Criminal Law — Murder Conviction — Accused convicted for the murder of his wife based on circumstantial evidence — Deceased found dead in a locked house — Husband absconded and provided no explanation — Suspicion of illicit relationship established as motive — Appeal dismissed [Paras 1-20].

Circumstantial Evidence — Chain of circumstances must be complete and point to guilt of accused — Established that deceased was with the accused, house was locked from outside, and accused absconded — No plausible explanation from accused — Conviction upheld [Paras 14-19].

Motive — Suspicion of wife's fidelity as motive — Testimonies of relatives indicating harassment due to alleged illicit relationship — Motive sufficiently established despite hostile witnesses [Paras 11-13].

Decision — Appeal dismissed — Conviction and sentence under Section 302 IPC affirmed by the Supreme Court [Para 20].

Labour Law — Unfair Labour Practice — Sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 of the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act, 1971 — Engagement of large number of temporary employees by the company — Employees claimed unfair labour practices under items 5, 6, and 9 of Schedule IV of the Act — Industrial Court found the company indulged in unfair labour practice under item 6 — High Court affirmed the findings — Supreme Court modified the compensation order while affirming the conclusion of unfair labour practice [Paras 1-22].

Evidence — Adoption of Previous Evidence — Evidence from earlier ULP complaint No. 192 of 1997 adopted in current proceedings by consensus of parties — Contention that individual workmen should adduce separate evidence rejected — Such adoption considered valid and not creating any illegality [Paras 12-13].

Mala Fide Intent — Necessary for Unfair Labour Practice — Appellant’s argument on lack of mala fide intent and object to deprive workmen of permanency rejected — Prior Supreme Court finding on similar evidence upheld — Justification of conclusion on unfair labour practice reaffirmed [Paras 16-17].

Compensation — Reasonable Compensation Awarded — Compensation modified from 85 days' salary to 65 days' salary per year worked — No recovery of differential sum already withdrawn by workmen directed [Paras 18-21].

Decision — Appeals disposed of with modifications in compensation order — Industrial Court's order affirmed with modifications [Para 22].

Service Law — Selection Process — Challenge to Selection Procedure — Private Respondents challenged the advertisement and selection process only after failing the test — Held, by participating in the selection process, candidates waived their right to later question the methodology — Appeals allowed, High Court orders set aside [Paras 17-24].

Waiver and Estoppel — Candidates aware of General Rules — Participation in the selection process without objection results in waiver of right to challenge — Doctrine of waiver applies when candidates take a chance and later challenge upon unsuccessful outcome [Paras 18-24].

Direct Recruitment — Application of General Rules — Advertisement and Office Memorandum clearly indicated recruitment under General Rules — Candidates’ knowledge and participation affirmed application of General Rules over Special Rules [Paras 12-17].

Decision — Appeals allowed — High Court and Single Judge orders set aside — Writ petition by private respondents dismissed [Para 26].

Criminal Law — Dowry Death — Conviction under Section 304B IPC — Law prescribes a minimum of seven years imprisonment for dowry death — No provision for reducing sentence for any reason whatsoever — Conviction and sentence affirmed despite appellants' age and health conditions [Paras 40, 42].

Dowry Death and Cruelty — Sections 304B and 498A IPC, Section 113B Evidence Act — Demand for dowry, harassment, and maltreatment established — Deceased was pregnant and died of poisoning — No delay in lodging FIR — Witnesses consistently supported prosecution’s version — Conviction upheld [Paras 20, 27-35, 42].

Delay in FIR — Not a ground for dismissing prosecution case — Sufficient attempts by complainant to lodge FIR — Court must not overly emphasize delay in FIR lodging [Paras 27-29].

Evidence — Demand for Dowry — Specific instances of demand for dowry sufficiently proven — Additional dowry items such as a buffalo and cash payment were demanded and provided [Paras 30-31].

Proximate Harassment — Section 304B IPC — Harassment for dowry was continuous and proximate to the death — Presumption of dowry death under Section 113B Evidence Act was valid [Paras 32-35].

Decision — Appeal dismissed — Conviction and sentence under Sections 304B and 498A IPC affirmed [Para 42].

Contempt of Court — Withdrawal of Funds — Allegation of withdrawal of large sum of money from Swiss bank account by respondent in violation of court orders dated September 4, 2006, and December 14, 2006 — Respondent contended no withdrawal post orders and closure of account in July 2006 — Bank statement corroborated respondent's claim — No violation of court orders established — Contempt petition dismissed [Paras 32-36].

Burden of Proof — Standard of Proof in Contempt Proceedings — Contempt proceedings are quasi-criminal in nature — Standard of proof required is similar to criminal proceedings — Allegations must be established beyond reasonable doubt — Any doubt or inconsistency benefits the alleged contemnor [Paras 38-42].

