Rehabilitation Scheme – Land Allotment – Respondent claimed entitlement to land under rehabilitation scheme for displaced persons – High Court directed state to allot 20 standard acres and deliver possession without quashing the government’s order stopping allotments – Supreme Court held that High Court could not order allotment without quashing the government's letter and conducting an enquiry into the respondent’s claim – High Court's order found arbitrary and set aside [Paras 1-9].

Displaced Persons – Proof of Claim – High Court's direction for allotment of land lacked enquiry into whether respondent's predecessor had left land in Pakistan – Supreme Court emphasized need for verification before granting such claims – Respondent required to challenge the government’s stopping order before seeking relief [Paras 5-8].

Government Instructions – Compliance – Supreme Court found force in the state's argument that respondent's predecessor had already been allotted land in 1952 – Repeated claims for allotment not permissible without adhering to government instructions [Para 8].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court's judgment set aside – Respondents required to seek quashing of government order stopping allotments before any allotment and possession of land can be directed [Paras 9].

Criminal Law – Conviction for Multiple Murders – Appellant convicted for serial killings and sentenced to death – Confession made under Section 164 CrPC considered voluntary and corroborated by evidence – Recovery of body parts, weapons, and identification of victims linked to appellant’s actions – Supreme Court upheld findings of lower courts and affirmed the death sentence [Paras 1-19].

Confession and Evidence – Voluntary Confession – Appellant's detailed confession under Section 164 CrPC deemed voluntary and compliant with legal requirements – Confession corroborated by recovery of victims’ body parts and forensic evidence – Presence of DNA matches and material evidence substantiated prosecution’s case [Paras 8-15].

Rarest of Rare Doctrine – Death Sentence Justification – Appellant's actions categorized as "rarest of rare" due to extreme brutality, systematic methodology, and heinous nature of crimes – Supreme Court found no grounds for mercy, upheld death sentence as appropriate for the magnitude of offenses committed [Paras 16-18].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and death sentence of appellant Surendra Koli affirmed – Special Leave Petition granted but ultimately led to dismissal on similar grounds [Paras 19-20].

Administrative Law – Selection Process – Appellants (IOC) conducted interviews for LPG distributorship – Panel of candidates prepared, first respondent ranked first – Complaint filed by second-ranked candidate alleging irregularities in awarding marks – IOC investigated and found merit in complaints, cancelled selection process – High Court quashed IOC's decision, directed issuance of distributorship to first respondent – Supreme Court upheld IOC's decision to cancel and re-interview based on identified irregularities [Paras 1-11].

Fairness in Selection – Evaluation Criteria – Complaint revealed improper award of marks under "capability to provide infrastructure" and "capability to arrange finance" – Investigation confirmed irregularities benefiting first respondent – Supreme Court emphasized need for fair and unbiased evaluation process in selections [Paras 6-7, 9-10].

Judicial Review – Scope and Limitations – High Court failed to consider irregularities in selection process – Erroneous assumption that death of complainant nullified irregularities – Supreme Court held administrative decisions based on identified irregularities reasonable, even if complainant withdraws or passes away [Paras 9-10].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court’s order set aside – Writ petition filed by first respondent dismissed – IOC allowed to re-interview candidates or proceed as per its policy [Paras 10-11].

Criminal Law – Murder of Sex Worker – Appellant convicted for the murder of a sex worker – Trial court's conviction upheld by High Court – Supreme Court emphasizes that sex workers are entitled to a life of dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution – Murder described as brutal, with the appellant repeatedly bashing the victim's head against the wall and floor – Court stresses that societal attitudes must change to view sex workers with sympathy [Paras 1-16].

Rights and Dignity of Sex Workers – Societal Responsibility – Supreme Court directs Central and State Governments to prepare schemes for the rehabilitation of sex workers – Highlights the necessity for vocational training and employment opportunities for sex workers to enable them to earn a dignified livelihood – Orders governments to report on the steps taken for rehabilitation [Paras 17-21].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence affirmed – Central and State Governments directed to submit compliance reports on rehabilitation schemes for sex workers by 4th May 2011.

Employment Law – Promotion Denial – Appellant denied promotion to the post of Ticket Collector due to not meeting Class B-2 medical fitness standards – Appellant had passed written and viva-voce tests and was found fit in Class C-2 – Supreme Court holds that the categorization of Ticket Collector under Class B-2 is irrational and lacks nexus with the objectives set out in Para 510 of IRMM, which primarily concern public safety and employee safety in operational roles – Court directs the respondents to reconsider appellant’s promotion based on Class C-2 medical fitness [Paras 1-13].

