Murder and Rape Conviction – Circumstantial Evidence – Guilt Not Proved – Conviction Set Aside – Appellant convicted under Sections 302, 376, 397 IPC and sentenced to death on circumstantial evidence—Supreme Court held prosecution failed to establish a complete chain of circumstances linking appellant to the crime—last seen evidence found unreliable—confession and recoveries doubtful—DNA evidence discarded due to improper handling—conviction unsustainable, appellant acquitted. Acquittal. [Paras 1-45].

Last Seen Theory – Star Witness Found Unreliable – Evidence Rejected – Testimony of PW-5, the key prosecution witness, disbelieved due to inexplicable silence and inconsistent conduct—High Court’s acceptance of last seen theory held unsustainable—testimony riddled with doubts, not satisfying the reasonable man test—held insufficient to form basis for conviction [Paras 15-18].

Test Identification Parade – Violation of Established Principles – No Evidentiary Value – T.I. parade conducted after appellant’s identity was publicised—witness admitted seeing accused in custody prior to T.I.P.—Supreme Court held identification procedure compromised—dock identification insufficient to cure defects—T.I.P. evidence rejected [Paras 38-39].

DNA Evidence – Chain of Custody Broken – Evidence Rejected – Significant delay and lapses in collection, storage, and transmission of DNA samples—Court held chain of custody compromised, leading to possibility of contamination—DNA evidence deemed inadmissible despite matching results—directions issued for uniform procedure to handle DNA evidence [Paras 28-35, 43-44].

Faulty Investigation – Material Witness Withheld – Lapses in Collection and Preservation of Evidence – Court noted glaring flaws in investigation including non-examination of crucial witness Bhagyalakshmi, missing statements, improper handling of material objects and DNA samples—non-pursuance of other suspects contributed to prosecution’s failure to prove guilt [Paras 40-42].

Death Penalty – Death Sentence Overturned – Benefit of Doubt Extended – Trial and High Court judgments reversed due to fractured chain of circumstances and inadequate evidence—Supreme Court granted benefit of doubt to appellant—emphasised principle that even strong suspicion cannot replace proof beyond reasonable doubt [Paras 45-46].

Compensation for Wrongful Incarceration – Observations on Compensation for Long Detention – Court noted prolonged incarceration without sustainable conviction violated Article 21 rights—expressed need for legislative consideration of compensation for clean acquittals after long detention—referred to comparative foreign jurisdictions—sent copy of judgment to all High Courts and DGPs for compliance [Para 46].

Decision – Conviction and Death Sentence Set Aside – Appeal Allowed – Clean Acquittal – Supreme Court allowed appeal, acquitted appellant, directed immediate release if not required in any other case—issued guidelines on DNA evidence handling and suggested training for investigating officers on procedural compliance [Paras 45-46].

Criminal Law – Criminal Review Jurisdiction –Abuse of Investigative Process – Review Jurisdiction – Interference by High Court – Appellant challenged the Division Bench’s order dated 13th May, 2025, passed on review petitions that were filed against the dismissal of writ appeals – Despite earlier finding no ground for review on 8th May, 2025, the Division Bench proceeded to pass substantive directions amounting to interference in the investigation process – Held: Division Bench’s order indefensible as it exceeded its jurisdiction and invoked review power without fulfilling conditions under Order 47 Rule 1 CPC – Such action amounted to reopening concluded proceedings under the guise of “interest of justice” without any legal justification [Paras 2, 4, 5(d), 7–9].

Criminal Writ – Improper Transfer of Investigation – CID Involvement Set Aside – On basis of impugned review order, investigation in FIR No. 588/2024 was transferred to CID – Supreme Court, noting the review order as invalid, directed restoration of investigation to original Investigating Officer – Evidence collected by CID to be handed over – Investigation to proceed uninfluenced by superior officers and in accordance with law [Paras 10–11].

