Contempt Jurisdiction – Repeated “Consider/Reconsider” Directions – Appeal against interim order listing contempt petition for framing of charges – Multiple writ petitions resulted in successive remand orders directing authorities to “reconsider” claim for salary and creation of posts – Authorities repeatedly rejected claim citing Government policy ban – High Court continued to seek fresh affidavits in contempt proceedings without adjudicating legality of latest order dated 09.05.2025 – Held: In absence of clear and categorical direction establishing right and specific mode of compliance, initiation of contempt proceedings was misplaced – Parties must challenge substantive adverse order rather than invoke contempt for quick relief – Matter remitted with directions [Paras 12–18, 20].

Judicial Practice – “Consider Jurisprudence” – Courts routinely issuing directions to “consider” or “reconsider” claims without determining existence of enforceable right – Such practice termed counterproductive and harmful to system – Relief must follow where right is established – Constitutional remedies are not meant for academic discourse – Courts must issue clear, categorical and enforceable directions specifying manner of compliance – Avoidance or postponement of relief under guise of equity deprecated [Paras 14–16].

Contempt Proceedings – Scope and Limitations – Contempt cannot be used to circumvent appellate remedies – Where Government passed detailed order dated 09.05.2025 pursuant to High Court’s earlier directions, proper course was to challenge said order – High Court erred in proceeding with contempt without first examining validity of latest order – Contempt jurisdiction not a substitute for substantive adjudication [Paras 17–18].

Directions to High Court – Expeditious Disposal – Respondents permitted to challenge Government order dated 09.05.2025 by fresh writ petition – High Court directed to hear writ petition along with pending contempt proceedings – High Court shall first decide writ petition on merits – Not to remand matter again for reconsideration – If satisfied, to issue clear and categorical directions – If not, to dismiss with reasons – Matter to be assigned for final disposal by 30.04.2026 – Civil Appeal disposed of [Paras 18–20].

Decision: Civil Appeal disposed of with directions – High Court to adjudicate fresh writ petition on merits and avoid further remand – Contempt proceedings to be considered in light of final adjudication.

Civil Law – Rejection of Plaint – Order VII Rule 11 CPC – Scope and limitations – Suit filed challenging family partition deed dated 31.12.2018 (KBPP) on grounds of coercion, undue influence and misrepresentation and challenging document dated 02.01.2019 as fabricated conciliation award – Trial Court and High Court rejected plaint holding no cause of action and abuse of process – Supreme Court held that plaint disclosed a real and triable cause of action – Allegations of coercion and fraud cannot be peremptorily rejected at threshold – Matters require evidence – Rejection of plaint held erroneous [Paras 27–31].

Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – Conciliation Award – Requirements under Part III (Sections 61–74) – Respondents contended that KBPP read with document dated 02.01.2019 constituted a conciliation award executable as a decree – Court held that serious questions arose as to whether any conciliation in accordance with Part III was ever conducted – Settlement agreement not authenticated by conciliator as required under Section 73 – Alleged award signed only by conciliator and not by parties – Plea of fabricated award raised bona fide and could not be rejected summarily [Paras 21–25].

Family Arrangement / Partition Deed – Challenge on grounds of coercion and inequitable division – Execution of KBPP admitted but promptly revoked by appellants alleging unequal and unfair partition – Court held that in family arrangements, coercion need not be physical or explicit – Subservience to elder family member and misrepresentation can constitute coercion – Validity of partition deed cannot be adjudicated in execution proceedings and requires a properly instituted civil suit [Paras 22, 29–30].

Execution Proceedings – Section 47 CPC – Scope – Objections under Section 47 CPC filed in execution of alleged conciliation award – Supreme Court held that even if execution court examines validity of alleged award, it cannot adjudicate independent challenge to partition deed on grounds of coercion and fraud – Civil suit is the only remedy for such challenge – Simultaneous pendency of suit and Section 47 objections not an abuse of process in facts of case [Paras 30–32].