Preponderance of Evidence — Contempt Charge — Preponderant circumstances must lead to unimpeachable finding of guilt for contempt — Inconsistent affidavits and ambiguous bank communications insufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 41-42].

Decision — Contempt petition dismissed — Order dated April 1, 2010, holding respondent guilty of contempt, recalled as it was based on erroneous premise [Paras 44-46].

Criminal Law — Rape — Conviction based on Sole Testimony of Prosecutrix — If the sole testimony of the prosecutrix is credible, conviction can be based thereon without need for further corroboration — Prosecutrix was less than 16 years old when raped on several occasions — Her statement, found to be worthy of credence and reliable, requires no corroboration — Consent of minor prosecutrix to sexual intercourse is meaningless — High Court's judgment and order of acquittal set aside — Matter remanded for reconsideration [Paras 29-32].

Evidence — Credibility of Sole Testimony — Detailed statement of prosecutrix before Magistrate u/s 164 CrPC and her testimony before Trial Judge not considered by High Court — High Court should have discussed and analyzed the evidence instead of dismissing it based on a few letters [Paras 30-31].

Right of Appeal — High Court’s Reversal of Conviction — Absence of High Court’s analysis on evidence would take away respondent's right of appeal — Remanding necessary for proper appreciation of case [Paras 31-32].

Decision — Appeal disposed of — Judgment and order of High Court set aside — Matter remanded for reconsideration on merits, including statement and testimony of prosecutrix and applicable law — High Court requested to prioritize disposal of the case [Paras 32-34].

Property Law — Renewal of Lease — Unilateral right of renewal of lease for 25 years under the original lease agreement — Appellant continued to occupy premises after renewal period without executing a fresh lease deed — Appellant continued as a month-to-month tenant — No right to further renewal under statutory provisions after February 28, 2005 — Appeal dismissed with costs [Paras 6-25].

Statutory and Contractual Rights — Distinction between contractual right of renewal and statutory right under Section 5(2) of the Act — Exercise of contractual right does not abrogate statutory right — No fresh deed of lease executed — Appellant exhausted its statutory right under Section 5(2) [Paras 12-23].

Tenant's Status — In absence of fresh lease deed, appellant became a month-to-month tenant — Lessor's termination of tenancy by notice under Transfer of Property Act valid [Paras 19-22].

Decision — Appeal dismissed with costs of Rs. 50,000 — Appellant given two months' time to vacate the suit premises [Paras 25-26].

Motor Vehicles Act — Multiplier Method — Application in Claims under Section 166 — Multiplier specified in Second Schedule of the 1988 Act may be taken as a guide but is not decisive for determining compensation in claims under Section 166 — Just compensation principle requires examination of the unique situation in each case — Reference answered and civil appeals posted for regular hearing [Paras 1-41].

No Fault Liability — Sections 163A and 166 — Claimants have an option to elect remedy under Section 163A or Section 166 — Compensation under Section 163A does not require proof of negligence — Multiplier method for Section 166 claims must ensure fairness, uniformity, and consistency — Standard multiplier table recommended for uniform application [Paras 10-11, 34-35].

Future Prospects — Addition to Income — 50% addition for permanent jobholders below 40 years — 30% addition for those aged 40-50 years — No addition for those above 50 years — Departure from the standard only in exceptional circumstances [Paras 35-36].

Living Expenses — Deduction Standards — One-third for 2-3 dependents, one-fourth for 4-6 dependents, one-fifth for more than 6 dependents — 50% deduction for bachelors unless evidence indicates otherwise [Paras 37-39].

Decision — Reference answered — Guidelines for determining compensation in Section 166 claims approved and directed for uniform application in all pending matters — Civil appeals posted for regular hearing [Paras 40-41].

Land Acquisition — Procedural Violations — Sections 5A and 6(1) of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 — Acquisition of land challenged on grounds of procedural lapses and discrimination — High Court dismissed writ petitions filed by appellants — Supreme Court examined procedural compliance and discriminatory treatment — Acquisition quashed due to non-application of mind by Chief Minister and procedural violations [Paras 1-36].

Discrimination — Article 14 of Constitution — Release of land owned by other entities while retaining appellants' land — Discriminatory treatment without justification — Solitary reason for non-release that land was lying vacant found to be erroneous — State Government's action violated appellants' right to equality [Paras 17, 32-36].

Procedural Compliance — Section 5A(2) and 6(1) — Collector's report on objections and Chief Minister’s non-application of mind — Importance of Section 5A in ensuring a fair hearing before land acquisition — Procedural lapses in considering objections and issuing declarations [Paras 20-34].

Decision — Appeals allowed — High Court’s order set aside — Declaration issued under Section 6(1) quashed — State Government may reconsider objections filed by appellants under Section 5A(1) — Fresh decision to be taken objectively and in accordance with law [Paras 35-36].