Criminal Law – Murder – Life Imprisonment – Appeal against High Court’s reversal of acquittal under Section 302 IPC – Prosecution charged 22 accused with forming an unlawful assembly and committing murder – High Court acquitted 20 accused but convicted appellants (A1 and A2) under Section 302 – Supreme Court finds inconsistencies in prosecution's evidence and contradictions in witness testimonies – Acquittal by Trial Court was based on detailed assessment of evidence – High Court's conviction of appellants not sustained due to lack of cogent reasons to overturn acquittal [Paras 1-27].

Penal Code 1860 (IPC) – Section 302 – Conviction for Murder – Analysis of evidence by Trial Court versus High Court – Importance of consistent witness testimonies and reliable evidence – Supreme Court emphasizes need for stronger rationale to reverse acquittal [Paras 17-25].

Principle of Falsus in Uno, Falsus in Omnibus – Application in criminal jurisprudence – Supreme Court acknowledges principle does not strictly apply but emphasizes need to separate credible evidence from falsehoods – High Court's selective reliance on inconsistent witness testimony criticized [Para 23].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court order set aside – Acquittal by Sessions Court restored – Appellants to be released unless required in other cases [Para 27].

Criminal Procedure – Summoning Witnesses – Section 311 CrPC – Appeal against High Court’s rejection of application to summon cellular nodal officers – Power under Section 311 CrPC to summon, examine, recall, or re-examine any material witness at any stage – Closing of prosecution evidence not an absolute bar – Essentiality of evidence for just decision of the case is crucial – High Court and trial court orders set aside – Application allowed, directing trial court to conclude proceedings expeditiously [Paras 1-44].

Criminal Jurisprudence – Just Decision – Role of Courts – Emphasis on court's active role in discovering truth and ensuring justice – Statutory provisions to be interpreted purposively to aid in uncovering facts essential to the case – Denial of application under Section 311 CrPC found unjustified due to its importance in linking accused’s location with crime [Paras 28-43].

Judicial Discretion – Exercise of Power – Section 311 CrPC – Courts must exercise power judiciously and not arbitrarily – Importance of obtaining material evidence that could influence the outcome of the case – Court’s decision guided by need for justice and truth [Paras 30-32].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court order set aside – Application to summon cellular nodal officers and decoding registers granted – Trial court directed to conclude trial by October 31, 2022 [Para 44].

Consumer Protection – Deficiency in Service – Banking Services – Appeals against NCDRC orders dismissing appeal and review application – Appellant's complaint regarding deficiency in service by HDFC Bank in prematurely encashing a joint Fixed Deposit (FD) without joint instructions – SCDRC wrongly relegated appellant to civil court – NCDRC erred in not entertaining review application – Consumer complaint restored to NCDRC for merit-based resolution – Orders of NCDRC set aside, case remanded for fresh adjudication [Paras 1-22].

Consumer Definition – Joint FD Holders – Appellant and father as joint FD holders – Consumer status under Section 2(1)(d)(ii) of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Deficiency of service claim valid under Section 2(1)(g) – FD encashment issue pertains to deficiency in banking service, not a personal dispute [Paras 9-20].

Judicial Review – Reinstatement of Appeal – NCDRC's procedural failure – Appellant's affidavit denying withdrawal instructions – Review application justified – Appeal reinstated with directions for expedited resolution [Paras 21-23].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Orders of NCDRC set aside – Consumer complaint restored for merit-based resolution – NCDRC directed to dispose of the appeal within four months – All rights and contentions of parties kept open [Para 21-23].

Service Law – Age Relaxation – Recruitment – Appeal against High Court's direction for age relaxation under Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Relaxation of the Age Limits for Recruitment) Rules, 1992 – Respondent sought age relaxation for appointment as Mukhya Sevika – High Court's decision overturned by Supreme Court – State's uniform application of age limit of 50 years upheld – No vested right to age relaxation – Eligibility criteria should be uniformly applicable to avoid arbitrary selection [Paras 1-16].

Public Services – Age Limit – Discretionary Power – Governor's discretion under Rule 3 of Age Relaxation Rules – Applicable to candidates recruited from open category through competitive examination – Respondent’s claim for relaxation as Anganwadi worker not justified under Rules – Uniform age criteria necessary for fair selection process [Paras 12-15].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court judgment set aside – Respondent’s writ petition dismissed – Uniform application of age criteria upheld – No arbitrary exceptions permitted in recruitment [Para 16].

Service Law – Compassionate Appointment – Rule 5(1) – Appeal against High Court's order for reconsideration of respondent’s appointment to a Class IV post after failing typing test – Respondent appointed to Class III post on compassionate grounds but did not meet typing speed requirement – Termination upheld as per 2014 Rules – Compassionate appointment does not guarantee continued concessions beyond entry-level relaxation – Appointment to alternate post without fulfillment of required qualifications not permissible – High Court's direction inconsistent with legal provisions – Appeals allowed [Paras 1-15].

Compassionate Appointment – Eligibility and Qualifications – Respondent’s termination for failing to acquire requisite typing speed within stipulated period – Compassionate appointment provides entry-level concession, not continued relaxation from service conditions – Uniform application of eligibility criteria necessary to ensure fairness in recruitment [Paras 9-12].

