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].

Civil Procedure – Withdrawal of Suit – Application for withdrawal of compromise applications – Trial court allowed withdrawal of earlier applications for compromise – High Court dismissed revision petition under Article 227 – Supreme Court holds inherent powers under Section 151 CPC must be exercised to secure justice – Remits case to High Court for proper examination [Paras 1-27].

Judicial Powers – Inherent Powers – Scope and Exercise – Supreme Court emphasizes the need for careful exercise of inherent powers under Section 151 CPC – Powers must be exercised to prevent abuse of process and secure ends of justice – Examines previous cases to support judicial discretion and oversight [Paras 23-24].

Evidence and Procedural Integrity – Examination of Affidavits and Statements – Court to scrutinize conflicting affidavits and statements alleging forgery and misrepresentation – Necessity for trial courts to verify claims to maintain judicial integrity and public trust in legal processes [Paras 25-27].

Decision – Appeal allowed – High Court’s dismissal of revision set aside – Case remitted to High Court for further examination – Trial of suit stayed until High Court’s final decision – Directions for High Court to consider relevant factors, possibly take evidence, and ensure justice [Paras 26-27].

Municipal Law – Disqualification of Panch Member – Appellant challenged her disqualification on grounds of her husband's contract with the Panchayat – High Court upheld the State Election Commission’s decision of disqualification – Supreme Court affirms disqualification under Section 10(f) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, due to indirect monetary interest derived from marital property laws and shared income [Paras 1-24].

Property and Income Tax Law – Community of Property – Applicability of Portuguese Civil Code – Appellant and her husband governed by community of property system under Articles 1098 and 1108 of the Portuguese Civil Code, 1860 – Income from husband’s contract is shared equally under Section 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 – This shared income creates an indirect monetary interest for the Appellant in her husband’s contract [Paras 14-22].

Conflict of Interest – Public Office and Private Interest – Disqualification ensures no conflict between private interest and public duty – Importance of maintaining purity in Panchayat administration – Broad interpretation of disqualification clauses to prevent indirect monetary interest affecting public duties [Paras 11, 23].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Supreme Court upholds the disqualification of the Appellant as a Panch member due to indirect monetary interest in her husband's contract with the Village Panchayat – No order as to costs [Paras 23-24].

Criminal Law – Rape of Minor – Sentencing – Appellant convicted under Sections 376 and 506(2) of the IPC for raping a seven-year-old girl – Trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 20,000, in default, to undergo further RI for three years – High Court affirmed the sentence – Supreme Court reviews sentence, considering the appellant’s age (18-19 years at the time of the crime), socio-economic background, and the time elapsed since the incident – Sentence reduced to 10 years RI with fine reduced to Rs. 1,000, in default, RI for one month [Paras 1-13].

Sentencing Guidelines – Discretion of Courts – Section 376(2)(f) IPC mandates rigorous imprisonment for not less than 10 years but which may extend to life imprisonment – Courts can impose lesser sentences for adequate and special reasons – Emphasizes judicial discretion must align with legislative intent to impose strict punishments for rapes of minors while considering individual circumstances [Paras 7-9].

Case References – Review of Precedents – Cites Narayanamma (Kum) v. State of Karnataka (1994) and Rajendra Datta Zarekar v. State of Goa (2007) – Comparison of sentences in similar cases to guide the appropriate quantum of punishment in the current case [Paras 9-10].

Decision – Appeal allowed in part – Conviction affirmed – Sentence modified to 10 years RI with a fine of Rs. 1,000, in default, further RI for one month – Recognizes mitigating factors, ensuring the punishment serves justice without being excessively harsh [Paras 13-14].