Criminal Law – Quashing of Proceedings – Section 482 CrPC – Whether criminal proceedings should be quashed when the dispute arises from corporate transactions – Held, criminal proceedings can be quashed only in exceptional cases where it is clearly shown that no prima facie case is made out, or the allegations are frivolous and vexatious – [Paras 5-8].

Corporate Disputes – Criminal Proceedings – The petitioner argued that the matter is a corporate dispute involving management of a company, not a criminal case – Court rejected the contention, holding that the allegations of misappropriation and forgery involving company assets cannot be purely treated as civil in nature – [Paras 9-15].

Delay in Filing FIR – Impact on Quashing – The Court addressed the 9-year delay in filing the FIR, concluding that the delay alone is insufficient to quash proceedings if the allegations are serious and prima facie evidence exists – [Paras 16-18].

Motor Vehicles – Standards of Visual Transmission of Light (VLT) – State Government Authority – The State Government and its officials were penalizing vehicle owners for using "Safety Glazing" materials that comply with Indian Standard IS.2553 (Part 2) (First Revision); 2019, alleging violations of the specified percentage of VLT – The amended Rule 100 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules permits the use of "Safety Glazing" subject to compliance with the specified VLT and Indian Standard – Held: The State Government or its officials are not legally justified in penalizing owners of motor vehicles maintained with "Safety Glazing" that conforms to the Indian Standard IS.2553 (Part 2) (First Revision); 2019 and maintains the specified percentage of VLT [Paras 30].

Judicial Interpretation – Rule 100 of CMV Rules – Amendment – The Hon’ble Apex Court in Avishek Goenka v. Union of India interpreted the unamended Rule 100 which permitted only "Safety Glass" – The amendment effective from 01.04.2021 now permits "Safety Glazing," subject to conditions – Held: The State’s penal action based on the interpretation of the unamended rule is not applicable after the amendment allowing "Safety Glazing" [Paras 10-15].

Decision: Writ petitions allowed – Challans issued against the petitioners quashed – The State Government and its officials are restrained from penalizing owners of motor vehicles maintained with "Safety Glazing" that conforms to the Indian Standard IS.2553 (Part 2) (First Revision); 2019 and provides the stipulated percentage of VLT [Paras 31].

Family Law – Maintenance – Quantum of Maintenance – Reduce Maintenance - The wife filed an application under Section 125 Cr.P.C. seeking maintenance, claiming the husband, employed as a vice president in Citi Bank Dubai, was earning a substantial income – The Family Court awarded interim maintenance of ₹60,000 per month to the wife – The husband contested the amount, arguing his current income in Singapore was significantly reduced, and the wife was self-sufficient, earning AED 3500 in Dubai and running a coaching center – Held: The Court reduced the maintenance to ₹40,000 per month, considering the husband's financial liabilities and the wife's earning capacity, aligning with the principle that the wife should receive a reasonable amount to maintain a standard of living consistent with the marriage, but not so excessive to make the husband bear an undue financial burden [Paras 11-16].

Criminal Law – Revision – Scope of Interference – The Court emphasized the necessity of balancing the financial capabilities and responsibilities of both parties – Citing Supreme Court precedents, it was held that the wife is entitled to a portion of the husband’s income, generally up to 25%, which should allow her to maintain herself with reasonable comfort – The amount fixed must not be exorbitant considering the wife’s own earning potential and qualifications [Paras 17-21].

Decision: Criminal Revision No. 3028/2019 filed by the wife is dismissed – Criminal Revision No. 3931/2019 filed by the husband is partly allowed – Maintenance amount is reduced from ₹60,000 to ₹40,000 per month – Remaining part of the Family Court's order remains intact [Order].

Service Law - Payment of Gratuity – Delay in Payment – Interest on Gratuity – Appeal Dismissal – Petitioner, a retired Professor and Head of Anesthesia Department at Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, sought interest at 10% on the delayed payment of Rs. 10,00,000 in gratuity for the period from 01.05.2018 to 31.08.2021 – Gratuity amount enhanced by amendment to Rs. 20,00,000 on 29.03.2018, but the Respondent only paid Rs. 10,00,000 initially – The Petitioner was paid Rs. 10,00,000 in arrears with interest only from 01.09.2021 to 04.03.2022 – Controlling and Appellate Authorities both denied interest for the period from 01.05.2018, citing the petitioner's retirement date as 28.02.2018, preceding the amendment – Held: No illegality in the denial of additional interest as retirement benefits were calculated based on the date of superannuation and subsequent extension of service till 30.04.2018 was not to be considered for gratuity purposes [Paras 1-7].

