Facts:

The case involved allegations of espionage against scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), including the appellant-scientist, S. Nambi Narayanan. The appellant suffered custody for almost fifty days based on these allegations. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later reported that the allegations were false, and all accused were discharged. However, the State Government decided to conduct a re-investigation, which was challenged by the appellant.

Issues:

Whether the appellant's arrest was malicious and violated his fundamental rights, specifically his right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Whether compensation should be awarded to the appellant for the harassment and anguish caused by the wrongful arrest.

Whether further action should be taken against the officials responsible for the appellant's arrest and harassment.

Held:

The Court found that the appellant's arrest was indeed malicious and caused immense harm. The entire prosecution initiated by the State police was deemed malicious, as the allegations against the appellant were ultimately found to be false. The appellant suffered mental agony and humiliation during his custody, which violated his right to life with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution (Para 29, 31, 36).

Compensation was deemed warranted under the public law remedy for the violation of the appellant's fundamental rights. The State of Kerala was directed to pay Rs. 50 lakhs as compensation to the appellant. Additionally, the appellant was permitted to proceed with a civil suit for further compensation (Para 39).

A committee headed by Justice D.K. Jain, a former Judge of the Supreme Court, was constituted to take appropriate steps against the erring officials responsible for the appellant's wrongful arrest and harassment (Para 40).

Decision: The appeals were allowed, and the Court held that compensation should be awarded to the appellant for the violation of his fundamental rights. Furthermore, a committee was constituted to take appropriate action against the officials responsible for the appellant's wrongful arrest and harassment.

Facts:

The case revolved around the directives issued in Rajesh Sharma and Others v. State of U.P. and Another, [2017] 9 SCR 529, concerning matrimonial disputes, specifically related to Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC).

Issues:

Whether the directions issued in the Rajesh Sharma case regarding Section 498-A of IPC required reconsideration.

The permissibility and legality of various directives issued in the Rajesh Sharma case.

Held:

The Court examined the directives issued in Rajesh Sharma and found that certain directions, such as the constitution of Family Welfare Committees and their powers, were impermissible as they extended beyond the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Regarding settlement of cases, the Court clarified that settlements in non-compoundable criminal proceedings could be quashed by the High Court under Section 482 of the CrPC, with parties approaching the High Court for such matters.

The Court directed that complaints under Section 498-A IPC should be investigated by designated officers trained in accordance with Supreme Court principles on arrests.

Certain protective measures, such as Red Corner Notices, clubbing of cases, and bail conditions, were deemed appropriate and in line with legal provisions.

Settlements should be approached under Section 482 of the CrPC, with the High Court disposing of such matters in accordance with established principles.

Decision: The Court modified and clarified the directives issued in Rajesh Sharma regarding matrimonial disputes and Section 498-A IPC, ensuring adherence to legal provisions and principles while ensuring fair handling of disputes.

Facts:The writ petition was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, seeking directions to the Union of India and the States to conduct periodic national surveys on leprosy, publish reports, conduct awareness campaigns, provide free medication, eliminate discrimination, provide rehabilitation, and frame rules for issuing disability certificates under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Issues:

The prevalence of leprosy, lack of awareness, discrimination, availability of medication, rehabilitation, and issuance of disability certificates.

Held:

The Supreme Court, after considering the submissions and facts presented, issued the following directions:

Undertake periodic national surveys for determining the prevalence rate and new cases detection rate of leprosy, and publish reports including the National Sample Survey of Leprosy.

Organize massive awareness campaigns on leprosy day to spread awareness about its curability, treatment availability, and dispel myths.

Ensure availability of free medication for leprosy management at all health facilities.

Run all-year awareness campaigns to inform citizens about free treatment available for leprosy.

Organize seminars at all levels to gather input from stakeholders.

Include positive messaging about leprosy in awareness campaigns and ensure no discriminatory behavior in healthcare facilities.

Provide surgical opportunities for correcting partial deformities caused by leprosy.

Explore the possibility of including leprosy education in school curricula to prevent discrimination.

Ensure no discrimination against children from leprosy-affected families in schools.

