Facts:

The petitioner, Aseer Jamal, raised concerns regarding the accessibility of information under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) for illiterate and visually impaired citizens. He argued that certain provisions of the RTI Act, particularly Section 6, were discriminatory and violated Article 14 of the Constitution.

Issues:

Whether the provisions of the RTI Act adequately cater to the needs of illiterate and visually impaired individuals.

Whether Section 6 of the RTI Act violates Article 14 of the Constitution.

Held:

The Court declined to address the constitutional validity of Section 6 of the RTI Act. Instead, it focused on addressing the practical concerns raised by the petitioner.

The Court observed that Section 6(1) of the RTI Act mandates public authorities to provide reasonable assistance to individuals unable to make a written request, ensuring accessibility for illiterate persons. It also noted the provision in Section 6(3) allowing for the transfer of RTI applications to the appropriate competent public authority.

Regarding visually impaired persons, the Court highlighted measures implemented by several states to provide information in accessible formats such as Braille and audio files. It also noted the existence of hotline numbers and help desks for RTI-related queries.

The Court referred to Rule 5 of the Right to Information Rules, 2012, which exempts persons below the poverty line from paying application fees, provided they submit proof of their status.

In conclusion, the Court disposed of the writ petition, granting the petitioner liberty to submit a representation to the competent authority suggesting additional methods for accessing information under the RTI Act. The Court emphasized the importance of ensuring that differently abled persons, including visually impaired individuals, have functional access to information and encouraged authorities to explore advanced technologies to facilitate this access.

Facts:

Super Bazar incurred significant losses due to mismanagement, leading to its liquidation.

Efforts were made to revive Super Bazar under the supervision of the Supreme Court, with WPL recommended to manage its affairs.

WPL proposed a substantial investment for revival and reemployed Super Bazar's employees for three years.

Challenges arose in effectively implementing the revival plan, leading the Court to consider termination of the arrangement.

The Court directed a refund of WPL's investment along with interest, subject to deductions for profits made.

The CAG submitted a report highlighting irregularities in Super Bazar's accounts during WPL's management tenure.

Contempt petitions were filed regarding non-compliance with the Court's orders, challenging the fairness of the proceedings and the role of the former Official Liquidator.

Issues:

Whether the previous orders of the Court were fair and just in light of the complexities and irregularities in the case.

Whether a fresh hearing involving all stakeholders is necessary to ensure justice.

Held:

The Court, considering the complexities and irregularities in the case, decided to recall its previous order.

It emphasized the need for a full hearing involving all stakeholders to ensure justice.

The Court ordered a fresh hearing to consider all relevant facts and perspectives, involving stakeholders such as the Union of India, CAG, Official Liquidator, WPL, employees' union, and creditors' association.

As a result, the Court recalled its previous order, dismissed the contempt petitions, and directed a fresh hearing to ensure all stakeholders' interests are considered.

Facts:

The prosecution accused Chhaakki Lal and another individual of shooting dead four relatives of PW-1 while they were en route to the fields to cut crops.

Trial court convicted the accused under Section 302 IPC, but the High Court acquitted them, questioning the reliability of PW-1's testimony.

The Supreme Court examined the evidence and reasoning behind the High Court's decision.

Issues:

Whether the High Court's evaluation of PW-1's testimony was appropriate.

Whether there were serious flaws in the High Court's approach justifying Supreme Court intervention.

Whether the penalty imposed by the trial court was warranted.

Held:

The Court found that the trial court's acceptance of PW-1's testimony as credible was reasonable, given the corroborative medical and ballistic evidence.

The High Court's failure to properly appreciate PW-1's testimony and its reliance on minor inconsistencies was criticized by the Supreme Court.

The FIR's role as a broad outline rather than a comprehensive document was reiterated, and the Court noted that minor omissions do not invalidate the prosecution's case.

The Court emphasized the trauma experienced by PW-1 and upheld the trial court's assessment of her credibility.

Corroborative evidence, including the location of the incident and the ballistic expert's opinion, further supported PW-1's testimony.

While the general principle is non-interference in acquittals, the Supreme Court stated that it can intervene in cases of serious flaws in the High Court's approach.

Considering the passage of time and the death of one accused, the death penalty awarded by the trial court was commuted to life imprisonment.

