NDPS Act – Compliance of Mandatory Provisions – Investigation lapses leading to bail and acquittals – Issuance of guidelines for investigating officers – Court found that non-compliance with provisions of Sections 42 and 50 of the NDPS Act often results in faulty investigations, allowing accused to secure bail and eventual acquittal – Guidelines issued for adherence to statutory requirements to ensure fair and impartial investigations – Instructions for preparing and circulating guidelines and checklist in PDF format for ready reference by investigating officers [Paras 1-20].

Decision – Petitions Disposed of – Held – Interim bail granted to petitioners made absolute due to investigation lapses – Directed preparation and circulation of guidelines and directory checklist to all investigating officers – Failure to comply with directions will result in revival of petitions for action against senior police officials [Paras 17-20].

Constitutional Law - Right to Life - Article 21 - Stray Cattle Menace - State's Duty of Care - Victim severely injured by a stray bull, leading to 90% permanent disability and eventual death - Court held the State responsible for failure to protect life, mandated by Article 21 - Compensation awarded to the victim's family assessed under Motor Vehicles Act principles. [Paras 17, 22, 25, 26]

Municipal Law - Duty to Manage Stray Animals - Punjab Municipal Bye-laws and Haryana Municipal Bye-laws - State and municipal bodies obligated to manage and control stray animals to prevent harm to citizens - Failure to do so results in liability for compensation - Comprehensive measures and policies directed to prevent future incidents. [Paras 23, 24, 36, 37]

Court's Reasoning - Unchallenged Evidence and Negligence - Medical and police records substantiated the claim - State's negligence established by lack of proactive measures against stray animal menace - Protective and compensatory duties highlighted. [Paras 17, 18, 19, 23, 24]

Decision:

The writ petition is allowed. The State of Punjab and its municipal authorities are directed to pay compensation of Rs. 29,32,000 with interest at 6% per annum from September 1, 2012, till payment. Compensation to be shared as follows:

Smt. Nisha (wife): 50%

Mohit Garg (son): 25%

Akshika (daughter): 25%

Mandamus Issued:

States of Punjab and Haryana to implement specific measures under their respective bye-laws to control stray animals and prevent incidents.

Local Governments to designate officials for seizing and managing stray animals, ensuring proper facilities and preventive actions.

UT Chandigarh to take similar measures until specific bye-laws are framed.

Criminal Law - Procedural Compliance under NDPS Act – Compliance with Section 42 NDPS Act –Search and Seizure Requirements – Appellants charged and tried under Sections 21(c) and 8(c) of the NDPS Act – Conviction and sentence of 14 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2 lakhs each challenged – Defence contended non-compliance with Section 42 of the NDPS Act – Held that non-compliance with Section 42 does not vitiate the trial if no prejudice is caused to the accused – Recovery was from the bag, thus Section 50 not applicable. [Paras 1-25]

Role of Compliance in Emergent Situations – Analysis –Held – In emergent situations where immediate action is necessary, the requirement to record information and notify superior officers under Section 42 can be postponed – Compliance is considered sufficient if the information is recorded and conveyed after the search – The urgency and practicality of the situation are critical factors. [Para 18]

Search of Bag Not Requiring Section 50 Compliance –Held – The search and recovery from the bag carried by the appellants do not necessitate compliance with Section 50 of the NDPS Act, which is mandatory only for personal searches – Division Bench relied on SC decisions affirming this principle. [Paras 21-22]

Decision – Conviction and Sentencing Upheld –The Court upheld the conviction and sentencing of the appellants, confirming that there was substantial compliance with Section 42 of the NDPS Act and no prejudice was caused – Appeal dismissed. [Para 24-25]

Contract Law – Tender Process – Petitioner challenged the rejection of its technical bid on the grounds of non-compliance with RFB requirements – High Court held that the Tendering Authority must adhere strictly to the terms and conditions set out in the bid document – Mandamus to apply external guidelines (MoRTH RFP) not permissible – Decision of Tendering Authority to reject non-compliant bids upheld [Paras 1-36].

Judicial Review – Scope – Emphasis on limited scope of judicial intervention in commercial transactions – Court reaffirmed principles of restraint and deference to expertise of tendering authorities – Judicial review applicable only in cases of arbitrariness, mala fide, or public interest [Paras 29, 52-56].

Decision – Petition Dismissed – Held – No arbitrariness or unfairness in the rejection of the petitioner's technical bid – Court declined to interfere in the tendering process, affirming that the evaluation was in accordance with the established terms and conditions [Paras 62-63].

Motor Vehicles Act - Entitlement to Compensation - Sections 140, 160, 166(1)(c) - Legal representatives' right to claim compensation under Section 166(1)(c) not dependent on proving financial dependency - Tribunal's dismissal of nephews' claim petition on grounds of non-dependency overturned - Held, legal representatives, including those not financially dependent, are entitled to compensation, but must prove the extent of entitlement. [Paras 9, 10, 17, 19, 20]

Dependency and Compensation - Legal Representatives - The definition of 'legal representative' under Section 2(11) of the CPC includes a broader category beyond immediate dependents - Legal representatives entitled to compensation even without proving financial dependency, but compensation limited to statutory amount under Section 140 in absence of dependency - Nephews of the deceased entitled to Rs. 50,000. [Paras 10, 17, 19, 20, 21]

Court's Reasoning - Right to Apply vs. Entitlement - Distinction between the right to apply for compensation and entitlement to compensation - Legal representatives can file a claim, but compensation for loss of dependency requires proof of financial contribution - Supreme Court precedents support awarding statutory compensation in absence of dependency. [Paras 13, 19, 20]

Decision:

The appeal is partly allowed. The claimants, being nephews of the deceased, are entitled to compensation of Rs. 50,000 under Section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, despite not proving financial dependency. The dismissal of their claim petition by the Tribunal is modified accordingly.

