Facts:

The case concerned the constitutional validity and interpretation of Section 21A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, in relation to relief of agricultural indebtedness and its interaction with State legislation.

Issues:

The validity of Section 21A in light of its potential encroachment on State legislation concerning relief of agricultural indebtedness,

The interpretation of constitutional entries relating to banking and relief of agricultural indebtedness.

Held:

The Court held that Section 21A of the Banking Regulation Act is valid within the purview of Entry 45, List I. However, it must be applied cautiously in states with State Debt Relief Acts, where it may encroach upon relief of agricultural indebtedness.

Section 21A cannot override State Debt Relief Acts in cases of conflict, as Parliament cannot assert supremacy over State legislation where none exists under the Constitution.

The relief of agricultural indebtedness encompasses more than money lending, requiring a broad interpretation beyond the scope of Entry 30, List II. Harmonization between Entries 45 and 30 is necessary.

The doctrine of pith and substance dictates that legislation should be viewed holistically to determine its primary entry in List I or List II, allowing for reconciliation of incidental encroachments.

The paramountcy principle under Article 246 should be applied as a last resort, with priority given to harmonizing conflicting legislative fields.

Precedent should be judiciously applied, with careful consideration given to the reasoning behind judgments and the participation of all parties in the legal process.

Facts:

The State of Himachal Pradesh sought permission for silviculture felling in certain forest areas up to an elevation of 1500 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL).

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) made recommendations regarding silviculture felling in the state.

The Court had previously issued directions banning felling of trees in forests, except for specific purposes and under certain conditions.

Issues:

Whether silviculture felling should be permitted in Himachal Pradesh forests.

What conditions should be imposed to ensure responsible forest management and regeneration.

Held:

The Court acknowledged the necessity for silviculture felling but emphasized the need for careful monitoring.

It permitted silviculture felling on an experimental basis with strict conditions and monitoring.

Conditions included the involvement of forest department or state forest corporation, videography of the felling process, retention of mother trees, reforestation efforts, protection from grazing, and regular reporting to the Court.

A two-member committee was appointed to oversee the process, headed by a former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and including a professor of Silviculture.

The Principal Chief Conservator was tasked with ensuring compliance with the Court's orders.

The Court ordered periodic reporting from the committee and directed the State to provide necessary facilities.

The remuneration for committee members would be determined later.

Facts:

The appellant, a State Government Undertaking, applied for registration under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, claiming exemption for charitable purposes.

The Commissioner of Income Tax (CIT) granted the registration certificate but later issued a show cause notice for cancellation.

The CIT subsequently canceled the certificate, leading to legal proceedings including a rectification application and appeals.

Issues:

Whether the CIT had the express power to cancel a registration certificate under Section 12A.

Whether the grant of the certificate was quasi-judicial in nature.

Whether Section 21 of the General Clauses Act applied to the cancellation of the certificate.

The impact of an amendment to Section 12AA conferring explicit power on the CIT to cancel certificates.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that until the amendment to Section 12AA came into effect, the CIT did not have express power to cancel a registration certificate under Section 12A. The grant of the certificate was deemed quasi-judicial, and the CIT could only cancel it if expressly empowered to do so. Section 21 of the General Clauses Act did not apply as it pertained to executive or legislative orders, whereas the CIT's order under Section 12A was quasi-judicial. The amendment to Section 12AA, effective from October 1, 2004, gave the CIT explicit power to cancel registration certificates, but this was not retrospective.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the High Court's order and restoring the ITAT's decision. It affirmed that the CIT had no authority to cancel the registration certificate until the explicit power was conferred by the amendment to Section 12AA.

Facts:

The appellant, Ex. Lt. Col. R.K. Rai, had taken voluntary retirement from the Regiment of Artillery due to a disability aggravated by military service.

He applied for disability pension, which was rejected by the Armed Forces Tribunal based on Pension Regulations for the Army, 1961.

The appellant challenged the Tribunal's decision, arguing that he was entitled to disability pension based on subsequent judgments and a government order issued in May 2017.

Issues:

Whether the appellant is entitled to disability pension despite taking voluntary retirement before January 1, 2006.

Whether the claim for "AGI Disability" was properly presented and considered.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the appellant was entitled to disability pension under the government order dated May 19, 2017, which extended benefits to pre-2006 retirees meeting specific conditions. The Court noted that the appellant's disability, assessed at 30% and aggravated by military service, fulfilled the requirements outlined in the order. Therefore, the authorities were directed to process the appellant's disability pension claim accordingly.

Regarding the claim for "AGI Disability," the Court observed that it was not pressed before the Tribunal or in the review petition. Therefore, the Court did not consider it in the appeals, but the appellant was granted liberty to file a review petition before the Tribunal if the claim had been pressed but not considered.

The civil appeals were allowed, and the Tribunal's orders were set aside, directing the respondents to process the appellant's disability pension claim as per the government order and the Court's observations.

Facts:

The appellants, managers of private aided schools, were permitted by the court to close down their schools.

Subsequently, the State Government decided to take over these schools, a decision that was approved by the State Legislature.

The appellants challenged the notifications issued for the takeover, citing various legal grounds.

Issues:

Whether the State's decision to take over the schools was valid considering the timing of the closure and the takeover.

