Facts:

Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) issued a Letter of Intent (LoI) to L&T Infrastructure Development Projects Ltd. for the development of Sutrapada Port.

Conditions of the LoI included the submission of a detailed project report and obtaining necessary clearances within specified timelines.

Due to certain difficulties, L&T requested a change of location to Kachchigarh, which was approved by GMB, and a bank guarantee was furnished.

L&T later expressed inability to proceed with the project at Kachchigarh, leading GMB to cancel the LoI and invoke the bank guarantee.

L&T challenged these actions before the High Court through a writ petition.

Issues:

Whether the High Court was justified in exercising its discretionary jurisdiction under Article 226 to restrain GMB from invoking an unconditional bank guarantee.

Whether the cancellation of the LoI and invocation of the bank guarantee were legally justified.

Held:

Scope of Jurisdiction under Article 226: The High Court erred in analyzing the facts and law related to the cancellation of the LoI and invocation of the bank guarantee. The Court clarified that the jurisdiction under Article 226 should not be exercised unless exceptional circumstances exist.

Independence of Bank Guarantee Contract: The bank guarantee is an independent contract between the bank and GMB. The decision of GMB regarding breach of conditions is binding on the bank. Thus, the cancellation of the LoI and invocation of the bank guarantee were valid.

Injunction against Bank Guarantee Invocation: An injunction against the invocation of an unconditional bank guarantee can only be granted in cases of egregious fraud or irretrievable injury to one of the parties. Such circumstances did not exist in this case.

Facts:

Khalil Ahmed filed a civil suit against Nagar Palika Thakurdwara regarding the municipality's levy of taxes on his properties.

The suit sought a permanent injunction and a declaration stating that the properties were outside the municipal limits and thus not liable for taxation.

The trial court dismissed Khalil Ahmed's suit, but he succeeded on appeal to the Additional District Judge.

Nagar Palika Thakurdwara then appealed to the High Court, which dismissed the appeal citing Section 102 of the CPC due to the claim being less than Rs. 25,000.

Issues:

Whether Section 102 of the CPC applies when the suit involves not only the recovery of money but also a declaration and permanent injunction regarding municipal taxation.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that Section 102 of the CPC should not have been applied to dismiss the appeal solely based on the monetary value of the claim. The suit encompassed broader issues beyond mere recovery of money, including questions of jurisdiction and taxation. Therefore, the provision was not applicable, and the High Court's dismissal was erroneous. The Court remanded the case for fresh consideration, directing the High Court to hear the parties and decide the appeal promptly, preferably within six months.

Facts:

The case involved multiple accused individuals charged with conspiracy, abduction, and murder of the deceased. The trial court acquitted some accused and convicted others based on evidence provided by prosecution witnesses (PWs) and other evidence.

Issues:

The reliability of the evidence provided by the prosecution witnesses, the involvement of the accused in the crimes charged, and the interpretation of relevant sections of the Penal Code.

Held:

The majority opinion, delivered by Justice V. Gopala Gowda, acquitted the accused (A-3, A-4, and A-15) due to unreliable evidence and lack of individual involvement in each offense. The acquittal under the conspiracy charge further weakened the case against them.

However, Justice Arun Mishra dissented, upholding the conviction of the accused based on sufficient evidence, including witness testimony and corroborating evidence. The dissenting judge argued that the accused were involved in the conspiracy and their actions led to the abduction and murder of the victim.

Facts:The judgment revolves around the withdrawal of the 'Himachal Pradesh Government Corporate Sector Employees Pension Scheme' of 1999. The scheme was repealed through a notification dated December 2, 2004.

Issues:

The legality and constitutionality of the repeal notification, the vested right of employees to claim pension, applicability of estoppel, constitutional validity of the withdrawal vis-a-vis Article 21 of the Constitution, administrative decision-making, financial viability, and the jurisdiction of the court.

Held:

The repeal notification dated December 2, 2004, withdrawing the 1999 Scheme, was held to be legal and constitutional. The notification was within the authority of the State Government and was based on due consideration.

