Service Law - Applicability of Government Orders in Promotion to Assistant Engineers – Jurisdiction and Legal Analysis – Appeals challenging the judgment of the Madras High Court which allowed writ appeals filed by respondents, reversing the earlier decision to restrict appointments of Technical Assistants to Assistant Engineers based on service and qualifications – Held, Executive instructions valid for filling gaps until formal rules are framed, as per historical precedents and existing governmental orders, ensuring promotions from Technical Assistants to Assistant Engineers based on specified conditions are lawful. [Paras 1-3, 15-17]

Regularization of Technical Assistants as Assistant Engineers – Legal Basis and Precedents – Examination of the regularized status of Technical Assistants appointed as Assistant Engineers on a temporary basis – Held, Regularization justified by Rule 48 of Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services, validated by executive orders, aligning with service requirements and not constituting backdoor appointments, thereby upholding service justice and administrative efficiency. [Paras 22-25]

Judicial Discretion in Civil Service Appeals – Equity and Legal Precedents – Discussion on the discretionary power of the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution in adjudicating service-related appeals – Held, No interference warranted with High Court’s judgment given the established practice and regularized appointments under debate, as it would disrupt settled positions and undermine service equity and justice. [Paras 26-27]

Outcome – Civil Appeal Nos. 4886 to 4889, 4892 and 5748 to 5750 of 2023 are dismissed, affirming the Division Bench’s judgment in favor of allowing promotions based on executive instructions and historical precedents, without contravention of constitutional provisions. [Para 28]

Murder and Attempted Murder Conviction – Upheld by Supreme Court - Conviction of Ramvir @ Saket Singh for murder of Kaptan Singh and attempted murder of Indal Singh (PW-12) under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC respectively - Trial Court and High Court judgments upheld - In-depth analysis of eyewitness testimonies and forensic evidence confirming involvement - Self-defence by victims highlighted - Fatal injuries to Chutallu @ Ram Mohan and Shiv Singh caused by Indal Singh (PW-12) in self-defence found justified [Paras 1-5, 14-28]

Evidence and Witness Credibility – Reliance on testimonies of Raj Kumari (PW-7) and Indal Singh (PW-12) for conviction - Discrediting of testimony from Ramraj Singh (PW-14) by the High Court due to inconsistencies - Medical evidence and circumstances corroborated the occurrence and participants in the incident [Paras 5, 14-25]

Legal Defence and Acquittal in Cross Case – Discussion on the rightful exercise of self-defence leading to the death of two assailants from the appellant's side in the same incident - High Court's acquittal in the cross case of Indal Singh (PW-12) and others for offences under Section 396 IPC, holding that they acted in self-defence - Impact of this acquittal on establishing the sequence of events in the present case [Paras 14-16, 26]

Assessment of Partisan Witnesses – Court finds no reason to discard testimony of closely related witnesses who were present at the scene, especially given the nature of the incident and injuries to Indal Singh (PW-12), who also participated in the defense actions [Paras 24-25]

Decision – Appeal dismissed due to lack of merit, affirming the conviction for murder and attempted murder - High Court and Trial Court findings on witness credibility and sequence of events upheld [Para 28]

Acquittal on Grounds of Unreliable Witness Testimony – Criminal Appeal – Supreme Court reverses High Court and trial court conviction of appellant Dharambir @ Dharma under Section 302 IPC – Highlights discrepancies and contradictions in key witness testimonies, including the lack of corroboration and the implausibility of the prosecution's scenario – Acquittal granted due to unreliable evidence and benefit of doubt extended to appellant. [Paras 1-42]

Examination of Motive and Presence at Crime Scene – Criminal Analysis – Finds the alleged motive and presence of the appellant at the crime scene not substantiated beyond reasonable doubt – Notable contradictions in witness statements regarding the seating arrangement and events post-incident – Testimony of Krishan Kumar (PW-5) deemed unreliable when challenged against physical and other testimonial evidence. [Paras 21-31, 33-34]

Judicial Handling of Extra Judicial Confessions – Legal Principle – Reiterates the established principle that extra judicial confessions are weak evidence, requiring careful judicial scrutiny and substantial corroborative evidence – Discredits the confession presented in this case due to contradictions and lack of supportive testimony. [Paras 35-36]

Decision – Acquittal of Dharambir based on unreliable witness testimony and uncorroborated extra-judicial confession - Highlighted the improbability of the prosecution's version of events - The appeal allowed, previous convictions quashed [Paras 36-40].

