Criminal Law – Conspiracy and Murder – Appellants convicted under Sections 302 and 120B IPC for conspiring and committing the murder of Sant Kumar Sinha – Prosecution established that appellants were part of the conspiracy with main accused Binod Kumar due to rivalry and illicit relationship issues – Supreme Court upheld conviction based on eyewitness and corroborative evidence [Paras 2-8, 16-17].

Evidence – Witness Credibility and Corroboration – Key witness Dr. Gopal Prasad Sinha identified appellants at the crime scene – Prosecution's case supported by medical evidence and seizure of vehicles used in the crime – Defence’s failure to discredit witness testimony or provide satisfactory explanation in Section 313 statements [Paras 9-13, 16-17].

Arrest and Recovery – Prosecution established appellants’ involvement through arrests and recoveries of vehicles used in the crime – Non-examination of arrest memo and panch witnesses deemed non-critical as defence did not raise the issue effectively during trial [Paras 10-12].

Decision: Appeals dismissed – Supreme Court affirmed the life imprisonment sentences imposed by lower courts, finding the evidence sufficient to prove conspiracy and involvement in the murder beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 19-20].

Civil Procedure – Return of Plaint – ONGC challenged the award of interest from the date of institution at Mehsana Court – Supreme Court held that when a plaint is returned under Order VII Rule 10 CPC, and refiled in a competent court, it is considered a fresh suit – Interest should accrue from the date of refiling, not from the original filing date [Paras 6-13].

Limitation – Section 14 of Limitation Act – Protection under Section 14 allows exclusion of the time spent prosecuting in a court without jurisdiction, but does not make the refiled suit a continuation of the original – Only court fees paid may be adjusted, but trial must proceed de novo [Para 12].

Execution – Limits of Executing Court – Court reiterated that executing courts cannot go behind the decree unless it is legally challenged – High Court's interpretation of "date of the suit" to include the period before refiling was incorrect [Para 14].

Decision: Appeals allowed – High Court's judgment set aside – Trial and appellate court's orders restored, affirming that interest is to be calculated from the date of refiling in the competent court at Surat [Paras 19-20].

Criminal Law – Abuse of Appeal Process – Supreme Court addressed the misuse of statutory appeal rights by convicts who, after obtaining bail, fail to surrender and evade justice – Emphasized that such appeals should be dismissed to prevent abuse of judicial process and ensure justice [Paras 1-2].

Criminal Procedure – Inherent Powers of High Court – Court highlighted the importance of Section 482 CrPC, empowering High Courts to take necessary actions to prevent abuse of process and secure the ends of justice – Confirmed that dismissal of appeals for non-prosecution is justified where appellants deliberately avoid court proceedings after securing bail [Paras 6, 11].

Legal Principles – Presence of Appellant – Court discussed previous judgments and clarified that High Courts have the authority to dismiss appeals if the appellant and counsel are absent and no efforts are made to prosecute the appeal – Emphasized the need for diligent prosecution of appeals to maintain justice [Paras 9-10].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s approach of dismissing appeals for non-prosecution in cases where the appellant absconds after being granted bail – Confirmed the necessity of dismissing such appeals to uphold justice and prevent misuse of the appellate system [Paras 14-16].

Constitutional Law – Remuneration of Constitutional Appointee – Appellant, Chairman of Haryana Public Service Commission, contested State Government's reduction of his remuneration – Government initially relaxed regulation and fixed remuneration, later withdrew benefit – Court held State's withdrawal of benefit discriminatory and violative of Article 14 – State cannot vary remuneration to appointee's disadvantage post-appointment, especially without established master-servant relationship [Paras 1-17].

Judicial Discipline – Coordinate Bench Rulings – High Court committed error by overruling Single Judge judgment affirmed by coordinate bench – Proper procedure would be referral to larger bench if disagreement existed – Emphasizes importance of judicial propriety and consistency [Paras 13-16].

Regulation Relaxation – Applicability of Relaxed Regulations – Government relaxed Regulation 6 for appellant's remuneration – Subsequent withdrawal without justification or change in circumstances not permissible – High Court overlooked precedent and judicial propriety [Paras 10-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Impugned judgment set aside – Orders dated 29.11.1996 and 15.04.1997 quashed – Appellant entitled to consequential benefits within three months – State of Haryana directed to pay Rs. 50,000 as costs [Paras 17].

Negotiable Instruments – Dishonour of Cheque – Appellant convicted for issuing a cheque that was dishonoured for insufficient funds – Magistrate sentenced six months imprisonment and compensation of Rs. 80,000 – High Court substituted imprisonment with additional compensation – Supreme Court clarifies total compensation payable should not exceed twice the cheque amount – Further payment to be seen as fine, not additional compensation [Paras 1-13].

Compensation – Calculation and Limits – Cheque amount Rs. 69,500 – Compensation Rs. 80,000 already paid – Additional fine imposed by High Court causing confusion – Supreme Court sets final compensation at Rs. 80,000 plus fine of Rs. 20,000 – Emphasizes statutory limit on compensation under Section 138 [Paras 3-13].

