Equating Party to Suit with a Witness – Analysis Under CPC and Indian Evidence Act – The Supreme Court concluded that there is no fundamental difference between a party to a suit and a witness for the purpose of evidence. Both are treated similarly in the context of producing evidence, either documentary or oral. Emphasized that the party to a suit, when acting as a witness, is subject to the same procedural requirements as any other witness. [Paras 14-16, 22, 26-27, 32]

Production of Documents during Cross-Examination – It is permissible under law for parties to produce documents at the stage of cross-examination without prior submission with the plaint or written statement, for both a witness and a party acting as a witness. This ensures effective cross-examination and aligns with the broader objective of uncovering the truth in legal proceedings. [Paras 18-21, 30-31, 33]

Interpretation of CPC Provisions (Order VII Rule 14; Order VIII Rule 1-A; Order XIII Rule 1) – The Court negated the strict interpretation that differentiates between 'party' and 'witness' for the purposes of evidence under the CPC. The judgment interprets these provisions to allow documents' production for cross-examination or refreshing a witness's memory, applicable equally to parties and witnesses. [Paras 19, 22, 32]

Decision – The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the judgment of the Bombay High Court. The case is remanded to the High Court for decision on merits based on the principles outlined in the Supreme Court judgment. [Paras 34-36]

Bail Rejection Upheld – High Court of Chhattisgarh's decision to reject bail application upheld – Appellant, Saumya Chaurasia, arrested in connection with crimes under IPC and PMLA, involved in a large-scale extortion racket – No compelling reason for granting bail observed. [Para 30]

Misrepresentation in SLP – Attempt by appellant to misrepresent facts in the Special Leave Petition by presenting incorrect statements to challenge High Court order – Deplored by the Supreme Court. [Paras 12-15, 30]

Scheduled Offences under PMLA – Discussion on the survival of scheduled offences under PMLA – Clarification that chargesheet details do not conclude existence of scheduled offences, dependent on court's decision – Offences under PMLA sustained despite changes in chargesheet. [Paras 27-29]

Women's Bail Under PMLA – Discussion on discretion under Section 45 of PMLA for granting bail to women – Appellant's involvement in serious offences and evidence against her do not warrant bail despite her being a woman. [Paras 22-25]

Chargesheet and Cognizance Order – The non-existence of the chargesheet and cognizance order during the High Court proceedings highlighted – Importance of presenting accurate information in legal proceedings stressed. [Paras 6-10, 27]

Professional Conduct of Advocates – Emphasis on the duty of advocates to verify facts and assist the court in administering justice – Need for high professionalism in legal practice, especially at the Supreme Court level. [Para 14]

Decision – Appeal dismissed with cost of Rs.1 Lakh to be deposited by the Appellant before the Supreme Court Legal Services Authority within two weeks. [Para 30]

Criminal Appeal – Conviction Under Section 302 IPC and Section 34 IPC – Appeal against conviction by Trial Court and affirmation by High Court – Appellants convicted for murder with common intention and causing grievous hurt – Conviction and sentence to life imprisonment upheld. [Para 1]

Eyewitness Testimony – Reliability and Scrutiny – Testimonies of five eyewitnesses, including close relatives of the deceased, considered credible – Closer scrutiny of relative witnesses’ testimony conducted – Evidence found to be of sterling quality. [Para 9-11]

Common Intention – Section 34 IPC – Applicability in the absence of overt act by appellants – Vicarious liability under Section 34 established through presence, active participation, and shared intention with the main accused at the crime scene. [Para 6-7, 12]

Evidence Evaluation – Non-Examination of Certain Witnesses – Totality of circumstances considered – Quality of eyewitness testimony found more important than quantity, negating the need for adverse inference against prosecution. [Para 8, 10]

Appeal Verdict – Upholding of Conviction – Supreme Court finds no merit in the appeal – Conviction and life imprisonment sentence of appellants upheld – Direction for appellants to surrender for serving remaining sentence. [Para 13-14]

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 – Bail Application – Appellant detained for possession of 45 grams of heroin, below the commercial quantity defined by the Act – No substantial evidence linking appellant to larger quantity seized from co-accused – Continued detention deemed unnecessary. [Para 1-4]

Bail Conditions – Section 37 of the 1985 Act – Conditions specified in Section 37 for refusing bail not applicable to appellant – Directed release on bail with conditions imposed by the Special Court – Restrictions include not entering Kolkata Municipal Corporation limits without Trial Court's permission and maintaining active communication with the Investigating Officer. [Para 5]

Trial Proceedings and Appellant’s Rights – Observations made in this order based on current materials and not to influence the main trial – Appellant granted bail with specific conditions to ensure compliance and enable monitoring by authorities. [Para 6]

Judicial Discretion and Fair Trial – Emphasis on the importance of judicial discretion in bail matters – Observations in the order to not affect the fairness of the trial process – Bail granted with specific conditions to balance the rights of the appellant with the requirements of justice. [Para 7]

Decision – Supreme Court sets aside High Court’s order, grants bail to appellant subject to conditions – Emphasizes non-influence of current observations on the main trial – All pending applications disposed of in the light of the order. [Para 8]

Definition of "Teacher" – Sports Officer/PTI in JNKVV – PTI/Sports Officer falling within the definition of “teacher” under the JNKVV Act and Statute – Appellant entitled to retire at 62 years like other teachers – Impugned order setting aside the single judge's decision reversed – Appellant's premature retirement at 60 years deemed improper. [Paras 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12]

Interpretation of Statutes and Regulations – Examination of the JNKVV Act, Statute, and Regulations – No specific mention of duties of PTI/Sports Officer – Decision based on inclusive definition of “teacher” in the Act – PTI/Sports Officer’s role in imparting sports education and training considered equivalent to teaching. [Paras 3, 4, 10]

