Civil Law – Termination of Contractual Employment – Stigmatic Termination Without Inquiry – The Supreme Court quashed the termination order of an Assistant Project Coordinator (APC) under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) by the State of Madhya Pradesh – The Court found that the termination, alleged to be based on unsatisfactory performance, was stigmatic in nature and issued without due inquiry, violating the principles of natural justice – The Court reinstated the appellant with 50% back wages and other consequential benefits – [Paras 1-37].

Contract Law – Service Conditions under Contract – Clause 4 of Rajiv Gandhi Prathmik Shiksha Mission’s General Service Conditions – The Supreme Court held that Clause 4, which allows for termination with one month's notice for inefficiency or immediate termination for "undesirable activities," was not properly followed – The termination was found to have been effected without the required notice or inquiry, making it invalid – [Paras 31-35].

Administrative Law – Judicial Review – Scope of Review in Contractual Employment – The Supreme Court reiterated that even in contractual employment, a termination order can be reviewed by the Court if it is found to be punitive in nature or issued in violation of statutory or contractual provisions – The Court emphasized that the form of the order is not decisive, but the substance and the circumstances leading to the termination are – [Paras 33-34].

Decision – Appeal Allowed – Held – The appeal is allowed, the termination order is set aside, and the appellant is entitled to reinstatement with partial back wages and other consequential benefits – The Court, however, denied liberty to the respondents to initiate fresh proceedings based on the same charges due to the passage of time – [Paras 36-37].

Service Law – Grant of Increment to Technical Personnel on Acquiring Ph.D. Qualification – Differentiation between Scientific and Technical Staff – Supreme Court sets aside the High Court’s decision upholding the Tribunal’s order granting two advance increments to technical personnel upon acquiring a Ph.D. degree – Held, scientists and technical staff belong to different cadres governed by distinct service rules, with scientists being eligible for incentives under their specific pay package – Mere possession of a Ph.D. by technical staff does not entitle them to benefits reserved for scientists – Appeal allowed [Paras 1-11].

Constitutional Law – Article 14 – Equality before Law – Applicability to Service Benefits – Supreme Court clarifies that Article 14 cannot be invoked to claim equal benefits between differently classified service cadres with distinct roles and promotional avenues – Reiterates that differentiation based on job requirements and service rules does not violate the right to equality under Article 14 – Appeal allowed, setting aside the orders of the Tribunal and High Court [Paras 8-10].

Decision – Appeal allowed – The Supreme Court dismissed the Original Applications filed by the respondents before the Tribunal, setting aside the orders of the Tribunal and the High Court – Held, technical personnel are not entitled to the benefits of advance increments upon acquiring a Ph.D. degree, as those benefits are specific to scientists under their service rules [Para 11].

Constitutional Law – Horizontal and Vertical Reservations – Rajasthan Judicial Service Examination – Appeal concerning the methodology of reservation applied in the recruitment process for Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate posts in Rajasthan – Appellants challenged non-disclosure of cut-off marks for persons with benchmark disabilities, claiming violation of Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution – Supreme Court upheld the respondent's decision, clarifying the distinction between Compartmentalised and Overall Horizontal Reservations – Held that the respondent's action of not fixing separate cut-off marks for persons with benchmark disabilities, who fall under Overall Horizontal Reservation, was neither arbitrary nor violative of constitutional rights [Paras 7-17].

Judicial Process – Participation in Selection Process – Estoppel – Appellants who participated in the selection process and were declared unsuccessful in the Preliminary Examination cannot challenge the methodology of selection post-result – Appeal dismissed as there was no violation of constitutional rights in the recruitment process – Held that appellants could not question the process after consciously participating in it [Para 16].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – Held – The appeal is dismissed, confirming that the reservation methodology applied by the respondents in the recruitment process was legally sound and did not infringe upon the appellants' constitutional rights [Para 17].

Civil Procedure – Requirement for Reasoned Judgments – The Supreme Court quashed the impugned judgment of the Division Bench for failing to provide reasons or consider the Government Orders brought to its notice. Citing the importance of reasoned judgments, the Court emphasized that the absence of reasoning introduces uncertainty and prevents a proper understanding of the basis for a decision, thereby frustrating the appeal process [Paras 1-4].

Remand – Liberty to Address Issues Afresh – The matter was remanded to the Division Bench with directions to rehear the parties, consider subsequent developments, and provide a reasoned judgment. The interim orders passed by the Supreme Court will remain in effect until the Division Bench disposes of the appeal [Paras 4-7].

Decision:

Appeal disposed of. The impugned judgment was set aside, and the case was remanded to the Division Bench of the High Court for fresh consideration. The parties are to appear before the Roster Bench on 20th September 2024, and the High Court is requested to expedite the hearing.

Criminal Law – POCSO Act – Conviction and Acquittal – High Court acquitted the accused under Sections 363 and 366 of IPC but set aside the conviction under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC, citing non-exploitative consensual sexual relationship – Supreme Court overruled the High Court, emphasizing that any sexual act with a minor under 18 years is exploitative and punishable under POCSO Act and IPC – High Court’s concept of "non-exploitative" consensual sexual acts with a minor declared legally unsustainable [Paras 13-21].