Judicial Review – High Court’s Overreach – Setting aside High Court’s direction for alternate post appointment – Upholding termination as per service rules – Compassionate appointment rules to be strictly interpreted [Paras 13-14].

Decision: Appeals allowed – High Court judgments set aside – Respondent's writ petitions dismissed – Termination upheld based on failure to meet typing speed requirements within specified period [Para 15].

Civil Procedure – Bar of Jurisdiction – Section 71 and Section 177 of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Act, 1976 – Appeal against High Court’s decision that suit for mandatory and prohibitory injunctions is barred by Sections 71 and 177 of the Act – Trial court and appellate court held suit maintainable, High Court reversed findings – Supreme Court holds civil court’s jurisdiction not barred for reliefs sought by appellant [Paras 1-17].

Housing and Development – Unauthorized Construction – Suit for Injunction – Appellant’s suit for removal of unauthorized construction and restoration of water connection – Relief sought pertains to infringement of easements, not eviction under Section 66 – Suit maintainable in civil court as relief sought is beyond scope of Act [Paras 13-16].

Judicial Review – Ouster of Jurisdiction – Civil court jurisdiction presumed unless explicitly barred – High Court erred in reversing trial court and appellate court decisions – Second appeal restored for consideration on merits [Paras 14-17].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court judgment set aside – Second appeal restored for disposal on merits – High Court requested to expedite admission and disposal within three months [Para 18].

Insolvency Law – Admission of Application – Section 7 IBC – Appeal against NCLAT’s order allowing Corporate Debtor’s appeal and setting aside NCLT’s order admitting Section 7 application – Financial Creditor’s claim rejected without notifying proposal for closure – Supreme Court finds non-compliance with Section 7(5)(b) which mandates notice to Financial Creditor before rejection – Opportunity to rectify defects in application crucial – CIRP proceedings not barred by limitation as per Section 25(3) of the Indian Contract Act for acknowledgment of debt – Case remanded to NCLT for fresh adjudication [Paras 1-71].

Limitation Act – Acknowledgment of Debt – Section 25(3) of Indian Contract Act – Debt acknowledgment within limitation period necessary for CIRP proceedings – Supreme Court highlights continuous cause of action from Corporate Debtor’s settlement offers – Detailed scrutiny of debt acknowledgment essential for fair resolution [Paras 27-30, 64-66].

Judicial Review – Procedural Fairness – Section 7(5)(b) IBC – Mandate for notifying Financial Creditor before rejection – Supreme Court stresses importance of procedural fairness and opportunity to address application defects – Appeal allowed, NCLAT order set aside, NCLT to reassess CIRP application [Paras 70-71].

Decision: Appeal allowed – NCLAT order set aside – Case remanded to NCLT for fresh consideration of CIRP application in light of observations – Opportunity to file additional affidavits granted to both parties [Para 71].

Criminal Law – Initiation of Criminal Action – The Supreme Court emphasized the need for circumspection in initiating criminal proceedings in commercial transactions, highlighting the potential adverse economic consequences of frivolous actions against large corporations – The Court noted the importance of regulators acting as gatekeepers to prevent unwarranted prosecutions [Paras 1-30].

Disclosure of Documents – Right to Fair Trial – The Court underscored the principles of natural justice, requiring SEBI to disclose all relevant documents to the appellant – The duty of transparency and fairness by regulatory bodies was emphasized, rejecting SEBI's claims of litigation privilege over certain documents – The Court directed SEBI to furnish opinions and reports obtained during their investigation [Paras 31-59].

Adjudication of Delay – Section 473 CrPC – The Court held that the High Court must consider the facts surrounding the initiation of criminal complaints and the conduct of the investigating authority before adjudicating the issue of condonation of delay – Emphasized the need for a principled exercise of discretion by the courts [Paras 27-28].

Decision – Appeal allowed – The Supreme Court directed SEBI to provide the appellant with specific documents and opinions withheld during the investigation – The Court also remanded the matter to the High Court for consideration of the condonation of delay in light of the disclosed documents [Paras 56-59].

Transfer of Matrimonial Case – Convenience of Wife – Appellant sought transfer of the matrimonial case filed by her husband from Etah to Mathura citing her inability to travel, financial dependence, and allegations of threats – Supreme Court reiterated that in matrimonial matters, the convenience of the wife is of paramount importance – Appeal allowed, case transferred [Paras 1-7].

Matrimonial Matters – Consideration for Transfer – Emphasis on the wife's convenience due to socio-economic factors – Court referred to principles laid down in N.C.V. Aishwarya vs. A.S. Saravana Karthik Sha, emphasizing the need to consider economic soundness, social strata, and the protective umbrella under which the wife is seeking sustenance [Para 4].

Decision – Appeal allowed – The case was transferred from the Principal Judge Family Court Etah, Uttar Pradesh, to the Principal Judge Family Court Mathura, Uttar Pradesh – High Court's order set aside – Directions issued for prompt transfer of case records [Paras 5-6].