Service Law - Service Termination and Natural Justice – Civil Appeal – Termination of Services as Registrar at GB Pant Institute of Engineering and Technology – Challenge against High Court decision dismissing writ petition and review application regarding termination of services – Supreme Court finds termination unjustified and in violation of natural justice, orders reinstatement of appellant. [Paras 1-22]

Dismissal on Technical Grounds – High Court dismissed writ petition for non-disclosure of minutes from Board of Governors meeting, viewed as suppression of material facts – Supreme Court finds such dismissal inappropriate, noting the minutes actually supported the appellant's case – Directions given for reinstatement and quashing of termination order. [Paras 5, 19-20]

Probation and Regularization – Appellant was appointed as Registrar, initially on probation – Continued service nearly two years, deemed regularization under terms of appointment letter – Termination without disciplinary enquiry or cause shown deemed improper. [Paras 7, 17-18]

Requisite Qualifications and Enquiry – Allegations of appellant lacking qualifications for Registrar post addressed – Prior committee found appellant’s qualifications genuine and satisfactory – Termination based on alleged lack of approval by Board contradicted by documented evidence. [Paras 13-14, 18]

Remedy and Future Proceedings – Supreme Court orders immediate reinstatement of appellant with all consequential benefits – Institute may conduct disciplinary proceedings as per law if desired. [Para 20]

University Employment Regularization – Challenge against High Court's dismissal of appeal concerning regularization of appellants' temporary academic positions after reorganization of university center - Appellants appointed through regular selection process as per UGC and university standards; court highlighted errors in High Court's application of precedents and statutory interpretation – Appellants' rights affirmed to continue in employment after positions' merger into regular university establishment [Paras 1-32].

Qualifications and Selection Process – Appellants appointed based on qualifications and selection process prescribed by UGC and confirmed by University’s Executive Council – UGC’s approval for merger of posts into regular university establishment, thereby endorsing continuation of appellants under regular establishment budget [Paras 17-26].

Misconduct Allegations and Procedural Rights – Despite recommendations for disciplinary inquiry against appellants due to alleged misconduct, court allows continuation of employment, subject to outcomes of any disciplinary actions – Court finds procedural fairness in handling of appellants’ initial appointments and subsequent challenges [Paras 27-29].

Judicial Remedy and Relief – Supreme Court sets aside High Court judgment, directs reinstatement of appellants with continuity of service but without back pay for the period not worked – Addresses potential implications for individuals appointed in appellants' positions pending litigation [Paras 30-32].

Decision: Appeals allowed – High Court’s judgments set aside – Appellants to be reinstated with continuity in service but without pay for periods not worked – University may consider accommodating any appointees from the disputed posts into other vacancies if available.

Easementary Rights – Dispute over 20ft. wide road in land Survey No.57 Hissa No.13A/1 owned by Ramani's, claimed by Gala's under easement – Gala's (appellants) claimed easementary rights over the road which is part of respondents' property – Suit filed for declaration of easementary rights and for permanent injunction – Original suit decreed but overturned by appellate court and dismissal upheld by High Court [Paras 1-5].

Easementary Right by Prescription – Gala's claim of easementary right over road by prescription not established – Requirement of uninterrupted usage for over 20 years under Section 15 of Indian Easements Act, 1882 not fulfilled – Gala's failed to specifically claim use of road for over 20 years [Paras 21-22, 27].

Easement of Necessity – No easement of necessity established as there existed an alternative access to Gala's land – Gala's unable to prove necessity of disputed road for accessing their property [Paras 32-33].

Transfer of Easement Rights – Gala's claim of acquiring easement rights under Sale Deed dated 17.09.1994 – No evidence presented that government transferred easement rights to initial purchaser, nor such rights were acquired or perfected by Joki Woler Ruzer (original plaintiff) – Photocopy of sale deed inadmissible as evidence [Paras 35-36].

Comparison with Another Easement – Gala's contention of having rights similar to another landowner (Dharmadhikari) rejected – Dharmadhikari's easement rights explicitly assigned in separate sale deed, not applicable to Gala's [Para 37].

Appellate Court's Power – Appellate court has power to overturn findings of the court of first instance – First appellate court justified in its reassessment of the evidence and findings [Para 39].

Decision – Appeals by Gala's dismissed – Easementary rights over disputed road not established – No legal or factual basis for claiming easement rights [Paras 40-41].

Challenge Against Auction Sale Notice – Borrower’s application in DRT under SARFAESI Act against auction notice by UCO Bank – Interim DRT order allowing auction with conditions – Conditions unmet by Borrower – Auction completed and sale confirmed in favor of appellant [Paras 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 10].

