Criminal Law – Quashing of FIR – Petition to quash FIR and subsequent proceedings under Sections 376, 120-B IPC, and Section 3 of SC/ST Act – Complainant alleged sexual exploitation and caste-based humiliation by accused Vishal Sharma – Petitioners (accused's family) allegedly involved in caste-based remarks – No evidence that petitioners had any role in initial exploitation – Held, meeting in private house does not constitute 'public view' under SC/ST Act – FIR and proceedings against petitioners quashed. [Paras 1-29]

Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – Interpretation of 'Public View' – Alleged caste-based remarks made in private house – Held, remarks in private setting do not fulfill 'public view' requirement – Quashing of FIR and proceedings justified. [Para 24]

Decision – Quashing of FIR – High Court quashes FIR and proceedings against petitioners – Lack of evidence of their involvement in alleged offences – Case against accused Vishal Sharma to proceed as per law. [Para 29]

Criminal Procedure – Quashing of Proceedings – Petitions to quash Calendra under Section 145 Cr.P.C. regarding land ownership dispute – Deceased Colonel Gurdev Singh's property claimed by petitioner (his second wife) and respondent No. 5 (his daughter) – Civil suit for declaration of ownership already pending – Ad interim injunction granted to maintain status quo – High Court holds proceedings under Section 145 Cr.P.C. unnecessary and an abuse of court process – Civil court better suited to adjudicate the matter – Petitions allowed, Calendra quashed. [Paras 1-34]

Land Dispute – Civil vs. Criminal Jurisdiction – Civil suit for declaration of ownership and possession pending – Ad interim injunction for status quo granted – Criminal proceedings under Section 145 Cr.P.C. initiated later – High Court finds criminal proceedings redundant when civil remedies are available and being pursued – Civil court's orders should be binding on criminal court. [Paras 21-30]

Decision – Quashing of Section 145 Proceedings – Court quashes Calendra and proceedings under Section 145 Cr.P.C. – Emphasizes civil court's jurisdiction and ongoing suit for ownership declaration – Maintains that appropriate remedy is before the civil court, not criminal court. [Para 31-34]

Criminal Law – Probation – Release on Probation – Petition challenging conviction and seeking probation under Section 4 of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 and Section 360 Cr.P.C. – Petitioners convicted for constructing roads and setting up unauthorized colony without permission – Trial Court and Lower Appellate Court sentenced petitioners to simple imprisonment for one year – High Court holds offence technical in nature, with no grave magnitude – Petitioners are agriculturists with unblemished character – Sentencing objective should be reformation and rehabilitation – Petitioners to be released on probation upon furnishing bonds. [Paras 1-38]

Probation of Offenders Act – Applicability – Sections 3, 4, 6 – Probation Act aimed at reforming first-time offenders and avoiding exposure to hardened criminals – Trial and appellate courts must consider probation provisions before sentencing – Special emphasis on personal and socio-economic background of offenders – High Court emphasizes duty to consider probation even if not raised by counsel. [Paras 11-27]

Decision – Grant of Probation – Court modifies sentence to release petitioners on probation under Section 4(1) of Probation Act – Petitioners to furnish bonds before trial court, probation period to commence from 01.06.2015 – Petitioners directed to maintain peace and good behavior – Judgment of conviction upheld, sentence order modified for probation. [Paras 37-39]

Land Law – Unauthorized Possession – Allotment Cancellation and Auction – Respondent's father allotted land, failed to pay balance allotment price – Allotment cancelled, fresh auction held, land sold – Respondent's writ petition led to status quo order – Appellants claimed land allotted to them during writ pendency – High Court holds allotment cancellation justified due to non-payment – Respondent surrendered claim to third party, losing locus standi – Appellants' claims on unauthorized possession invalid – Allotment restored to respondent after deposit of balance with interest – Appellants' claims dismissed, transactions declared fraudulent and void. [Paras 1-25]

Illegal Transactions – Public Policy and Fraud – Unauthorized possession transfer to appellants found illegal – Transactions between parties for transferring unauthorized possession void – Government policies allowing such transfers deemed inapplicable – High Court highlights collusion between parties and officials, orders public auction of land if respondent fails compliance. [Paras 19-21]

Decision – Dismissal of Appellants' Claims – Court dismisses appellants' claims over land – Orders financial commissioner to investigate illegal transactions – Directs Deputy Commissioner to take possession of land pending inquiry – Reaffirms restoration of allotment to respondent subject to compliance – Orders public auction if respondent defaults. [Para 25]

Employees’ State Insurance Act – Applicability – Definition of Shop – Appeal against the order quashing ESI demand – Respondent-company engaged in banking-like business, securing deposits and returning with interest on maturity – ESI authorities claimed coverage under definition of shop – High Court held that business of banking and insurance falls within the definition of a commercial establishment, not a shop – ESI Court correctly set aside the demand – Appeal dismissed. [Paras 1-9]

Commercial Establishment vs. Shop – Interpretation of Definitions – Definition of shop under ESI Act not provided – Referenced Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishment Act – Business involving banking, insurance, stocks, and shares classified as commercial establishment – ESI authorities’ interpretation as shop rejected – High Court emphasizes clear distinction in statutory definitions. [Para 6-8]

