Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act – Non-compliance with Section 57 – Appeal against Conviction – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 374 – NDPS Act, 1985, Sections 15, 57 – Appellant convicted for possession of 800 kg of poppy straw – Non-compliance with Section 57 claimed – Held, non-compliance with Section 57 does not vitiate the prosecution case – Testimonies of official witnesses credible – Appeal dismissed. [Para 9, 11, 12-13]

Credibility of Official Witnesses – Analysis – Testimonies of official witnesses cannot be discarded merely due to their status – Efforts made to join independent witnesses but none were willing – Statements of ASI Ajmer Singh and DSP Narinderpal Singh consistent and credible – Minor contradictions in testimonies considered normal – Conviction upheld. [Para 11]

Conscious Possession – Proof – Prosecution proved conscious possession of contraband by appellant – Recovery of 800 kg of poppy straw from the truck driven by appellant – Appellant’s defence of being falsely implicated not substantiated – Conviction and sentence upheld. [Para 12-13]

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – Judgment of conviction and order of sentence by the Trial Court upheld – Appeal dismissed – All pending applications disposed of. [Para 14-16]

Criminal Law – Appeal against Conviction – Section 307 IPC Consideration – Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 374 – Indian Penal Code, 1860, Sections 34, 323, 325, 506 – Appeal against conviction for causing grievous hurt – Dispute over outstanding payment for milk – Injuries on both sides – No intent to cause death – Injuries not life-threatening – Sentence reduced to period undergone – Fine enhanced to Rs. 25,000 each to be given to the injured as compensation – Appeal disposed of. [Para 16, 22, 24]

Analysis – Absence of Intent to Cause Death – Consideration of Medical Evidence – Testimony of Injured Witnesses – Injuries serious but not life-threatening – No repetition of blows – Medical evidence corroborates absence of intent to cause death – Conviction under Section 307 IPC not warranted. [Para 16]

Reduction of Sentence – Prolonged Trial Period – Sentencing principles – Accused facing trial for nearly 17 years – Sentence reduced to period already undergone – Fine enhanced to compensate the injured party – Consideration of maintaining peace in the village community. [Para 22, 24]

Decision – Sentence Reduced and Fine Enhanced – Conviction under Sections 34, 323, 325, 506 upheld – Sentence reduced to period already undergone – Fine enhanced to Rs. 25,000 each, to be paid as compensation to the injured – Compliance required within three months – Appeal disposed of. [Para 24]

Designs Act - Registration of design - Prima facie case - Grant of interim reliefs - Plaintiff's design of ceiling fan registered on 8th September, 2018 - Defendant alleged publication of plaintiff's design prior to registration - Material placed on record indicating social media posts and invoices in public domain before registration - Court finding that plaintiff's design may be hit by prohibition of registration under Sections 4(b) and 19(b) of the Designs Act - Plaintiff failed to establish strong prima facie case for novelty and originality of design - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 25-26]

Passing off - Similarity of goods - Plaintiff's claim of passing off based on similarity between goods - Defendant arguing for something more than mere similarity - Court finding plaintiff failed to demonstrate false representation by defendant - Comparison of rival products showing differences in canopy, packaging, etc. - Plaintiff unable to establish "something more" for passing off claim - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 30-32]

Balance of convenience and irreparable loss - Plaintiff's arguments of balance of convenience and irreparable loss considered - Plaintiff's failure to establish prima facie case diminishes significance of these factors - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 33]

Observations in the order - Observations limited to disposal of present application - Suit to proceed on merits without influence from this order. [Para 34]

Anticipatory Bail - Freedom of Religion - Propagation of Religion - Limits of - Right to propagate religion subject to public order, morality, health, and other constitutional provisions - Statements promoting violence and justifying murder on religious grounds not protected under freedom of religion. [Para 9]

Seriousness of Offenses - Anticipatory Bail - Discretion of the Court - When considering anticipatory bail, the seriousness of the offenses charged must be taken into account - Offenses involving abetment of murder, promoting enmity on religious grounds, and assertions prejudicial to national integration warrant careful examination. [Para 11]

Interpretation of Statements - Religious Jurisprudence - Reference to religious texts and jurisprudence must be evaluated in context - Applicant's failure to cite specific verses from the Holy Quran raises concerns about the justification of statements made. [Para 8]