Res Judicata – Constructive Res Judicata – Effect of earlier proceedings – Earlier dismissal of Section 11 petitions, revisions and SLPs did not foreclose remedy of filing civil suit – Liberty expressly reserved by High Court and Supreme Court to work out remedies in accordance with law – Constructive res judicata not attracted – Challenge to KBPP and alleged award held to be still at large [Paras 17–20, 31].

Order VII Rule 11 CPC – Abuse of Process – Improper application – High Court erred in treating admitted execution of KBPP as waiver of statutory protections under Arbitration Act – No partial waiver of Part III permissible – Findings of abuse of process, suppression and under-valuation unsustainable at threshold – Plaint could not be termed vexatious or illusory [Paras 25–28, 31].

Decision: Appeals allowed – Orders of Trial Court and High Court rejecting plaint under Order VII Rule 11 CPC set aside – Plaint restored to file of Principal District Judge, Tirunelveli – Suit to be tried along with objections under Section 47 CPC – Liberty reserved to parties to opt for fresh arbitration subject to withdrawal of reliance on KBPP and document dated 02.01.2019 – Observations held to be prima facie and not binding on final adjudication [Paras 32–35].

Public Interest Litigation – Right to Health – Front-of-Pack Labelling – Earlier direction issued to Expert Committee to submit recommendations within three months for amendment of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations – On review of compliance affidavit, Court found no effective or concrete progress – Exercise undertaken by FSSAI held prima facie unsatisfactory – Matter involves important public health concern – Authority directed to reconsider and revert within four weeks [Paras 1–4, 8, 12].

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 – Regulatory Domain of FSSAI – Implementation of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (INR Star Rating System) – Large stakeholder objections (approx. 14,000 comments) and absence of consensus cited by Authority – Proposal deferred by Food Authority – Court observed that continued consultations and studies cannot indefinitely delay decision-making in matters affecting public health [Paras 4–6, 8].

Front-of-Pack Warning Labels – International Practice – Suggestion by Petitioner for clear warning label on wrapper/packet of pre-packaged foods – Court noted international prevalence of FoPL and directed Authority to consider suggested model seriously – Further response sought within four weeks [Paras 9–11].

Compliance Jurisdiction – Monitoring of Directions – Matter listed to ascertain compliance of earlier order dated 09.04.2025 – Court retained seisin and directed listing after four weeks for further consideration [Paras 2, 12–13].

Decision: Compliance affidavit found unsatisfactory – FSSAI directed to reconsider and revert to Court within four weeks – Matter to be listed accordingly.

Criminal Law – Abuse of Process – Successive FIRs – Article 32 – Petitioners alleged repeated registration of FIRs by Anti-Corruption Bureau to nullify bail orders and keep Petitioner No.1 in custody – Court examined sequence of FIR No.9/2025, FIR No.11/2025, FIR No.20/2025 and FIR No.458/2025 – Noted that subsequent FIRs were not disclosed when interim bail was granted – Held that successive registration prima facie intended to defeat bail and ensure continued custody – Such conduct amounts to abuse of criminal process and violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 – Writ Petition maintainable under Article 32 [Paras 7-12].

Constitution of India – Article 32 – Scope and Maintainability – Power of Supreme Court as “heart and soul” of Constitution reiterated – Court will not refuse to entertain petition where prima facie violation of fundamental rights is established – Existence of alternative remedy of bail before High Court not absolute bar in exceptional circumstances of abuse of process – Intervention warranted to protect personal liberty [Paras 7-8].

Bail – Successive Remand Despite Supreme Court’s Interim Bail – After grant of interim bail on 17.12.2025, petitioner remanded in FIR No.458/2025 and FIR No.20/2025 – Magistrate granted custodial interrogation immediately after Supreme Court order – Conduct of prosecution indicated conscious attempt to keep accused in custody – Held petitioner entitled to be released forthwith on bail in FIR No.20/2025 and FIR No.458/2025 [Paras 10-13].

Cooperation in Investigation – Meaning – Alleged non-cooperation cannot imply obligation to confess to suit prosecution – Cooperation does not mandate self-incriminatory statements – Prosecution’s plea of non-cooperation viewed with caution [Para 11].

