Bail – Delay in Trial – Article 21 – Appellant charged with economic offences involving large sums – Despite completion of investigation and filing of charge sheet by CBI, charges have not been framed, leading to prolonged custody – Supreme Court emphasized that undue delay in trial violates Article 21 – Appellant’s continued detention deemed unnecessary for further investigation – Bail granted considering health condition and absence of flight risk [Paras 1-19].

Health Condition – Appellant suffered from various ailments, including hypertension, partial blindness, and obstructive jaundice – Medical certificates from private doctors and Central Jail Dispensary supported claims – Supreme Court found sufficient grounds for bail on medical conditions [Paras 13-15].

Judicial Discretion in Granting Bail – Court underscored that granting bail requires judicial discretion, especially for serious offences – Detailed examination of evidence not required, but reasons for granting bail must be indicated – Emphasized need for courts to ensure accused does not threaten witnesses or tamper with evidence [Paras 6-18].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Appellant granted bail on stringent conditions to ensure compliance and prevent interference with judicial process – Bail bond of Rs. 5 lakhs with two solvent sureties – Surrender of passport required – Liberty to CBI to seek modification of bail order if conditions violated [Paras 19-21].

Electricity Law – Transmission Lines – Authority of Railways – Railways constructed transmission lines from NTPC plants to their sub-station, leading to a dispute with UPSEB – Supreme Court upheld Railways' authority under Sections 11(a) and 11(g) of the Railways Act, 1989, which empowers them to construct and maintain necessary electric supply lines for their operations – Section 26A(1) of the Electricity Supply Act, 1948 exempts generating companies from requiring licenses for such activities – Railways' agreement with NTPC for power supply was legal and within their rights [Paras 1-17].

Jurisdiction and Permissions – Railways obtained necessary permissions from the Central Government and NTPC – Central Government as the competent authority under Section 2(3A) of the 1948 Act permitted the agreement – Section 173 of the Electricity Act, 2003 ensures that the provisions of the Railways Act prevail in case of inconsistencies with the Electricity Act [Paras 8-12].

Notice and Legal Proceedings – UPSEB's notice to Railways to stop constructing transmission lines was quashed – Railways' action of constructing their own transmission lines and drawing power from NTPC was upheld as lawful – Transferred Case No. 37/2001 allowed and Transferred Case No. 38/2001 dismissed [Paras 13-17].

Decision: Transferred Case No. 37/2001 allowed – Notice dated 7.9.1999 issued by UPSEB to Northern Railways quashed – Transferred Case No. 38/2001 dismissed – No order as to costs [Paras 17].

Income Tax – Section 80HHC – DEPB Profits – High Court held that the entire amount received from the sale of DEPB represents profit under Section 28(iiid) – Supreme Court reversed this, holding that only the sale value less the face value of DEPB represents profit – Appeal decided accordingly in favor of the Assessee [Paras 1-2].

Income Tax – Section 80HHC – Interest and Rent Receipts – High Court ruled that 90% of gross interest and rent receipts must be excluded from business profits – Supreme Court held that only 90% of the net amount (gross receipts minus expenses) included in the profits should be excluded – Reference made to Explanation (baa) to Section 80HHC and the Constitution Bench decision in Distributors (Baroda) Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India [Paras 3-12].

Judicial Interpretation – Explanation (baa) to Section 80HHC – Explanation mandates excluding 90% of receipts (brokerage, commission, interest, rent, charges) included in profits – Supreme Court interpreted this to mean net receipts included in business profits, not gross receipts [Paras 9-12].

Consistency with Precedents – Court referred to judgments in Distributors (Baroda) Pvt. Ltd. and Commissioner of Income Tax v. Shri Ram Honda Power Equip to support its interpretation – Affirmed Delhi High Court’s consistent view in relevant cases [Paras 13-14].

Decision: Civil Appeal No. 1914 of 2012 allowed – Matter remanded to Assessing Officer to compute deductions from rent and interest as per this judgment – Civil Appeal No. 4534 of 2008 dismissed, upholding the view of the Delhi High Court – No order as to costs [Paras 16-19].