Issue BPL cards to leprosy-affected persons to avail benefits under various schemes.

Provide MCR footwear free of cost to all leprosy-affected persons.

Formulate a scheme for providing minimum assistance to leprosy-affected persons for rehabilitation.

Plan and implement a comprehensive community-based rehabilitation scheme to eliminate stigma.

Consider framing separate rules for assessing disability quotient of leprosy-affected persons for issuing disability certificates under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The writ petition was disposed of accordingly.

Facts:

Zhejiang Bonly Elevator Guide Rail Manufacture Co. Ltd. (the petitioner), a Chinese company, and Jade Elevator Components (the respondent), an Indian partnership firm, entered into a Commission Processing Contract on 11.09.2014.

Disputes arose during the contract performance, prompting the petitioner to seek resolution through arbitration.

The respondent disputed the invocation of arbitration and argued for litigation in court.

Issues:

Whether the arbitration clause in the contract mandates arbitration or allows for litigation in court.

Interpretation of Clause 15 of the contract regarding dispute resolution.

Held:

The court held that Clause 15 of the contract provided an option for either arbitration or litigation in court. Since the petitioner invoked the arbitration clause, the court appointed Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, a former judge of the Supreme Court, as the sole arbitrator to resolve the disputes.

The court's decision was based on the interpretation of the arbitration clause and the intention of the parties. It emphasized the importance of examining the language of the clause and previous legal precedents to determine the appropriate dispute resolution mechanism.

This decision aligns with previous cases such as INDTEL Technical Services Private Limited v. W.S. Atkins Rail Limited, where the intention of the parties regarding dispute resolution was considered paramount.

Therefore, the arbitration petition was allowed, and no costs were imposed on either party.

Facts:

Mr. Anil Lunia, an industrialist, conducted illegal mining activities in the State of Chhattisgarh, specifically in Bhainsakanhar, District Kanker, without adhering to approved plans and conditions. Despite warnings and complaints, Mr. Lunia continued his operations, which included illicit felling of trees in violation of the Forest Conservation Act. A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) investigated the matter and found significant irregularities and violations committed by Mr. Lunia.

Issues:

The legality of Mr. Lunia's mining activities, the actions taken by the State Government in response to these violations, and the necessity of further investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Held:

The Supreme Court, after reviewing the CEC's findings and the actions taken by the State Government, concluded that further investigation by the CBI was unnecessary. The Court acknowledged the State Government's efforts in addressing the violations, including initiating disciplinary proceedings against erring officials and blacklisting Mr. Lunia. Therefore, the Court disposed of the applications concerning Mr. Lunia accordingly.

Facts:

The case pertains to the enforceability of a foreign award under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, particularly regarding the requirement of stamp duty under the Stamp Act, 1899.

Issues:

Whether a foreign award not bearing stamp duty under the Stamp Act, 1899 would render it unenforceable.

Whether the term "award" under Item 12 of Schedule I of the Stamp Act includes foreign awards.

Whether the imposition of stamp duty on foreign awards aligns with the public policy of India.

Held:

The court clarified that the Stamp Act, 1899 only applies to awards made within the territory of British India and does not encompass awards made in princely states or foreign countries. Therefore, foreign awards are not subject to stamp duty under the Stamp Act, 1899.

The term "award" under Item 12 of Schedule I of the Stamp Act refers only to decisions made within British India, and it has never included foreign awards. Thus, foreign awards are not liable for stamp duty.

The court emphasized that the Stamp Act is a fiscal statute and must be construed literally. Any ambiguity in the statute benefits the party liable to pay stamp duty.

The court rejected arguments equating the imposition of stamp duty on foreign awards with the public policy of India. It held that the Stamp Act, being a fiscal statute, does not render foreign awards unenforceable on the grounds of public policy.

The court concluded that the Stamp Act, 1899 reflects the fundamental policy of Indian law as it deals with the economy of India. Therefore, the absence of stamp duty on foreign awards does not contravene the public policy of India.

Ultimately, the court dismissed the appeal, affirming that the absence of stamp duty under the Stamp Act, 1899 does not render a foreign award unenforceable under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Remote location of firearms or recovery from a remote place does not automatically exonerate the accused.

