Administrative Law – Retrospective Effect – It is a settled principle that Parliament and State Legislatures have plenary powers to legislate prospectively and retrospectively, subject to constitutional and judicially recognized restrictions. Retrospective legislation must be expressly provided by the Legislature in the Statute. Administrative/executive orders or circulars cannot be applied retrospectively without legislative competence [Paras 29-30].

Infrastructure Charges – BSNL revised charges for Active Links leased to telecom operators through circular dated 12th June 2012, making it effective from 1st April 2009. The Tribunal held that retrospective application from 1st April 2009 was unsustainable and that the revised charges should apply prospectively from 1st April 2013 [Paras 27-30].

Competence to Revise Charges – Tribunal upheld BSNL's authority to revise rates but restricted retrospective application. Court held BSNL could not apply revised charges retrospectively but could apply a notional 10% annual increase from 1st April 2013, making it reasonable and justified [Paras 31-32].

Decision – Appeals Partly Allowed – Tribunal’s orders modified. BSNL permitted to revise rates based on 10% annual increase from 1st April 2013, and raise demands accordingly. Tribunal’s decision on retrospective application from 1st April 2009 set aside [Para 32].

Transfer of Property – Rights of Lessor’s Transferee – Under Section 109 of the Transfer of Property Act, if a landlord transfers leased property, the transferee shall possess all the rights of the original landlord. Attornment by the lessee is not necessary. Therefore, upon lawful transfer, the new owner steps into the shoes of the original landlord, acquiring all rights and responsibilities [Paras 1-27].

Eviction – Denial of Title – The tenant's denial of the landlord's title was found to be malafide, unsupported by admissible evidence, and contrary to the registered sale deed held by the respondent. The eviction order based on such denial, as well as on grounds of non-payment of rent and the landlord's requirement for own use, was upheld [Paras 17-26].

Concurrent Findings – Interference by Supreme Court – The Supreme Court will not interfere with concurrent findings of fact by lower courts unless they are perverse or unsupported by evidence. In this case, the findings were based on substantial evidence and were upheld [Paras 10-13, 27-30].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – The court upheld the concurrent findings of the Rent Controller, Appellate Authority, and High Court, affirming the eviction order. Two months’ time was granted to the appellants to vacate the premises [Para 30].

Land Acquisition – Compensation – The Supreme Court reiterated that the compensation of Rs. 60 lakhs per family as determined in its order dated February 8, 2017, is final and cannot be broken down into a per hectare calculation for individual claims. The order provided a full and final settlement for project affected families, including those who had not been compensated fully or partially, and was issued under Article 142 of the Constitution to resolve the ongoing controversy comprehensively [Paras 27-28].

Jurisdiction – Article 142 – The order passed by the Supreme Court under Article 142 is not susceptible to further clarification or modification through miscellaneous applications. The final compensation package determined by the court represents a comprehensive settlement, and any claims for additional compensation beyond the stipulated amount of Rs. 60 lakhs per family are not permissible [Paras 28-29].

Decision – Application Dismissed – The court dismissed the miscellaneous application seeking further compensation beyond the Rs. 60 lakhs per family as per the order dated February 8, 2017. The court affirmed that the order was final and binding, and any additional claims were not warranted [Para 29].

Environmental Law – Ex Post Facto Environmental Clearance – The court held that ex post facto environmental clearance should not be granted routinely but may be permissible in exceptional cases considering all relevant environmental factors. Where adverse consequences of denial outweigh the benefits of granting ex post facto approval, such approval may be granted if the establishment conforms to pollution norms. The court emphasized the importance of balancing environmental protection with economic and livelihood considerations [Paras 47-49].

Environmental Compliance – The EP Act does not prohibit ex post facto environmental clearances. Such clearances can be granted in strict compliance with relevant rules and regulations, ensuring that the projects meet environmental norms. Penalties may be imposed on the principle of 'polluter pays' for any environmental damage caused before obtaining clearance [Paras 48-49].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – The court found no grounds to interfere with the judgment of the National Green Tribunal, which had dismissed the appeal for closure of the Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility. The appeal was barred by delay and did not raise any substantial question of law [Para 50].

Sales Tax – Refund or Transfer of Tax – The Central Sales Tax Appellate Authority found the sales of buses by Tata Motors through RSO Vijayawada to APSRTC as inter-state sales, making them liable for central sales tax in Jharkhand. However, the tax had been paid to Andhra Pradesh treating the sale as a stock transfer. Prior to Section 22(1B) insertion in the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, no provision existed for the Appellate Authority to direct refund or transfer of tax. The court directed Andhra Pradesh to transfer the central sales tax amount to Jharkhand upon verification of payment proof, enabling Jharkhand to adjust it against Tata Motors' tax liability [Paras 3-5].

Decision – Appeal Disposed Of – The court directed the State of Andhra Pradesh to transfer the central sales tax paid by Tata Motors on the sales transaction to the State of Jharkhand upon submission and verification of payment proof. This exercise should be completed within three months [Para 5-6].