Employees who opted for the 1999 Scheme or were deemed to have opted for it had a contingent right to claim pension upon retirement. This contingent right vested in them, and they could not be prevented from fulfilling the conditions to claim pension.

The principle of estoppel was deemed inapplicable as the original position enjoyed by the employees under the Employees Provident Fund Scheme of 1995 was restored after the repeal of the 1999 Scheme.

The withdrawal of the 1999 Scheme did not violate Article 21 of the Indian Constitution as the Scheme was not aimed at providing basic human rights. It was reversible and did not violate constitutional provisions.

The withdrawal of the Scheme was considered a policy decision falling within the realm of executive determination. The State Government's decision was based on due consideration and was not unconstitutional, irrational, arbitrary, or unreasonable.

The State Government's rationale for withdrawing the Scheme due to financial unviability was accepted. It had the authority to fix a cut-off date for pension benefits based on the financial health of the employer.

The court concluded that it did not have jurisdiction to impose monetary liabilities on the State Government resulting from the withdrawal of the Scheme, as budgetary allocations were matters of policy decisions.

Decision:The court upheld the withdrawal of the 1999 Scheme, rejecting the claims of the employees for pension benefits under that Scheme.

Facts:

Gulshera Khanam, the landlady, sought eviction of Aftab Ahmad, the tenant, from Shop No. 6.

The landlady claimed the eviction for the bona fide requirement of her daughter, Dr. Naheed Parveen, who was running a medical clinic in Shop No. 7.

The landlady argued that Dr. Naheed Parveen, being a co-owner of the building inherited from her father, fulfilled the criteria of having a legal right of residence, and thus fell within the definition of "family" under the Act.

The lower courts had granted eviction in favor of the landlady, but the High Court set aside the eviction order.

Issues:

Whether Dr. Naheed Parveen falls within the definition of "family" under Section 3(g) of the Act.

Whether the High Court had jurisdiction to interfere with the concurrent findings of the lower courts.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that Dr. Naheed Parveen, being a co-owner of the building inherited from her father, fulfilled the criteria of having a legal right of residence, and thus fell within the definition of "family" under Section 3(g) of the Act. Therefore, the landlady was entitled to seek eviction of the tenant for the bona fide requirement of her daughter (para 24).

The Court further held that the High Court had erred in reversing the findings of the lower courts without proper justification. The High Court should have confined its inquiry to whether there was any jurisdictional error committed by the lower courts, rather than re-evaluating factual aspects of the case. Therefore, the eviction order against the tenant was reinstated (para 36).

The appeal was allowed, and the High Court's decision was set aside. The eviction order against the tenant, Aftab Ahmad, in favor of Gulshera Khanam, the landlady, was restored (para 40,41).

Facts:

The contract allowed for a variation of 30% in the tendered quantity of work.

The time for completion of the contract work was extended at the request of the contractor.

During the extended contract period, the appellant-company increased the quantity of work by 30% and allotted the remaining work to a third party at a higher rate.

The company imposed a penalty on the contractor for non-execution of the remaining work.

Issues:

Interpretation of Clause 5 of the contract regarding the variation in work quantity.

The obligation of the contractor to complete the extra work within the contract period or any extended period.

The liability of the contractor for breach of contract and financial loss incurred by the company.

The authority of the company to extend the contract period.

Held:

The court held that Clause 5 of the contract empowered the company to increase or reduce the work quantity by 30% during the contract period.

The contractor was obligated to complete the extra work within the contract period or any extended period, as per the terms of the contract.

The contractor breached its contractual obligation by not completing the balance work, making them liable to compensate the company for the financial loss incurred.

The company had the authority to extend the contract period, and the contractor could have requested an extension to complete the unfinished extra work.

The stipulation in Clause 5 regarding the notice period did not prevent the company from allotting extra work during the contract period.

The contractor is liable for penalty and financial loss suffered by the company, and the company could recover the difference in contract rate and actual cost incurred to complete the work through a third party, along with interest accrued.

Decision: The court partly allowed the appeal, affirming the company's right to seek compensation from the contractor for breach of contract and financial loss incurred. The contractor was granted an opportunity to make representations regarding the penalty imposed.