Retirement Date – Applicability of Gratuity Amendment – The Petitioner retired from service on 30.04.2018, but the actual date of superannuation was 28.02.2018 – The gratuity amendment increasing the limit to Rs. 20,00,000 came into force on 29.03.2018 – Controlling and Appellate Authorities concluded that the petitioner was not entitled to enhanced gratuity since the retirement date for gratuity purposes was 28.02.2018 – Service extension until the end of the academic term under the State's G.R. did not affect gratuity calculations [Paras 5, 6].

Interest on Delayed Gratuity – Legal Entitlement – Petitioner claimed interest on the balance Rs. 10,00,000 for the period between 01.05.2018 and 31.08.2021 – Controlling Authority awarded interest only from 01.09.2021, when the Form-N application was filed – Appeal seeking interest from 01.05.2018 dismissed by the Appellate Authority, and subsequently by the High Court – Held: No entitlement to interest for the period before 01.09.2021 as the delay was not due to Respondent's fault but procedural requirements related to the extension of service [Paras 4-7].

Decision: Petition dismissed – Controlling and Appellate Authority orders upheld – Petitioner not entitled to interest from 01.05.2018 to 31.08.2021 [Paras 7].

Landlord-Tenant Relationship – Mesne Profits – Assessment – BPCL and M/s. Forbes Gokak Ltd. were involved in a dispute over mesne profits following BPCL’s occupation of leased premises. BPCL sought a reduction in mesne profits, while the landlord sought an increase. The court upheld the trial court's assessment of mesne profits, determining that the amount fixed (ranging from Rs. 2,50,000 per month in 2001 to Rs. 4,50,000 per month in 2013) was reasonable based on the comparable rents in the area – [Paras 1-40].

Interest on Mesne Profits – Commercial Transaction – Section 34 of CPC – BPCL contended that the interest rate should not exceed 6% under Section 34 of the Civil Procedure Code, arguing that the lease was not a commercial transaction. The court agreed, reducing the interest rate from 9% to 6%, noting that BPCL was not in the business of renting properties, and the transaction did not qualify as commercial under the definition of Section 34 – [Paras 41-60].

Adjustment of Deposits – The court clarified that the interest calculation should exclude the monthly deposits BPCL made from October 2010 to December 2013, as these amounts had already been paid towards mesne profits – [Paras 61-70].

Decision:

The quantum of mesne profits fixed by the Small Causes Court was upheld. However, the interest rate was reduced to 6%. BPCL’s application was partly allowed to the extent of the interest rate adjustment, while M/s. Forbes Gokak Ltd.'s application was dismissed.

Criminal Law – Quashing of Proceedings – Section 153 IPC – Petitioner, an Australian tourist of Jewish descent, was charged under Section 153 IPC for tearing down banners at Fort Kochi – The banners bore the slogan "SILENCE IS VIOLENCE STAND UP FOR HUMANITY" – Petitioner contended that the posters invoked distress due to their possible allusion to the Israel-Palestine conflict – Held: The posters were erected without legal permission, and their removal by the petitioner cannot be considered an illegal act under Section 153 IPC – The primary ingredient of provocation for rioting was absent, as the petitioner’s act did not intend to incite unrest, and no rioting followed the incident [Paras 8-10].

Public Order – Right to Remove Unauthorized Posters – The posters were placed without permission, and their removal did not constitute an illegal act – Even though the petitioner should have approached law enforcement instead of removing them herself, this did not amount to a criminal offense – Held: Removal of unauthorized posters cannot attract charges under Section 153 IPC, as the necessary element of malignance or provocation for rioting is lacking [Paras 10-12].

Tourist Rights – Detention at Airport Due to Lookout Notice – Petitioner was detained at Kochi International Airport based on a lookout notice, despite being granted bail for the alleged offense – Held: The detention was disproportionate, given that the offense was bailable, and the petitioner’s continued prosecution would result in an abuse of legal process [Paras 5, 9].

Decision:

All further proceedings in C.C. No. 462/2024 on the files of the Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court, Mattanchery, arising out of Crime No. 390/2024 of Fort Kochi Police Station, are quashed – The petition is allowed, and the criminal case is dismissed [Paras 13-14].

