Rape and Murder of Minor – Death Penalty – Appellant convicted of rape and murder of a 3-year-old girl – Trial court and High Court confirmed death penalty – Supreme Court commuted death penalty to life imprisonment – Emphasized duty to consider possibility of reformation and rehabilitation – Appellant's young age, lack of criminal antecedents, and satisfactory conduct in prison considered – Life imprisonment imposed in place of death penalty [Paras 1-54].

Circumstantial Evidence – Chain of Circumstances – Conviction based on circumstantial evidence – Court found that prosecution established chain of circumstances leading to no other conclusion than guilt of the accused – Recovery of the body on appellant’s memorandum under Section 27 of Evidence Act crucial – Non-explanation of circumstances by accused fortified conclusion of guilt [Paras 13-45].

Judicial Process – Defense Opportunity – Court observed that sufficient opportunity must be given to defense counsel – Speedy trial should not compromise the defense's ability to prepare – Noted lack of adequate opportunity in the present case, but found no prejudice caused to the accused [Paras 46].

Reformation and Rehabilitation – Consideration of Socio-Economic Background – Court highlighted importance of considering the criminal's background, possibility of reformation, and socio-economic conditions – State failed to prove impossibility of reformation – Death penalty commuted to life imprisonment based on appellant's potential for rehabilitation [Paras 48-54].

Decision: Appeals partly allowed – Death penalty commuted to life imprisonment – Conviction under Sections 363, 366, 376(2)(i), 377, 201, 302 read with Section 376A of IPC and Section 6 of POCSO Act maintained – Sentences for other offences as affirmed by the High Court maintained [Para 54].

Insolvency Resolution – Threshold for Admission – Adjudicating Authority's jurisdiction under Section 7 of IBC is limited to ascertaining the existence of default and admitting or rejecting the application accordingly – NCLT cannot dismiss the petition on the basis that the corporate debtor is exploring settlement possibilities without addressing the merits of the petition – Appeals allowed, orders set aside [Paras 1-36].

Jurisdiction of Adjudicating Authorities – Powers under IBC – NCLT and NCLAT overstepped their jurisdiction by directing parties to settle disputes and failing to admit the petition despite clear evidence of default – IBC provides a statutory framework where Adjudicating Authorities cannot act beyond their conferred powers – Petition restored to NCLT for fresh consideration [Paras 27-33].

Decision – Appeals allowed – NCLT and NCLAT orders set aside – Petition under Section 7 of IBC restored for disposal afresh by NCLT – Impleadment applications disposed of with liberty to applicants to adopt appropriate proceedings in accordance with law [Paras 34-36].

Dowry Death – Quashing of Chargesheet – FIR named multiple family members without specific allegations – Appellants (brother-in-law and mother-in-law of the deceased) had alibis, with the brother-in-law at work 40 km away at the time of the incident – Postmortem revealed asphyxia as cause of death with no external injuries except ligature mark – High Court's order directing appellants to seek bail set aside – Chargesheet quashed for lack of specific allegations and evidence [Paras 1-13].

Specific Allegations – Legal Requirement – Emphasis on need for specific allegations against accused in dowry death cases – Casual naming of family members without detailed involvement considered an abuse of judicial process – Citing Geeta Mehrotra and Anr. v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Anr. (2012) 10 SCC 741, court reiterated quashing of proceedings in absence of specific accusations [Paras 10-12].

Decision – Appeals allowed – High Court’s order set aside – Chargesheet and cognizance order quashed – Noting abuse of judicial process in implicating family members without substantial evidence [Paras 13].

Environmental Law – Road Widening – Char Dham Highway project involves widening of approximately 900 km of roads to ensure safer, smoother, and faster traffic movement – Court emphasizes the need for sustainable development considering the fragile Himalayan ecosystem – Differing views on road width: DL-PS standard vs. IW standard – Majority view of HPC favors 2012 MoRTH Circular (DL-PS), minority and Supreme Court's earlier decision favor 2018 MoRTH Circular (IW standard) [Paras 1-88].

National Security – Strategic Border Roads – Ministry of Defence (MoD) seeks wider roads (DL-PS) for better movement of troops and equipment to Indo-China border – Court acknowledges change in circumstances necessitating wider roads for national security – Appeals allowed, permitting DL-PS standard for strategic roads [Paras 89-120].

Environmental Impact – Court highlights importance of balancing development with environmental preservation – Sustainable development principles to guide road construction – Environmental rule of law applied – Mitigation measures directed for environmental protection, including afforestation and slope stabilization [Paras 121-150].

Decision – Applications allowed – Roads from Rishikesh to Mana, Rishikesh to Gangotri, and Tanakpur to Pithoragarh to be developed to 7m carriageway width with 1.5m paved shoulders on either side – Detailed environmental mitigation measures to be implemented – HPC to ensure compliance and submit periodic reports [Paras 151-180].

Casual Labourers – Temporary Status and Regularization – Respondent failed to meet the requirement of 240 days of service in a calendar year as per the 1989 Scheme – Committee's report confirmed respondent's service was below the required threshold – High Court and Tribunal erroneously granted temporary status without recording evidence – Appeals allowed, orders set aside [Paras 1-24].

Eligibility Criteria – Tribunal and High Court failed to adhere to eligibility criteria under Clause 5(i) of the 1989 Scheme – Incorrect computation of service days over multiple years – Required continuous service for 240 days in a single calendar year not met – Appeals allowed, orders set aside [Paras 16-24].