Income Tax – Section 80HHC – DEPB Profits – Appellant engaged in manufacturing and exporting leather garments claimed deductions under Section 80HHC – Assessing Officer included entire sale value of DEPB as profit under Section 28(iiid) – Tribunal, following its Special Bench decision in Topman Exports, differentiated face value and sale value of DEPB – High Court, relying on its judgment in Kalpataru Colours and Chemicals, reversed Tribunal's order – Supreme Court set aside Bombay High Court's decision in Kalpataru Colours and Chemicals and reinstated Tribunal’s distinction between face value and sale value of DEPB as laid out in Topman Exports [Paras 1-5].

Explanation (baa) under Section 80HHC – Additional issue in ITA No. 308 of 2011 regarding exclusion of DEPB profits from total turnover under Explanation (baa) to Section 80HHC – High Court had ruled this issue in favor of the Revenue, but Supreme Court’s decisions affirming Topman Exports and Delhi High Court’s interpretation in Commissioner of Income Tax v. Shri Ram Honda Power Equip clarified the treatment of DEPB profits [Para 4].

Judicial Precedents – Supreme Court relied on its judgments in M/s. Topman Exports v. Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, and M/s ACG Associated Capsules Private Limited v. Commissioner of Income Tax Central-IV, Mumbai, which clarified the treatment of DEPB profits and the application of Explanation (baa) under Section 80HHC [Paras 4-5].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Orders of the High Court set aside – Tribunal’s orders reinstated – No order as to costs [Paras 5].

Domestic Violence – Retrospective Application – Complaint under Section 12 of the PWD Act can consider conduct of parties prior to the Act's commencement – Even if the wife is no longer in the shared household at the time the Act came into force, she is entitled to protection under the Act – Supreme Court upheld the view that the Act’s provisions apply to past conduct of domestic violence [Paras 1-10].

Protection Orders – Residence Rights – Petitioner required to provide a portion of his residence to the Respondent, with necessary amenities, as per Section 19 of the PWD Act – Supreme Court modified High Court order to ensure Respondent’s safety and dignity – Monetary relief set at Rs. 6000 per month for maintenance, and additional Rs. 4000 if alternative accommodation is required [Paras 10-11].

Constitutional Safeguards – Articles 14, 15, 21 – PWD Act enacted to protect rights of women under the Constitution – Supreme Court emphasized protection and effective remedy for women victims of domestic violence, in line with Articles 14, 15, and 21 [Paras 5-6].

Judicial Review – High Court Decision – High Court’s decision to allow the appeal and provide relief under Sections 18 and 19 of the PWD Act upheld – Petitioner's conduct during litigation, including refusal to honor settlement, considered in decision [Paras 7-9].

Decision: SLP disposed of – Petitioner directed to provide a suitable portion of residence to Respondent and pay Rs. 10,000 per month for maintenance and expenses – Liberty granted to parties to seek further directions if required – No order as to costs [Paras 12-13].

Representing Advocates:

For Appellant: Jitendra Mohan Sharma, Anjali Bhargva, Sandeep Singh

For Respondent: Anil Kumar Bakshi, Sushil Balwada, Rakesh Kumar, Rajeshwar Tyagi, Ashok Kumar Shukla

Corporate Law – Sale of Assets – Jurisdiction of BIFR and AAIFR – Sick Industrial Companies Act – Appeal from the High Court's decision allowing the sale of assets of a sick industrial company – BIFR declared NRC Limited a sick company and restricted the sale of assets – AAIFR modified BIFR's order allowing sale of land subject to conditions – High Court upheld BIFR's restrictions – Supreme Court held BIFR has wide powers to suspend contracts and restrict asset disposal to protect the rehabilitation scheme – Provisions of Sections 22 and 22A extensively discussed and applied [Paras 1-88].

