Criminal Law - Confessions - Admissibility and Voluntariness – Appeal challenging the voluntariness and admissibility of confessional statements made under Section 164 CrPC – Supreme Court examines whether confessions made by the accused were voluntary and whether procedural safeguards were followed – Held that confessions must be free from police influence and made voluntarily – Failure to ensure voluntary nature and procedural compliance renders confessions unreliable. [Paras 18-27]

Eyewitness Testimony - Identification and Corroboration – Examination of eyewitness testimonies and their identification of accused persons – Supreme Court considers inconsistencies and lack of prior Test Identification Parade (TIP) – Held that identification for the first time in court without prior TIP or corroboration is weak and unreliable – Conviction based on weak identification evidence not sustainable. [Paras 10-12]

Photo Identification - Evidentiary Value – Appeal addressing the use of photo identification and its reliability – Supreme Court reaffirms that photo identification is only an aid to investigation and not substantive evidence – Identification in court must be corroborated by other evidence to be reliable. [Paras 13-15]

Doctrine of Benefit of Doubt – Application in Criminal Appeals – Appeals concerning the acquittal of accused persons by the High Court – Supreme Court reiterates that when two views are possible, the one favoring the accused should be accepted – High Court's acquittal upheld due to lack of credible evidence against the acquitted persons. [Paras 8, 17]

Decision – Appeals Disposed Of – Convictions and sentences of Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh and Mahendra Hembram upheld due to reliable evidence against them – Confessions and identification of other accused found unreliable – Appeals against acquittal dismissed, upholding High Court's decision – Supreme Court reaffirms the importance of procedural safeguards and reliable evidence in criminal convictions. [Paras 25-26]

Customs Law - Reduction of Redemption Fine and Penalty – Appeals challenging the Tribunal's decision to reduce redemption fine and penalty imposed on importers – Supreme Court examines whether the Tribunal can uniformly apply a formula for reduction based on margin of profit and demurrage costs – Held that each case must be examined on its own facts – However, Tribunal's findings that facts were similar across cases not challenged by the Revenue – Tribunal's reduction of fines and penalties upheld. [Paras 9-15]

Reference to High Court - Question of Law – Examination of whether the High Court erred in rejecting applications for reference under Section 130A of the Customs Act – Supreme Court considers whether questions proposed by Revenue constitute questions of law – Held that Tribunal's factual findings not specifically challenged as perverse by the Revenue – No substantial question of law arises – High Court's rejection of reference applications upheld. [Paras 11-15]

Decision – Appeals Dismissed – The appeals by the Revenue are dismissed, affirming the High Court's orders – Supreme Court upholds the Tribunal's decision to reduce redemption fine and penalty based on its findings of fact – No interference warranted as no substantial question of law arises from the Tribunal's orders. [Para 16]

Public Interest Litigation - Bona Fides – Allegations of the petition being filed at the behest of business rivals and lacking bona fide intent – Supreme Court examines the conduct of the petitioner and the history of litigation – Held that the petition lacked bona fides and was an abuse of process of law – The petition was found to be motivated by private interest rather than genuine public concern, warranting dismissal and issuance of show-cause notice for contempt. [Paras 18-27]

Health Hazards - Regulation and Control of Asbestos – Appeal addressing the need for banning asbestos use due to its health hazards – Supreme Court considers existing regulatory measures and the absence of a complete ban in law – Held that stringent regulation and supervision of asbestos use as per existing laws and guidelines are adequate – The Court directs Union and State Governments to review and ensure compliance with safety standards and issue further directions based on ILO guidelines. [Paras 10-16]

Policy and Legislation - Judicial Overreach – Examination of judicial authority to ban activities through PILs – Supreme Court discusses the legislative domain concerning asbestos regulation – Held that it is not within judicial purview to impose a ban when the matter falls under legislative competence – Directions issued to concerned authorities to strengthen regulatory frameworks rather than banning asbestos outright. [Paras 12-14]

Decision – Writ Petition Dismissed – The petition seeking a ban on asbestos was dismissed for lack of bona fides and substantial evidence – Directions issued to ensure compliance with safety standards and regular review by authorities – Show-cause notice issued to the petitioner and associated individuals for contempt of court and potential abuse of legal process. [Paras 16, 18, 28-29]

