Promotion – Impact of Censure – Respondent denied promotion due to a censure penalty – High Court quashed the penalty and directed promotion with retrospective effect – Supreme Court noted that promotions affecting seniority require impleading affected parties – Censure penalty relevant for promotion consideration even under seniority-cum-merit criteria [Paras 4-10].

Procedural Fairness – Non-impleadment of Necessary Parties – Promotions affecting seniority cannot be ordered without hearing affected juniors – High Court’s order granting promotion to respondent without impleading juniors set aside – Reinforced principle of natural justice requiring hearing of all affected parties in promotion disputes [Paras 11-15].

Applicability of Circular – Prospective Effect – High Court correctly held that the circular issued in 2006 could not be applied retrospectively to a promotion matter of 1996-97 – Supreme Court upheld this aspect of High Court’s judgment [Paras 10, 15].

Decision – Appeals Partly Allowed – Directions for promotion of respondent quashed due to non-impleadment of juniors – High Court’s decision on the inapplicability of the circular upheld – Remanded for reconsideration with affected parties properly impleaded [Paras 15-16].

Service Law – Termination of Probationary Officer – Respondent, a probationary Civil Judge, terminated on grounds of unsatisfactory performance – High Court found the termination to be stigmatic and in violation of Article 311(2) as no charges were communicated and no opportunity for defense was provided – Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision, noting procedural impropriety and prejudiced preliminary inquiry [Paras 1-20].

Procedural Fairness – Stigmatic Termination – Termination of services with implicit allegations of misconduct without proper inquiry constitutes a stigmatic action – Article 311(2) mandates prior notice and opportunity to be heard – Supreme Court emphasized adherence to due process in service termination cases [Paras 16-20].

Judicial Review – Protection of Judicial Officers – Emphasized the responsibility of higher judiciary to protect honest judicial officers from baseless allegations and ensure a fair working environment – Lamented hostile work conditions for female judicial officers and stressed the need for protective oversight by higher judicial authorities [Paras 28-34].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – High Court's decision upheld – Respondent reinstated with continuity of service and all consequential benefits – Back wages awarded from the date of the High Court’s decision – Directions issued for prompt reinstatement and payment of back wages within specified timeframes [Paras 35].

Public Health – Regulation of Soft Drinks – Petitioner sought independent evaluation and regulatory measures for soft drinks to ensure safety and transparency of ingredients – Respondents maintained existing regulations under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) and Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (PFA Act) were sufficient – Supreme Court noted enforcement issues rather than gaps in legislation [Paras 1-3].

Regulatory Framework – Enforcement of Food Safety Laws – Supreme Court emphasized need for rigorous enforcement of FSS Act, PFA Act, and corresponding rules/regulations to safeguard public health – Directed Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to enhance inspections and monitoring in major markets – Highlighted importance of transparency in labeling and advertising to protect consumers [Paras 4-15, 23-25].

Scientific Evaluation – Expert Committees – Supreme Court supported existing scientific panels under FSSAI for evaluating grievances – Stressed necessity for independent, transparent, and comprehensive scientific assessments to ensure public safety – Acknowledged FSSAI’s role and responsibility in monitoring food safety and managing risk [Paras 7-9, 17-22].

Constitutional Duty – Right to Health – Reaffirmed State’s duty under Article 21 and Article 47 of the Constitution to ensure public health – Recognized fundamental right to safe food as integral to right to life – Directed authorities to align enforcement with constitutional mandates for health protection [Paras 19-22].

Decision – Writ Petition Disposed – Supreme Court directed FSSAI to conduct periodic inspections and ensure compliance with food safety standards – Emphasized effective implementation of existing laws – Highlighted importance of consumer awareness and accurate labeling in preventing health risks [Paras 24-26].

Industrial Disputes – Retrenchment due to Transfer of Undertaking – Workmen employed in lift irrigation schemes retrenched following transfer to a sugar factory – Initial compensation offered – Labour Court's finding of inadequate statutory notice under Section 25F of the I.D. Act – High Court's directive for reinstatement with 25% backwages due to non-compliance with Section 25N – Supreme Court modifies reliefs [Paras 1-30].

Application of Section 25FF – Transfer of Undertaking – Termination of employment upon transfer – Supreme Court reaffirms that compensation under Section 25FF suffices, negating need for reinstatement – Examines conduct of State in failing to absorb workmen into other roles within the Irrigation Department [Paras 21-27].

Article 142 of the Constitution – Complete Justice – Supreme Court balances reliefs between two sets of similarly situated workmen – Grants continuity of service with 25% backwages and retirement benefits, avoiding reinstatement due to passage of time and workmen’s superannuation [Paras 26-30].

Decision – Appeals disposed of – Orders – State to provide continuity of service, 25% backwages, and retirement benefits to affected workmen or their heirs within three months – No reinstatement ordered – Compliance report to be filed in Labour Court [Para 29].

Criminal Law – Murder and Assault – Appellants convicted of murdering Mudi Parandhami Reddy and injuring others in a politically and land-dispute motivated attack – Trial Court acquitted all accused; High Court reversed acquittal for Accused Nos. 1 to 12, confirming life imprisonment and additional sentences – Supreme Court upheld High Court's findings but modified the conviction and sentence of A-2 for limited participation [Paras 1-31].