Stamp Duty – Assessment of Market Value – Petitioner challenged the orders directing him to pay deficient stamp duty and registration fee – Contention that property sale was complete in 2005 and should not be assessed at 2013 market rates – High Court held Collector’s order to be mechanical and without proper enquiry – Appeal dismissed without reasoning – Orders set aside [Paras 1-14].

Procedure under Section 47-A of Indian Stamp Act – Statutory obligation for independent enquiry – Collector's failure to determine true value of property as required – Appellate Authority's failure to provide reasoning for upholding Collector’s order – High Court emphasized need for reasoned decisions by authorities [Paras 7-13].

Decision – Writ Petition Allowed – Held – Orders by Collector and Commissioner set aside – High Court mandated proper assessment of stamp duty in accordance with prescribed procedures and consideration of factual context of property sale and possession [Para 14-15].

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Section 166 - Notional Income of Deceased Housewife - Calculation of notional income of a deceased housewife in motor accident claims - Held - The deceased, aged 22 years with a young child, had her notional income assessed at Rs. 8000 per month. No deductions for self-expenses were applied, as per legal precedents, recognizing the multifarious roles of a housewife. The court followed the principles laid down in relevant case laws, affirming that the notional income for a housewife should not be reduced for personal expenses​​. [Para 9]

Compensation for Conventional Heads - Funeral Expenses, Loss of Estate, and Consortium - Held - The amounts awarded under the conventional heads were revisited and aligned with the Supreme Court’s guidelines in National Insurance Company Limited v. Pranay Sethi and others, AIR 2017 SC 5157. The claimants were entitled to Rs. 15,000 each for funeral expenses and loss of estate, and Rs. 40,000 for loss of consortium to the spouse​​. [Para 10]

Interest on Compensation - Non-Permissibility of Retrospective Higher Interest Rates - Held - The court ruled that imposing a condition of higher interest rates retrospectively in case of delayed payment was not permissible under Section 171 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The claimants were entitled to the entire amount (including enhanced amount) along with interest at 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition until realization​​. [Para 15-16]

Decision - Enhancement of Compensation and Interest Rate Adjustment - The award dated 02.05.2017 was modified, enhancing the compensation from Rs. 12,05,000 to Rs. 17,98,000. The interest rate was set at 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition until the realization of the amount​​. [Para 13, 16]

Election Law - Disqualification for Non-Submission of Election Expenses - Sections 10A and 11 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 - Petitioner disqualified for not submitting election expenses for 2017 Legislative Assembly elections within the stipulated period - Petitioner claims submission of accounts delayed due to unavoidable circumstances - Held, Election Commission required to record reasons for disqualification decisions to comply with principles of natural justice - Non-speaking orders affecting civil rights can be challenged under Article 226 - Petition allowed, disqualification order set aside. [Paras 1, 25, 27]

Procedural Requirements - Compliance with Statutory Provisions - Rules 86, 87, 88, 89 of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 - Detailed account of election expenses, including vouchers, must be lodged within 30 days from the result declaration - Election Commission's action criticized for not considering submitted accounts and for arbitrary disqualification - Proper communication and scrutiny of accounts essential before passing disqualification orders - Petitioner's accounts found in order upon scrutiny by District Election Officer. [Paras 15, 16, 24]

Court's Reasoning - Natural Justice and Right to Fair Hearing - Emphasis on recording reasons for administrative decisions impacting civil rights - Non-compliance with procedural fairness and lack of reasoned orders leads to arbitrariness - Judicial review ensures transparency and accountability in decisions affecting electoral rights - Petitioner's late submission justified, accounts accepted by competent authority, disqualification without application of mind considered unlawful. [Paras 17, 22, 23, 25]

Decision:

The writ petition is allowed. The impugned orders dated 30.04.2019 and 07.06.2018 disqualifying the petitioner from contesting elections are set aside. The petitioner’s nomination paper for the 2019 Parliamentary Elections should be accepted, provided it meets other required criteria.

Family Law - Divorce and Maintenance - Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - Sections 13(1)(i-a), 24 - Appeal against decree of divorce granted to the wife on grounds of cruelty - Husband’s failure to pay maintenance and arrears as ordered by trial court disentitles him to relief - Courts upheld the principle that one cannot benefit from their own wrong - Appeal dismissed due to non-compliance with maintenance order. [Paras 7, 8, 9, 10]

Procedural Law - Striking Off Defense - Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order IX Rule 13 - Appellant's defense struck off for non-payment of maintenance - Failure to challenge the order or pay maintenance reflected lack of seriousness in defending divorce proceedings - Appellate court found no error in trial court’s decree given appellant’s conduct. [Para 7]

Court's Reasoning - Equity and Conduct - Litigant must come with clean hands and comply with court orders to seek equitable relief - Appellant’s continued non-compliance and failure to contest maintenance order substantively weighed against him - Supreme Court precedent in Hirachand Srinivas Managaonkar v. Sunanda applied to bar relief for appellant's failure to pay maintenance. [Paras 8, 9, 10]

Decision:

The appeal is dismissed. The trial court's judgment and decree granting divorce on grounds of cruelty are upheld. The appellant-husband, having failed to pay the ordered maintenance, is not entitled to any relief in the appeal. The appellant's conduct, including non-payment and non-challenge of maintenance orders, bars him from contesting the divorce decree.