Protection from Coercive Action – Petitioner No.2 not arrested – Court directed that no coercive steps be taken subject to cooperation with investigation – Balance struck between investigation and protection of liberty [Para 13].

Criminal Appeal – Bail under PC Act and IPC – Interim bail granted earlier by Supreme Court in FIR No.11/2025 – Chargesheet filed – State raised no objection to confirmation of bail – Held interim bail made absolute subject to conditions imposed by jurisdictional court including appearance and cooperation [Paras 4-7 of Criminal Appeal].

Decision: Writ Petition (Criminal) No.55 of 2026 allowed – Petitioner No.1 directed to be released forthwith on bail in FIR No.20/2025 and FIR No.458/2025 – No coercive steps against Petitioner No.2 subject to cooperation – Rule made absolute.

Criminal Appeal No.815 of 2026 allowed – Interim bail granted on 17.12.2025 in FIR No.11/2025 made absolute subject to terms imposed by jurisdictional court.

Environmental Law – Encroachment on Reserved Forest – Constitutional Obligation of State – Large-scale encroachments in Reserved Forests in Assam – State placed data showing 3,62,082.62 hectares under encroachment affecting 19.92% of forest area – Article 48A casts duty on State to protect and improve environment and safeguard forests – Article 51A(g) imposes duty on citizens – Held: Protection of forests is a constitutional imperative and cannot be diluted by unauthorised occupation [Paras 9-10].

Environmental Governance – Rule of Law – Eviction of Alleged Encroachers – Appellants challenged eviction notices as arbitrary and violative of natural justice – Court emphasised that environmental protection must be pursued through lawful means – No dichotomy between environmental protection and rule of law – Both must co-exist and reinforce each other – State action must conform to fairness and due process [Paras 5, 10].

Reserved Forest – Policy Mechanism for Removal of Encroachments – State filed additional affidavit outlining procedure – Constitution of Committee comprising Forest and Revenue officials – Issuance of notice to alleged unauthorised occupants – Opportunity to produce documentary evidence – Passing of speaking order – Grant of 15 days’ time to vacate before eviction – Matters relating to land outside notified forest to be referred to Revenue Department – Held: Mechanism contains sufficient procedural safeguards and conforms to principles of fairness and reasonableness [Paras 11-13].

Forest Village and Gaon Panchayat – Permissible Occupation – Existence of Gaon Panchayat in forest area permissible under Section 5 of Assam Panchayat Act, 1994 – Persons whose names appear in Jamabandi Register of Forest Department or who hold rights under Forest Rights Act, 2006 are legally authorised occupants – Rights inheritable but non-transferable – Unauthorised occupants, even within Gaon Panchayat limits falling in Reserved Forest, liable to eviction following prescribed procedure [Paras 11-12].

Interference with High Court Orders – Substitution and Modification – Supreme Court substituted and modified orders of Division Bench and Single Judge of Gauhati High Court – Directed maintenance of status quo till speaking order passed and expiry of 15 days’ notice period – Clarified that no opinion expressed on merits of individual claims and contentions kept open before Committee – Writ petitions under Article 32 not examined in detail in view of mechanism evolved – Appeals and writ petitions disposed of [Paras 13-16].

Decision: Appeals and Writ Petitions disposed of – Mechanism evolved by State for eviction from Reserved Forests upheld as containing adequate procedural safeguards – Status quo to continue till speaking order and expiry of notice period – No order as to costs.

Limitation – Condonation of Delay – State as Litigant – Appeal dismissed as time-barred – High Court refused to condone delay of over 11 years in filing appeal without certified copy – Supreme Court held that no “sufficient cause” shown – Mere procedural delay in obtaining approvals not a valid ground – Delay characterized as “lame excuse” and not explanation – SLP dismissed as time-barred [Paras 12, 20-22; ].

Section 5 Limitation Act – “Sufficient Cause” – Elastic but not limitless – Expression must subserve ends of justice – Court reiterated that condonation is discretionary and cannot be claimed as matter of right – Bureaucratic red tape not an automatic ground for condonation [Paras 13, 21; ].

