Criminal Law – Conspiracy and Breach of Trust – High Court acquitted accused citing insufficient evidence – Supreme Court found ample material showing criminal conspiracy to award contract at exorbitant rates causing loss to the Board – Evidence established accused’s involvement in manipulation of tender process and acceptance of special conditions favoring contractor [Paras 1-24, 46-48].

Judicial Review – Scope and Power – Appellate Court’s power to review evidence and re-evaluate findings – Supreme Court held High Court erred in dismissing credible evidence without adequate reasoning – Emphasized principle of double presumption favoring accused must be balanced against proven facts [Paras 7-9].

Evidence and Procedure – Special Conditions in Contract – Accepted special conditions involved significant financial implications against Board’s interest – Supreme Court found evidence of undue influence and favoritism – Concluded that High Court overlooked key documentary and testimonial evidence [Paras 23-26].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court’s judgment set aside – Conviction and sentence of accused by Special Judge restored – Directed accused to surrender for undergoing remaining sentence – No costs awarded [Paras 27-29].

Criminal Law – Confession and Evidence – Appellant convicted under TADA based solely on retracted confession – Confession not corroborated by any material evidence – Supreme Court reiterated that confession to police without corroboration is a weak form of evidence – Conviction based solely on such confession not sustainable [Paras 1-7].

Membership in Banned Organization – Section 3(5) of TADA and Section 10 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – Mere membership of a banned organization without evidence of active participation in violence or incitement to imminent violence insufficient for conviction – Supreme Court emphasized necessity to prove active involvement in criminal activities [Paras 7-9].

Constitutional Principles – Freedom of Association – Referred to U.S. Supreme Court decisions rejecting 'guilt by association' – Membership in an organization without specific intent to further illegal aims not criminal – Provisions criminalizing mere membership must be read in consonance with Fundamental Rights under Constitution [Paras 9-31].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction under Section 3(5) of TADA set aside – Appellant acquitted – Emphasis on protection of Fundamental Rights and strict interpretation of statutes to avoid unconstitutional outcomes [Paras 31-45].

Education – Appointment of Teachers – Non-Compliance with Rules – Respondent teachers were appointed without adhering to the prescribed procedures under the Orissa Education Rules, 1974 – Many did not possess requisite qualifications at the time of appointment – Appointments were made without proper advertisement and selection process – Supreme Court held such appointments invalid and benefits of UGC pay scales granted by High Court unsustainable [Paras 1-21, 46-48].

Relaxation of Eligibility – Statutory Requirements – Condonation of deficiency in qualifications by Utkal University was without statutory basis – High Court's reliance on previous erroneous decisions not justified – Doctrine of per incuriam applied to previous judgments granting benefits – Supreme Court emphasized adherence to statutory requirements for maintaining educational standards [Paras 12, 23-31, 44-47].

Delay and Laches – Writ Petitions Filed After Long Delay – Relief for UGC pay scales sought after decades – High Court ignored principles of delay and laches – Supreme Court reiterated that claims for retrospective benefits must be made within a reasonable period – Relief granted by High Court set aside due to unexplained delay [Paras 32-34].

Judicial Discipline – Binding Precedents – High Court should not perpetuate errors by relying on previous incorrect decisions – Negative equality not permissible under Article 14 of the Constitution – Arbitrary actions of State authorities invalidated [Paras 36-41].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Judgments and orders of the High Court of Orissa set aside – Claims for UGC pay scales by respondents rejected – Respondents not entitled to any relief including grant-in-aid or UGC pay scales due to lack of requisite qualifications and non-compliance with appointment procedures [Paras 48-49].

Education – Appointment of Teachers – Non-Compliance with Rules – Respondent teachers were appointed without adhering to the prescribed procedures under the Orissa Education Rules, 1974 – Many did not possess requisite qualifications at the time of appointment – Appointments were made without proper advertisement and selection process – Supreme Court held such appointments invalid and benefits of UGC pay scales granted by High Court unsustainable [Paras 1-21, 46-48].

Relaxation of Eligibility – Statutory Requirements – Condonation of deficiency in qualifications by Utkal University was without statutory basis – High Court's reliance on previous erroneous decisions not justified – Doctrine of per incuriam applied to previous judgments granting benefits – Supreme Court emphasized adherence to statutory requirements for maintaining educational standards [Paras 12, 23-31, 44-47].

Delay and Laches – Writ Petitions Filed After Long Delay – Relief for UGC pay scales sought after decades – High Court ignored principles of delay and laches – Supreme Court reiterated that claims for retrospective benefits must be made within a reasonable period – Relief granted by High Court set aside due to unexplained delay [Paras 32-34].

Judicial Discipline – Binding Precedents – High Court should not perpetuate errors by relying on previous incorrect decisions – Negative equality not permissible under Article 14 of the Constitution – Arbitrary actions of State authorities invalidated [Paras 36-41].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Judgments and orders of the High Court of Orissa set aside – Claims for UGC pay scales by respondents rejected – Respondents not entitled to any relief including grant-in-aid or UGC pay scales due to lack of requisite qualifications and non-compliance with appointment procedures [Paras 48-49].

