Civil Procedure – Reopening Evidence – Recall of Witnesses:

Applications under Section 151 CPC for reopening evidence and under Order 18 Rule 17 CPC for recalling witnesses for further cross-examination – Trial court dismissed applications on the grounds of delay – High Court upheld the trial court’s decision [Paras 6, 14].

Admissibility of Electronic Evidence – Relevant Considerations:

Electronic records such as compact discs containing recorded conversations are admissible under Section 3 of the Evidence Act, read with Section 2(t) of the Information Technology Act, if they are relevant, accurate, and authenticated – Evidence sought to be introduced was alleged to contain admissions relevant to the dispute [Paras 7-8].

Inherent Powers of the Court – Section 151 CPC:

Section 151 CPC allows courts to make orders necessary for the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of process – This power is discretionary, to be used sparingly and in appropriate cases – The deletion of Order 18 Rule 17A CPC does not preclude reopening evidence or recalling witnesses under Section 151 if justifiable [Paras 9-12].

Application for Reopening Evidence – Post-Argument Stage:

Court's discretion to consider applications for reopening evidence or recalling witnesses should continue until judgment is pronounced – Each case must be considered on its merits, even after arguments have commenced [Paras 13, 17].

Decision:

Appeals allowed in part – Orders of the High Court and Trial Court dismissing IA No. 216/2009 under Section 151 CPC are set aside – Orders affirmed in regard to dismissal of IA No. 217/2009 under Order 18 Rule 17 CPC – Trial Court to consider IA No. 216/2009 afresh in accordance with law [Paras 18-19].

Constitutional Law – Temporary Employment – Regularization:

Respondent, a temporary appointee under the Anshkalik Scheme, sought regularization and reinstatement – High Court’s direction for regularization based on parity with other similarly situated employees – Supreme Court held that regular appointments must be made through the U.P. Public Service Commission, and temporary employees have no right to the post [Paras 3-4, 11].

Administrative Law – Precedent – SLP Dismissal:

Dismissal of Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the Supreme Court without detailed discussion on merits does not constitute a binding precedent – Respondent cannot derive benefits from such dismissal [Para 10].

High Court’s Power under Article 226 – Regularization:

Following the Constitution Bench decision in Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Umadevi, the High Court cannot regularize temporary employees – Mere regularization of some employees does not confer a right to others for similar treatment – Illegalities cannot be perpetuated through judicial orders [Paras 12-13].

Decision:

Appeal allowed – High Court’s order set aside – Respondent’s writ petition dismissed – Temporary employees have no right to the post and cannot claim regularization or reinstatement based on parity with others [Para 14].

Criminal Law – Money Laundering and Corruption – The case involves allegations of amassing illicit wealth by former ministers, including the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand – The Supreme Court upholds the High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI due to the complex, multi-state, and multi-national nature of the investigation – Emphasizes the necessity of a thorough and expert investigation by an agency like the CBI given the scale and scope of the alleged corruption and money laundering​​.

Jurisdiction – Powers of Investigation – The appellant argued that only the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has the authority to investigate offences under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA) – The Supreme Court rejects this argument, clarifying that the CBI can investigate offences under IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act while any findings related to money laundering can be shared with the ED – Reinforces that the investigation under PMLA does not preclude other agencies from investigating related predicate offences​​.

Revisional Jurisdiction – Limits and Exercise – The Supreme Court underscores the importance of proper exercise of revisional jurisdiction, particularly in complex cases involving high-profile allegations of corruption – Emphasizes that the gravity and magnitude of the allegations justify the High Court’s decision to involve the CBI for a systematic, scientific, and analyzed investigation​​.

Decision – Appeal dismissed – The Supreme Court finds no merit in the appeal and directs that the CBI continues its investigation as per the High Court's order – Orders that the parties bear their own costs​​.

Criminal Law – Quashing of Proceedings – The appellant, a headmistress, and her husband were accused under Section 3(1)(x) of the SC/ST Act for allegedly using casteist slurs – Supreme Court quashes the proceedings against the appellant, finding no prima facie case against her as the alleged offending words were spoken by her husband, not her – Emphasizes that the complaint did not attribute any casteist remarks to the appellant and the incident did not occur in a place within public view, thus not fulfilling the ingredients of the offence [Paras 1-30]​​.

Judicial Review – Scope and Limits – Supreme Court reiterates that inherent powers under Section 482 CrPC should be exercised sparingly to prevent abuse of process or to meet the ends of justice – In this case, allowing the proceedings to continue would be unjust and amount to harassment, as the complaint did not establish essential ingredients of the offence against the appellant [Paras 13-27]​​.

Precedents and Legal Principles – The Court referred to various precedents, including R.P. Kapur v. State of Punjab and State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, to highlight the circumstances under which proceedings can be quashed – Emphasizes the necessity of allegations to constitute a prima facie offence and the requirement for evidence to support the charges [Paras 14-23]​​.

Decision – Appeal allowed – The Supreme Court sets aside the High Court's judgment and quashes the complaint against the appellant in Crime No. 50 of 2006, Police Station Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad – Directs that the appellant should not face further prosecution under the specific charges​​.

Public Interest Litigation – Maintainability – Service Matters:

High Court’s error in permitting a writ petition styled as public interest litigation (PIL) to challenge the extension of service granted to the appellant – PIL parameters reiterated – Courts should not encourage petitions filed for oblique motives – Proper credentials and bonafide intent required for PIL [Paras 19-27].

Service Rules – Application of Rule 13 – Contractual Appointments:

High Court incorrectly applied Rule 13 of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams Employees Service Rules, 1989, which prohibits re-employment after 60 years, to the appellant’s contractual appointment – Rule 2 exempts officers appointed on contract basis or on deputation – High Court’s interpretation erroneous and reversed [Paras 17-18].

