Live-in Relationship - Protection of Life and Liberty - Article 21 of the Constitution of India - Entitlement to Protection: The petitioners, involved in a live-in relationship, seek protection of their life and liberty. The court acknowledges the right to life and liberty as enshrined in the Constitution, including the freedom to choose a partner, whether through marriage or a live-in relationship. Live-in relationships, though not universally accepted, are recognized by law and individuals involved are entitled to equal protection under the law. The court emphasizes that no citizen can take the law into their own hands. [Paras 10-11]

Protection Granted Regardless of Legal Status of Relationship: Despite the legal status of the relationship being questioned and criminal cases registered against the parties, the court emphasizes the paramount consideration of protecting life and liberty. Protection is granted by the court without delving into the legality of the relationship, ensuring that individuals fearing harm receive necessary safeguards. [Paras 12-14]

Directions to Authorities: The court directs respondent no. 2 to consider the petitioners' representation regarding threat perception and to take appropriate action in accordance with the law. However, the order does not preclude the initiation of legal proceedings against the petitioners if warranted. [Paras 15-17]

Quashing of FIR and Proceedings – FIR No. 46 Dated 11.05.2008 under Section 306/34 IPC – Suicide of Aruna Rani – FIR based on delayed statement of Paramjit Kaur citing harassment by 11 individuals – Suicide note in deceased’s handwriting but no direct evidence of abetment by named individuals – High Court finds no proximate link or clear mens rea for abetment – Held, continuation of proceedings constitutes abuse of legal process – FIR and subsequent proceedings quashed. [Paras 1-30]

Ingredients of Section 306/107 IPC – Abetment of Suicide – Analysis of legal requirements – Court finds absence of intentional instigation or aiding in the commission of suicide – Marriage disputes and subsequent events not leading to a direct conclusion of abetment by the petitioners – Suicide note insufficient to establish abetment under Section 306 IPC. [Paras 10-29]

Decision – Quashing of FIR and Related Proceedings – Considering the facts and absence of clear mens rea or instigation for suicide – FIR No. 46 dated 11.05.2008 under Section 306/34 IPC and all consequent proceedings against petitioners quashed – Petitions allowed. [Para 30]

Criminal Law - Assault Incident due to Old Enmity – Conviction of Bhola under Sections 323/34 IPC by the Special Judge SC/ST Act for assaulting complainant Ramu due to old village enmity and political differences – Incident allegedly involving lathi beating [Paras 3, 4, 9]

Factual Background and Lower Court Proceedings – FIR lodged against Bhola for assaulting a Scheduled Caste individual, leading to trial and conviction. Charges included Sections 323, 504, 506 IPC, and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act. Trial court convicted under Section 323/34 IPC with a fine and additional imprisonment in default. [Paras 3-8]

Evidence Analysis – Hostile Witnesses and Contradictions – Multiple prosecution witnesses turned hostile, contradicting the FIR’s allegations. Medical evidence indicated injuries were minor and not as severe as alleged. The appellant's involvement in the alleged assault remained unproven. [Paras 6, 9, 17-18, 21-22]

Legal Principles and Application – Emphasizes the presumption of innocence and the prosecution’s burden to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Hostile witnesses’ testimonies scrutinized, revealing unreliable and contradictory statements. [Paras 15, 17-20]

High Court’s Reasoning and Decision – High Court finds trial court’s judgment flawed due to reliance on inconsistent and hostile witness testimonies. Acknowledges the necessity to separate 'grain from chaff' in witness accounts, leading to the conclusion that evidence against Bhola was insufficient. [Paras 22-24]

Conclusion – Acquittal of Appellant – High Court reverses Trial Court’s judgment. Bhola acquitted due to lack of reliable evidence proving his involvement in the assault. [Para 24]

Decision – High Court allows appeal, setting aside trial court’s judgment – Bhola acquitted of charges under Section 323/34 IPC – Appellant’s bonds and sureties discharged [Para 24]

Allegations of Fraud in Sub-Lease Agreement – Petitioner and complainant (Reliance Corporate IT Park Limited) entered into a sub-lease agreement with assurances of uninterrupted electricity supply – Complainant accused petitioner of not maintaining promises, leading to disconnection of electricity and demanding additional money or property purchase – Alleged criminal intent to deceive and cheat [Paras 2, 18-19, 32-33]

Petitioner’s Defense – Petitioner claims fulfillment of all obligations, including payment of dues to DPL under a Bank Guarantee – Contends allegations as civil disputes and not criminal fraud or cheating [Paras 3-6]

Civil Nature of Dispute – Complaint’s allegations primarily related to contractual obligations and financial transactions – Absence of prima facie criminal intent or fraudulent inducement at inception of agreement [Paras 9, 32, 33, 35].