Writ Jurisdiction – Intra-Court Appeal in Criminal Writ – Improper Relief by Single Judge – Court expressed doubt whether intra-court appeal was maintainable in a criminal writ under Article 226 in light of Ram Kishan Fauji v. State of Haryana – Even if maintainable, Division Bench should have confined itself to examining interim order, not expanded into review of investigation – Also held: Single Judge wrongly restrained holding of EGM in a criminal writ despite no such prayer by petitioner – Relief not sought should not be granted, as reiterated in Bharat Amratlal Kothari v. Dosukhan Samadkhan Sindhi [Paras 6, 12–14].

Decision: Appeals allowed – High Court’s order dated 13th May, 2025 set aside – Investigation restored to original Investigating Officer – Interim injunction against company meetings not to apply to future meetings – Appellant may approach appropriate forum if affected by future decisions [Paras 9, 11, 14–15].

Service Law - Pension Reduction – Regulation 33 of Pension Regulations – Requirement of Prior Consultation – Decision Quashed – The appellant was compulsorily retired and granted only two-thirds pension without consulting the Board of Directors as mandated under Regulation 33 of the Pension Regulations, 1995 – Supreme Court held that prior consultation with the Board of Directors is mandatory before reducing pension from full to partial entitlement – Reduction of pension without such consultation is illegal and violates pensioner’s rights – Appeal allowed – Held: Direction issued to the Bank to reconsider the pension entitlement after prior consultation within two months, failing which the appellant shall be entitled to full pension [Paras 11-19, 24].

Right to Property – Pension as Property – Article 300A of Constitution – Curtailment of Pension Illegal – Supreme Court reiterated that pension constitutes a property right under Article 300A and any reduction without lawful procedure amounts to deprivation of property without authority of law – Held: Reduction of pension without adherence to Regulation 33(2), which mandates prior consultation with Board of Directors, is unconstitutional and violative of Article 300A [Paras 9, 17-19].

Disciplinary Proceedings – Scope of Authority in Imposing Penalty – Consultation Not Dispensable – The contention that appellate authorities need not consult the Board while imposing punishment under disciplinary proceedings was rejected – Held: Even when punishment is imposed in appeal, prior consultation with the Board is mandatory under Regulation 33 and failure to do so renders the order illegal [Paras 19-21].

Exercise of Article 142 – Post Facto Justification Declined – Supreme Court declined to invoke Article 142 to regularise the reduction of pension in absence of proper consultation and hearing – Held: No valid justification was given by the Bank to deprive the appellant of pension without following mandatory legal requirements – Appeal allowed with restoration of rights [Paras 22-23].

Decision of the Judgment – Appeal Allowed – Order Reducing Pension Set Aside – Supreme Court set aside the orders of the High Court and the Bank reducing the appellant’s pension – Directed reconsideration with proper consultation and hearing within two months, failing which the appellant would receive full pension from the date of superannuation – Liberty granted to challenge fresh order if adverse [Para 24].

Criminal Law – Section 13(1)(d), 13(2) of the PC Act - Appeal Against Dismissal of Quashing - Criminal Conspiracy and Abuse of Building Permission – Illegal Construction in Violation of Municipal Rules – Prosecution Upheld – The appellant-owner, in conspiracy with municipal corporation officials, obtained a renovation permit, despite there being no requirement under Kerala Municipality Building Rules, 1999 for such renovations, and used it to demolish an old building and construct a four-storeyed commercial building in a prohibited zone – Even after the Vigilance Department issued a stop memo, construction continued in defiance – Held: Prima facie case established for offences under Section 120B IPC and Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of PC Act – High Court rightly dismissed quashing petition under Section 482 CrPC – No case for interference by Supreme Court [Paras 12-15, 18].

Regularisation of Illegal Construction – No Erasure of Criminality – The appellant’s contention that payment of compounding charges for regularisation extinguished criminal liability was rejected – Held: Regularisation demand raised by officials was part of a conspiratorial design and does not cure the illegality committed – The existence of regularisation proceedings does not negate criminal conspiracy or corruption charges [Paras 5, 14, 15].