Implementation of Revival Scheme – Role of BIFR – Legislative Intent – Purpose of Sick Industrial Companies Act to ensure effective implementation of revival schemes – BIFR’s powers to suspend legal proceedings and restrict asset disposal – Emphasis on uninterrupted execution of revival schemes to achieve legislative objectives – All other proceedings stayed or modified to aid the rehabilitation process [Paras 19-31].

Conflict of Judicial Decisions – Interpretation of Sections 22 and 22A – Prior conflicting judicial decisions on the scope of BIFR’s powers reconciled – Broad interpretation favored to encompass all actions that could impede rehabilitation – Supreme Court provides clarity on BIFR’s authority over pre-existing contracts and ongoing proceedings [Paras 25-30].

Decision – Appeals dismissed – BIFR's original restrictions on asset disposal upheld – Directions for ensuring compliance with the Sick Industrial Companies Act provided [Paras 32-35].

Criminal Law – Death Sentence – Appellant convicted for the brutal murder of his mother by severing her head – Trial court awarded death sentence, upheld by High Court citing the case as one of the 'rarest of rare' – Supreme Court examines the mental state and circumstances leading to the crime – Court observes the act was impulsive, driven by anger towards his mother whom he blamed for his wife's departure – Sentence commuted to life imprisonment [Paras 1-88].

Mental Condition and Sentencing – Consideration of Accused’s Mental State – Court emphasizes the importance of considering the accused’s mental condition at the time of the crime – Refers to previous judgments highlighting that impulsive actions in emotionally charged situations may warrant life imprisonment rather than the death penalty – Appellant’s actions deemed impulsive and unplanned, resulting in commutation of the death sentence [Paras 3-8].

Decision – Appeal allowed in part – Death sentence converted to life imprisonment – Emphasis on the need for proportionality in sentencing and consideration of mitigating factors, such as the accused’s mental state and the circumstances leading to the crime [Paras 7-8].

Motor Vehicles – High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) – Non-compliance by States – Persistent default by several States in implementing the HSRP scheme – Supreme Court’s directions for immediate compliance – Contempt proceedings against non-compliant States and officials – Court emphasizes the mandatory nature of HSRP installation for public safety and security – States directed to complete implementation within specified timeframes [Paras 1-25].

Judicial Enforcement – Contempt of Court – Non-compliance with Court Orders – Supreme Court’s strict stance on non-compliance – Notices issued to defaulting State officials – Imposition of fines and costs for delay and non-compliance – Emphasis on adherence to judicial orders for effective governance and administration [Paras 5-18].

Implementation Timeline – Extension and Final Deadlines – Supreme Court grants final extensions for compliance – Specific deadlines set for different States based on progress – No further extensions allowed – Emphasis on completing HSRP installation by 30th April 2012 for new vehicles and 15th June 2012 for old vehicles [Paras 8-20].

Decision – Writ Petition disposed of – Strict directions for compliance issued – States mandated to ensure HSRP scheme is fully implemented within the extended deadlines – Liberty granted to initiate contempt proceedings for any future non-compliance [Paras 21-25].

Pharmacy Registration – Qualifications and Validity – Appellant’s registration as a pharmacist in Rajasthan based on registration in Sikkim – Rajasthan Council cancelled registration after inquiry revealed appellant lacked requisite qualifications and experience – Supreme Court upheld the cancellation, emphasizing the importance of valid registration and necessary qualifications to practice pharmacy [Paras 1-17].

Regulatory Authority – Powers and Duties – Pharmacy Act empowers State Pharmacy Councils to ensure pharmacists meet necessary qualifications – Councils can review and cancel registrations if obtained through misrepresentation or error – Importance of maintaining professional standards and public safety in pharmacy practice [Paras 8-13].

Judicial Review – Scope and Limits – Supreme Court supports State Council’s decision after due process – Highlights the role of judicial oversight in ensuring compliance with statutory provisions – References previous judgments affirming similar regulatory actions by professional councils [Paras 14-15].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Supreme Court affirms the cancellation of appellant’s registration by the Rajasthan Pharmacy Council – Emphasizes the need for strict adherence to qualifications and proper registration procedures [Paras 16-17].