IRMM Classification – Vision Test Requirements – Classification of railway staff into Groups A, B, and C for vision tests under Para 510 of IRMM – Ticket Collector role misclassified under Class B-2, should fall under Class C-2 as per objectives related to administrative roles – Court identifies inconsistency in classification affecting promotion eligibility [Paras 9-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Judgments of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Central Administrative Tribunal set aside – Respondents directed to consider appellant’s promotion based on Class C-2 medical fitness and his inclusion in the provisional selection list within two months [Paras 14].

Administrative Law – Selection Process – Appellants (IOC) conducted interviews for LPG distributorship – Panel of candidates prepared, first respondent ranked first – Complaint filed by second-ranked candidate alleging irregularities in awarding marks – IOC investigated and found merit in complaints, cancelled selection process – High Court quashed IOC's decision, directed issuance of distributorship to first respondent – Supreme Court upheld IOC's decision to cancel and re-interview based on identified irregularities [Paras 1-11].

Fairness in Selection – Evaluation Criteria – Complaint revealed improper award of marks under "capability to provide infrastructure" and "capability to arrange finance" – Investigation confirmed irregularities benefiting first respondent – Supreme Court emphasized need for fair and unbiased evaluation process in selections [Paras 6-7, 9-10].

Judicial Review – Scope and Limitations – High Court failed to consider irregularities in selection process – Erroneous assumption that death of complainant nullified irregularities – Supreme Court held administrative decisions based on identified irregularities reasonable, even if complainant withdraws or passes away [Paras 9-10].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court’s order set aside – Writ petition filed by first respondent dismissed – IOC allowed to re-interview candidates or proceed as per its policy [Paras 10-11].

Criminal Law – Murder of Sex Worker – Appellant convicted for the murder of a sex worker – Trial court's conviction upheld by High Court – Supreme Court emphasizes that sex workers are entitled to a life of dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution – Murder described as brutal, with the appellant repeatedly bashing the victim's head against the wall and floor – Court stresses that societal attitudes must change to view sex workers with sympathy [Paras 1-16].

Rights and Dignity of Sex Workers – Societal Responsibility – Supreme Court directs Central and State Governments to prepare schemes for the rehabilitation of sex workers – Highlights the necessity for vocational training and employment opportunities for sex workers to enable them to earn a dignified livelihood – Orders governments to report on the steps taken for rehabilitation [Paras 17-21].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence affirmed – Central and State Governments directed to submit compliance reports on rehabilitation schemes for sex workers by 4th May 2011.

Employment Law – Promotion Denial – Appellant denied promotion to the post of Ticket Collector due to not meeting Class B-2 medical fitness standards – Appellant had passed written and viva-voce tests and was found fit in Class C-2 – Supreme Court holds that the categorization of Ticket Collector under Class B-2 is irrational and lacks nexus with the objectives set out in Para 510 of IRMM, which primarily concern public safety and employee safety in operational roles – Court directs the respondents to reconsider appellant’s promotion based on Class C-2 medical fitness [Paras 1-13].

IRMM Classification – Vision Test Requirements – Classification of railway staff into Groups A, B, and C for vision tests under Para 510 of IRMM – Ticket Collector role misclassified under Class B-2, should fall under Class C-2 as per objectives related to administrative roles – Court identifies inconsistency in classification affecting promotion eligibility [Paras 9-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Judgments of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Central Administrative Tribunal set aside – Respondents directed to consider appellant’s promotion based on Class C-2 medical fitness and his inclusion in the provisional selection list within two months [Paras 14].

Narcotics – Possession and Search – Appellant convicted for possession of opium – Appellant argued false implication, non-compliance with Section 50 NDPS Act, and delay in sending sample for chemical examination – Supreme Court upheld conviction – Evidence supported police version of events, procedural safeguards complied with, and delay in sending sample not sufficient to vitiate conviction [Paras 1-15].

Section 50 NDPS Act – Compliance – Appellant claimed non-compliance with mandatory provision for search before Gazetted Officer or Magistrate – Supreme Court found compliance based on testimonies of police officers – Signed consent statement by appellant further supported compliance – Recovery from bag (thaili) and not body search, hence Section 50 not applicable [Paras 12-13].

Delay in Sending Sample – Chain of Custody – Appellant highlighted 12-day delay in sending sample for chemical examination – Supreme Court dismissed argument – Sufficient evidence of chain of custody, no tampering of sample – Chemical Examiner's report corroborated integrity of seals [Para 14].

Judicial Review – Concurrent Findings – Supreme Court reiterated limited scope of interference under Article 136 – No perversity or miscarriage of justice found in concurrent findings of trial court and High Court [Para 15].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence of ten years rigorous imprisonment and Rs. one lakh fine upheld – Supreme Court found no merit in appellant's contentions [Para 15].