Right to Privacy of Adolescents – Analysis of Legal Framework – The Court criticized the High Court’s reliance on personal opinions and societal commentary on adolescent behavior, stressing that courts must adhere to established laws – Judgment discusses the legal obligations under the JJ Act for protection and rehabilitation of child victims of sexual offenses [Paras 17-30].

Role of the State – Failure to Protect Victims – Supreme Court highlighted the State's failure to fulfill its statutory obligations under the JJ Act and POCSO Act, which resulted in the victim being left with no choice but to remain with the accused – Directed the State to implement necessary measures to protect the fundamental rights of minors under Article 21 of the Constitution [Paras 36-40].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court judgment set aside – Supreme Court emphasized that statutory provisions concerning the protection of children must be strictly implemented – Directed all states to ensure compliance with POCSO Act and JJ Act provisions for the welfare of child victims.

Preventive Detention – Non-supply of documents – Detenue challenged the detention order on grounds of non-supply of WhatsApp chats which were relied upon by the detaining authority – High Court dismissed the writ petition despite a Coordinate Bench quashing detention orders for co-accused on similar grounds – Supreme Court held that non-supply of such documents vitally affected the detenue's right to make an effective representation, thereby vitiating the detention order [Paras 7-11].

Judicial Discipline – Consistency in Judgments – Supreme Court criticized the High Court's departure from the earlier judgment of a Coordinate Bench that quashed detention orders on similar grounds – Reiterated that judicial discipline requires that a Coordinate Bench must follow the precedent set by another Bench unless referred to a larger Bench for reconsideration [Paras 13-17].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Detention order dated August 24, 2021, and its confirmation on May 24, 2022, quashed and set aside – Emphasized the importance of adhering to judicial discipline and respecting the detenue's constitutional rights.

Reservation Law – Horizontal Reservation and Unreserved Category – Misapplication of Reservation Rules for MBBS Admission – Challenge in Supreme Court – The appellants, who were meritorious reserved category students, challenged the allocation of MBBS seats in the Unreserved Category Government School (UR-GS) quota in Madhya Pradesh. The State had sub-classified the GS quota into further categories (UR-GS, SC-GS, ST-GS, OBC-GS, and EWS-GS) and erroneously denied the appellants admission in the UR-GS quota, despite their merit, by restricting their allocation to their respective reserved categories. The Supreme Court ruled that such compartmentalization was unsustainable and violated established legal principles on horizontal reservation. The appellants were entitled to seats in the UR-GS quota based on merit [Paras 1-7, 10-16].

Admissions – Relief for Denied MBBS Admission Due to Misapplication of Reservation Policy – Held: Admissions for Next Academic Session Directed – The appellants, having been deprived of admission due to the misapplication of the reservation policy, were granted admission for the next academic session. The Court emphasized the need to correct such errors by ensuring meritorious candidates receive their rightful place, even if it necessitates admission in the following academic year. The appellants were directed to be admitted to the 2024-25 academic session against seats reserved in the UR-GS category [Paras 18-20].

Decision – Appeals Allowed – High Court Judgments Set Aside – Directed Admission in Next Academic Session – No Costs – The Supreme Court allowed the appeals, set aside the High Court's judgments, and ordered the respondents to admit the appellants in the next academic session for the MBBS course against the UR-GS seats. Pending applications were disposed of, and no costs were imposed [Para 21].

Criminal Law – Child Custody – Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of natural guardian (father) – High Court’s denial of habeas corpus petition for custody of minor daughter set aside by the Supreme Court – The Court emphasized the paramount welfare of the child and the natural guardian’s right to custody – Allegations against the father were deemed afterthoughts, not sufficient to deny custody – Custody ordered to be handed over to the father immediately [Paras 1-17].

Legal Guardianship – Habeas Corpus Petition in Child Custody – Supreme Court clarified the maintainability of habeas corpus petitions under Article 226 in child custody matters, emphasizing that each case should be judged on its unique facts and circumstances – Reaffirmation that the welfare of the child remains the central consideration [Paras 9-16].

Decision – Appeal Allowed – Held – The Supreme Court quashed the High Court's order and directed the immediate transfer of custody of the minor child to the appellant (father) – The Court allowed visitation rights to the respondents (sisters-in-law) but emphasized the child's welfare and the right of the natural guardian [Para 17].

Civil Law – Change of Date of Birth – Repeated Litigation – The petitioner sought to change his date of birth from 10.04.1962 to 23.04.1964 after serving more than 10 years as an engineer – The claim was initially dismissed by the Trial Court, and subsequent appeals up to the Supreme Court were also dismissed – Despite multiple dismissals, the petitioner continued to litigate – Held: The petitioner was attempting to "flog a dead horse" by engaging in repeated and meritless litigation, thereby burdening the judicial system – Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition and imposed costs of ₹1,00,000 to be paid to the AIIMS Poor Patients Fund [Paras 6-10].

Judicial Process – Abuse of Process – Cost Imposition – The petitioner's repeated litigation despite clear legal position and multiple judicial rejections amounted to an abuse of the judicial process – Held: Imposition of costs as a deterrent against vexatious litigation – Costs of ₹1,00,000 imposed on the petitioner, recoverable as arrears of land revenue if not complied with [Paras 11-15].

Decision: Special Leave Petition dismissed – Costs of ₹1,00,000 imposed on the petitioner to be deposited with the AIIMS Poor Patients Fund within three months – Non-compliance will result in recovery as arrears of land revenue [Paras 16].