State Litigant – Liberal Approach – Earlier decisions in Katiji and Ramegowda allowed latitude to Government recognizing institutional delays – However, later trend including Living Media, University of Delhi and Pathapati Subba Reddy reflects stricter scrutiny – Court observed that there is a point beyond which even courts cannot assist Government litigant suffering from bureaucratic indifference [Paras 14-19; ].

Explanation vs Excuse – Distinction – Court emphasized that cause shown must be genuine explanation and not routine, stereotyped justification – Government’s plea of procedural approval delay held inadequate – Conduct found “utterly lethargic, tardy and indolent” both before High Court and Supreme Court [Paras 17, 20; ].

Public Policy – Law of Limitation – Object is to ensure finality and prevent indefinite pendency of litigation – Merits of case cannot be examined at stage of condonation of delay [Para 16; ].

Decision: Applications for condonation of delay in filing and re-filing SLP rejected – Special Leave Petition dismissed as time-barred.

Contract – Public Works Contract – Delayed Payment – Interest – Contractor completed work and received principal amount belatedly – Suit filed seeking interest for delayed payment – Preliminary agreement contained Clause (5) expressly barring claim for interest or damages for belated settlement of bills – Held: Parties bound by contractual terms – Clause prohibiting claim for interest on delayed payment is valid and enforceable – Contractor not entitled to interest [Paras 3-7].

Interest Act, 1978 – Section 3(1) and 3(3) – Applicability – High Court relied on Section 3(1) to award interest but failed to consider exception under Section 3(3) – Where parties have agreed otherwise by contract, statutory grant of interest does not override express contractual bar – Interest Act operates in absence of agreement or where agreement is contrary to law – Not applicable where parties consciously waived interest [Paras 6-9].

Section 34 CPC – Scope – Section 34 concerns rate of interest pendente lite and post-decree – Does not override express contractual prohibition or Section 3(3) of Interest Act – Cannot be invoked to nullify agreed contractual stipulation barring interest [Para 10].

Government Contract – Article 12 – Kerala Water Authority is ‘State’ – Clause introduced in context of public project where commencement preceded fund availability – Contractor aware of possible delay and consciously accepted risk – No element of coercion or unconscionability established [Paras 4, 8].

Appellate Interference – High Court reduced interest from 14% to 9% but overlooked binding contractual bar – Impugned judgment set aside – Appeal by Kerala Water Authority allowed – Contractor’s appeal dismissed [Paras 11-12].

Decision: Appeal arising out of SLP(C) No. 17823/2023 (Kerala Water Authority) allowed – Impugned judgment dated 23.02.2023 set aside – Contractor not entitled to interest on delayed payment in view of Clause (5) of preliminary agreement. Appeal arising out of SLP(C) No. 24631/2023 (Contractor) dismissed. Pending applications disposed of.

Criminal Law – Anticipatory Bail – Private Complaint – Magistrate taking cognizance and issuing summons under Section 204 Cr.P.C. for offences under Sections 406 and 420 IPC – Petitioner approached High Court seeking anticipatory bail – Supreme Court held that once summons is issued, accused is required to appear before Magistrate – Mere issuance of summons does not give rise to apprehension of arrest – Petition for anticipatory bail misconceived in absence of warrant – SLP disposed of [Paras 2-5, 9].

Process – Summons vs Warrant – Section 87 Cr.P.C. – Court may issue warrant in lieu of or in addition to summons only after recording reasons in writing – Contingencies: (a) belief that accused has absconded or will not obey summons, (b) failure to appear despite due service without reasonable excuse – In present case, Magistrate did not invoke Section 87 while issuing summons – Held: In absence of warrant, apprehension of arrest unfounded [Paras 6-7].

Complaint Case – Procedure – Case instituted otherwise than on police report – Magistrate after taking cognizance to proceed in accordance with Chapter XIV Cr.P.C. – Trial Court directed to follow statutory procedure upon appearance of accused [Paras 5, 8].