Parity with Co-Accused Architect – Distinction Recognised – The appellant relied on quashing of proceedings against the architect (A7) claiming parity – Held: Architect was only a professional without evidence of collusion or criminal intent; appellant was principal conspirator and beneficiary of illegal construction – Parity not applicable, quashing rightly denied to appellant [Para 16].

Framing of Charges – Sufficient Material Against Appellant – Trial Court had already rejected discharge application and directed framing of charges – Held: Absence of challenge to prosecution by co-accused municipal officials reflects seriousness of allegations – Continuation of proceedings against appellant justified [Para 16].

Direction for Administrative Action – Supreme Court directed authorities to proceed with appropriate administrative actions against illegal construction uninfluenced by extraneous factors – Appeal dismissed with costs quantified at Rs.50,000/- [Para 17].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, upheld High Court’s order refusing to quash the prosecution, and confirmed continuation of trial proceedings against the appellant and concerned officials – No error found in High Court’s reasoning [Paras 18-19].

Labour Law - Employees’ Provident Fund – Clubbing of Establishments – Functional Integrality Justified – Authorities Clubbed Units for EPF Act Coverage – Appellant and Vindas Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd. owned by related family members, operating from adjacent plots, with common management, shared administrative setup, common telephone, e-mail, website, financial interlinking, and common security services – Held: Despite separate company registration, both units functioned as an integrated establishment – Authorities rightly clubbed appellant with Vindas for EPF Act applicability from 1995 onwards [Paras 1-35].

Separate Incorporation – Separate Legal Identity No Bar to Clubbing – Section 2A of EPF Act – Establishments Constituting Integrated Whole Covered as Single Unit – Mere existence of two separate juristic entities does not preclude clubbing under Section 2A if entities are shown to operate as a cohesive establishment – Court reiterated that beneficial legislation like EPF Act cannot be defeated by corporate formalities if functional unity exists – Appellant’s argument rejected [Paras 12-13, 30-31].

Functional Integrality – Comprehensive Tests Applied – Court Applied Multiple Factors Including Common Ownership, Management, Finance, Premises, Administration and Business Type – Noted common ownership under family, shared infrastructure, overlapping directors, common industrial activity (pharmaceutical manufacturing), and geographical proximity – Court emphasised no single test is determinative; cumulative assessment essential [Paras 11-35].

Burden of Proof – Employer Must Prove Lack of Functional Unity – Court Held Appellant Failed to Establish Independent Functioning – Court reiterated that when authorities establish prima facie clubbing, burden shifts to employer to rebut with substantive evidence, which appellant failed to produce [Para 32].

Infancy Protection – Rejected Due to Clubbing – Section 16(1)(d) EPF Act – Court Rejected Claim of New Establishment Protection – Held: Once clubbed with existing covered establishment (Vindas), appellant cannot claim infancy protection for avoiding EPF dues [Para 36].

Retrospective Application – Liability from 1995 Upheld – Despite Initial Inspection Mentioning 2004, Court Validated Liability from 1995 Based on Continuous Functional Integration – Court held authorities not restricted by initial show-cause period where broader investigation justifies earlier coverage [Paras 2.4, 36].

Labour Court Award Irrelevant for Clubbing – Labour Court’s Decision Refusing Employee Transfer Rights Not Binding – Court Clarified Labour Court’s finding on employment transfer is irrelevant for EPF clubbing based on functional integrality [Paras 15-16].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – Supreme Court Affirmed Findings of EPF Authorities, Appellate Tribunal, and High Court – Dismissed Appeal with No Order as to Costs [Paras 37].

Divorce – Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage – Dissolution of Marriage Granted under Article 142 of the Constitution – Appellant-husband filed for divorce citing cruelty but failed to establish the allegations before the Family Court and High Court – Supreme Court, considering 16 years of separation, cessation of cohabitation, and acquittal of appellant in related criminal cases, held marriage had broken down irretrievably – Exercised power under Article 142 to dissolve marriage in interests of justice [Paras 1-27].