Conscious possession and control of objects at the time of recovery are essential for conviction.

Constructive possession requires proof of intention, consciousness, or knowledge of possession.

Joint occupation or control under Section 35 of the Arms Act requires evidence of awareness of the existence of arms or ammunition.

Case refers to Gunwantlal v. State of Madhya Pradesh regarding possession and control of prohibited items.

Facts:

Illegal weapons and ammunition were discovered in a car and a house.

Accused A-2 was the owner of the car where live cartridges were found.

Accused A-4 was the occupier of the house where firearms and ammunition were discovered.

A-2 was not present near the car during the discovery, and A-4 was in prison at the time of the raid.

Issues:

Whether accused A-2 and A-4 can be convicted under the Arms Act, 1959.

Whether there is sufficient evidence to establish possession and control of the illegal weapons and ammunition by A-2 and A-4.

Whether joint occupation or control under Section 35 of the Arms Act is applicable to A-2 and A-4.

Held:

The court held that mere ownership of the car was not sufficient to establish possession of the prohibited ammunition by A-2.

Lack of evidence regarding A-2's knowledge or control over the cartridges led to the setting aside of his conviction.

A-4's conviction was also set aside as there was no evidence linking him to the firearms found in the house.

The court emphasized the importance of proving intention and consciousness of possession for constructive possession charges.

Section 35 of the Arms Act was found inapplicable to A-2 and A-4 due to insufficient evidence of joint occupation or control.

The appeals of both A-2 and A-4 were allowed, and their convictions under the Arms Act, 1959, were set aside.

Facts:

N.C. Medical College & Hospital (hereafter referred to as "the college") obtained an Essentiality Certificate and affiliation from the University, enabling it to admit 150 students for the academic session 2016-2017.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) conducted inspections and found deficiencies in faculty, residents, facilities, and patient care.

Despite repeated assessments and recommendations for improvement, deficiencies persisted.

A writ petition was filed in the High Court, leading to interim orders and directions for provisional admissions.

The Supreme Court set aside the interim orders but subsequent inspections and recommendations maintained the deficiencies.

The High Court, relying on a provisional order from the Government of India, allowed the college to admit students for the academic year 2018-2019.

Issues:

Whether the High Court erred in relying on a provisional order from the Government of India to allow the college to admit students.

Whether the deficiencies found by MCI justified withholding permission for the academic year 2018-2019.

Held:

The Court held that the High Court erred in relying on a provisional order from the Government of India to permit admissions, as the Supreme Court had already set aside the interim orders. The deficiencies found by MCI were significant and justified withholding permission for the academic year 2018-2019. The Court emphasized that compliance reports and self-serving assertions by the college could not substitute for actual improvements and inspections.

Therefore, the judgment and order of the High Court were set aside, and the college was advised to apply for permission for the next academic year. This decision is in line with previous judgments emphasizing the importance of genuine compliance and adherence to regulations in medical education institutions.

Facts:

The 4th respondent faced criminal charges under Sections 195A and 506 of the IPC. The Public Prosecutor filed a petition to withdraw from the prosecution during the proceedings. The Chief Judicial Magistrate permitted the withdrawal, which was challenged by the appellant in Criminal Revision Petitions. The High Court upheld the withdrawal but the appellant contested it, leading to the present appeal before the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the withdrawal from prosecution was properly considered under Section 321 of the CrPC.

Whether the Public Prosecutor acted independently and in the interest of justice.

Whether the High Court's dismissal of the revision petitions was appropriate.

Held:

The Court held that the Chief Judicial Magistrate and the High Court failed to properly apply the test stipulated under Section 321 of the CrPC and relevant judicial precedents. The Public Prosecutor did not exercise independent judgment but merely submitted the government's notification. The Court emphasized the Public Prosecutor's duty to act independently and assist the court, rather than being solely guided by government instructions. Consequently, the orders of the High Court and the Chief Judicial Magistrate were set aside, and the matter was remanded to the Chief Judicial Magistrate for reconsideration in accordance with the law.