Facts:

The case involved a heinous crime of rape committed by the respondent, a married man of 49 years, on a girl aged 7/8 years. The trial court imposed a sentence of 10 years rigorous imprisonment (R.I.), emphasizing the cruel nature of the act. However, the High Court reduced the sentence to 4 years R.I. citing factors such as the accused's social status, illiteracy, and family dependence.

Issues:

The appropriateness of the sentence imposed by the High Court, considering the gravity of the offense and the factors influencing the reduction of the sentence.

Held:

The court emphasized the duty of sentencing courts to operate the system judiciously, imposing sentences that act as deterrents for similar offenses.

Socio-economic status, religion, race, caste, or creed of the accused or the victim should not influence sentencing policy. The focus should be on the conduct of the accused, the age of the victim, and the gravity of the crime.

The court criticized the High Court's reasoning for reducing the sentence, stating that the factors presented were neither special nor adequate. The court held that mercy in the case of such a heinous crime would be a travesty of justice.

The sentence was enhanced from 4 years R.I. (as imposed by the High Court) to 10 years R.I. for the offense under Section 376 of the IPC. The fine and default clause were maintained.

Facts:

The prosecutrix, a 15-year-old girl, alleged rape by the accused-respondent.

Prosecution based on the victim's testimony, medical examination reports, and her father's account.

Trial court convicted the accused; High Court acquitted citing doubts about age, absence of injuries, and delay in lodging FIR.

Issues:

Validity of the High Court's interference with the trial court's judgment.

Examination of the prosecutrix's age and the relevance of consent.

Consideration of medical evidence, absence of injuries, and societal factors causing a delay in reporting.

Held:

The High Court erred in interfering; accused-respondent found guilty under Section 376 IPC.

Lack of visible injuries doesn't imply consent, especially considering the young age of the prosecutrix.

Sensitivity required in handling sexual assault cases; societal factors justify delay in reporting.

Decision: The appeal is allowed; the accused-respondent is sentenced to the period already undergone in jail, a fine, and further imprisonment in default of payment.

Facts:

Long-standing enmity between the families of the appellants and the deceased.

Appellants allegedly murdered the deceased in the presence of witnesses.

Incident reported to the police at 7 A.M., and investigation commenced.

Appellants sentenced to life imprisonment under relevant sections and Acts.

Issues:

Credibility of eyewitnesses.

Time of occurrence and information to the Investigating Officer contradicted.

Presence of eyewitnesses at the scene of occurrence not proved.

Held:

Under Section 174 read with Section 178 Cr.P.C., the Inquest Report is limited to determining the prima facie nature of injuries, possible weapons used, and the possible cause of death. Citing relevant precedents ([1975) Supp. SCR 84], [1998) 4 SCC 605], [1987) 3 SCR 59], [1991) SCR 1], [1992) Supp. 3 SCC 1]).

Names of the appellants were introduced after the Inquest Report due to bitter enmity, indicating a tainted investigation. Appellants implicated based on the collective mischief of the informant and the Investigating Officer.

Investigating Officer contradicted the statement of the informant regarding the time and manner of reporting the incident. The informant did not know the assailant's name, undermining the credibility of the information.

Eyewitnesses claimed to be present while scraping grass, but the Investigating Officer found no evidence of grass scraping. The conduct of eyewitnesses was deemed unnatural, casting doubt on their presence at the scene.

Discrepancies in the time of occurrence stated by witnesses raise questions about the reliability of their testimonies. One witness, not an eyewitness, appears to have been produced to establish the place of occurrence.

Decision: The appeal is allowed based on the lack of credible evidence, contradictions in statements, and the possibility of false implication.

Facts:

A post of Deputy Conservator fell vacant in November 1994.

Appellant and respondent No. 4 Captain Subhash Kumar applied for the position.

Captain Kumar was selected and appointed as Deputy Conservator.

The appellant challenged the appointment, claiming that Captain Kumar did not possess the required experience.

Issues:

Whether the experience gained as a Master and as a Pilot can be clubbed together to meet the criteria for the post of Deputy Conservator.

Held:

The post of Deputy Conservator requires varied experience, and the Regulations stipulate 10 years' experience as Master or in pilot age or dredging in a Major Port Trust.

The court accepts the interpretation that the experience gained as a Master and as a Pilot can be combined, as consistently implemented by the Central Government.

The court rejects the contention that Captain Kumar suppressed material information, finding no merit in the assertion.

The Division Bench upholds the appointment of Captain Kumar.

The court dismisses the appeals, leaving the parties to bear their own costs.

Facts:

Dr. Jagannath Mishra, Leader of Opposition, Bihar Legislative Assembly, submitted a letter in 1994 listing 32 charges against Dr. Ram Ashray Yadav.

The President of India referred the matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry into whether Dr. Yadav should be removed on the grounds of misbehavior.

Charges included favoritism in appointments, influencing the State Government, procedural irregularities, and misuse of Commission resources.

Issues:

Whether the charges against Dr. Yadav amounted to misbehavior justifying removal and if due process was followed in the inquiry.

Held:

The judgment emphasizes the high expectations of objectivity, integrity, and impartiality from the Chairman and Members of Public Service Commissions.

The Court clarified that the actions of the Chairman and Members must meet the most sensitive standards of behavior, considering their role as constitutional trustees.

The judgment outlined the provisions of Article 317(1) of the Constitution, which governs the removal and suspension of the Chairman or Members of Public Service Commissions.

