Facts:The respondent had been granted a lease for 10 years from 1992 under the Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1972, which was not renewed upon its expiry. The rate of royalty for certain minerals, including those used for making chips, was revised by a Notification dated 24.03.2001. Subsequently, a Notification dated 26.12.2001 identified specific areas where these minerals were found and clarified that the royalty rate would be applicable from 01.04.2001. The appellants sought to realize royalty at the enhanced rate from 01.04.2001, while the respondents argued that it should only be applicable from the date of the Notification, i.e., 26.12.2001.

Issues:

The retrospective application of the Notification dated 26.12.2001 and whether the enhanced royalty rate should be payable from 01.04.2001 or from the date of the Notification.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the Notification dated 26.12.2001 was clarificatory in nature and declared only the areas from which the minerals concerned would be extracted. It concluded that the enhanced rate of royalty should be applicable from 01.04.2001, as per the original Notification dated 24.03.2001.

The Court rejected the argument that the enhanced rates would only be payable from the date of the Notification, holding that the respondents were liable to pay royalty accordingly (para 21-22). The High Court's decision was set aside, and the appeals were allowed.

The relevant cases cited in the judgment supported the principle that clarificatory statutes or notifications generally have retrospective effect.

Facts:The respondents were employed as conductors and drivers under statutory rules framed by the State of Haryana. They were engaged initially on different wage scales but later sought regular pay scales through writ petitions before the High Court. The High Court, in its judgment dated 1.4.2013, directed the payment of regular pay scales with arrears for a specified period. The State of Haryana challenged this judgment before the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the respondents were entitled to regular pay scales and arrears.

From which date the arrears should be paid.

Held:

The Court affirmed the judgment of the High Court on the merits of granting regular pay scales to the respondents. It held that the principle of equal pay for equal work applies in this case. The Court modified the direction regarding the payment of arrears, stating that arrears should be payable from the date of the High Court's judgment, i.e., 1.4.2013. The Court considered the financial burden on the state and the rights of all employees similarly situated, including those who had not approached the courts and those who had entered into settlements. The judgment was thus upheld, and the appeals were dismissed.

Facts:

The case revolves around the rejection of the highest bid for a commercial tower by HUDA. The petitioner, Orchid Infrastructure Developers P. Ltd., had submitted the highest bid of Rs. 111.75 crores, but the bid was rejected by the Development Authority. The petitioner alleged denial of a formal allotment letter pertaining to the property.

Issues:

Whether there was a concluded contract between the petitioner and HUDA.

The authority of the Administrator to reject bids.

The validity of the delegation of power by HUDA to the Administrator.

The legality of the rejection of bids by the Administrator.

The obligation of the petitioner to pay court fees.

Held:

The court held that there was no concluded contract between the petitioner and HUDA due to the absence of a formal allotment letter. Therefore, the suit for a mandatory injunction by the petitioner was misconceived.

The Administrator had the authority to reject bids as per delegation from HUDA. The rejection was justified, considering the interest of public revenue and to prevent undervaluation of property.

The petitioner had suppressed the delegation of power by HUDA to the Administrator. Failure to challenge the legality of delegation undermined the petitioner's position.

The rejection of bids by the Administrator was proper and justified. Due consideration was given to relevant aspects and reports.

The petitioner was directed to pay the required ad valorem court fees, and costs were imposed on the respondent.

Facts:

The case involved the acquisition of land by the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority in 1990. Multiple rounds of litigation ensued after the issuance of notifications under Section 4 and Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and the subsequent passing of an award in 1996.

Issues:

The validity of the award and whether the delay in making the award rendered the acquisition proceedings invalid.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that once possession is taken under Section 17(1) of the Act, Section 11A is not applicable, and the acquisition proceedings do not lapse due to failure to make the award within the prescribed period.

The Court found fault with the High Court for entertaining writ petitions filed in 2004, as they were barred by law due to laches, delays, and provisions of Order II Rule 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

The urgency clause under Section 17 of the Act was invoked for the acquisition, and therefore, Section 11A did not apply. Consequently, the Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the judgment of the High Court.

Facts:

The land of the respondents was acquired by the appellants under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966.

Proceedings were initiated under sections 28, 29, and 30 of the 1966 Act, but no award was passed under section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

The respondents challenged the acquisition through a writ petition, arguing that since no award was passed under the 1894 Act, the proceedings had lapsed.

The Single Judge of the High Court rejected the respondents' plea and allowed the appellants to proceed with fixing the market value.

The respondents appealed this decision to a Division Bench of the High Court.

Meanwhile, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 came into force, repealing the 1894 Act.

The respondents argued before the Division Bench that, under section 24 of the 2013 Act, the acquisition had lapsed due to the absence of an award under section 11-A of the 1894 Act.

Issues:

Whether the absence of an award under section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, renders the acquisition proceedings lapsed.

Whether the Right to Fair Compensation Act, 2013, affects the ongoing acquisition proceedings initiated under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966.

