Facts:

The case revolves around the remission of sentences under Article 161 of the Constitution. The appellant sought the remission of his sentence based on a policy framed by the executive, where certain norms were laid down for granting remissions. However, the relevant material was not presented before the Governor, and the appellant contended that the benefit had been conferred by the executive itself, in accordance with the established policy.

Issues:

Whether a policy framework can be established for granting remissions under Article 161, where certain norms or criteria are set, without requiring individual case material to be placed before the Governor?

Whether such a policy framework can override the requirements of Section 433-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

Held:

The Supreme Court, citing previous decisions of larger Benches, highlighted the necessity of placing relevant material before the Governor when exercising the power of remission under Article 161. It referenced the Maru Ram case, which emphasized the need for government rules to guide the exercise of pardon powers. Considering the observations in Maru Ram, the Court found that the norms established by the policy were appropriate. However, due to the question of whether a policy framework could replace the requirement of placing individual case material before the Governor, the Court referred the matter to a larger Bench. The larger Bench would decide whether a policy-based approach for remissions could be valid under Article 161 and if it could override the provisions of Section 433-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Facts:

The case revolves around an incident where over-mining led to the collapse of a hill adjacent to a national highway, resulting in the death of a woman and her daughter. The NGT imposed penalties and compensation on the NHAI and those involved in the mining activities. The NGT also issued directions prohibiting development and construction within 100 feet of hills.

Issues:

The scope and jurisdiction of the NGT under relevant acts.

Liability of the NHAI and others for environmental damage and loss of life due to over-mining.

Validity of the NGT's directions regarding development and construction near hills.

Held:

The court clarified that the NGT's jurisdiction is not only limited to cases of harm caused by the violation of enactments listed in the first schedule. Section 15(4) grants the NGT the power to direct compensation concerning damage to public health, property, and the environment. The tribunal's jurisdiction under Section 17 also extends to compensation claims resulting from an activity's adverse impact. Therefore, the NGT's jurisdiction is broader than previously understood (Para 36-44).

The NHAI's responsibility for maintaining the highway and its failure to address the risks were highlighted. The NHAI, as well as the party conducting the mining, were held liable for compensation. The court deemed the NGT's directions for compensation and restitution justified (Para 65-67).

The NGT's directions regarding development and construction near hills were found procedurally flawed. These directions lacked scientific basis and expert opinion, rendering them arbitrary. Consequently, these directions were set aside (Para 76-90).

Facts:

The plaintiffs had sold a property to respondent no.1 through a registered sale deed in 2009. The purchaser issued cheques for the payment of the sale consideration. Subsequently, the purchaser sold the property to respondent nos. 2 and 3 in 2013. In 2014, the plaintiffs filed a suit seeking cancellation of the sale deed, alleging non-payment of sale consideration and the use of 'bogus' cheques.

Issues:

Whether the suit was barred by limitation?

Whether a valid cause of action was disclosed in the plaint?

Whether the omission of the date of the registered sale deed in the prayer was intentional?

Held:

The Trial Court noted that the plaintiffs had acknowledged payment in the sale deed and that the suit was filed after the limitation period. The High Court upheld this finding.

The Court referred to legal precedents and held that even if the entire sale consideration was not paid, it would not be a ground for cancellation of the sale deed. The plaintiffs failed to establish a valid cause of action for cancellation.

The Court found that the omission of the sale deed's date in the prayer was deliberate to mislead the court on the issue of limitation. The plaintiffs failed to prove that the suit was within the limitation period.

Facts:

Respondent No. 1 filed a partition suit claiming one-fourth entitlement to the estate/shares of his father. The High Court ordered status quo in the partition suit. Subsequently, Respondent No. 1 filed a company petition alleging oppression and mismanagement in a company (Respondent No. 2), claiming eligibility based on his shareholding and legitimate expectation.

Issues:

Whether Respondent No. 1's inheritance claim for one-fourth shareholding can be decided in proceedings under Sections 241 and 242 of the Companies Act, 2013?

Whether Respondent No. 1 can maintain the petition for oppression and mismanagement given his shareholding and lack of representation of the necessary body of shareholders?