Cruelty Allegations – Failure to Prove Cruelty by Husband – Dismissal of Divorce on Ground of Cruelty – Appellant-husband alleged physical abuse by wife towards himself and his ailing mother and illicit relationships – Family Court and High Court found allegations unsubstantiated and unworthy of acceptance – Supreme Court did not interfere with these concurrent findings but granted divorce on broader equitable grounds [Paras 4-10, 17].

False Criminal Proceedings – Impact on Matrimonial Relationship – Husband Acquitted under IPC Sections 498A/406/34 – Supreme Court observed appellant and his family members’ acquittal in dowry harassment case established falsity of allegations – Contributing factor for irretrievable breakdown and hostile matrimonial environment – Considered relevant while granting divorce under Article 142 [Paras 15, 21, 24].

Lengthy Separation – Prolonged Estrangement Indicative of Dead Marriage – Court noted couple had lived separately since 2009 for over 16 years with no cohabitation, making marriage dysfunctional – Cited multiple precedents recognizing long separation as valid consideration for granting divorce – Marriage held defunct for all practical purposes [Paras 13-16, 22-25].

Maintenance – Enhanced Maintenance Directed – Wife Taking Care of Minor Child – Considering the financial condition of parties and child’s welfare, Supreme Court enhanced maintenance amount to ₹15,000 per month payable by appellant towards wife and child – Previous maintenance under Section 125 CrPC revised to ensure adequate support for wife and child post-dissolution [Paras 19, 26-27].

Decision – Divorce Granted – Marriage Dissolved under Article 142 – Maintenance Enhanced – Supreme Court allowed appeal, set aside High Court judgment, dissolved marriage, and directed enhanced monthly maintenance to respondent-wife and child – No order as to costs [Paras 27-30].

Section 13(2), 13(4), 14, 17(4A), 18 and 35 of the of the SARFAESI Act - SARFAESI Proceedings – Tenant’s Rights and Restoration of Possession – Unregistered Lease – Appeal Allowed - The appellant, a secured creditor, took possession of a secured asset under Section 13(4) of SARFAESI Act following borrower’s default – Respondent claimed tenancy under unregistered lease from 1987 – High Court restored possession to respondent citing tenancy rights under rent laws – Held: High Court erred in entertaining challenge under Article 227 of Constitution despite availability of statutory remedy under Section 18 SARFAESI; tenancy claims must be adjudicated by DRT as per amended Section 17(4A) – Appeal allowed, possession retained by secured creditor pending DRT decision [Paras 11-13, 26].

Tenant Claims – Requirement of Documentary Evidence – Protection Limited for Unregistered Lease – The respondent failed to produce rent receipts, tax records, or electricity bills prior to issuance of demand notice under Section 13(2) SARFAESI Act – Reference to tenancy in sale deed or attornment letter insufficient without corroborative evidence – Citing Bajarang Shyamsunder Agarwal v. Central Bank of India, held unregistered tenancy not protected beyond one year from notice under SARFAESI – Mandatory order restoring possession unjustified – Appeal allowed [Paras 23-25].

High Court Jurisdiction – Alternate Remedy and Misapplication of Pre-Amendment Law – Error Noted – The High Court misapplied the ratio of Harshad Govardhan Sondagar v. International Assets Reconstruction Co. Ltd., which was based on pre-2016 SARFAESI Act and did not consider introduction of Section 17(4A) post-amendment – SARFAESI provides complete statutory remedy, writ jurisdiction not to be invoked – Appeal rightly entertained and allowed [Paras 11-13].