Witness Credibility – Testimony of Injured Witnesses – Despite the plea of alibi and claims of witness unreliability, evidence from injured witnesses (P.W. 3 and others) deemed credible – Minor inconsistencies in testimonies considered non-fatal to prosecution's case – Emphasis on consistent core narrative by multiple witnesses [Paras 10-21].

Evidence Act – Dying Declarations and Former Statements – Discussion on admissibility and use of dying declarations recorded under Section 164 CrPC, which, if the declarant survives, can be used for corroboration under Section 157 of the Evidence Act – Reference to precedents on treatment of such statements [Paras 24-29].

Section 149 IPC – Common Object – Multiple accused convicted under Section 149 IPC for acts committed in furtherance of common object – Detailed analysis of individual roles and specific acts committed during the attack [Paras 18-23].

Decision – Appeals partially allowed – Modification – Conviction of A-2 altered to Section 324 read with Section 34 IPC with reduced sentence to 2 years – Other appeals dismissed, confirming life imprisonment and sentences for other accused [Paras 30-31].

Armed Forces – Court of Inquiry (COI) – Allegations of bias in COI proceedings – Respondent officer challenged COI's procedural fairness under Rule 180 of the Armed Forces Rules, 1954 – Tribunal directed fresh COI with independent members – Supreme Court upheld Tribunal's decision, emphasizing procedural safeguards and Rule 180 compliance [Paras 1-57].

Bias – Doctrine of Bias – Principle of "no man can be a judge in his own cause" – Inclusion of officers involved in the preparation of documents as members of the COI – Reasonable likelihood of bias established – Supreme Court affirmed Tribunal's finding of bias, disqualifying the involved officers from COI membership [Paras 15-45].

Rule 180 – Procedural Safeguards – Full opportunity for affected officer to participate and cross-examine witnesses – Non-compliance with Rule 180 mandates vitiates COI proceedings – Supreme Court upheld Tribunal’s direction for fresh COI, ensuring full opportunity to the respondent under Rule 180 [Paras 46-55].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Orders – COI quashed, new COI to be constituted with different Presiding Officer and independent members – Compliance with procedural fairness and Rule 180 emphasized [Paras 56-57].

Employees Provident Funds Act – Interest on Delayed Payment – Appellant challenged imposition of interest under Section 7Q for delayed remittances – High Court held alternative remedy before Tribunal available – Supreme Court held that Section 7Q orders are not appealable under Section 7I – Directed Competent Authority to provide computation sheet for objections [Paras 1-30].

Natural Justice – Right to Hearing – Employer entitled to limited opportunity to contest computation of interest under Section 7Q – Demand for interest must be transparent and open to objections for fairness – Supreme Court emphasized flexibility in applying natural justice principles [Paras 20-28].

Decision – Appeal allowed in part – Orders – Competent Authority to provide computation sheet within three weeks – Appellant to deposit further sum of Rs. 16,00,000 within four weeks – Computation objections to be resolved summarily [Paras 29-30].

Administrative Service – Appointment by Selection – Appellant sought selection into IAS under Non-civil services category – State Government restricted consideration to Joint and Additional Commissioners, excluding eligible Assistant Commissioners – Tribunal and High Court upheld restriction – Supreme Court held restriction invalid, violating Articles 14 and 16(1) – Directed damages for unjust non-consideration [Paras 1-23].

Eligibility Criteria – Interpretation and Application – Regulation 4 of the Administrative Service (Appointment by Selection) Regulations, 1997, requires considering all eligible officers, not just higher-ranking ones – State Government must assess outstanding merit and ability, not restrict by rank – Supreme Court emphasized adherence to laid down criteria for fairness [Paras 10-18].

Natural Justice – Right to Equal Opportunity – Eligible candidates cannot be excluded based on additional criteria not specified in the rules – Supreme Court underscored uniform application of rules and protection of candidates' rights to equal consideration in public employment [Paras 17-18].

Decision – Appeal allowed in part – Orders – Declaration that appellant and similarly situated candidates are entitled to consideration – No retrospective relief for completed selection process – Damages of Rs. 50,000 and litigation cost of Rs. 25,000 awarded – Prospective application of ruling for future selections [Paras 19-23].

Criminal Procedure Code – Maintenance – Respondent married appellant unaware of his subsisting first marriage – Trial court awarded maintenance under Section 125 CrPC – Appellant contended respondent not legally wedded wife – Supreme Court held respondent entitled to maintenance due to appellant’s deceit – Emphasized social justice and purposive interpretation of "wife" under Section 125 CrPC [Paras 1-28].

Legal Interpretation – Deception in Marriage – Respondent misled into marriage by appellant's false representation of single status – Supreme Court affirmed maintenance award, emphasizing appellant cannot benefit from his own deceit – Highlighted differential treatment where woman knowingly marries already married man versus being deceived [Paras 16-18].

Social Justice – Judicial Approach – Courts must bridge gap between law and societal realities – Emphasis on "social context adjudication" for marginalized sections – Maintenance provision under Section 125 CrPC serves constitutional vision of social justice [Paras 17-20].

Decision – Leave to appeal denied – Orders – Maintenance to respondent upheld – Interpretation aligned with principles of social justice and constitutional empathy for weaker sections [Paras 27-28].