Decision: The appeals were allowed, overturning the High Court's acquittal. The trial court's judgment convicting the accused under Section 302 IPC was reinstated. Life imprisonment was imposed on the remaining accused.

Facts:

The case involves a dispute over the division of properties left by a predecessor-in-interest. Following arbitration, an arbitral award was issued. Subsequently, the appellants allegedly entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the respondents, agreeing to provide additional properties to respondent no.1. However, the execution of necessary deeds was delayed by the appellants, and the time limit for challenging the arbitral award under Section 34(3) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, expired.

Issues:

The applicability of Section 17 of the Limitation Act in an application under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

Held:

The Court clarified that Section 29(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, consists of two limbs. The first part establishes that the limitation period prescribed by the special law prevails over the Limitation Act, while the second part mandates the application of Sections 4 to 24 of the Limitation Act only if not expressly excluded by the special law.

Section 17 of the Limitation Act merely defers the commencement of the limitation period; it does not extend or break it. It postpones the start of the limitation period.

The Court outlined the characteristics of Section 34(3), highlighting that it serves as the sole remedy for challenging an award under the Arbitration Act. The time limit for commencing the limitation period is also provided in Section 34(3). The provision prohibits filing an application after three months from the receipt of the award.

Applying Section 17 of the Limitation Act to Section 34(3) would lead to inconsistencies and defeat the purpose of the Arbitration Act, which aims for speedy dispute resolution and finality of awards.

Fraud or mistake under Section 17 of the Limitation Act would only defer the limitation period if it suppressed the knowledge necessary for pursuing a legal remedy. Once a party receives the award, the limitation period begins, and subsequent fraud does not affect this right.

The respondents had the right to challenge the award upon receiving it, and any subsequent fraud by the appellants did not affect this right. Therefore, there was no need for further remand.

Facts:

The appellant filed several applications before the High Court seeking dismissal of Election Petition No.1 of 2017 on various grounds including non-removal of office objections, non-compliance with rules, and discrepancies in the copy of the election petition served on them. The High Court rejected some applications while partially allowing others. Aggrieved by this decision, the appellant filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the High Court's rejection of Election Application No.2 of 2017 was justified?

Whether the High Court's decision on Election Application No.3 of 2017 was correct?

What is the fate of Election Application No.6 of 2017?

Held:

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to reject Election Application No.2 of 2017. The appellant's assertions regarding non-removal of office objections were deemed vague and unsubstantiated. The High Court's presumption that office objections had been duly removed was considered reasonable.

The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's decision on Election Application No.3 of 2017 and remanded it back for fresh consideration. The appellant's claim that the copy of the election petition served on them was not a true copy was partially allowed. The appellant's plea regarding discrepancies in the served copy needed further examination.

The Supreme Court left the decision on Election Application No.6 of 2017 open for future consideration. If the appellant's remanded application (No.3 of 2017) failed, they could challenge the decision on Application No.6 of 2017 afresh.

The appeals and the accompanying application(s) are disposed of in the aforesaid terms with no order as to costs.

Facts:

Lok Prahari, through its General Secretary, filed a Public Interest Litigation invoking the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution.

The petitioner sought a declaration that a stay of conviction by an appellate court does not wipe out disqualification and revive membership retrospectively.

The petitioner argued that disqualification under certain sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, arises upon conviction and that the seat of a member of Parliament or State legislature becomes vacant from the date of conviction.

The matter arose from a case where a member of the Legislative Assembly in the State of Uttar Pradesh was convicted of offenses under Sections 353, 504, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and was sentenced to imprisonment. The District Court stayed the execution of the sentence and of the conviction.

Issues:

Whether a stay of conviction by an appellate court affects the disqualification of a member of Parliament or State legislature under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The interpretation of relevant constitutional provisions, statutory provisions, and judicial precedents regarding disqualification upon conviction.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that a stay of conviction by an appellate court suspends the disqualification, and the seat of the member does not become vacant from the date of conviction.

The Court examined Section 389 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which empowers the appellate court to suspend the execution of a sentence or order appealed against, for reasons to be recorded in writing. It cited previous judgments such as Rama Narang v Ramesh Narang and Lily Thomas v Union of India to establish the legal precedent regarding the effect of a stay of conviction on disqualification.