Facts:The appellant, R. Venkata Ramudu, challenged the decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He was appointed through a selection process conducted by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission and was allocated to the Irrigation Department.

Issues:The interpretation and application of various rules including Rule 6(2), Rule 8(c), Rule 16(a), Rule 16(h), Rule 17(a), Rule 17(b), and Rule 18(a) of the aforementioned regulations.

Held:The Court held that the power under Rule 17(a)(ii) or Rule 31 could be invoked in certain situations regarding probation extensions, and Rule 16(h) would apply in such cases requiring the fixation of the altered date of the commencement of probation. Additionally, it was observed that even if an Assistant Executive Engineer passes the Account test within the prescribed probation period of two years, they would not be considered for promotion until completing five years of service. The Tribunal and the High Court had interpreted the rules differently, but the Supreme Court disagreed with their interpretation.

Decision: Consequently, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment under appeal, ruling that the logic employed by the Tribunal and confirmed by the High Court regarding the promotion criteria could not be sustained. Therefore, the appellant's appeal was allowed, and the decision of the High Court was overturned.

Facts:

The case concerns the interpretation and application of various provisions of the Cantonment Act, 2006, specifically related to the eligibility of individuals living in illegally constructed buildings to be included in the voters list for elections in Cantonment areas.

Issues:

Whether persons residing in illegally constructed houses are entitled to be included in the voters list.

The interpretation of the term 'resident' and its applicability in the context of eligibility for voter registration.

The alignment of Cantonment Electoral Rules, 2007 with the provisions of the Cantonment Act, 2006 regarding voter eligibility.

Held:

The definition of 'resident' under the Cantonment Act, 2006, explicitly includes only individuals maintaining legally constructed houses, disentitling those living in illegally constructed buildings from being included in the voters list .

The term 'resident' should be narrowly construed compared to 'inhabitant', and only those residing in legally constructed houses are eligible for voter registration.

Rule 10(3) of the Cantonment Electoral Rules, 2007, aligns with Section 28 of the Act, making individuals living in houses with assigned numbers eligible to vote, thereby excluding those in illegally constructed houses.

Decision: The Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the lower court's decision and affirming that persons living in illegally constructed houses are not entitled to be included in the voters list for elections in Cantonment areas.

Facts:

Respondent, Devjee Mishra, a Corporal in the Air Force, faced disciplinary action for overstaying leave and absence without permission.

Proceedings of District Court Martial commenced based on charge sheet served to Mishra.

Mishra pleaded guilty to the charges but later challenged the court martial order through a writ petition in the High Court.

The High Court quashed the court martial order, citing reasons such as alleged coercion in Mishra's confession and illegal confinement.

The Division Bench affirmed the High Court's decision, prompting the Union of India to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the High Court erred in interfering with the court martial proceedings against Mishra.

Whether Mishra's confession was voluntary or coerced.

Whether Mishra's confinement during the inquiry violated his constitutional rights.

Whether Mishra is eligible for pension or gratuity despite dismissal from service.

Held:

In a detailed analysis of the High Court's reasoning, the Supreme Court found several errors and inconsistencies:

Misinterpretation of facts: The High Court wrongly concluded that there was no reference to Mishra's previous misconduct in the Court Martial Proceedings.

Failure to consider counter-affidavits: The High Court did not adequately consider the counter-affidavits filed by the appellants, contesting Mishra's claims.

Consideration of irrelevant documents: The High Court relied on documents not part of the Court Martial Proceedings, leading to erroneous conclusions about Mishra's confession being involuntary.

Misapplication of legal provisions: The High Court incorrectly interpreted Section 107 of the Air Force Act, concluding that Mishra's confinement during the inquiry violated his constitutional rights.

Based on these findings, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's decision and reinstated the Court Martial Proceedings against Mishra, restoring the disciplinary actions taken against him. The Court did not express any opinion on Mishra's eligibility for pension or gratuity, leaving it to the Competent Authority to decide based on the circumstances of the case.

This decision was in line with previous cases where courts upheld disciplinary actions against military personnel for misconduct.