Criminal Law – Cruelty and Abetment of Suicide – Section 498-A and 306 of IPC – Dying declarations – Whether conviction based on dying declarations is sustainable – Held, inconsistencies in the three dying declarations recorded by different officers without clear endorsement of fitness and absence of thumb impressions cast doubt on their reliability – Court emphasizes that suspicion and general allegations without specific acts of cruelty or abetment cannot establish guilt under Sections 498-A and 306 IPC – [Paras 9-17].

Dying Declarations – Multiple Declarations – Reliability – Supreme Court precedents cited in assessing the credibility of multiple dying declarations – Delay in recording, lack of fitness certification, and inconsistencies in key details undermine the credibility of the dying declarations – [Paras 18-22].

Mens Rea and Instigation – Essential Elements for Conviction under Section 306 IPC – For conviction under Section 306 IPC, prosecution must establish positive action of instigation or incitement to commit suicide – Mere suspicion of character and general allegations of cruelty, without evidence of abetment or specific proximate cause, are insufficient to hold the accused guilty – [Paras 69-73].

Decision: Appeal Allowed – The conviction of the appellant for offences under Sections 498-A and 306 of the IPC is quashed – Appellant acquitted of all charges. Bail bonds cancelled and fine, if any, to be refunded. Counsel fee fixed at Rs. 15,000 to be paid by the High Court Legal Services Sub-Committee, Aurangabad – [Paras 74-75].
 

Habeas Corpus – Custody of Minor Child – Welfare of the Child as Paramount Consideration – Section 6 of Hindu Minority & Guardianship Act – The petitioner-mother sought a writ of Habeas Corpus for the release of her 8-month-old son from the custody of the father, claiming the child's best interest lies with her as per Section 6 of the Hindu Minority & Guardianship Act – The Court upheld the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, especially given the child’s tender age, and found that the mother's custody is ordinarily preferred for a child below five years – Held: Custody of the child granted to the petitioner-mother pending further proceedings [Paras 1, 3, 8, 10, 14].

Maintainability of Habeas Corpus for Child Custody – Habeas Corpus Upheld – The respondent-father contended that the Habeas Corpus petition was not maintainable as an alternative remedy was available under the Guardianship Act – The Court reiterated that Habeas Corpus is maintainable in child custody matters where the best interest of the child is at stake, and the child's welfare necessitates the extraordinary remedy – The Court noted that although alternative remedies exist, they do not bar invoking Habeas Corpus when the child’s custody is improperly withheld – Held: Habeas Corpus petition maintainable [Paras 8-9, 19].

Visitation Rights – Father’s Access to Child – Protection of Child’s Emotional Balance – Although custody was awarded to the petitioner-mother, the Court acknowledged the importance of the father’s presence in the child’s life and granted visitation rights to ensure the child's emotional well-being – Respondent No.4 (father) was granted supervised access to the child twice a month under specified conditions to avoid any disturbance to the child's emotional balance – Held: Father granted visitation on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month [Paras 15-16].

Decision – Petition allowed – Custody of the 8-month-old minor child was ordered to be handed over to the petitioner-mother, with visitation rights granted to the father. Respondent No.4 (father) was directed to ensure compliance in the presence of a judicial officer. The custody arrangement prioritizes the welfare of the child, ensuring both parents maintain a relationship with the minor [Paras 14-15].

University Regulations – Post-Publication Review – Retrospective Application – Petitioner challenged the suo motu review conducted by the University, which led to the reduction of her CGPA and resulted in her demotion from First Class First to First Class Second – University cited a resolution passed on December 24, 2018, requiring a review of the top three examinees if a post-publication review affected the First Class First position – Court held that the retrospective application of the resolution, which was not in effect at the time of the petitioner's result publication, was impermissible [Paras 1-50].

Resolution and Fairness – Suo Motu Review – Court observed that the University’s action of conducting a suo motu review without the petitioner’s consent or prior notice violated principles of natural justice – University’s retrospective application of the December 24, 2018 resolution was deemed improper as the petitioner’s results were published prior to the resolution’s enactment [Paras 25-35].

Relief Granted – Award of Gold Medal – While the court acknowledged the higher CGPA of Respondent No. 7 following the review, it ordered that Respondent No. 7 be declared First Class First and awarded the Gold Medal – As a special case, the court also directed that the petitioner be awarded a Gold Medal, but her merit position would remain as First Class Second [Paras 45-50].

Decision:

Writ Petition disposed of – University directed to award Gold Medals to both Respondent No. 7 and the petitioner, with the petitioner retaining the second position in the merit list.