Arbitrability of Dispute – Presence of arbitration clause in agreement – Dispute suited for resolution through arbitration rather than criminal proceedings [Paras 26, 27, 34].

Legal Principles Applied – Supreme Court judgments emphasizing non-arbitrability of disputes involving serious allegations of fraud – However, simple allegations of fraud related to internal affairs of parties can be subject to arbitration [Paras 34, 36-37]

Decision – Revision petition allowed – Proceedings against the petitioner in the aforementioned case quashed – Held that continuation of proceedings would constitute an abuse of process of law [Paras 36-38]

Convictions and Sentences – Challenging Grounds – Appellants convicted under Sections 328/366/342/34 and 376D IPC – Sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life with fines – Appeal grounds included lack of evidence, uncooperative prosecutrix, inadequate investigation, and reliance on inconclusive FSL report – Prosecutrix a major at the time of the incident. [Paras 1-2]

Prosecution Story and Investigation – Information received about kidnapping and rape of 'G' – Medical examination at LHMC followed by arrests in native village – Discrepancies in statements under Section 164 Cr.P.C. and trial testimony – Issues raised on the handling of mobile CDR and PCR form. [Paras 4-7, 22, 28]

Witness Testimonies and Evidence Assessment – Contradictory statements from prosecutrix ('G'), her parents, and inconsistencies in investigation details – Lack of incriminating evidence against appellants – Prosecutrix disowned initial complaint, stating it was under family influence – Parents' testimony did not corroborate prosecution's case. [Paras 11-20]

DNA Report and Physical Evidence – DNA report's significance questioned due to procedural gaps – No injuries suggestive of forcible assault found in medical examination – Issues with evidence handling and lack of key witness testimony regarding evidence chain – DNA evidence not conclusive of non-consensual act. [Paras 27, 29-32]

Court Decision – Acquittal – Appeals allowed due to insufficient evidence and unreliable testimonies – Accused acquitted of all charges – Bail bonds to remain valid for six months as per Section 437A Cr.P.C. [Paras 33-36]

Marriage and Divorce - Appeal challenging Family Court's decision on property ownership - Facts surrounding the purchase of disputed Juhu Flat and tenancy of Cuffe Parade Flat - Family Court's dismissal of Mrs. Rajeshri V. Mahesh's judicial separation petition and decree of divorce in favor of Respondent, based on grounds under Sections 13(1)(i-a) and 13(1)(i-b) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – Circumstances leading to breakdown of marriage considered. [Paras 1-2]

Property Ownership Dispute - Contest over the ownership of Flat No. 404, Marina Apartments, Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai – Respondent’s claim of sole ownership based on exclusive financial contribution upheld – Original Appellant’s (Mrs. Rajeshri V. Mahesh) name added for convenience without monetary contribution, negating her claim for 50% share. [Paras 6, 8, 30-31, 33, 36]

Benami Transaction Act Non-Applicability - Arguments regarding the applicability of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 rejected – No evidence to establish that the Juhu Flat was purchased for the benefit of the Original Appellant, Mrs. Rajeshri V. Mahesh. [Paras 22-24, 30-32, 34-36]

Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act - Original Appellant’s claim under Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, for full ownership due to presumed limited ownership, rejected – Section 14 found inapplicable as the Original Appellant neither had a limited ownership nor contributed financially to the Juhu Flat. [Paras 37-49]

Limitation Act Defense - Defense based on the Limitation Act, 1963, upheld – Limitation Act does not bar defenses in legal proceedings, despite the expiry of statutory limitation period for filing a suit or appeal. [Paras 51-54]

Interim Order Extension - Post-judgment interim order preventing the creation of third-party rights in the Juhu Flat extended for four weeks, providing the Appellant time to appeal to the Supreme Court. [Paras 59-60]

