Criminal Appeal – Conviction based on Circumstantial Evidence – Acquittal – The appellant challenges the judgment and order of the High Court and trial court that convicted him for murder. The appeal revolves around the assessment of the evidence presented by the prosecution. The conviction is questioned based on the insufficiency and unreliability of evidence. [Para 1]

Standard of Proof – Circumstantial Evidence – Necessity to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt – The Court emphasizes the importance of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt in cases based on circumstantial evidence. The five golden principles of circumstantial evidence are highlighted, including the necessity for circumstances to be consistent only with the hypothesis of guilt and the exclusion of alternative hypotheses. [Para 17]

Witness Testimonies – Last Seen Theory – The Court critically evaluates the testimonies of key witnesses in light of the last seen theory. Inconsistencies and doubts regarding the credibility of witnesses are highlighted, leading to non-corroboration of the prosecution's case. [Para 9, Para 10, Para 11]

Call Detail Records (CDRs) – Reliability of CDRs as evidence – The Court examines the reliability of CDRs as evidence. Inadequate evidence to support the prosecution's reliance on CDRs is noted. Doubts are raised about the conclusive link between the accused and the crime scene, casting doubt on the prosecution's version. [Para 14, Para 15]

Suspicion vs. Proof – Distinction between suspicion and proof beyond reasonable doubt – The Court distinguishes between mere suspicion and the need for solid proof beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases. The prosecution's burden to establish guilt is emphasized, with strong suspicion being insufficient to replace the requirement for concrete evidence. [Para 19]

Appeals allowed – Conviction quashed – Acquittal of the appellants – The Court allows the appeals, quashes the convictions, and directs the appellants to be set at liberty. Bail bonds of the appellants are discharged. The orders of the lower courts are set aside. [Para 21]

Criminal Law - Conviction based on Circumstantial Evidence - Standard of Proof - The prosecution must establish the circumstances from which the conclusion of guilt is drawn beyond reasonable doubt. The circumstances must be consistent only with the hypothesis of the accused's guilt and should exclude every other possible hypothesis. There must be a complete chain of evidence leaving no reasonable ground for a conclusion consistent with the innocence of the accused. Suspicion, however strong, cannot take the place of proof beyond reasonable doubt. [Para 17, Para 18]

Witness Testimonies - Inconsistent and Unreliable - Testimonies of key witnesses found to be inconsistent and unreliable during cross-examination, casting doubt on their credibility and the prosecution's case. [Para 10, Para 11]

Call Detail Records (CDRs) - Insufficient Evidence - Reliance on CDRs to place the accused at the scene of the incident found inadequate and unconvincing, as some CDRs were not in the name of the accused, and the circumstances raised doubts on their credibility. [Para 14, Para 15]

Refusal of Test Identification Parade (TIP) - Accused Already Shown to Witnesses - Showing the accused to witnesses in the Police Station before conducting the TIP raised doubts on the sanctity of TIP and affected the reliability of witness identifications. [Para 12, Para 14]

Acquittal - Failure of Prosecution to Prove Guilt - Insufficiency of evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt resulting in the acquittal of the appellants of all charges. Conviction based on circumstantial evidence set aside, and the appellants directed to be set at liberty. [Para 20, Para 21]

Criminal Appeal – Quashing of Proceedings – Appellant challenges the impugned order of the High Court – Appellant granted leave – Merits of arguments not considered, given potential impact on trial rights [Para 2].

Scope of Quashing Proceedings – Distinction between quashing proceedings under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. and application for discharge – High Court conducted mini-trial while exercising jurisdiction under Section 482, which is not permissible – Elaborate discussion of witness statements exceeded permissible scope [Para 4-7].

Limited Interference – High Court’s power to quash proceedings for serious offences like Section 302 IPC is restricted – Quashing permitted only if no case is made out at face value – High Court erred in examining correctness of prosecution material at this stage [Para 8-9].

Remittal and Trial – Impugned order set aside – Case remitted to trial judge for consideration on merits and in accordance with the law – Respondent No.1 allowed to file application for discharge if desired [Para 10-12]. Appeal allowed in favor of the appellant – Pending applications disposed of [Para 13].

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Section 167(2) - Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 - Section 19 - Applicability of Section 167(2) CrPC to proceedings under PMLA Act - Interpretation of statutes - Custody during investigation - The Supreme Court held that the provisions of Section 167(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) are applicable to proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA Act). The Court rejected the argument that custody can only be given to an investigating agency within the first 15 days of remand, and held that the custody can span over the entire period of investigation (60 or 90 days) as long as it does not exceed a total period of 15 days. The Court emphasized the importance of a literal and natural interpretation of statutes, and clarified that an investigating agency is entitled to custody as per Section 167(2) CrPC beyond the initial 15 days, subject to a maximum of 15 days in total. (Para 40)

Writ of Habeas Corpus - Maintainability - When an arrestee is forwarded to the jurisdictional Magistrate under Section 19(3) of the PMLA Act, no writ of Habeas Corpus would lie. Any plea of illegal arrest is to be made before such Magistrate since custody becomes judicial. (Para 59)

Compliance of Section 19 of PMLA Act - Any non-compliance of the mandate of Section 19 of the PMLA Act would benefit the person arrested, and the Competent Court has the power to initiate action under Section 62 of the PMLA Act. (Para 62)