Municipal Law – Shifting of Crematorium – Appeal against the High Court’s refusal to modify an earlier order directing the shift of a crematorium at Village Masoodpur to Kishangarh – The crematorium at Masoodpur has been in existence for over 100 years – Residential colonies in Vasant Kunj came into existence post-1990 – Supreme Court held that mere subsequent settlement of residents cannot be a ground to shift the crematorium – A conscious decision by the Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee not to close the crematorium due to lack of danger to health and public interest – Appeal allowed, earlier High Court order modified [Paras 1-6].

Obligatory Functions – Section 42(f) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 – Duty of Municipal Corporation to regulate places for the disposal of the dead – Maintenance of such places is an obligatory function – Crematorium cannot be closed unless conditions in Section 391 are satisfied, and it is found offensive or dangerous to health – Standing Committee decision upheld by Supreme Court [Paras 5.3].

Public Interest – Modernisation of Crematorium – While not shifting the crematorium, the Municipal Corporation directed to modernise it to a modern electric crematorium – Such modernization in larger public interest for the village and surrounding residents – Exercise to be completed within twelve months [Paras 5.3, 6].

Decision – Appeal allowed – High Court’s judgment refusing to modify earlier order set aside – Order dated 03.12.2003 modified to retain the crematorium at Village Masoodpur – Direction issued to modernise the crematorium into a modern electric facility within twelve months – No costs [Paras 6].

Education – Appointment of Vice Chancellor – Appeal against the legality of appointment – The appointment of Dr. Rajasree M.S. as Vice Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University was challenged for non-compliance with UGC Regulations and the University Act – Supreme Court held that the Search Committee was not duly constituted as per UGC Regulations and that only one name was recommended instead of a panel – Appointment deemed illegal and void ab initio – Writ of quo warranto issued [Paras 1-9].

UGC Regulations – Overriding Effect – UGC Regulations, being subordinate legislation, have an overriding effect over conflicting state legislation – Any appointment contrary to UGC Regulations is void ab initio – State Acts must align with UGC Regulations, and until then, the UGC Regulations prevail [Paras 7-8].

Search Committee – Constitution and Recommendations – UGC Regulations mandate a Search Committee to recommend a panel of 3-5 names for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor – The Search Committee in this case recommended only one name, which is contrary to UGC Regulations and Section 13(4) of the University Act – Such appointments are illegal and void [Paras 8-8.10].

Doctrine of Repugnancy – Conflict between State and Central Legislation – In case of conflict between State legislation and UGC Regulations (Central legislation), UGC Regulations prevail – Appointment of Vice Chancellor must comply with UGC Regulations even if State Act prescribes different criteria [Paras 8.4-8.5].

Decision – Appeals allowed – High Court’s judgment dismissing the writ petition and refusing to issue writ of quo warranto set aside – Writ petition allowed – Writ of quo warranto issued – Appointment of respondent as Vice Chancellor quashed as illegal and void ab initio – No costs [Paras 9].

Education – Admission to Postgraduate Dental Course – Appeal against High Court’s decision quashing cancellation of admissions – Students admitted by private institutions after the official deadline and without informing the Directorate – Supreme Court held that such admissions were illegal and violated prescribed procedures – The last date for admissions was 31.05.2018 before 4:30 p.m. – Any admissions after this were backdoor and not permissible – High Court’s order protecting illegal admissions set aside – Appeal allowed [Paras 1-13].

Counselling Process – Compliance with Admission Schedule – Admissions to be made through counselling by the Directorate – Private institutions required to inform Directorate of vacant seats – Admissions granted unilaterally by colleges after deadline without intimation invalid – Supreme Court reiterated that deadline extensions are not permissible even if seats remain vacant – Procedures must be followed strictly [Paras 8-10].

Undue Sympathy – Misplaced Sympathies – High Court’s interim orders allowing students to continue studies were misplaced – Allowing students to complete courses would perpetuate illegality and undermine academic discipline – Supreme Court emphasized that adherence to rules outweighs sympathetic considerations in academic matters [Paras 11-12].

Decision – Appeals allowed – High Court’s judgment quashing cancellation of admissions set aside – Communication dated 6.6.2018 by Directorate annulling admissions restored – Writ petitions by original students dismissed – No costs [Paras 13-14].

Land Reforms – Constitutional Validity – The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 50(a) of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, which governs the succession of agricultural land holdings. The court ruled that the Act is a special law dealing with agricultural land tenures and falls under Entry 18 of List II of the Seventh Schedule, thus not repugnant to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (a general law) governed by Entry 5 and 7 of List III. Consequently, Article 254 of the Constitution does not apply [Paras 15-20].

Amendments – Retrospective Effect – The court held that the repeal of Section 4(2) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, does not have retrospective effect. The rights to succession crystallized before the amendment remain unaffected. The 1954 Act, being a special law on agricultural land, remains unaffected by the amendment to the 1956 Act [Paras 21-26].

Gender Discrimination – Ninth Schedule – The court dismissed arguments regarding gender discrimination, emphasizing that the 1954 Act is protected under Article 31(B) by being part of the Ninth Schedule, thus immune to challenges based on fundamental rights [Para 28].

Decision – Appeal Dismissed – The court dismissed the appeal, affirming that the 1954 Act governs the succession of agricultural land in Delhi and is constitutionally valid. The appeal against the High Court's decision was found to lack merit [Para 30].