Writ Petition – Requirement for Reasoned Orders:

Emphasis on the necessity for reasoned orders by High Courts – High Court’s failure to provide adequate reasoning in its decision – Importance of transparency and clarity in judicial decisions to ensure fair administration of justice [Paras 27-29].

Decision:

Appeal allowed – High Court’s judgment set aside – Directions for the Board to consider further extension for the appellant to compensate for service loss due to High Court’s erroneous judgment.

Arbitration – Non-Party to Arbitration Agreement – Maintainability:The appellant, not being a party to the construction agreement containing the arbitration clause, cannot be forced into arbitration for disputes arising solely between the borrower (first respondent) and the developer (second respondent). The High Court erred in including the appellant in the arbitration proceedings without an arbitration agreement between the appellant and the developer [Paras 10-15].

Existence of Arbitration Agreement – Condition Precedent:For appointing an arbitrator under Section 11 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, there must be an existing arbitration agreement between the parties to the dispute. The arbitration clause in the loan agreement between the appellant and the first respondent does not cover disputes involving the developer, and therefore, cannot be extended to include the appellant in the arbitration between the first respondent and the developer [Paras 12-14].

Claims Against Non-Party – Separate Arbitration:Disputes specifically between the first respondent and the appellant, if any, must be raised and arbitrated separately under the arbitration clause in the loan agreement. The current arbitration proceedings under the construction agreement cannot include the appellant without mutual consent and a valid arbitration agreement covering all parties [Paras 15-18].

Decision:Appeal allowed – The High Court’s order appointing an arbitrator is set aside insofar as it pertains to the appellant. The arbitration between the first respondent and the developer remains undisturbed. Both the first respondent and the appellant retain the right to initiate separate arbitration proceedings for any disputes arising under their loan agreement [Para 18].

SARFAESI Act – Pre-deposit Requirement – Appeal by borrower against the High Court’s ruling that mandated pre-deposit for appeal under Section 18 of SARFAESI Act – Supreme Court held that the pre-deposit requirement is mandatory and the Appellate Tribunal cannot waive it entirely – Appellate Tribunal can only reduce the amount to not less than 25% of the debt due [Paras 2-9].

Statutory Interpretation – Condition Precedent – Supreme Court affirmed that statutory rights of appeal can have conditions, which must be reasonable – The requirement of depositing 50% of the debt due, or 25% at minimum, is not unreasonable in light of the Act’s objectives [Paras 8-9].

Relief Granted – Interim Measure – Considering the specific case, the Supreme Court directed the appellant to deposit Rs. 15 lakhs within four weeks for the appeal to be entertained – Status quo on the property to be maintained by the bank until the Appellate Tribunal’s final decision [Para 10].

Decision: Appeal disposed of with directions – Appellant to deposit Rs. 15 lakhs within four weeks – If deposit is not made, appeal stands dismissed and bank may proceed with legal steps [Paras 11-12].

MODVAT Credit – High Speed Diesel Oil – Appeals by manufacturers challenging the denial of MODVAT credit for duty paid on HSD oil used in electricity generation for captive consumption – Supreme Court upheld the denial based on specific exclusions in government notifications and retrospective clarification by the Finance Act, 2000 [Paras 1-41].

Retrospective Legislation – Validation of Denial – Court examined the validity of Section 112 of the Finance Act, 2000, which retrospectively denied MODVAT credit on HSD oil – Held that the Act’s retrospective effect was valid and necessary to clarify legislative intent and correct judicial interpretations that had erroneously allowed such credits [Paras 32-41].

Vested Rights – No Accrued Rights to Credit – Supreme Court rejected the appellants' claim of vested rights to MODVAT credit, emphasizing that the notifications consistently excluded HSD oil from eligible inputs – Affirmed that no vested right was created under the circumstances [Paras 29-35].

Decision: Appeals dismissed – Supreme Court upheld the notifications and legislative amendments denying MODVAT credit on HSD oil – Emphasized the legislative intent to exclude HSD oil from eligible inputs, validating the retrospective clarification by the Finance Act, 2000 [Paras 42].

Criminal Law – Sexual Abuse of Children – The appellants were convicted under various sections of the IPC and the Juvenile Justice Act for sexually abusing and physically assaulting children at the Anchorage Shelters – The Trial Court's conviction was overturned by the High Court, which acquitted the accused – Supreme Court reinstates the conviction and sentences of the accused, highlighting the reliability of the victim testimonies and corroborative evidence presented by social activists and medical professionals – Reiterates the need for stringent action against sexual offences, particularly involving vulnerable children [Paras 1-88]​​ .

Evidence – Witness Testimony – The testimonies of victimized children were found to be credible and consistent despite minor discrepancies – Supreme Court underscores the importance of believing child victims in cases of sexual abuse and dismisses the High Court’s skepticism of the victim testimonies – Emphasizes that the evidence provided by the victims was corroborated by social activists and medical reports [Paras 14-20]​​ .

Legal Principles – Constitutional Provisions for Child Protection – The Court references several constitutional provisions ensuring the protection and welfare of children, stressing the obligation of the state to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse – Highlights the importance of Articles 15(3), 21, 21A, 23, 24, 39, and 45 in providing a framework for child protection [Paras 24-30] .

Decision – Appeals allowed – The Supreme Court sets aside the High Court's judgment and restores the convictions and sentences passed by the Trial Court – Orders the remaining imprisonment of the accused to be served and directs the payment of compensation as previously decreed [Para 31] .