Criminal Procedure – Quashing of Charges – Application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking to quash charge sheet and cognizance order – Allegations of dacoity found baseless during investigation – No evidence of caste-based derogation or public humiliation – Offences under IPC and SC/ST Act not made out against applicants – Personal dispute misrepresented as caste-based crime – Charge sheet and proceedings quashed [Paras 1-42].

SC/ST Act – Applicability – Insufficient evidence to invoke Sections 3(1)(da), 3(1)(dha) – No specific derogatory remarks or actions targeting complainant’s caste – Personal dispute between parties – Supreme Court precedents emphasized necessity of public view and caste-based insult for SC/ST Act applicability [Paras 13-22, 35-39].

Judicial Cognizance – Application of Mind – Magistrate required to apply judicial mind before taking cognizance – Mere filling of blanks on proforma not sufficient – Detailed reasons for cognizance necessary – Cognizance order found mechanical and unsustainable [Paras 23-32].

Decision – Application Allowed – Charge sheet, cognizance order, and proceedings quashed – Case emphasized need for proper judicial scrutiny before cognizance in criminal matters [Para 41].

Criminal Proceedings – Cheating and Dishonest Intent – Application to quash proceedings initiated for non-payment for supplied wheat – Applicants claimed dispute is civil in nature, and invoked moratorium under IBC – High Court held prima facie case under Section 420 IPC made out – Rejected plea of moratorium protection under IBC for criminal liability – Application dismissed [Paras 1-17].

Application of PMLA – Inclusion of IPC offences under Schedule – Offences under Section 420 IPC considered as scheduled offences under PMLA – High Court acknowledged the business transaction falls within PMLA's ambit, allowing appropriate agency to investigate [Paras 10-11].

IBC Moratorium – Applicability to Criminal Proceedings – High Court held moratorium under IBC applies only to corporate debtor, not directors for criminal liabilities – Cited legislative intent and Supreme Court's interpretation in Manish Kumar v. Union of India and Ajay Kumar Radheyshyam Goenka v. Tourism Finance Corporation of India Ltd. – Rejected moratorium protection for director’s fraud [Paras 12-15].

Decision – Application dismissed – Held – Criminal proceedings not quashed – Found sufficient prima facie evidence for continuation of trial under Sections 406 and 420 IPC, excluding applicability of moratorium under IBC for criminal liabilities [Para 16-17].

Land Acquisition – Quashing of Notification – Notification under Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for urgent acquisition quashed by Single Judge – Appeal by landholders challenging land acquisition for university expansion – High Court upholds quashing of urgency clause but modifies procedural directions [Paras 1-16].

Urgency Clause – Invocation Invalid – Original notification under Section 4 of the Rajasthan Land Acquisition Act, 1953 issued without urgency – Fresh notification under Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 invoking urgency after significant delay found unjustified – High Court emphasizes legal impermissibility of simultaneous applicability of urgency provisions from both Acts [Paras 8, 10].

Procedural Lapse – Consideration of Objections – Single Judge’s order remanded matter for fresh consideration of objections under Section 5A – High Court upholds this approach, allowing appellants to submit fresh objections – Directions for compliance with Section 5A reiterated to ensure fair process [Paras 11, 16].

Judicial Precedents – Reference to Apex Court – High Court refers to Supreme Court’s judgment in Union of India v. Krishan Lal Arneja regarding invalidity of urgency clause invocation – Finds factual distinctions and reiterates need for strict adherence to procedural requirements in land acquisition [Para 11].

Decision – Appeals Disposed – Impugned order by Single Judge upheld with modifications – Parties permitted to submit fresh objections under Section 5A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 – Proceedings to be undertaken afresh by authorities strictly in accordance with law – Pending applications disposed of [Paras 16, 16.1].
 

Criminal Procedure – DNA Test Order – Application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. challenging the trial court's order for DNA testing to ascertain paternity in a maintenance claim under Section 125 Cr.P.C. – Applicant argued against the legality of forced DNA testing without consent – Court upheld the order emphasizing that DNA testing is necessary to establish truth in paternity disputes impacting maintenance claims – Reference made to Section 53 Cr.P.C. and relevant case laws supporting the use of DNA tests [Paras 1-24].

Paternity Dispute – Maintenance Claim – Applicant contested paternity and responsibility for maintenance of children – Opposite party provided evidence including birth certificates and school records naming the applicant as the father – Court held that DNA testing is crucial for determining paternity and ensuring the welfare of the children, overriding objections to consent based on scientific advancements and legal precedents [Paras 11-21].

Decision: Application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. disposed of – Order for DNA test upheld – Applicant directed to either provide maintenance or undergo DNA testing to resolve paternity dispute [Para 23-24].

Recruitment Process – Estoppel – Appellant challenged the selection process for Medical Technologist post at SKIMS after participating in it – Contention that only 15 candidates applied for 20 advertised posts, hence, written test and interview were unnecessary – High Court upheld the selection process – Appellant estopped from challenging the process after participation [Paras 10-20].