Benami Transactions - Retrospective Application – Civil appeal concerning the applicability of Section 4 of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 to suits filed prior to the Act's commencement – Supreme Court clarifies that Section 4, which prohibits recovery of property held benami, is not retrospective and does not apply to suits filed before the Act came into force – The suit filed by the first appellant in 1987, prior to the Act's enactment, is not barred by Section 4. [Paras 2, 16]

Notice - Presumption of Service – Appeal addressing the presumption of service of notice sent under postal certificate – Supreme Court discusses legal precedents and affirms that in the absence of any allegation of procurement or manipulation, a notice sent under postal certificate can be presumed to have been duly served – Notice sent by the first appellant to the first respondent is presumed to have been served before the sale of the property. [Paras 18-23]

Bona Fide Purchaser - Determination – Examination of whether the first respondent was a bona fide purchaser without notice of the appellant's rights – Supreme Court finds that the first respondent, having received notice of the appellant's ownership claim, cannot be considered a bona fide purchaser without notice – The sale deed executed in favor of the first respondent is declared null and void. [Paras 15, 24]

Decision – Appeal Allowed, Ownership Confirmed – High Court's judgment set aside – Appellant No. 1 declared the owner of the suit house – Permanent injunction granted against the respondents from alienating any part of the suit house or interfering with the appellant's possession – Appellants to pay Rs. 30,000 with 10% interest from 13.4.1987 to 22.2.1996 to the first respondent as compensation. [Paras 25-26]

Criminal Law - Confessions - Admissibility and Voluntariness – Appeal challenging the voluntariness and admissibility of confessional statements made under Section 164 CrPC – Supreme Court examines whether confessions made by the accused were voluntary and whether procedural safeguards were followed – Held that confessions must be free from police influence and made voluntarily – Failure to ensure voluntary nature and procedural compliance renders confessions unreliable. [Paras 18-27]

Eyewitness Testimony - Identification and Corroboration – Examination of eyewitness testimonies and their identification of accused persons – Supreme Court considers inconsistencies and lack of prior Test Identification Parade (TIP) – Held that identification for the first time in court without prior TIP or corroboration is weak and unreliable – Conviction based on weak identification evidence not sustainable. [Paras 10-12]

Photo Identification - Evidentiary Value – Appeal addressing the use of photo identification and its reliability – Supreme Court reaffirms that photo identification is only an aid to investigation and not substantive evidence – Identification in court must be corroborated by other evidence to be reliable. [Paras 13-15]

Doctrine of Benefit of Doubt – Application in Criminal Appeals – Appeals concerning the acquittal of accused persons by the High Court – Supreme Court reiterates that when two views are possible, the one favoring the accused should be accepted – High Court's acquittal upheld due to lack of credible evidence against the acquitted persons. [Paras 8, 17]

Decision – Appeals Disposed Of – Convictions and sentences of Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh and Mahendra Hembram upheld due to reliable evidence against them – Confessions and identification of other accused found unreliable – Appeals against acquittal dismissed, upholding High Court's decision – Supreme Court reaffirms the importance of procedural safeguards and reliable evidence in criminal convictions. [Paras 25-26]

Customs Law - Reduction of Redemption Fine and Penalty – Appeals challenging the Tribunal's decision to reduce redemption fine and penalty imposed on importers – Supreme Court examines whether the Tribunal can uniformly apply a formula for reduction based on margin of profit and demurrage costs – Held that each case must be examined on its own facts – However, Tribunal's findings that facts were similar across cases not challenged by the Revenue – Tribunal's reduction of fines and penalties upheld. [Paras 9-15]

Reference to High Court - Question of Law – Examination of whether the High Court erred in rejecting applications for reference under Section 130A of the Customs Act – Supreme Court considers whether questions proposed by Revenue constitute questions of law – Held that Tribunal's factual findings not specifically challenged as perverse by the Revenue – No substantial question of law arises – High Court's rejection of reference applications upheld. [Paras 11-15]

Decision – Appeals Dismissed – The appeals by the Revenue are dismissed, affirming the High Court's orders – Supreme Court upholds the Tribunal's decision to reduce redemption fine and penalty based on its findings of fact – No interference warranted as no substantial question of law arises from the Tribunal's orders. [Para 16]