Judicial Interpretation – Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act – Statutory interpretation to avoid exceeding fine limits – Compensation intended to cover dishonoured amount plus interest – Additional fines must align with statutory provisions [Paras 8-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed in part – Total compensation set at Rs. 80,000 with additional fine of Rs. 20,000 – Failure to pay additional fine results in six months imprisonment – Order of High Court modified accordingly [Paras 4, 13].

Administrative Law – Blacklisting – Appellant permanently blacklisted by BSNL for alleged fraud in receiving excess payments – High Court upheld blacklisting without fair hearing – Supreme Court held blacklisting must be fair, reasonable, and proportionate – Permanent blacklisting considered too harsh – Remanded to BSNL to determine appropriate period of debarment based on guidelines [Paras 1-27].

Fair Hearing – Principles of Natural Justice – Blacklisting affects civil rights – Requirement for fair hearing before blacklisting – Supreme Court emphasized need for objective and transparent guidelines for determining debarment periods – Ensures non-discrimination and fairness in administrative decisions [Paras 17-19, 26].

Proportionality – Review of Punishment – Permanent blacklisting deemed excessive given the circumstances – Supreme Court directed BSNL to reassess period of blacklisting – Highlighted importance of proportionality in penalties imposed by State or its instrumentalities [Paras 25-27].

Decision: Appeal allowed in part – High Court order set aside – Blacklisting order affirmed but period of debarment to be reassessed by BSNL with new guidelines – Process to be completed within six months [Paras 27].

Criminal Law – Assault on Woman – Appellant convicted for forcibly kissing a young girl – Sentenced to six months' simple imprisonment and fine – Concurrent findings by lower courts upheld – Supreme Court emphasizes protection of women's modesty – Request for leniency and applicability of Probation of Offenders Act rejected due to gravity of offence [Paras 1-12].

Juvenile Justice – Applicability Post Conviction – Appellant claimed juvenility at the time of the offence – Supreme Court acknowledges right to raise juvenility claim at any stage – However, considering short sentence already imposed, further proceedings under Juvenile Justice Act deemed unnecessary [Paras 13-15].

Proportionality of Sentence – Leniency and Delay – Request for reduced sentence due to passage of time and personal circumstances – Supreme Court highlights importance of proportionality in sentencing, ensuring punishment reflects severity of offence – Appeal for leniency rejected to uphold justice and societal standards [Paras 16-21].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence of six months' simple imprisonment and fine affirmed – Appellant directed to surrender within four weeks to serve the sentence [Paras 22].

Arbitration Clause – Interpretation – Clause 30 of B-1 Agreement examined to determine if it constitutes an arbitration clause – Clause empowers Superintending Engineer to resolve disputes but does not explicitly state arbitration – Supreme Court held Clause 30 is not an arbitration clause as it involves administrative decision-making not adjudication of disputes – Distinguished from arbitration agreements where independent adjudication by arbitrator is intended [Paras 1-31].

Supervision vs. Arbitration – Superintending Engineer's role – Clause 30 empowers Superintending Engineer with supervisory control and decision-making in project execution – Such powers deemed administrative rather than judicial – Arbitrator must be impartial and not involved in project execution to ensure fair adjudication of disputes [Paras 17-21, 26].

Judicial Precedents – Reliance on prior judgments – Analysis of similar clauses in other cases, such as State of U.P. v. Tipper Chand and State of Orissa v. Damodar Das – Prior judgments reaffirmed that supervisory clauses do not constitute arbitration agreements – Distinction from cases like Mallikarjun v. Gulbarga University where independent third party was involved [Paras 19-25, 28-30].

Decision: Appeals dismissed – High Court's interpretation affirmed – Clause 30 of B-1 Agreement is not an arbitration clause – Orders appointing Arbitrator set aside [Paras 31-33].

Dowry Death – Elements of Offence – Appellants convicted under Section 304B IPC for causing death by burns of the deceased due to dowry harassment – Supreme Court emphasized the need to prove cruelty or harassment for or in connection with demand of dowry soon before death – Prosecution failed to establish this link, leading to acquittal [Paras 1-11, 14-15].

Dying Declaration – Evidentiary Value – Dying declaration (Ext. 4) recorded by ASI not supported by medical certification of mental and medical fitness – ASI not examined in court, affecting credibility – Court noted such certification while not mandatory is crucial in burn cases for establishing reliability [Paras 13-15].

Interested Witnesses – Reliability – Statements by deceased’s mother and brother considered interested witnesses – Court held their evidence must be scrutinized with caution – Their testimony alone found insufficient without corroborative evidence of dowry harassment [Paras 6, 12-14].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction and sentence under Section 304B IPC set aside – Prosecution failed to prove harassment in connection with dowry demand soon before death – Accused ordered to be released forthwith if not required in any other case [Paras 16].