Restoration of Securitization Application – Dismissal by DRT Challenged – Alternative Remedy and High Court’s Jurisdiction – Held, High Court erred in entertaining writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution when alternative remedy under SARFAESI Act was available. Observes that High Court should refrain from entertaining such matters unless exceptions carved out by Supreme Court in Chhabil Dass Agarwal case are present. Auction purchaser's appeal allowed, setting aside High Court’s order and dismissing writ petition. [Paras 16-34]

Validity of Auction Purchase – Impact of Confirmed Sale – Borrower’s Conduct – Finds that confirmed auction sale should only be interfered with in cases of fraud or collusion, which is not the case here. Notes Borrower's conduct and failure to comply with DRT's order to deposit dues, impacting the outcome. Emphasizes the finality achieved by auction sale confirmation and subsequent registration, leading to extinguishment of Borrower's right of redemption. [Paras 25-27]

Exercise of Jurisdiction under Article 226 – Exceptional Circumstances – Reiterates the Supreme Court’s stance on not entertaining petitions under Article 226 in presence of an effective alternative remedy, except in specific exceptional circumstances. The case at hand found not to fall under these exceptions. [Paras 28-31]

Decision –  Appeal allowed by Supreme Court.

Impugned order dated 4^th February 2022 by High Court in Writ Petition No. 5275 of 2021 quashed and set aside.

Writ Petition No. 5275 of 2021 dismissed with costs of Rs.1,00,000 imposed upon the Borrower [Para 34].

Repudiation of Insurance Claim – Analysis of Material Suppression – Appellant’s claim repudiated by respondent insurance company on the grounds of non-disclosure of pre-existing insurance policies held by the insured-deceased – NCDRC upheld repudiation – Supreme Court finds repudiation to be unjustified due to lack of adequate evidence supporting respondent’s claim of other existing insurance policies – Impugned NCDRC order set aside. [Paras 48-52]

Interpretation of Queries in Insurance Proposal Form – Ambiguity and Contra Proferentem Rule – Queries in the insurance proposal form concerning pre-existing policies interpreted – Application of contra proferentem rule leads to finding that the insured-deceased did not suppress material facts in the insurance application form – Respondents failed to prove fraudulent suppression by the insured-deceased. [Paras 39-42, 52]

Burden of Proof in Insurance Claims – Onus lies on the insurer to prove allegations of non-disclosure or suppression of material facts – Respondents failed to provide adequate evidence to substantiate their claim of existing policies – Merely providing a tabulation of information without corroboration does not satisfy the burden of proof. [Paras 47-51]

Applicability of Section 45 of the Insurance Act, 1938 – Ascertaining Material Suppression and Fraudulent Intent – In light of Section 45, the court finds that the insurer has not proven that the insured-deceased had fraudulently given false information regarding pre-existing policies – Insufficient evidence to demonstrate knowledge of suppression by the insured-deceased. [Paras 16-17, 35-37, 51]

Direction for Payment of Insurance Claim – Court directs respondent insurance company to pay the appellant the claimed amounts under both insurance policies with interest – Insurance claims amounting to Rs. 7,50,000/- and Rs. 9,60,000/- to be paid with interest at 7% per annum from the date of filing the complaint. [Para 53]

Conviction for Murder and Disappearance of Evidence – Conviction of the appellant under Sections 302 and 201 of IPC for murder of Sushildhar Dubey – Sentenced to life imprisonment by Sessions Court and confirmed by High Court – Based on circumstantial evidence. [Para 1]

Factual Background – Appellant and deceased were related and cohabitants of village Amgoan – Frequently consumed liquor together – Deceased last seen alive with appellant on 29^th September 1993 – Dead body found next day on road – Prosecution case hinged on circumstantial evidence, primarily last seen theory, recovery of murder weapon, and medical evidence. [Paras 2, 6-7]

Appellant’s Submission – Challenged the reliability of last seen together circumstance, questioning the evidence of weapon recovery and absence of motive – Argued for the possibility of accidental death, citing evidence of PW-7 and PW-15. [Para 3]

Prosecution’s Argument – Supported the judgment, stressing the discovery of the deceased soon after being last seen with appellant and the recovery of weapon used in the assault. [Para 4]

Supreme Court’s Assessment – Applied principles for cases based on circumstantial evidence from Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra – Requirements for conviction not fully satisfied. [Para 5]

Weak Last Seen Theory – Regular habit of deceased drinking with appellant, absence of motive or altercation, and deceased’s company with appellant not unusual – Circumstantial evidence weakens the last seen together theory. [Para 7]

Unproved Weapon Recovery – Evidence of PW-2 and PW-4 fails to conclusively establish the recovery of murder weapon at appellant’s instance – Memorandum of appellant’s statement not duly proved. [Para 8-9]

Alternative Theory of Accidental Death – PW-7’s observation of glass pieces at the incident site and PW-15’s admission regarding the possibility of injuries being caused by glass lend credibility to accidental death theory. [Paras 10-11]

Conclusion and Decision – Circumstances not conclusively pointing to appellant’s guilt – Existence of reasonable doubt – Acquittal of the appellant for the offences under Sections 302 and 201 IPC – Bail bonds cancelled. [Paras 12-13]