Non-Obstante Clause in SARFAESI – Applicability over Rent Control Act – Clarified – Following Bajarang Shyamsunder Agarwal, Court reiterated non-obstante clause under Section 35 SARFAESI overrides inconsistent tenancy claims unless validly established – Precedents in Vishal N. Kalsaria and V. Dhanapal Chettiar limited to legally protected tenancies and do not protect unregistered undocumented occupation in secured assets recovery proceedings [Paras 17-19, 23].

Conduct of Respondent – Delay in Asserting Rights – No Equitable Relief – Respondent failed to contest symbolic possession despite newspaper notice in 2021, approached DRT only after physical possession in 2023 – Collusive litigation with borrower not ruled out – Absence of proactive assertion of rights bars relief under equitable jurisdiction – Appeal allowed, possession retained by secured creditor [Paras 24-25].

Decision of the Case – Appeal Allowed – High Court’s direction restoring possession set aside – Status quo maintained with secured creditor till DRT adjudication within two months – No costs awarded [Paras 26-27].

Criminal Procedure – Scope of Review – Order 47 Rule 1 CPC – Review Order Set Aside – Division Bench of High Court recorded no ground for review but proceeded to issue investigative directions – Supreme Court held such directions unjustified and beyond review jurisdiction – Held: Review power cannot be used to rehear matter or interfere with investigation without satisfying legal criteria [Paras 7-9].

Investigation – Interference by Superior Officer – Restraint Imposed – Letter by IG (Police) restraining arrests despite anticipatory bail rejection deemed unauthorized – Investigation restored to original officer after CID involvement based on invalid order – Held: Investigating Officer to proceed uninfluenced by superior authority and conclude probe under law [Paras 4-5, 10-11].

Writ Appeal – Maintainability of Intra-Court Appeal in Criminal Writs – Doubt Expressed – Referring to Ram Kishan Fauji v. State of Haryana, Court noted uncertainty on maintainability of intra-court appeals in criminal writs – Division Bench should have limited scope to what was pleaded – Held: Broader directions beyond scope of appeal unwarranted [Para 6].

Extraordinary General Meeting – Interim Restraint Without Plea – Disapproved – Single Judge restrained company’s meeting though no such relief was claimed – Supreme Court held such injunction in a criminal writ unjustified – Held: Injunction not to apply to future meetings, liberty granted to appellant to approach appropriate forum [Paras 12-14].

Final Decision – Impugned Order Set Aside – Investigation Restored – Appeals Allowed – CID-initiated investigation reversed, original officer reinstated – Liberty granted to challenge future developments before competent forum [Paras 9-11, 15].

Criminal Law - Cancellation of Bail – Sections 6, 10 and 17 of the POCSO Act - Sections 120B, 323, 328, 354, 354D, 376, 376(C), and 506 of the IPC - Grant of Bail in Serious Offences – Inadequate Reasoning – Order Set Aside – The Supreme Court examined a challenge by the complainant-father of a minor victim to the Delhi High Court's order granting bail to the accused under serious charges including rape and abetment under IPC and POCSO Act – The Court found that while the High Court narrated submissions of parties, it provided reasoning only in Paragraph 11, which lacked sufficiency in view of the gravity of the offences – Held: High Court’s order granting bail set aside and matter remanded for reconsideration [Paras 4-12].

Minor Victim – Contradictions in Testimonies – Insufficient Basis for Bail – The High Court relied on apparent contradictions between the victim’s complaint and her Section 164 CrPC statement, particularly concerning the timeline of alleged incidents – Supreme Court held such discrepancies required careful judicial scrutiny rather than forming the sole basis for bail, especially in sensitive offences involving minors – Reconsideration directed [Paras 8-10].

Reconsideration by High Court – Time-bound Direction – Pending bail applications to be heard afresh by the High Court within one month – Till such reconsideration, no coercive steps to be taken against the accused, who shall continue to cooperate with the Sessions Court – The bonds executed by the accused to remain in force until decision [Paras 13-16].

Final Decision – Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s bail order and remanded the matter to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits – Directions issued for early disposal and interim protection continued for accused [Paras 12-16].