Reliance on Precedents – Division Bench of High Court misapplied the decision of “State of Madhya Pradesh and Others v. Ramesh Chandra Bajpai” – Appropriate reliance on “P.S. Ramamohana Rao v. A.P. Agricultural University and Another” for interpreting the term “teacher” expansively. [Paras 6, 7, 9, 11]

Decision - Appeals allowed – Appellant P.C. Modi recognized as a “teacher”, entitled to retirement benefits as if retired at age 62 – Benefits to be paid within six weeks from the date of the order. [Para 12]

Conviction of Appellants under Sections 302 and 34, and Section 325 and 34 of IPC – Life imprisonment for offence under Section 302/34 and three years of rigorous imprisonment for offence under Section 325/34 – Patna High Court upheld the convictions – Accused no.3 (Paro Yadav) convicted only under Section 302 IPC; no Section 34 applied [Paras 1, 6]

Incident Details – PW4, the first informant, with PW5 and the deceased (Gholti Yadav) attacked by appellants and accused no.3 – Accused no.3 fired a bullet from a musket, causing the deceased's death – Assault on PW4 and PW5 by the accused [Paras 2, 9]

Motive – Previous altercation between accused no.3 and the deceased over a horse theft – Prosecution established the motive and involvement of the accused [Paras 3, 8-10]

Common Intention – Section 34 IPC applied due to appellants' presence and involvement in the assault with accused no.3 – Vicarious liability established despite lack of overt act by appellants in the fatal injury [Paras 6-7, 12]

Eyewitnesses' Testimony – Reliability of PW1 to PW5, despite being relatives of the deceased – High quality and consistent testimonies, corroborating prosecution's case [Paras 8-11]

No Adverse Inference – Non-examination of two potential eye-witnesses not detrimental to prosecution's case due to the strength of available testimonies [Para 8]

Dismissal of Appeal – Supreme Court finds no merit in the appeal – Appellants directed to surrender to serve the remainder of their sentence [Paras 13-14]

Trial Court Conviction and High Court Acquittal – Six accused convicted under IPC Sections 148, 201/149, and 302/149 for murder, sentenced to life imprisonment and fine by the Court of Sessions – High Court set aside this conviction and sentence, leading to the present appeal by the appellant/complainant Chhote Lal. [Paras 2-3]

Disputed Incident Details – Incident dated 04.11.2000 involving the murder of Kishan Sarup, allegedly by the six accused – FIR lodged by appellant/complainant Chhote Lal, an eyewitness to the initial assault but not to the murder or burning of the body. [Paras 5-6, 8-9]

Questionable Eyewitness Testimony – Appellant/complainant, the sole eyewitness and father of the deceased, did not witness the actual killing or burning of Kishan Sarup – His presence during the incident and credibility of testimony brought into question due to the long-standing enmity with the accused group. [Paras 9-13]

Evidence Insufficiency and Reasonable Doubt – Prosecution failed to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt – Lack of complete circumstantial evidence chain and doubts about the presence and testimony of the sole eyewitness. [Paras 14]

Decision – The Supreme Court concurred with the High Court's view, extending the benefit of doubt to the accused persons – Appeal dismissed as lacking merit. [Paras 14-16]

Criminal Appeal – Conviction for Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder – Appellant challenging High Court's judgment modifying conviction from murder to culpable homicide under Section 304 Part II, IPC – review the evidence and High Court's findings. [Para 1, 8]

Prosecution Case – Incident of Assault and Subsequent Death – Prosecution alleging appellant assaulted the victim, leading to his death – Initial conviction for murder by Sessions Court, later modified to culpable homicide by High Court. [Para 2, 3]

Appellant’s Arguments – Allegations of Misinterpretation of Evidence and False Implication – Appellant's counsel arguing about misinterpretation of evidence by High Court and withholding of key witnesses by prosecution, raising questions about the actual cause of victim's death. [Para 4, 5]

Respondent’s Arguments – Support for High Court's Reasoning and Judgment – Respondent's counsel defending the High Court's judgment, emphasizing the credibility of eyewitnesses and medical evidence linking the death to the assault. [Para 6, 7]

Analysis of Evidence – Scrutiny of Witnesses and Circumstances – Supreme Court meticulously examining FIR, witness testimonies, medical evidence, and other circumstances, especially focusing on inconsistencies and missing evidence. [Para 9-24]

Acquittal of Appellant – Supreme Court finding the evidence insufficient to establish culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt, leading to appellant's acquittal and discharge from bail bonds. [Para 25, 26]

Decision – High Court’s Judgment Set Aside – Supreme Court setting aside the High Court’s judgment, leading to the appellant's release unless required in other cases. [Para 26]

Withdrawal of Petition – Petitioner seeks withdrawal of the special leave petition after initial arguments – Petition dismissed as withdrawn with observations on the need for uniformity in handling bail applications. [Para 1]

Bail and Parity among Co-Accused – Case founded on claim of parity in bail, contrasting petitioner’s denial of bail with co-accused’s grant by High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan – Importance of considering Supreme Court judgments in similar cases highlighted. [Para 2]

Observations on Consistent Handling of Cases – Court’s concern over inconsistent decisions in bail matters from the same FIR – Emphasis on avoiding conflicting decisions and considering relevant factors for co-accused bail parity. [Para 3]

Precedent for Consistency – Reference to a three-Judge Bench order in SLP (Crl.) No. 7203 of 2023 on similar issues – Direction for listing FIR-related matters before the same judge for consistent orders. [Paras 4-5]

Directive to High Courts – Order to communicate this decision and SLP (Crl.) No. 7203 of 2023 order to all High Courts for implementation – Aimed at ensuring uniformity and consistency in judicial decisions across similar cases. [Para 6]