Held:

The High Court misunderstood the effect of the non-applicability of section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

The Court clarified that once proceedings are initiated under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966, section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, would not be applicable.

On the parity of reasoning, the provision of section 24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation Act, 2013, is also not applicable.

Decision: The judgment of the Division Bench is set aside, and the direction passed by the Single Judge directing the appellant authorities to fix compensation in accordance with the provisions of section 29 of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act, 1966, is restored. We, thus, allow this appeal.

Facts:

The appellant filed an election petition challenging the outcome of an election.

Several issues, including those related to the cause of action, were raised in the petition.

The High Court dismissed the petition based on preliminary issues, finding that it lacked material facts required under Section 83(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Issues:

Whether the election petition disclosed a cause of action.

The scope of enquiry under Order VII Rule 11(a) of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908.

The relevance of considering the pleadings of the plaintiff versus those of the defendant.

Held:

The court emphasized that the enquiry under Order VII Rule 11(a) should focus solely on the pleadings of the plaintiff.

The court clarified that consideration of rebuttals made by the defendant or other materials produced by the defendant is not permissible at this stage.

The scope of enquiry under Order XIV Rule 2(2) is limited to issues of jurisdiction and bars to entertaining the suit.

The High Court erred by considering explanations offered by the respondents in determining whether the election petition disclosed a cause of action.

The appeal was allowed, the impugned order was set aside, and the election petition was remitted to the High Court for trial on merits.

The court refrained from expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.

Facts:

The case pertains to the challenge against the increase in the number of attempts for physically handicapped candidates of the General Category in civil services examinations, while not extending the same increase to physically handicapped candidates of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.

Issues:

Whether the differential treatment in the number of attempts for physically handicapped candidates of the General Category and OBC Category violates Article 14 of the Constitution.

Whether the government's policy regarding horizontal reservation and relaxation for physically handicapped candidates is subject to judicial review.

Held:

The court elucidates that Article 16 of the Constitution provides for both vertical or social reservation and horizontal reservation, with the latter including reservations for physically handicapped individuals.

Reservation for physically handicapped candidates is considered a form of horizontal reservation, aimed at providing equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities across all categories.

The judgment clarifies that physically handicapped candidates of both the General and OBC categories are granted equal opportunities, with both groups allowed 7 attempts in civil services examinations, ensuring parity and no discrimination.

The court emphasizes that the relaxation and concessions provided to physically handicapped candidates, regardless of their category, are aimed at addressing similar disabilities and ensuring equal treatment.

The policy decisions regarding horizontal reservation and relaxation for physically handicapped candidates are considered matters of government policy and are not subject to judicial interference unless found arbitrary or violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

The judgment upholds the increase in attempts for physically handicapped candidates of the General Category, as consistent with government policy, and dismisses the challenge against it.

Decision: The court allows the appeals and upholds the increase in the number of attempts for physically handicapped candidates of the General Category in civil services examinations, while rejecting the challenge against the policy.

Facts:

The suit involves a property dispute where the appellants purchased property based on a Power of Attorney from Annasamy Pandian.

Disputes arose over the validity of the Power of Attorney and the transfer of property.

During the trial, discrepancies in survey numbers of the property and the execution of an Inam Settlement Deed in favor of the respondent's son were discovered by the appellants.

The appellants sought to withdraw the suit under Order XXIII Rule 1(3) CPC.

Issues:

Whether the discrepancies in survey numbers and execution of the Inam Settlement Deed constitute a formal defect justifying the withdrawal of the suit.

Whether the withdrawal of the suit under Order XXIII Rule 1(3) CPC was appropriate in the given circumstances.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the discrepancies in survey numbers and execution of the Inam Settlement Deed indeed constitute a formal defect justifying the withdrawal of the suit under Order XXIII Rule 1(3) CPC.

The trial court's decision to allow the withdrawal of the suit was appropriate and within its discretion.

The High Court erred in overturning the trial court's decision, and its interference was unjustified.

The costs imposed on the appellants were increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 10,000.

The appeal was allowed, setting aside the High Court's decision and reinstating the trial court's order to withdraw the suit.

Facts:

The court had found it inappropriate for Mr. Ranjit Sinha, the then Director of the CBI, to have met with persons accused in coal block allocation cases without the investigating officer being present. A committee, led by Mr. M.L. Sharma, submitted a report on these allegations.

Issues:

The court had to determine whether to appoint an outside body of investigators to look into the matter or to entrust the CBI with investigating the abuse of authority allegedly committed by Mr. Ranjit Sinha.

Held:

The court decided not to appoint an outside body of investigators but instead directed the CBI to constitute a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations against Mr. Ranjit Sinha.

The SIT would be led by the Director of CBI and assisted by two nominated officers and Mr. R.S. Cheema, a Special Public Prosecutor. The Director of CBI was instructed to inform the court about the composition of the investigation team and the time required to complete the investigations.

The court emphasized the significance of the matter and urged the Director of CBI to handle it with seriousness.