Decision – Dismissal of Appeals – High Court dismisses both appeals, finding no merit – Upholds ESI Court’s decision that respondent’s business is a commercial establishment and not a shop – Demand raised by ESI authorities deemed inapplicable. [Para 9]

Civil Procedure – Jurisdiction – SARFAESI Act – Petition challenging civil court's jurisdiction to entertain suit for prohibitory injunction against bank’s actions under SARFAESI Act – Respondent claimed tenancy and sought to prevent bank from taking possession – High Court held that jurisdiction of civil court barred under Section 34 of SARFAESI Act unless action of secured creditor is alleged to be fraudulent or claim is untenable – No allegations of fraud made – Civil court's jurisdiction barred – Plaint rejected. [Paras 1-18]

SARFAESI Act – Remedies and Jurisdiction – Sections 13, 17 & 34 – Remedy for aggrieved persons against actions under Section 13(4) lies with Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT) – Civil courts barred from entertaining suits on matters covered by DRT – High Court emphasizes remedies under SARFAESI Act are adequate and expeditious – Civil court’s intervention unnecessary and prohibited unless fraud alleged. [Paras 11-16]

Decision – Rejection of Plaint – Court sets aside lower court's order dismissing application for rejection of plaint – Orders rejection of plaint filed by respondent – Directs respondent to approach DRT within two weeks for redressal of grievances – Ensures respondent not left remediless by permitting delayed appeal before DRT. [Para 18-20]

Family Law – Pension – Co-widow's Entitlement – Appeal by co-widow claiming equal share of family pension after husband's death – Appellant married during first wife's lifetime – First wife predeceased husband – Trial court directed equal share of pension to both widows – Appellant entitled to complete family pension after first wife's death – High Court references previous rulings confirming entitlement of second wife to full pension if first wife predeceases husband – Appeal allowed, appellant entitled to complete family pension from date of first wife's death. [Paras 1-22]

Hindu Succession Act – Interpretation – Section 10 Rule 1 – Co-widows entitled to equal shares of property upon intestate's death – Co-widow’s entitlement confirmed by evidence of marriage and voter list registration – Co-widow's pension rights upheld by previous judicial interpretations. [Para 9]

Punjab Civil Service Rules – Interpretation – Rule 6.17 Sub Rule IV Note 1 – Pension rights for multiple widows – Rules read in conjunction with Hindu Succession Act confirming equal shares to co-widows – Entitlement extends to full pension upon predeceasing of one widow. [Paras 8-10]

Decision – Entitlement to Complete Family Pension – Court sets aside lower appellate court's judgment – Restores trial court’s judgment modified to grant appellant complete family pension from the date of first wife's death along with 9% interest – Confirms rights of co-widows under family pension scheme and succession laws. [Para 22]

Election Law – Limitation for Election Petitions – Application to dismiss election petition filed one day after the expiry of limitation period – Election results declared on 16.05.2014, 45-day limitation ended on 29.06.2014 during court vacation – Petition filed on 30.06.2014 – High Court held that election petition should have been filed within vacation period as court’s ministerial functions continued – No provision to relax limitation period – Petition filed beyond limitation period dismissed. [Paras 1-31]

General Clauses Act – Application of Section 10 – Computation of Time – Section 10 allows act to be done on next working day if the period expires on a holiday – Court vacation does not imply closure of administrative functions – Election petition should be filed within prescribed period despite vacations – High Court dismisses petition filed after expiry of limitation, emphasizing adherence to statutory period. [Paras 8-28]

Decision – Dismissal of Election Petition – Court dismisses election petition as time-barred – Emphasizes strict compliance with statutory limitation period under Representation of the People Act – Reinforces that vacations do not extend limitation period for filing election petitions. [Para 31]

Disability Law – Job Reservation – Eligibility and Suitability – Appellants, who are differently-abled with 40% to 50% disability and possess National Trade Certificate in the trade of Lineman, were not recruited despite vacancies – Held, state did not provide factual basis for safety concerns – Authorities directed to reconsider claim and offer appointments – Vacancies advertised in 2011 must be filled based on 2011 criteria, not 2013 guidelines – Respondents directed to offer appointments to appellants and similarly-placed candidates within two weeks – Appellants entitled to seniority and notional pay fixation from the date others were appointed, without back wages. [Paras 1-8]

Non-Discrimination in Employment – Analysis – Held – Parliament enacted the Disabilities Act to ensure equal opportunities and protection of rights for differently-abled persons – State and stakeholders must identify suitable posts and make efforts for appointments to integrate differently-abled persons into the mainstream – Misconceptions about the abilities of differently-abled persons led to unjust non-consideration – Authorities directed to re-evaluate claims based on 2011 eligibility criteria, ensuring no candidate is compelled to seek court intervention. [Paras 6-7]

Decision – Allowing Appeal – Court sets aside the order of the Single Judge and allows the writ petition – Directs respondents to appoint appellants and other similarly-placed differently-abled persons within two weeks – Appellants entitled to notional seniority and pay fixation from the date other candidates were appointed, excluding back wages. [Para 8]