Whether the takeover process was legally sound and consistent with constitutional provisions.

Whether there was any conflict between the Kerala Education Act, 1958 and other relevant laws, particularly the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Held:

The Court held that the State's decision to take over the schools was valid, even if the closure occurred before the official notification, as the decision was made when the schools were still operational. The closure of the schools did not invalidate the State's decision.

The Court upheld the State's decision, stating that it was in the public interest and aligned with the objectives of education-related constitutional provisions and laws.

The Court clarified that there was no conflict between the Kerala Education Act, 1958 and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Both Acts operated in different fields, and the State's power to take over schools under Section 15 of the 1958 Act was distinct and separate.

The compensation for the takeover was deemed compliant with Article 300A of the Constitution, as it was based on the market value of the property as per Section 15(2) of the Kerala Education Act, 1958.

Decision: The Court dismissed the appeals and upheld the validity of the State's decision to take over the schools under Section 15 of the Kerala Education Act, 1958.

Facts:

The appellant, Kurukshetra University, terminated the services of the respondent, Prithvi Singh, a security guard, on grounds of misconduct.

A departmental inquiry was conducted, and Singh's services were terminated, leading to an industrial reference to the Labour Court, Ambala.

The Labour Court ruled in favor of Singh, stating that his termination was illegal due to procedural irregularities in the inquiry.

The High Court upheld the Labour Court's decision, prompting the appellant to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the Labour Court and High Court correctly applied legal principles in assessing the termination of employment and the conduct of the domestic inquiry.

Whether the termination of the respondent's employment constituted retrenchment or punishment under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Whether the appellant should be afforded an opportunity to present evidence regarding the alleged misconduct.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the Labour Court and High Court failed to properly apply legal principles in assessing the termination and domestic inquiry.

The termination of the respondent's employment constituted punishment, not retrenchment, under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

The Labour Court erred in not allowing the appellant to present evidence regarding the alleged misconduct and in treating the termination as retrenchment.

The case was remanded back to the Labour Court, affording the appellant an opportunity to present evidence on the alleged misconduct, and directing the Labour Court to issue a fresh notice to the respondent for appearance.

Facts:

The State of U.P. issued notifications between 1976 and 2010 to acquire land for planned industrial development in Noida and Greater Noida.

Some landowners challenged the acquisition in the High Court of Allahabad, arguing that it was illegal, lacked urgency, and deprived them of the opportunity to object.

The High Court disposed of several writ petitions, upholding the acquisition in most cases but directing the State to pay enhanced compensation and allot developed abadi plots to certain landowners, based on the extent of development on the acquired land.

The appellants, who were also landowners in the acquisition proceedings, appealed to the Supreme Court seeking similar relief as granted by the High Court.

Issues:

Whether the appellants are entitled to claim the same relief as granted by the High Court to certain landowners in the acquisition proceedings.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the appellants lacked both legal right and factual foundation to claim the relief of allotment of additional developed abadi plot.

The Land Acquisition Act does not provide for such reliefs to landowners.

The State had already paid statutory and additional compensation to all landowners, including the appellants.

Granting the relief sought by the appellants would contradict the Court's previous directions and set a precedent against its decision in a similar case.

The appeals were dismissed, upholding the High Court's decision to deny the appellants the relief of allotment of additional developed abadi plot.

Facts:

The appellants (plaintiffs) filed a civil suit against the respondents (defendants) for specific performance of an agreement.

The Trial Court decreed the suit in favor of the appellants.

The respondents appealed to the Single Judge of the High Court, who allowed their appeal and dismissed the appellants' suit.

The appellants then filed a Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) before the Division Bench of the High Court, which was summarily dismissed.

Issues:

Whether the Division Bench of the High Court was justified in dismissing the appellants' LPA.

Held:

The Supreme Court found that the Division Bench's dismissal of the LPA lacked proper reasoning and did not comply with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Code. The lack of a reasoned order deprived the parties of understanding the basis for the decision, causing prejudice. Thus, the Supreme Court decided to set aside the impugned order and remand the case to the Division Bench of the High Court for fresh consideration on merits.

Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, set aside the impugned order, and remanded the case to the Division Bench of the High Court for fresh consideration on merits, emphasizing the importance of reasoned orders and expeditious disposal of the appeal.

Facts:

The case involved workers seeking regularization of their services in Chennai Port Trust, governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The High Court had given directions regarding cargo distribution between Chennai and Ennore Ports. Chennai Port Trust terminated the MOU after certain activities were shifted to Ennore Port Trust. Workers filed a writ petition, initially dismissed by a Single Judge but partially allowed by a Division Bench.

Issues:

The employment status of the workers, their association membership, and entitlement to relief.

Held:

The Supreme Court directed that the case should have been referred to arbitration instead of being entertained under Article 226 of the Constitution. Various questions regarding employment status and entitlement to relief need to be decided by an Arbitral Tribunal.

The Court set aside the impugned judgments and dismissed the writ petition, granting liberty to the parties to approach the court for the appointment of an Arbitral Tribunal as per the MOU.

The Tribunal is instructed to consider all issues raised, ensure a fair resolution within six months, and may frame additional questions if necessary.