Doctrine of Appropriation and Reprobation – Candidates who participate in selection without objection cannot later challenge it – Cited Supreme Court precedents affirming this principle – High Court rejected appellant’s claims based on settled legal position [Paras 12-18].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – High Court upheld the judgment of the learned Single Judge – No legal infirmity found in the selection process or in the judgment under appeal.
 

Service Law – Recruitment Process – Petition challenging recruitment and transfer process for Range Forest Officers – Petitioner ineligible based on service duration at notification time – Tribunal's dismissal upheld – High Court emphasizes strict adherence to eligibility criteria and procedural rules in recruitment [Paras 1-11].

Public Service Commission Rules – Interpretation of Rules 13 and 14 – Notification indicated provisional vacancies subject to change – High Court supports filling vacancies arising during ranked list's currency – Tribunal's reliance on procedural rules validated [Paras 12-17].

Constitutional Law – Articles 14 and 16 – Challenge against procedural rules and vacancy notification under Articles 14 and 16 – Petitioner's ineligibility at notification time nullifies locus standi – Tribunal and High Court reject constitutional challenge based on procedural compliance and petitioner's non-eligibility [Paras 9-19].

Decision: Petition dismissed – Tribunal's order upheld – High Court underscores necessity of meeting eligibility criteria at notification time and procedural compliance for valid recruitment challenges [Para 19].
 

Criminal Law – Murder Conviction – Appellants convicted for the murder of Jayaraj @ Rajesh – Trial court's judgment affirmed by High Court – Supreme Court examines issues of dying declaration, witness hostility, and causal connection between injuries and death – The Court holds that the prosecution failed to establish the cause of death as directly linked to the injuries sustained, leading to the acquittal of the appellants [Paras 1-24].

Evidence Act – Section 32(1) – Dying Declaration – Trial court relied on statements made by the deceased to police officers as dying declarations – High Court finds no evidence linking the death directly to the injuries sustained – Emphasizes that statements under Section 32(1) require a clear causal connection with the cause of death [Paras 19-30].

Procedure under Cr.P.C. – Sections 207, 232, 235(1) – Prosecution's failure to prove homicidal death – Reliance on inadmissible evidence – High Court underscores the necessity for strict adherence to procedural rules in criminal trials, ensuring evidence meets statutory requirements [Paras 5-12].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Conviction and sentence set aside – Accused acquitted and to be released forthwith unless required in other cases – High Court emphasizes the importance of reliable evidence in sustaining convictions [Para 24].
 

Kidney Transplantation – Non-Near Relatives – Petitioners seeking approval for kidney transplantation where donors are not near relatives – Hospital hesitated to forward applications to the Authorisation Committee – Court allowed petitioners to submit applications directly to the Committee – Directed the Committee to scrutinize and decide on applications within four weeks [Paras 2-28].

Role of Hospitals – Clarification of Responsibilities – Court clarified that hospitals are not required to forward transplantation applications – Applications can be submitted directly by donors and recipients to the Authorisation Committee [Para 8].

Evaluation by Authorisation Committee – Guidelines for Consideration – Emphasized that Authorisation Committees should consider applications without assuming commercial intent – Evaluations should include absence of financial transactions and verification of donor's altruistic intent – Aligned with provisions of the Act and Rules [Paras 11-19].

Protection of Donor Rights – Ensuring Donor Welfare – Highlighted need for medical insurance coverage for donors – Suggested measures for post-operative care and financial security of donors – Encouraged development of comprehensive guidelines to protect donor interests [Paras 23-27].

Decision:

Petitioners are permitted to submit applications directly to the Authorisation Committee. The Committee is directed to scrutinize and decide on the applications within four weeks from the date of submission. The writ petitions are disposed of accordingly.

Specific Performance – Rejection of Plaint – Limitation and Forgery Allegations - The appellants sought specific performance of a sale agreement regarding property sold by the first respondent to the deceased K.S.N. Manoharan. The trial court dismissed the suit under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC, based on allegations of forgery and limitation. The High Court reversed this decision, holding that the question of limitation was a mixed question of law and fact, requiring a full trial [Paras 12-14, 20].

Limitation – Mixed Question of Law and Fact – Rejection of Plaint Improper - The Court observed that limitation in specific performance suits is a mixed question of fact and law, especially when allegations of fraud and misrepresentation by counsel are involved. The trial court erred in dismissing the suit at the threshold without framing issues and conducting a trial [Paras 25-28].

Doctrine of Laches – Litigant Should Not Suffer Due to Counsel’s Negligence - The appellants argued that the delay in filing the suit was caused by the negligence of their previous advocate, who failed to refile the suit. The High Court accepted this argument, emphasizing that a litigant should not be penalized for the mistakes of their advocate, particularly when fraud by the advocate is alleged [Paras 30-34].

Decision – Appeal Allowed – Case Remanded for Trial - The High Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the trial court's order and remanding the case for trial. The trial court was directed to frame issues and decide the case on merits within six months [Para 35].