Decision: The appeal is dismissed. The High Court upholds the Family Court's decision on the sole ownership of the Juhu Flat favoring the Respondent, Mahesh Vennalakanti. An interim order regarding the Juhu Flat is extended for four weeks. No order as to costs. [Paras 56, 60]

Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation – Enhancement and Recovery - Appeals – by claimants and by Insurance Company  heard together due to their interconnected nature, dealing with compensation for a motor vehicle accident resulting in death. [Paras 1, 2]

Background: Accident involving deceased Mangilal, claim filed by wife and daughter for compensation of Rs. 33,25,000. Tribunal awarded Rs. 4,87,000 with 7.5% interest per annum, directing insurance company to pay and recover from vehicle owner and driver. [Paras 3-7]

Issues and Findings: Appeal by claimants sought enhanced compensation, particularly under loss of spousal and parental consortium, while insurance company contested liability based on alleged policy breach (driver's invalid license). High Court awarded additional Rs. 80,000 considering consortium losses, upheld Tribunal's direction for insurance company to pay and recover amount. [Paras 12-17]

Legal Principles Applied: Reliance on Apex Court judgments – Tribunal's power to direct insurance companies to pay claimants and recover from vehicle owner/driver, even in cases of policy breach by insured. [Paras 15-20]

Order: Appeal allowed with enhanced compensation; Appeal by insurance company dismissed. Insurance company directed to pay enhanced amount within 60 days, with 6% interest from claim filing date. [Paras 17, 18]

Appeal Against Tribunal Award – The New India Assurance Company Limited challenges the award of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Karnal, regarding compensation for the death of Ajay in a road accident involving a motorcycle and a tractor [Para 1].

Factual Background – On 23.06.2020, Ajay and Parveen met with an accident caused by a tractor, resulting in Ajay’s death and the initiation of FIR No.171 under Sections 279, 304-A, 337 IPC at Police Station Madhuban, Karnal [Paras 2, 3].

Tribunal’s Compensation Assessment – Tribunal assesses deceased’s income based on Deputy Commissioner rates, leading to a total compensation of Rs. 35,49,112 [Para 3].

Insurance Company’s Appeal – The appellant contends contributory negligence and argues for income assessment based on minimum wages, not DC rates [Para 5].

Rejection of Contributory Negligence Argument – Court notes the argument was not raised before the Tribunal, and hence, rejects it [Para 7].

Income Assessment Based on DC Rates Justified – Court upholds the use of Deputy Commissioner rates over minimum wages for income assessment, referring to the case National Insurance Company Limited vs. Meena Devi & Ors. And other precedents [Paras 7-12].

Dismissal of Appeal – Considering the circumstances, including the young age of the widow and minor children, the Court finds the Tribunal’s award just and appropriate, dismissing the appeal [Para 13].

Background – Suit for Declaration and Permanent Injunction – Family Settlement: The appellant, defendant in a suit filed for declaration and permanent injunction by the respondent-plaintiff, claimed joint ownership of family properties based on an unregistered family settlement dated 10.10.2011 [Paras 1-2].

Trial Court Decision – Partial Decree – Possession Protected: Trial Court partly decreed the suit, protecting the respondent-plaintiff's possession over specific properties while recognizing the joint nature of the properties due to the unregistered settlement [Para 4].

Appellate Court’s Ruling – Dismissal of Appeal and Cross-Objections: First Appellate Court dismissed both the appeal by the appellants and cross-objections by the respondent-plaintiff, upholding Trial Court's decision [Para 4].

High Court Findings – Unregistered Family Settlement – Implication on Ownership: High Court noted the family settlement required registration under Section 17 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908. Its unregistered status implied that the properties remained joint, negating claims to exclusive ownership [Para 7].

Admitted Possession – Protection Upheld: Since the appellants admitted the respondent-plaintiff's possession over certain properties, the Courts' protection of such possession was justified. The appellants failed to establish their exclusive possession [Para 8].

Conclusion – Dismissal of Second Appeal: High Court found no merit in the appeal, no substantial question of law arose, leading to dismissal of the second appeal [Para 9].

Referred Cases: Not mentioned in provided text.