency in Accounting Practice – Tribunal’s Rationale – Tribunal noted consistent judicial approval of the company’s method in previous assessment years – Judicial precedents highlighted the necessity of adhering to consistent practices in the absence of material changes [Paras 7-12].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Tribunal’s order upheld – No costs [Para 13].

Criminal Law – Conviction for Attempt to Murder – Appeal – Conviction under Section 307 IPC for attempting to murder the informant by assaulting and throwing her out of a moving car – Trial court’s judgment re-evaluated – Prosecution’s evidence primarily from the informant’s testimony – Reliability of the victim’s testimony upheld despite minor inconsistencies – Injury classified as simple by medical evidence – Conviction under Section 307 IPC set aside; conviction modified to Section 323 IPC for voluntary causing hurt – Sentence reduced accordingly [Paras 1-21].

Victim's Testimony – Credibility – Informant’s detailed account of assault in the car, corroborated by medical evidence and testimony of the truck driver who provided assistance – Prosecution’s evidence considered sufficient to support conviction for causing simple injuries voluntarily – No substantial evidence supporting intent to kill [Paras 7-21].

Modification of Sentence – Given the nature of injuries as simple, conviction altered from Section 307 IPC to Section 323 IPC – Sentence reduced to six months' simple imprisonment and fine – Relief of set-off for time already served granted [Paras 20-21].

Decision: Appeal partly allowed – Conviction under Section 307 IPC set aside – Appellant convicted under Section 323 IPC – Sentenced to six months' simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1000, with a default sentence of one month – Trial court to ensure execution of the modified sentence [Paras 20-21].

Criminal Law – Quashing of Proceedings – Petitioners sought quashing of proceedings alleging trespass and property damage – Court quashed proceedings under Section 188 IPC due to lack of a complaint from a public servant as mandated by Section 195 Cr.P.C. – For offences under Sections 447 and 427 IPC, Court found no evidence of an injunction order violation by the petitioners – No trespass or mischief proven – Proceedings quashed [Paras 1-6].

Procedure under Section 195 Cr.P.C. – Requirement for a complaint from a public servant for cognizance of offences under Section 188 IPC – Court held cognizance by the Magistrate illegal due to absence of such a complaint – Emphasized statutory requirement for complaint to be from a public servant concerned [Para 4].

Evidence and Documentation – Court’s review of final report and related documents showed no proof of the injunction order being violated – Prosecution failed to produce evidence of injunction, rendering charges under Sections 447 and 427 IPC untenable [Para 5].

Decision – Criminal Miscellaneous Case Allowed – Held – All further proceedings against petitioners in CC No. 114/2013 arising from Crime No. 721/2012 quashed – Emphasized requirement of proper evidence to sustain charges of trespass and mischief [Para 6].

Negotiable Instruments Act – Section 138 – Conviction and sentence for dishonoured cheque – Petitioner issued cheque for Rs. 3,00,000/- which was dishonoured – Trial Court convicted petitioner, sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, and ordered compensation of Rs. 4,05,000/- – Conviction upheld by Additional Sessions Judge – Petitioner deposited compensation amount, sought compounding of offence – Respondent-complainant agreed to compounding [Paras 1-6]. 

Compounding of Offence – Section 147 of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Entire compensation paid – No objection from respondent for compounding – Court compounded offence as per Section 147 and Supreme Court guidelines in Damodar S. Prabhu – Conviction and sentence set aside – Petitioner directed to pay litigation cost of Rs. 10,000/- and 5% of cheque amount as compounding fee [Paras 7-8]. 

Decision – Revision Petition Allowed – Held – Conviction and sentence set aside – Offence compounded – Petitioner acquitted – Litigation cost and compounding fee imposed – Amount deposited to be released to complainant – Compliance within four weeks mandated to avoid penal consequences [Para 8]. 

Freedom of Press – Sting Operation – Legal Boundaries – Petitioners, media persons, conducted a sting operation inside a jail to record an accused’s statement. The Court emphasized the critical role of the press in a democracy but highlighted the necessity of adhering to legal boundaries. It underscored that while the media has significant freedom, this does not exempt it from legal consequences if actions contravene established laws. The prosecution alleged violations under Sections 86 and 87 of the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act, 2010, which prohibit unauthorized communication and possession of recording devices inside a jail. [Paras 1-16]

Sting Operation – Public Interest vs. Legal Restrictions – The Court referred to Supreme Court judgments noting that sting operations, while sometimes serving public interest, must still adhere to legal standards. It distinguished between lawful investigative journalism and unlawful acts, stressing that intent and adherence to laws are pivotal. The Court cited the necessity for media operations to balance investigative zeal with legal constraints, ensuring actions do not infringe on individual rights or statutory provisions. [Paras 10-15]

Quashing of Proceedings – Lack of Malafide Intent – The petitioners’ actions, aimed at news gathering without malafide intent, were acknowledged. Considering the lack of actual recording and the preventive action by jail authorities, the Court ruled continuation of prosecution unnecessary. The Court allowed the petition and quashed the proceedings, recognizing the petitioners’ over-enthusiastic but non-malafide attempt to gather news, thus underscoring the balance between press freedom and legal adherence. [Paras 16-17]

Decision: Criminal Miscellaneous Case allowed. Proceedings against petitioners in ST.No.2065/2014 before Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Pathanamthitta arising from Crime No.1123/2013 of Pathanamthitta Police Station quashed.