Land Acquisition – Additional Compensation – The Respondents were awarded compensation for acquired land along with statutory benefits under Sections 23(1A), 23(2), and 28 – The Executing Court and the High Court awarded additional amount under Section 23(1A) on the solatium amount – Supreme Court clarified that the additional amount under Section 23(1A) is payable only on the market value of the land and not on the solatium [Paras 1-9].

Compensation Components – Section 23 of the Act outlines four distinct amounts: (i) Market value of the land, (ii) Damages/expenses under Section 23(1), (iii) Additional amount at 12% per annum under Section 23(1A), (iv) Solatium at 30% under Section 23(2) – No judicial exercise involved for additional amount or solatium as they are statutory benefits [Paras 4-6].

Interest and Enhanced Compensation – Clarified interpretation of additional amount and solatium as part of 'enhanced compensation' for Income Tax purposes as per Commissioner of Income Tax Faridabad vs. Ghanshyam (HUF) – Distinguished from interpretations under the Land Acquisition Act [Paras 8-9].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court and Executing Court orders set aside – Declared that additional amount under Section 23(1A) is only on the market value determined under Section 23(1) and not on solatium under Section 23(2) [Para 9].

Criminal Law – Dowry Death – Conviction under Section 304B IPC upheld – Appellants (mother-in-law and husband) harassed the deceased, Kanta, for dowry (motorcycle) – Kanta died by hanging within three months of marriage – Evidence established harassment and demand for dowry – Appeal dismissed [Paras 1-20].

Dowry Demand – Definition and Scope – Demand for motorcycle for business purposes held to be 'demand for dowry' – Reiterated that 'dowry' under Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act includes any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given in connection with marriage [Paras 11-16].

Evidence and Presumption – Section 113B of Evidence Act – Presumption of dowry death applied – Appellants failed to rebut the presumption – Evidence from prosecution witnesses (PW-8, PW-9, PW-10) found credible [Paras 17-19].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Conviction and sentence of seven years' rigorous imprisonment for both appellants upheld – Two months’ time granted to the first appellant (A-1) to surrender for undergoing the sentence [Para 20].

Customs Duty – Refund Claim – Appellant's claim for refund of customs duty rejected by Deputy Commissioner on grounds of unjust enrichment and failure to appeal assessment orders – Delhi High Court directed customs authorities to consider refund claims based on Essentiality Certificates – Supreme Court held that the refund claim was erroneously rejected ignoring High Court's specific directions [Paras 1-20].

Judicial Hierarchy and Compliance – High Court’s orders under Article 226 must be followed by subordinate authorities – Adjudicating authority circumventing High Court's order amounts to denial of justice – Subordinate authorities must approach the issuing court for clarification or modification if they believe the order is contrary to law [Paras 15-19].

Principles of Mandamus – High Courts have wide powers under Article 226 to issue writs to promote justice – Directions issued must be complied with unless legally challenged – Courts have the power to mould reliefs to meet the requirements of justice [Paras 16-17].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Customs authorities directed to consider the appellant's refund claim in accordance with the directions issued by the Delhi High Court – No costs awarded [Paras 20-21].

Narcotics – Possession and Transport – Appellant convicted under Sections 15 and 25 NDPS Act for being co-owner of truck transporting poppy husk – No evidence appellant had knowledge of the transport – Conviction based on presumption under Section 35 without foundational facts proving knowledge [Paras 1-8].

Presumption and Burden of Proof – Section 25 NDPS Act requires evidence of knowledge – Prosecution failed to prove appellant knowingly allowed vehicle use for illegal purpose – Presumption under Section 35 requires initial burden of proof on prosecution to establish foundational facts beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 8-9].

Judicial Review – Conviction based solely on incorrect address in truck registration insufficient to prove knowledge or involvement in narcotics transport – Appeal allowed, conviction and sentence set aside, appellant acquitted [Paras 10-11].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Conviction under Sections 15 and 25 of the NDPS Act set aside – Appellant acquitted – Bail bonds discharged [Para 11].

Negotiable Instruments – Director’s Liability – Appellant resigned from directorship before issuance and dishonour of cheques – High Court dismissed revision applications to quash proceedings – Supreme Court quashed proceedings against appellant due to lack of connection with the company at the relevant time [Paras 1-21].

Evidence and Documentation – Resignation from Directorship – Appellant's resignation and its recording in Form No. 32 not disputed – Documents considered as public records indicating cessation of appellant's involvement in the company before the offence occurred [Paras 14-18].

Legal Principles – Scope of High Court's Power under Sections 482 and 397 CrPC – High Court can consider documents beyond suspicion at prima facie stage to prevent miscarriage of justice – Case distinguished from precedents requiring trial courts to consider defence during trial [Paras 20-21].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Judgment of Calcutta High Court and summons issued by Metropolitan Magistrate set aside – Complaints against the appellant quashed [Para 21].