Decision – Appeals allowed – Orders of the Tribunal and High Court set aside – Respondent not entitled to temporary status under the 1989 Scheme due to non-fulfillment of eligibility criteria [Paras 23-24].

Arbitral Award – Excess of Claim – Contractor initially claimed Rs. 10,350,263 but was awarded Rs. 15,195,400 by the Arbitrator – Award in excess of claim is invalid and amounts to jurisdictional overreach – Supreme Court upholds award only up to claimed amount [Paras 9.1-9.2].

Scope of Reference – Maintenance Contract – Arbitrator awarded amounts beyond the scope of reference – Claims beyond the date of reference (May 19, 2007) were inappropriate – The cause of action arose due to traffic diversion continuing beyond the reference date; thus, awarding compensation beyond reference date but within justified period is permissible [Paras 9.2-9.3].

Contract Terms – Compensation Rates – Arbitrator's decision to award Rs. 45,000 per km per month instead of the contractual Rs. 1,000 per km per month due to increased traffic – Supreme Court held that the Arbitrator’s decision on additional compensation due to changed circumstances (increased traffic) does not amount to rewriting the contract [Paras 9.3-9.4].

Excessive Award Period – Arbitrator’s award for compensation beyond the period of additional traffic (post-January 2008) deemed impermissible – Award of Rs. 45,000 per km per month up to January 2008 upheld; compensation for the period from February 2008 to May 31, 2010, set aside as perverse [Paras 9.5-10].

Decision: Appeals partly allowed – Compensation award limited to Rs. 45,000 per km per month up to January 2008 – Compensation awarded for the period from February 2008 to May 31, 2010, set aside – Amount due to be recalculated accordingly – No order as to costs [Para 10].

Contempt of Court – Executable Decree – Decree obtained under Land Acquisition Act is executable – Contempt not maintainable for non-compliance of such decree – Contempt jurisdiction discretionary, aimed at maintaining court's dignity and law – No right for aggrieved party to insist on contempt action – Petitioner advised to pursue available legal remedies under the Act [Paras 1-9].

Land Acquisition – Compensation Dispute – Petitioner alleged wrongful categorization of land in award for fixation of market value – Supreme Court clarified that issues regarding categorization and valuation to be addressed through statutory remedies under Sections 64, 66, and 74 of the 2013 Act – Contempt petitions dismissed, no deliberate violation of court's directions found [Paras 7-9].

Judicial Discretion – Contempt Proceedings – Discretion to use contempt jurisdiction sparingly – Must be exercised to maintain court's dignity – Not to be used in abundance or misused – Court emphasized adherence to legal remedies available under specific statutes for grievances [Paras 8-9].

Decision: Contempt petitions dismissed – No costs awarded – Petitioner advised to seek remedies under the 2013 Act for compensation determination – Court made no opinion on land categorization or market value determination in award [Para 9].

Examination Question – Validity – Question regarding the Panchayati Raj Minister in Uttar Pradesh at the time of the exam was ambiguous due to the minister's recent death – Commission decided to award marks to candidates who chose the correct answer as per the pre-death scenario or left it unanswered – Respondent who chose an incorrect option sought relief – Supreme Court held the Commission's decision was not palpably arbitrary – High Court's direction to delete the question or award marks to the respondent set aside [Paras 1-15].

Judicial Review – Examination Decisions – Supervisory jurisdiction – Court’s role not to act as an appellate body in exam matters unless decisions are palpably perverse – Commission’s rationale of awarding marks to candidates who answered correctly based on the information before the death or left unanswered upheld [Paras 12-14].

Precedents and Principles – Cited cases on exam question disputes – Guru Nanak Dev University v. Saumil Garg and Others (2005) 13 SCC 749 – Kanpur University Through Vice Chancellor v. Samir Gupta (1983) 4 SCC 309 – Emphasis on maintaining examination integrity and fairness without undue interference unless absolutely necessary [Paras 9-10, 13].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court’s judgment set aside – No order as to costs [Para 15].

Consumer Complaint – Limitation Period – NCDRC condoned a delay of 100 days in filing a written statement – Appeal based on Constitution Bench judgment in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Hilli Multipurpose Cold Storage (2020) 5 SCC 757, which restricts the extension of time beyond 45 days – Judgment applied prospectively – Orders of NCDRC allowing condonation on merits upheld [Paras 1-19].

Judicial Discretion – Prospective Application – Constitution Bench judgment on statutory time limits applied prospectively – Discretion exercised by consumer fora before the judgment remains valid – Orders passed during pendency of the reference and prior to the Constitution Bench decision retain their validity under earlier discretionary standards [Paras 8-16].

Precedents and Principles – Conflicting decisions reconciled – Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mampee Timbers & Hardwares Pvt. Ltd. (2021) 3 SCC 673 – Bhasin Infotech & Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. v. Grand Venezia Buyers Association (2018) 17 SCC 255 – Decisions allowed filing of written statements beyond the stipulated period on suitable terms – Consideration of applications for condonation of delay prior to Constitution Bench decision required [Paras 9-15].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – NCDRC’s order condoning delay upheld – Appellants allowed to file replication within four weeks – Costs of Rs 50,000 to be paid by respondent [Paras 16-19].