Held:

Respondent No. 1's shareholding is not eligible for the 10% threshold required under Section 244 of the Companies Act, 2013, for maintaining an application under Sections 241 and 242. His claim is based on a 0.03% holding and disputed 9.97% shareholding. He also claims one-fourth share from the deceased's 11.11% holding in another company, which is being pursued in a civil suit. The right of Respondent No. 1 must be finally determined in the civil suit, including the effect of nomination under Section 71 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Respondent No. 1 was not involved in the company's affairs and had shifted to Australia for independent business since 2001.

The basis of the petition is Respondent No. 1's inheritance claim, constituting 10% shareholding, which cannot be determined under Sections 241 and 242. Respondent No. 1 must establish his inheritance right in a civil court, considering the nomination under Section 71.

Respondent No. 1, as per his own admission, was not engaged in the company's affairs and is not a registered owner. His rights are safeguarded in the civil suit. He does not represent the requisite body of shareholders for maintaining such a petition.

Given the circumstances, it's inappropriate for Respondent No. 1 to continue the proceedings for mismanagement without having 10% shareholding and without firmly establishing his rights in civil proceedings.

Facts:

The petitioner, an advocate practicing in the Supreme Court of India, filed a writ petition (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 541 of 2020) against various officers of the Supreme Court Registry and the Union of India. The petitioner alleged that the Registry showed preferential treatment to influential lawyers and law firms, leading to delayed listing of cases filed by ordinary lawyers. The petitioner sought equal treatment for all cases and pointed out specific instances to support their claims.

Issues:

Whether there was discrimination in the listing of cases by the Supreme Court Registry, as alleged by the petitioner.

Whether the petitioner's allegations were justified and whether they reflected a disregard for the dignity of the legal profession and the responsibilities of lawyers.

Whether the petitioner's writ petition was maintainable and warranted any relief.

Held:

The Court examined the instances cited by the petitioner regarding delayed listing of cases and evaluated the alleged discrimination. It acknowledged that mistakes or defects in case filings can occur and that expecting perfection from the Registry or its staff, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, is unreasonable (Para 9). The Court emphasized that the Registry is an integral part of the judicial system and noted that similar baseless allegations against the Registry are being made in various High Courts (Para 18).

The Court stressed that lawyers, being officers of the Court, should respect themselves and maintain the dignity of the noble legal profession. It underlined that lawyers have a responsibility to uphold justice and fairness (Para 18). The Court criticized the petitioner's conduct in filing the petition and noted that such petitions should not be preferred hastily, especially when allegations against the Registry lack merit (Para 21).

The Court dismissed the petitioner's writ petition and imposed a token cost of Rs.100 on the petitioner to remind them of their responsibility towards the legal profession (Para 21).

Facts:

The case pertains to a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of an individual visiting India from Qatar. The deceased was riding a scooter with his wife as a pillion rider when a Maruti car collided with them.

Issues:

The computation of compensation for the dependents of the deceased, considering factors such as income, future prospects, loss of dependency, conventional heads of compensation, and contributory negligence.

Held:

The income of the deceased was calculated based on his Employment Contract Form from 1984, certified by the Indian Embassy at Doha. The notional income was computed by taking the base salary and increment of 10% per annum (para 9.1).

Future prospects were awarded at 30% as per the Constitution Bench's judgment in Pranay Sethi (para 9.2).

The multiplier method was used to calculate the loss of dependency, applying a multiplier of 15 based on the deceased's age at the time of death (para 9.3).

Compensation was awarded under conventional heads, including loss of estate, consortium, and funeral expenses (para 9.6).

The deduction of 50% for contributory negligence by the MACT and the High Court was affirmed (para 9.8).

Decision: The court awarded a total compensation of Rs. 19,82,563 to the claimants, with interest, considering the duration of the legal proceedings. The widow of the deceased, who suffered a permanent disability, was granted 50% of the total compensation, while the remaining 50% was to be equally divided among the three minor children. The Civil Appeals are disposed of in the aforesaid terms. (para 10,13).

