Facts:

The dispute arose between the Bihar State Subordinate Industries Field Officers' Association (Field Employees) and the Industrial Department Statistical Employees Association (Statistics Employees) against Sri Kapildeo Prasad Singh and others, who belonged to the Gazetted Service. The inclusion of non-gazetted categories in the promotional channel to the post of Manager/Assistant Director was challenged under the Bihar Industries Service Cadre Rules, 1987.

Issues:

Validity of grouping non-gazetted employees in Group B and Group C with gazetted officers in Group A for promotion.

Alleged violation of Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution of India.

Whether the reasons given by the State for grouping were sufficient and valid.

Held:

The Division Bench held that the grouping of non-gazetted employees in Group B and Group C with gazetted officers in Group A for promotion was not violative of Articles 14 and 16(1). The court emphasized that the mere chance of promotion is not a right or condition of service. Valid reasons for grouping were acknowledged, including the consideration of experience and the necessity of having officers with diverse backgrounds in managerial positions.

Decision:

The Court referred to previous decisions where similar re-grouping for promotions was upheld, emphasizing the need for a rational basis for such decisions.

The Court highlighted that Group B officers drew a higher scale than Group A officers, justifying their inclusion in the feeder group.

Emphasized the importance of considering the experience and expertise of officers from Group B and Group C, especially in areas essential for Managerial positions.

The Court concluded by setting aside the judgment of the High Court and dismissing the writ petition filed by the respondents.

Facts:

The respondents were initially appointed as Artificer Apprentices in the Indian Navy for a period of 15 years. They opted for re-engagement for an additional 4 years, a choice that was accepted and approved. Subsequently, they sought to withdraw their option, citing a change in the law regarding the counting of initial training years for pension qualification.

Issues:

Whether a sailor, having initially consented to re-engagement, could later withdraw their consent and demand release from service.

Held:

The provisions of Navy Order No. (Stp) 17 leave no room for doubt that re-engagement cannot be claimed as a right by a sailor. The decision to cancel re-engagement and release from service is not a right but is subject to the discretion of the competent authority.

The Naval Service must maintain a high standard of discipline, and the sailor's right to release during the period of engagement or re-engagement is not established as a matter of right. Such measures are deemed necessary for the larger interest of the country.

The reasons for the sailor's initial agreement for re-engagement are irrelevant to the determination of the case. The contention that the change in law influenced their decision is rejected.

Dissenting Opinion (Ruma Pal, J.): The re-engagement, based on a representation that the sailor had only completed 11 years of pensionable service, is deemed a misrepresentation. The agreement for re-engagement, based on this misrepresentation, is avoidable at the instance of the respondent.

The refusal to release the respondent is found to be arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. The appellants failed to exercise their discretion, and the refusal is in contrast to the release of others in similar situations.

Facts:

Crime No. 574/98 registered under Section 302, I.P.C. on 5-9-1998.

Abhishek was shot dead on the said day.

Appellant, Arnit Das, arrested on 13-9-1998 in connection with the offence.

Appellant claimed to be a juvenile, born on 18-9-1982.

Dispute regarding the petitioner's claim on behalf of the prosecution.

A.C.J.M. ordered an enquiry under Section 32 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986.

Issues:

Date by reference to which the age of the petitioner is to be determined.

Whether the finding on the petitioner's age can be sustained.

Held:

The crucial date for determining the age of a person under the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986, is the date when the person is brought before the competent authority.

The Act is concerned with the care and custody of a juvenile during investigation, inquiry, and trial, not with the date of the commission of the offence.

The definition of 'juvenile' and 'neglected juvenile' in Section 2 begins with "unless the context otherwise requires."

Decision: The appeal is dismissed.

Facts:

The appeals were filed against a common judgment of a learned single Judge of Delhi High Court. The question involved was whether the refusal of a person summoned under Section 40 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973, to comply with the directions under the summons would attract the provisions of Section 56 of the Act.

Issues:

The interpretation of Section 40 and Section 56 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, specifically whether the failure to obey the summons issued under Section 40 constituted a contravention of the Act and whether it would be punishable under Section 56.

Held:

The Court held that the summons issued under Section 40, if not obeyed, must be considered a contravention of the provisions of the Act and, at the very least, a contravention of a direction issued under the Act. Such contravention would fall within the ambit of Section 56 of the Act. The Court rejected the notion that Section 56 is limited to violations involving a specific amount or value and emphasized the purposive interpretation of the Act.

Decision: The impugned judgments of the learned single Judge of Delhi High Court were set aside, and the appeals were allowed. The Court directed that the complaint proceedings may be proceeded with in accordance with the law.

Facts:

The appeals challenge a common order in O.P. Nos. 12184, 14840, 14686, 15700, 17258, 18398, and 20913/97. The dispute arises from the interpretation of Section 32 of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act, 1969, regarding the power of the administrator to enroll new members after superseding the Committee of Management.

Issues:

The primary issue revolves around whether an administrator, appointed during the supersession of the Committee of Management of a Co-operative Society, has the authority to enroll new members.

Held:

The High Court held that the administrator or a Committee appointed during supersession lacks the power to enroll new members.