Challenge to Order of Remand - An order of remand has to be challenged before a higher forum as provided under the CrPC when it depicts a due application of mind both on merit and compliance of Section 167(2) CrPC read with Section 19 of the PMLA Act. (Para 67)

Section 41A CrPC - Inapplicability to PMLA Act - Section 41A CrPC has no application to an arrest made under the PMLA Act. (Para 69)

Actual Custody - The word "custody" under Section 167(2) CrPC shall mean actual custody. (Para 73)

Doctrine of Actus Curiae Neminem Gravabit - Any curtailment of the 15 days of police custody by extraneous circumstances, acts of God, or court orders not being the handiwork of the investigating agency would not act as a restriction. (Para 74)

Larger Issue for Reference - The Supreme Court referred the larger issue of the actual import of Section 167(2) CrPC, i.e., whether the 15 days period of custody in favor of the police should be only within the first 15 days of remand or spanning over the entire period of investigation (60 or 90 days) as a whole, to a larger bench for authoritative pronouncement. (Para 82)

Disposal of Appeals - The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals upholding the views expressed in the impugned judgments, and granted custody of the appellant to the respondents until 12.08.2023. The Court also disposed of pending applications. (Para 84)

Civil Appeal – Pension Entitlement of Contractual Employees – Appellant challenges High Court’s judgment granting pensionary benefits to contractual employees – Interpretation of Rule 2 and Rule 17 of the CCS Pension Rules, 1972 – Rule 2’s opening phrase “Save as otherwise provided in these rules” permits the application of other provisions – Rule 17 intended to address regularization of contractual employees and counting of their past service for pension – Voluntariness of entering into contractual services not applicable post-regularization – Appellant’s argument of exclusion under Rule 2(g) not persuasive – Appeal dismissed, directions issued for exercise of pension option and processing within specific timeframe. [Para 1 – Para 11]

Criminal Appeal – Bail Application – Appellant, a retired police officer, accused in various offenses under IPC, Arms Act, and UAPA – Initially denied bail by Special Court and High Court – Appeals to Supreme Court. [Para 1-3]

Charges and Allegations – Accused of involvement in planting gelatin sticks and a murder conspiracy – High Court found a “feeble attempt” to connect appellant to gelatin sticks case – UAPA charges deemed “insignificant” at this stage by High Court. [Para 6-7]

Role of Appellant – Alleged involvement with co-accused Sachin Waze and others in the murder of Mansukh Hiren – High Court observed these to be matters of trial, requiring evidence and circumstantial proof. [Para 8-9]

Appellant’s Custody – Held in custody since June 17, 2021 – High Court’s concern about interference in the trial weighed against his long service as a police officer and family conditions – Court deemed it unnecessary to continue appellant’s custody. [Para 10-12]

Decision – High Court and Special Court’s decisions set aside – Appellant granted bail subject to conditions imposed by the trial court. [Para 13]

Criminal Appeals – Quashing of Complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Vicarious liability of directors – Compliance with the requirements of Section 141(1) – Allegations lacking in complaints – Appeals allowed.

Criminal Appeal – Quashing of Complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Vicarious liability of directors – Scope of Section 141(1) – Requirement of being "in charge of" and "responsible to" the company for conducting business – Distinction between managing day-to-day affairs and assuming charge of business – Averments in complaints not meeting legal standard – Appeals allowed.

Vicarious Liability – Interpretation of Section 141(1) of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Directors' liability for company's offences – Requirement of being in charge of and responsible for company's business – Conjunctive reading of "in charge of" and "responsible to" – Mere management insufficient for establishing liability – Compliance with legal standards necessary.

Service of Notice – Impact on Complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Proper service of notice of demand – Prerequisite for filing complaint – Notice of demand as condition precedent – Effect of non-service of notice on complaints – Consideration of procedural requirements.

Legal Standard – Sufficiency of Averments – Vicarious liability of directors under Section 141(1) of the Negotiable Instruments Act – Importance of properly alleging being "in charge of" and "responsible to" company for business – Necessity of distinguishing management from responsibility – Averments in complaints falling short of legal standard – Consequences for complaints. Quashing of complaints against directors – No order as to costs.

Sections 333, 353, and 451 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) - Appellant convicted by the Sessions Court - High Court upheld conviction but reduced the sentences - Appeal before the Supreme Court confined to the sentencing part - Appellant claimed benefit of probation under Section 360 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) and/or the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 - Arguments based on appellant's age (62 years) and the passage of thirty years since the incident occurred - Court considering factors like the nature of the offence and appellant's conduct during the trial and appeal period - Court decides to show leniency in sentencing - Appellant to undergo simple imprisonment and pay fines for each offence - Appeal partly allowed - Sentences to run concurrently - Fine amount to be partially paid as compensation to injured witness - Appellant granted one month to surrender for punishment.(Para No.4,5,8,9,10)

Quashing of proceedings - Alleged altercation between the appellant and respondent no. 2 in the office - Cross complaints filed by both parties - Chargesheet filed against the appellant for offenses under Sections 323, 504, and 506 IPC - Proceedings pending since 2015 - Trivial nature of allegations - Lack of progress in the case - Continuing proceedings leading to persecution and harassment - Petty incident not resolved amicably - Proceedings quashed and set aside - Appeal allowed. (Para No. 2 to 7)