Decision: Special Leave Petition disposed of – Petitioner directed to appear before the Magistrate pursuant to summons – Trial Court to proceed in accordance with law – Pending applications disposed of [Paras 9-10].

Land Acquisition – Applicability of 2013 Act – Section 24(1)(a), Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 – Held – Section 24(1)(a) of the 2013 Act applies to cases where land acquisition proceedings were initiated under the 1894 Act but the award was passed after the commencement of the 2013 Act – In such cases, only the provisions of the 2013 Act relating to the determination of compensation shall apply, excluding rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements, as these are new benefits not extended retrospectively – This ensures just and fair compensation under the beneficial legislation – The 2013 Act, being a special law, is intended to provide more benefits and a robust mechanism for compensation. [Paras 4, 14-17, 22-23, 97(i), 97(ii)]

Land Acquisition – Role of Collector and Authority – Sections 23, 51, 60, 61, 63, 64, 69, 70, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 – Held – The Collector, when passing an award under Section 23 or making a reference under Section 64, performs quasi-judicial and executive functions, but not an exclusively judicial role – The Authority established under Section 51 of the 2013 Act, comprising a legally trained person, exercises powers akin to a Civil Court (Section 60), conducts judicial proceedings (Section 61), and its award under Section 69 is deemed a decree and judgment (Section 70) – The Authority acts as the first judicial forum, and proceedings before it are original in nature – Consequently, the Collector does not have the discretion to invoke Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963 for condonation of delay in reference applications. [Paras 24, 26-28, 30-31, 33, 74]

Limitation – Applicability of Section 5 of Limitation Act, 1963 to appeals under Section 74 of 2013 Act – Section 74, 103, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 – Section 5, 29(2), Limitation Act, 1963 – Held – Section 74 of the 2013 Act, which provides for a 60-day period for filing appeals to the High Court with a further 60-day grace period, does not expressly exclude the application of Sections 4 to 24 of the Limitation Act, 1963 – Section 103 of the 2013 Act clarifies that its provisions are "in addition to and not in derogation of" other existing laws, thereby facilitating borrowing from enactments like the Limitation Act – A mere prescription of a limitation period in a special law does not imply an express exclusion of Section 5 of the Limitation Act – The High Court, as an appellate court, is entitled to apply Section 5 of the Limitation Act for condonation of delay in appeals under Section 74 of the 2013 Act, adopting a liberal and pragmatic approach consistent with the beneficial nature of the 2013 Act and the right to fair compensation. [Paras 35-36, 37-38, 59-62, 63, 67-68, 71, 75-78, 79, 80-81, 97(iv)]

Judicial Administration – Condonation of Delay – Accountability of State Instrumentalities – Held – Given the beneficial nature of the 2013 Act and the interest of justice, all applications for condonation of delay in filing first appeals before the High Courts under Section 74 of the 2013 Act are allowed, setting aside impugned judgments that held Section 5 of the Limitation Act inapplicable – The widespread delays and lackadaisical approach by acquiring bodies and their counsel indicate potential collusion or carelessness, undermining public confidence – State Governments are directed to implement necessary measures to ensure timely filing of appeals and to fix responsibility on erring officials to prevent future delays. [Paras 82-85, 97(v), 97(vii), 97(viii)]

Decision: Appeal allowed – Impugned judgments set aside insofar as the issue of application of Section 5 of the 1963 Act is concerned – All applications seeking condonation of delay in preferring the first appeals before the High Courts under Section 74 of the 2013 Act stand allowed – High Courts are expected to adjudicate on merits, except to the extent of observations made pertaining to the incidental issue – The respective State Governments will have to take necessary measures and issue appropriate directions to the officers dealing with the appeals under Section 74 of the 2013 Act against the awards passed after the commencement of the 2013 Act to ensure that the appeals are filed as provided under Section 74 of the 2013 Act – High Courts shall avoid a pedantic approach as against a pragmatic one in dealing with the applications seeking condonation of delay – Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. [Paras 83, 97, 98, 99]