The argument that the decision in K. Shantharaj's case is not applicable due to differences in language between the Karnataka Act and the Kerala Act was considered. The Court, after careful analysis, finds that the nature of the function or power exercised is crucial, irrespective of linguistic differences.

The Court emphasizes that the purpose of appointing an administrator is to rectify defaults and ensure the proper functioning of the society, not to alter its composition.

The judgment reiterates the view from K. Shantharaj's case, stating that an administrator or a special officer does not possess the power to enroll new members during supersession.

Facts:

The respondent bank filed a winding-up petition against the appellant company.

A compromise was reached, but the appellant failed to meet the terms, leading to a revival of the winding-up petition.

The company proposed a settlement to the court, which was rejected, resulting in the winding-up order.

During the appeal against the winding-up order, the appellant filed a reference under Section 15(1) of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985.

Issues:

Interpretation of Section 22 concerning the suspension of winding-up proceedings.

Applicability of Section 22 post the passing of a winding-up order.

Jurisdiction of the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) after a winding-up order.

Held:

The High Court erred in interpreting Section 22, neglecting the words "to be proceeded with further."

Section 22 remains applicable even after a winding-up order, preventing further proceedings under the Companies Act.

The winding-up order is not the culmination but the commencement of the process, as clarified by Section 441 of the Companies Act.

The appellant's move to invoke the Sick Industrial Companies Act was not malafide; the Board of Directors retains powers for rehabilitation despite liquidator appointment.

The Board's dismissal of the Section 15(1) application was not based on merit but on the timing of the winding-up order.

Facts:

The original settlor, through a Gift Deed, entrusted the right of management of a temple property under a Kattalai grant to his second wife. She, in turn, appointed A as the manager through a General Power of Attorney and later as the successor-trustee through a will. A executed two wills on the same day in 1955, one bequeathing management rights to B (son-in-law) and the other bequeathing personal properties to his sons.

Issues:

Validity of the first will.

Legality of entrusting management rights to a stranger.

Interpretation of the settlor's intentions regarding passing on rights to lineal descendants.

Compliance with the scheme of administration prepared in 1945 under Section 57 of the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act.

Held:

The court affirmed the validity of the first will, stating that it was duly executed. The presence of B during the execution did not create suspicious circumstances. A, who executed another will favoring his sons on the same day, demonstrated testamentary capacity. The court emphasized that the attesting witnesses were examined in proof of the will.

The Kattalai properties were not personal properties of A but endowed properties belonging to the temple. The settlor had the right to entrust management rights to a capable person, and A had the authority to will away these rights to B. The court highlighted that the first will was not unauthorized or illegal.

The recitals of the Gift Deed indicated that the settlor did not create a life interest or widow's estate in favor of his second wife. She had the independent right to manage the properties, and her appointment of A as successor-trustee was valid. A had the right to will away the trusteeship, and there was no requirement to give preference to his own sons.

While the scheme of administration prepared in 1945 was not highlighted during the trial, it was deemed binding. A, as the General Power of Attorney holder and later the legatee, was bound by the scheme. B, as the legatee under the first will, would also be bound by the scheme, and any further entrustment would be subject to it.

Facts:

Respondent No. 1 is the owner of omnibus bearing registration No. GRQ 8403.

The vehicle was not used or kept for use during 1-7-1995 to 31-3-1996.

Respondent filed a claim for a refund of tax for the said period, which was denied.

Appellant issued a demand notice for composite tax and penalty.

Special Civil Application filed in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of Section 3A(5).

Issues:

Whether Section 3A(5) is ultra vires, being violative of Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution, specifically the requirement to prove "reasons beyond control" for non-use exceeding three months.

Held:

The tax imposed is compensatory for the use of roads and, therefore, not applicable to vehicles not actively using the roads.

The requirement to prove "reasons beyond control" for non-use exceeding three months is deemed invalid.

The Act lacks justification for such stringent conditions when existing provisions are sufficient to prevent tax evasion.

The condition creates unnecessary distinctions, applying only to omnibuses and not to other vehicles.

The court dismisses the appeal, upholding the High Court's decision.

Facts:

The police case alleges a criminal conspiracy between 11 accused, including J. Jayalalitha, to import coal for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board at an inflated price, causing substantial financial loss to the state.

The Special Judge discharged J. Jayalalitha, stating insufficient evidence to frame charges against her.

The missing pages from the Current File, containing objections raised by the Government Secretary, became a focal point in the judgment.

Issues:

Whether there is reasonable ground to believe in a criminal conspiracy.

The significance of missing pages in the Current File and their impact on the knowledge of J. Jayalalitha.

Held:

The court examined the evidence, including government orders, letters, and notes, to establish a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy.

The missing pages with objections were crucial, and their removal raised suspicions.

The court presumed that J. Jayalalitha was aware of the serious consequences of the coal import deal on the state exchequer.

The court set aside the order discharging J. Jayalalitha and directed the Special Judge to proceed against her as an accused.

Decision: The appeal is disposed of, and the court orders the continuation of the trial against J. Jayalalitha. The prosecution can treat the examination-in-chief as part of the evidence, and J. Jayalalitha has the right to cross-examine witnesses. Conditions for her exemption from personal appearance are outlined, subject to revocation if not followed.