Constitutional Law - Writ Petition - Maintainability – Civil Appeal against High Court's dismissal of writ petition for higher interest on compensation for surplus land acquired by the State – High Court held that writ petition for recovery of money was not maintainable – Supreme Court examined the nature of the claim and the statutory functions of the State – Held that the writ petition was maintainable as it involved public law functions and allegations of arbitrariness and discrimination – High Court's reliance on Suganmal case was misplaced. [Paras 5-7]

Interest on Compensation - Statutory Interpretation – Appeal concerning the rate of interest on compensation for acquired land – Appellant sought 9% interest per annum based on precedent cases – Respondents argued for 3% interest per annum as per statutory provisions – Supreme Court held that the statutory rate of 3% per annum applies for the first 20 years – For periods beyond 20 years, equitable principles apply, and 6% interest per annum is appropriate – Compensation and interest recalculated accordingly. [Paras 8-12]

Decision – Maintainability of Writ Petition and Interest Rate Adjustment – High Court's order set aside – Writ petition held maintainable – Interest on compensation awarded at 3% per annum for the first 20 years and 6% per annum thereafter – Appeal allowed in part, directing payment of recalculated interest within three months, with adjustments for amounts already paid. [Para 13]

Constitutional Law - Writ Petition - Maintainability – The petition under Article 32 by companies challenging the withdrawal of Hill Development Rebate by statutory notification – Supreme Court examines whether companies have fundamental rights under Article 19 and maintains a petition under Article 32 – Held that companies do not have rights under Article 19 but can claim rights under Article 14 – Writ petition maintainable on grounds of alleged violation of Article 14. [Paras 8-9]

Doctrine of Promissory Estoppel - Application to Statutory Notifications – Appeal concerning the withdrawal of electricity rebate by a subsequent statutory notification – Supreme Court considers whether promissory estoppel applies – Held that promissory estoppel cannot be invoked against statutory powers – Withdrawal of rebate through subsequent statutory notification valid – Sections 14 and 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 permit modification or rescission of notifications. [Paras 11-14]

Contractual Terms and Tariff Revisions - Enforcement of Agreements – Appeal addressing whether UP Power Corporation is bound by contractual terms to continue the rebate despite tariff revisions – Supreme Court examines contractual provisions and statutory authority – Held that the contractual clause allows for revision of tariff rates – No estoppel against the state for revising tariffs in larger public interest. [Paras 19-20]

Policy Decisions and Judicial Review - Court's Role in Policy Matters – Appeal concerning the court's intervention in policy decisions regarding industrial incentives – Supreme Court assesses whether policy decisions on rebates are subject to judicial review – Held that policy decisions, unless arbitrary or unreasonable, are not subject to judicial review – Policy decision of the State Government not to extend rebate upheld. [Paras 21-22]

Decision – Writ Petition Dismissed – The Court dismisses the writ petition, upholding the withdrawal of Hill Development Rebate by the notification dated 07.08.2000 – No breach of Article 14 established – Petitioners precluded from challenging the withdrawal of rebate. [Paras 24-25]

Constitutional Law - Writ Petition - Maintainability – Civil Appeal against High Court's dismissal of writ petition for higher interest on compensation for surplus land acquired by the State – High Court held that writ petition for recovery of money was not maintainable – Supreme Court examined the nature of the claim and the statutory functions of the State – Held that the writ petition was maintainable as it involved public law functions and allegations of arbitrariness and discrimination – High Court's reliance on Suganmal case was misplaced. [Paras 5-7]

Interest on Compensation - Statutory Interpretation – Appeal concerning the rate of interest on compensation for acquired land – Appellant sought 9% interest per annum based on precedent cases – Respondents argued for 3% interest per annum as per statutory provisions – Supreme Court held that the statutory rate of 3% per annum applies for the first 20 years – For periods beyond 20 years, equitable principles apply, and 6% interest per annum is appropriate – Compensation and interest recalculated accordingly. [Paras 8-12]

Decision – Maintainability of Writ Petition and Interest Rate Adjustment – High Court's order set aside – Writ petition held maintainable – Interest on compensation awarded at 3% per annum for the first 20 years and 6% per annum thereafter – Appeal allowed in part, directing payment of recalculated interest within three months, with adjustments for amounts already paid. [Para 13]