The Court examined specific charges against Dr. Yadav, including allegations related to appointments, procedural irregularities, and misuse of resources.

Charges were evaluated individually, and the Court concluded that none of them amounted to misbehavior justifying removal under Article 317(1).

The Court recognized lapses and shortcomings in the functioning of the Bihar Public Service Commission but clarified that these did not rise to the level of misbehavior.

The judgment emphasized the need for Public Service Commissions to act fairly, impartially, and without any subjective influence.

As Dr. Yadav's term had expired, there was no reinstatement, but he was entitled to all dues as per rules.

Decision: The Court concluded that no charge of misbehavior was established against Dr. Ram Ashray Yadav, and therefore, no action for his removal was warranted.

Facts:

Appellant was the Chief Minister of Kerala during 1991-95.

Allegations of corruption surfaced regarding the import of Palmolein.

Previous attempts to register a case were dismissed by the High Court and Supreme Court.

After a change in government, a preliminary inquiry found fresh material indicating an offense.

Issues:

Legality of the FIR registration against the appellant.

Allegations of mala fides and political rivalry.

Held:

The registration of FIR not barred by previous dismissals; new material found.

The order for the preliminary inquiry was not illegal or unconstitutional.

Menace of corruption cannot be hidden under legal technicalities.

Government order protecting officials from harassment upheld.

Observations on the legality of the order are restricted to its applicability to the FIR registration.

Decision: The appeal is dismissed with the observation that the appellant and other accused may raise all relevant pleas during the trial. The merits of the case are not commented upon to avoid prejudice.

Facts:

The appellant, a casual laborer for over ten years, had his services terminated after being acquitted in a criminal case.

The termination was based on an incident where the appellant allegedly assaulted another employee.

The order of termination was deemed punitive, and the appellant argued that a regular departmental inquiry was necessary.

Issues:

Whether the termination without a regular departmental inquiry was justified.

The applicability of Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act in the case.

Constitutional protection and rights of a temporary employee.

Held:

The Tribunal's reasoning that retrenchment compensation acceptance barred challenging termination was incorrect.

The order of termination was deemed punitive, requiring a regular departmental inquiry.

The appellant, having attained temporary status, was entitled to constitutional protection under Article 311.

The termination order was quashed, and the appellant was directed to be reinstated with arrears and benefits.

The Appeal is allowed.

Facts:

The property in question was initially gifted to the ancestors of the respondents for charitable purposes, named 'Gurugranth Sahib Barajman Dharamshala Deb.' The Mahants, however, stopped performing their duties, got the land mutated in their names, and later in the name of 'Guru Granth Sahib Barajman Dharamshala Deb.' Subsequently, legal petitions were filed under Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, seeking a declaration of the property as a Sikh Gurdwara.

Issues:

Validity of the mutation in the revenue records challenged by the respondents.

Recognition of Guru Granth Sahib as a juristic person.

Locus Standi of the respondents in claiming the property.

Held:

The court establishes the concept of a juristic person, recognizing entities as such to serve the needs and faith of society. Juristic persons, like natural persons, are conferred with rights and obligations.

Endowment for charitable purposes can create institutions like a church, gurdwara, etc. The recognition of a juristic person depends on societal acceptance.

Faith and belief are beyond judicial scrutiny, leading to the creation of juristic persons based on changing societal needs.

It's not necessary for Guru Granth Sahib to be equated with an idol to be declared a juristic person.

Guru Granth Sahib is recognized as a juristic person, distinct from idol worship in Sikhism.

No error in declaring Guru Granth Sahib a juristic person; it holds a unique position in Sikhism.

The absence of a manager does not negate the existence of a juristic person; court intervention is possible for proper management.

Gurdwara and Guru Granth Sahib are inseparable; the former exists because of the latter.

Every Guru Granth Sahib cannot be a juristic person unless installed in a recognized public place.

Guru Granth Sahib is revered differently from other sacred books, holding a special place in a Gurdwara.

Sikhism's rejection of idolatry does not negate Guru Granth Sahib's status as a juristic person.

The mutations in revenue records were not solely due to Farman-i-Shahi but followed a detailed inquiry.

Respondents' claim to the disputed land lacks merit; the mutation was made in 1928, and the property was given in trust.

Facts:

Accused No. 1, a Fair Price shop dealer, faced suspension due to irregularities. Grudge against the deceased who complained.

Witnesses (P.Ws. 1, 5, 10) traveled to Rayachoti, engaged in official activities related to Fair Price shop, and returned on the night of the incident.

Witnesses boarded a bus, accompanied by the deceased, in the last trip from Rayachoti. On the next morning, P.W. 1 boarded the same bus and informed the conductor about the murder.

Issues:

Credibility of the witnesses' testimony.

Identification of assailants.

Treatment of witnesses as hostile.

Held:

Bus conductor (P.W. 8), an independent witness, confirmed the presence of witnesses on the bus. His evidence deemed reliable.

Variations in testimonies about the attack's details considered natural, not undermining overall credibility.

High Court justified in reversing acquittal; Sessions Court's treatment of a witness as hostile found unjustified.

Light conditions not hindering identification, given that assailants correctly identified the victim.

Failure to cry out or intervene by P.W. 1 explained by shock and instinctive avoidance.

Presence of P.W. 1 corroborated by related witnesses and independent bus conductor.

Decision: The appeal is dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision to reverse the acquittal.