Facts:

The appellant, engaged in the business of manufacturing Beer and IMFL, purchased empty bottles from unregistered dealers. The High Court held that the purchase tax is applicable under s.7-A of the 1959 Act, but the appellant is entitled to benefit from certain clarifications issued by the revenue.

Issues:

Whether the purchase of empty bottles falls under the purview of s.7-A of the Act and whether the appellant is entitled to the benefit of certain clarifications issued by the revenue.

Held:

The Court applies the principles laid down in Nandanam Construction Co. and holds that the expression "or otherwise" in clause (a) of sub-s. (1) of s.7-A covers four eventualities related to the treatment of goods: consumption in manufacture, consumption otherwise, use in manufacture, and use otherwise.( Para 34)

The empty bottles, even after being filled with liquor, retain their original identity and are not "consumed" in manufacture. Therefore, elements (i) and (iii) do not apply.( Para 44)

The bottles have not been "used" in manufacture, as bottling is a separate process undertaken after brewing/distillation. However, they have been "used otherwise" as an unalienable part of the complete chain of processes for manufacturing and selling liquor.( Para 49)

The activity of bottling using the bottles falls within the "used otherwise" element of clause (a) of sub-s. (1) of s.7-A, making it exigible to purchase tax.( Para 50)

The Court holds that while Clarifications/Circulars issued by the revenue are binding on authorities, they cannot contradict the declaration of law by the Courts as per Ratan Melting & Wire Industries.( Para 54)

The High Court cannot grant benefit based on Clarifications/Circulars that do not conform to statutory provisions and court interpretations.( Para 62)

Facts:

The appellant, Mohd. Inam, challenged an order declaring the premises vacant under Section 16(1)(b) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Buildings Act. An inspection report indicated that the tenant was residing with his family members, challenging the subletting claim. The Rent Control and Eviction Officer declared the premises vacant. The High Court granted the tenant liberty to challenge the vacancy order along with the final order under Section 16.

Issues:

Whether the tenant could challenge the vacancy order along with the final order.

Whether the Rent Control and Eviction Officer's exercise of jurisdiction was lawful.

Whether the High Court's exercise of jurisdiction under Article 227 was justified.

Held:

The High Court erred in not allowing the challenge to the vacancy order along with the final order, contrary to established judicial propriety and a binding precedent (Para 16).

The tenant had the right to challenge the vacancy order along with the final order, as granted by the High Court (Para 11, 13, 14, 33).

The Rent Control and Eviction Officer's finding of subletting under Section 12(1)(b) was contrary to law, as family members were residing with the tenant (Para 28, 29).

District Judge was justified in reversing the Rent Control and Eviction Officer's order due to incorrect interpretation of the law (Para 25, 26).

High Courts should exercise jurisdiction under Article 227 sparingly and not convert into courts of appeal. In the result, the appeal is allowed. (Para 32, 33).

The appeal has been granted, leading to the overturning of the High Court's order dated 26.10.2017. No costs shall be imposed in this matter. (Para 34)

Facts:

The case involves an appeal by the Rajasthan State Warehousing Corporation (the appellant) against an interim order passed by the High Court of Rajasthan. The appellant had issued a tender for warehouses under a PPP model, and certain queries were raised by the respondents regarding a specific clause (clause 5(5)(i)) in the bid notice. After dismissal of writ petitions challenging tender conditions, successful bidders were identified and issued a letter of intent. The High Court passed an interim order of status quo, allowing other formalities but restraining contract signing without Court permission.

Issues:

Whether the interim order passed by the High Court was valid, given the completion of the bidding process.

Whether the conditions for eligibility set by the appellant in the bidding process were justified.

Held:

The Supreme Court, after considering the arguments, set aside the interim orders passed by the High Court. The Court emphasized that the grant of an interim order restraining successful bidders from executing the contract was not in the public interest. It noted that such an order was passed without recording reasons, impacting state revenue. The Court referred to previous judgments and principles on interim orders in contractual matters, highlighting the need to balance conflicting public interests. The Court clarified that the grant of the contract would be subject to any orders passed by the High Court in pending intra-court appeals.