The Court concluded that once a conviction is stayed during the appeal process, the disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, does not operate. Therefore, the seat of the member does not become vacant from the date of conviction. The power conferred on the appellate court under Section 389 includes the power to stay a conviction, which suspends the operation of the disqualification.

Additionally, the Court dismissed the petitioner's request for certain directions to be issued to the Union Government regarding the dissemination of judgments related to disqualifications of sitting members.

Facts:

The case involves the interpretation of various provisions of the Constitution of India regarding reservation in promotions and the application of the creamy layer principle to SCs and STs.

Issues:

The judgment include the validity of the M. Nagaraj case judgment, the application of the creamy layer principle, the interpretation of relevant constitutional provisions, the object of reservation, and the reservation in promotions for SCs and STs.

Held:

The court held that the judgment in M. Nagaraj case did not need to be referred to a seven-judge bench. However, the requirement for the State to collect quantifiable data showing backwardness of SCs and STs, as mandated by the M. Nagaraj case, was deemed invalid to this extent .

The application of the creamy layer principle to SCs and STs was upheld. Only individuals within SCs and STs who have come out of untouchability or backwardness due to belonging to the creamy layer would be excluded from reservation benefits. This application was seen as consistent with Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution .

The court emphasized a harmonious interpretation of Articles 14, 16, 341, and 342 of the Constitution, clarifying that Parliament has the freedom to include or exclude persons from the Presidential Lists based on relevant factors. Similarly, Constitutional Courts have the authority to exclude the creamy layer from these lists when applying the principles of equality under Articles 14 and 16 .

The court reiterated that the purpose of reservation is to ensure the progress of backward classes of citizens and their attainment of equality with other citizens of India .

The determination of adequate representation in promotional posts for SCs and STs under Article 16(4-A) is left to the discretion of the States, considering the efficiency of administration and the need for reservation at different levels of promotion .

The court clarified that while a proportionality test to the population as a whole may be considered for representation in promotional posts, the language of Article 16(4-A) allows States to determine adequate representation based on the specific context of the promotional post in question.

Facts:

The appellant's wife died along with her child by drowning in a river within seven years of her marriage. The Trial Court convicted the appellant under Section 304-B IPC, which was affirmed by the High Court with a reduced sentence. The appellant contended that there was neither cruelty nor any demand for dowry.

Issues:

Whether the evidence presented in the case warrants interference by the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of India?

Held:

The Supreme Court will not reassess the evidence at large in an appeal under Article 136, particularly when it has been concurrently accepted by the High Court and the Courts below.

Interference by the Supreme Court is justified only if something more is shown, such as a violation of principles of natural justice, error of law or procedure, misreading of evidence, or manifestly perverse conclusions by the High Court.

Material in the form of testimony from witnesses PW-1 and PW-3 regarding dowry harassment was present. This included complaints made by the deceased to her father and elder sister about harassment by the appellant.

The presumption under Section 113-B of the Evidence Act for dowry death was applicable considering the circumstances presented in the case.

The trial court's conclusion was based on evidence, including testimony from various witnesses, and was not manifestly perverse. The view taken by the trial court and affirmed by the High Court was warranted by the materials on record.

Decision: The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction under Section 304-B IPC was upheld.

Facts:

The respondent filed a suit against the appellants for eviction from the suit premises.

A compromise was reached during the suit, resulting in a consent decree.

The defendants failed to comply with the terms of the decree, leading to execution proceedings.

The Executing Court ordered possession in favor of the plaintiff, but the defendants filed a revision, leading to remand by the revisionary court.

The High Court set aside the revisionary court's order and upheld the Executing Court's decision.

Issues:

Whether the remand by the revisionary court was justified.

Whether additional documents filed by the defendants were relevant in the revisionary jurisdiction.

Held:

The Court found that the revisionary court erred in remanding the case to the Executing Court instead of deciding the revision on its merits.

The court emphasized that remand is warranted only for material issues not decided or procedural lacunae.

The allowance of additional documents was deemed unnecessary as the legality and correctness of the order could be decided based on existing records.

The High Court should have remanded the case to the revisionary court instead of deciding the issue on merits itself.

The revisionary court is directed to decide the revision afresh on its merits, considering relevant legal precedents, within six months. The appeals thus succeed and are accordingly allowed in part.