Prejudice to Public Order - Public Order Exception - Statements inciting violence and spreading hatred in society can be prejudicial to public order - Public order considerations are important in determining the exercise of judicial discretion for anticipatory bail. [Para 10]

Dismissal of Anticipatory Bail - In light of the serious nature of the offenses, the applicant's disturbing statements justifying murder on religious grounds, and the potential prejudice to public order, the Court exercises its discretion to reject the anticipatory bail application. [Para 12]

Designs Act - Registration of design - Prima facie case - Grant of interim reliefs - Plaintiff's design of ceiling fan registered on 8th September, 2018 - Defendant alleged publication of plaintiff's design prior to registration - Material placed on record indicating social media posts and invoices in public domain before registration - Court finding that plaintiff's design may be hit by prohibition of registration under Sections 4(b) and 19(b) of the Designs Act - Plaintiff failed to establish strong prima facie case for novelty and originality of design - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 25-26]

Passing off - Similarity of goods - Plaintiff's claim of passing off based on similarity between goods - Defendant arguing for something more than mere similarity - Court finding plaintiff failed to demonstrate false representation by defendant - Comparison of rival products showing differences in canopy, packaging, etc. - Plaintiff unable to establish "something more" for passing off claim - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 30-32]

Balance of convenience and irreparable loss - Plaintiff's arguments of balance of convenience and irreparable loss considered - Plaintiff's failure to establish prima facie case diminishes significance of these factors - Interim reliefs denied. [Para 33]

Observations in the order - Observations limited to disposal of present application - Suit to proceed on merits without influence from this order. [Para 34]

Prisoners - Temporary release on parole - Rejection of application - Grounds for rejection - Apprehension of engaging in illegal activities and breach of peace - Insufficient grounds - Mere conjectures and surmises - Violation of statutory provisions - Unsustainable order. [Para 17]

Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1962 - Section 6(2) - Conditions for rejecting parole - Likelihood of endangering security of the State or maintenance of public order - Material basis required - Apprehensions without supporting evidence not sufficient - Need for proper consideration of grounds for rejection. [Para 16]

Bail Application - Interim Bail - Father seeking interim bail to meet his newborn child - Petitioner's wife delivered a baby boy, and she is unable to take care of the child due to weakness - Petitioner intends to make arrangements for his wife and child - State does not object to granting some relief - Court grants interim bail for a period of 45 days - Petitioner to surrender at the end of the bail period - Conditions imposed on the petitioner include furnishing a personal bond, restriction on leaving the jurisdiction, providing mobile number and location details, and surrendering before Jail Authorities. Bail Allowed. (Para No.5)

Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Anticipatory Bail - Allegations of bribery - Petitioner seeking anticipatory bail in a case arising out of an FIR - Complainant alleged that the petitioner, a government official, demanded a bribe for clearing pending bills - Co-accused caught red-handed accepting the bribe - WhatsApp messages and CCTV footage indicating petitioner's involvement - Petitioner's acquaintance with the co-accused established - Petitioner released after initial interrogation - Court finding no special case for anticipatory bail - Petition dismissed. [Para 9]

Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 - Sections 7, 7-A - Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 381, 120 - Allegations of bribery against government official - Co-accused acting as a mediator for bribe payments - WhatsApp messages and CCTV footage establishing communication and meeting between petitioner and co-accused - Complaint's bills cleared quickly after deal struck - Petitioner approving bills of the complainant - Credibility of prosecution version supported by evidence - No merit in petitioner's claim of false implication - Custodial interrogation necessary - Petitioner's potential influence on witnesses - No special case for anticipatory bail - Bail dismissed. [Para 1, 7, 8]

Rejection of application for temporary release on parole - Insufficiency of grounds - Violation of statutory provisions - Granting parole based on likelihood to endanger security of the State or maintenance of public order - Apprehensions without supporting material - Unsustainable order

Prisoners - Temporary release on parole - Rejection of application - Grounds for rejection - Apprehension of engaging in illegal activities and breach of peace - Insufficient grounds - Mere conjectures and surmises - Violation of statutory provisions - Unsustainable order. [Para 17]

Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1962 - Section 6(2) - Conditions for rejecting parole - Likelihood of endangering security of the State or maintenance of public order - Material basis required - Apprehensions without supporting evidence not sufficient - Need for proper consideration of grounds for rejection. [Para 16]