Facts:

The respondent-plaintiff filed a suit against the defendant, the predecessor-in-interest of the appellants.

The suit proceeded ex parte against the defendant and was decreed.

The defendant filed an application under Order IX, Rule 13 to set aside the ex parte decree, which was dismissed in default.

Subsequently, the defendant died, and the legal heirs, i.e., the appellants, filed an application praying for the restoration of the application filed under Order IX, Rule 13.

The trial court dismissed the application, but the appellate court allowed the appeal and restored the application.

The High Court questioned the maintainability of the appeal and observed that the application was barred by time.

Issues:

Whether the appeal against the trial court's order of dismissal was maintainable?

Whether the application for restoration was barred by time?

Held:

The application filed by the appellants for restoration was registered in miscellaneous proceedings and governed by Section 141 CPC, making provisions of Order IX applicable.

Therefore, the order rejecting such application was appealable under Order XLIII Rule 1(c) CPC, rendering the appeal maintainable.

The appellants provided sufficient explanation for the delay in filing the application for restoration.

Section 5 of the Limitation Act was attracted, and there was just and equitable cause for condoning any delay.

Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the appeal against the trial court's order of dismissal was maintainable under Order XLIII Rule 1(c) CPC. Additionally, it upheld the condonation of delay in filing the application for restoration under Order IX Rule 13 CPC, considering the circumstances explained by the appellants.

Facts:

Respondent No. 1, a former Minister of Transport, Tamil Nadu, was accused of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Charge-sheet was filed against the respondents under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Respondent No. 1 explained alleged disproportionate assets, claiming they were received from his son, Arun, who earned remuneration and paid taxes.

Issues:

Whether the discharge of respondents before the completion of the investigation into the source of income of Respondent No. 1's son was premature and unsustainable.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the discharge of respondents before the completion of the investigation into the source of income of Respondent No. 1's son was premature and unsustainable. It upheld the direction for further investigation and set aside the order of discharge.

The Court emphasized the need for thorough investigation into allegations of corruption and instructed the Investigating Agency to conduct the investigation expeditiously while considering the seriousness of the charge and the objectives of anti-corruption laws.

Facts:The writ petition (C) No. 857 of 2015 was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India seeking the implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS Act) by the State Governments.

Issues:

The inadequate implementation of the NFS Act, including the absence of a transparent and accountable Grievance Redressal Mechanism, non-establishment of a fully functional State Food Commission, failure to conduct social audits and set up Vigilance Committees as mandated by the Act.

Held:

The Court emphasized the necessity for a transparent and accountable Grievance Redressal Mechanism under the NFS Act (Para 30-31).

It stressed the importance of establishing fully functional State Food Commissions and highlighted practical difficulties in dual functioning of statutory commissions (Paras 32, 33, and 34).

The Court underscored the significance of social audits and directed their establishment in accordance with the standards framed (Paras 36, 37, and 38).

It mandated the establishment of Vigilance Committees as required by the NFS Act (Para 40).

The Court issued directions to ensure effective implementation of the NFS Act, including the notification of appropriate rules for Grievance Redressal Mechanism, establishment of State Food Commissions and Vigilance Committees, and conducting social audits (Para 42).

Co-operative federalism was emphasized, urging consultation and collaboration between the Centre and States for uniform enforcement of the Act (Para 71).

Decision: The Court directed the concerned ministries of the Government of India to collaborate with State Governments and Union Territories to ensure the effective implementation of the NFS Act. This includes the establishment of Grievance Redressal Mechanisms, State Food Commissions, Vigilance Committees, and social audit machinery.

Facts:

The appellants participated in the selection process for the position of Deputy Surveyor. They contested the inclusion of a physical endurance test, arguing that it was not prescribed under the Rules governing such selections.

Issues:

Whether executive instructions regarding the selection procedure, including the imposition of a physical endurance test, were valid despite not being explicitly prescribed under the Rules.

Held:

The Court held that in the absence of specific guidelines in the Rules, it was within the powers of the Executive, as per Article 162 of the Constitution of India, to provide instructions regarding the selection procedure, as long as they did not contradict the Rules.

The Court further noted that since all the appellants had participated in both the written examination and the physical endurance test without raising any objections, they could not later challenge the procedure. Therefore, the Court dismissed the appeals, finding no merit in them.

Facts:

The appellant was charged with civil contempt for arresting the respondent under a charge added after the respondent had been granted bail under Section 438, CrPC.

Issues:

Whether the appellant's actions constituted contempt of court.

Held:

The court found the appellant's explanation plausible, stating there was no intentional violation of the court order. While it would have been preferable to inform the court of the development and seek modification, the appellant's apology was deemed sincere and genuine.( Para 4)

The Division Bench concluded that, in the circumstances of the case, the appellant's apology must be accepted.( Para 6)

Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the conviction and sentence imposed on the appellant were set aside, accepting his sincere, genuine, and unconditional apology in writing before the Court and the High Court.( Para 7)

Facts:The prosecution alleged that the accused, with the common intention of murdering the informant, committed various heinous acts resulting in the deaths of multiple individuals.

Issues:

Validity of evidence regarding the burning lantern.

Reliability of witness testimonies for the identification of the accused.

Existence of a previous dispute as a motive for the crime.

Validity and timing of the First Information Report (FIR).

Evaluation of the High Court's judgment.

Modification of sentencing.

Held:

The trial court's observation regarding the burning lantern and the absence of blackening on the wall due to the lantern's placement was deemed credible. The High Court's dismissal of this evidence was criticized for being unfounded. (Para 26-30)

Witnesses' testimonies regarding the identification of the accused were deemed reliable by the trial court. The High Court's skepticism about the ability to identify the accused in the given circumstances was rejected. (Para 31-32)

The High Court's dismissal of the existence of a previous dispute between the informant and one of the accused was deemed incorrect. The Supreme Court asserted that such disputes could indeed contribute to the motive behind the crime. (Para 33)

The High Court's doubts about the timing and authenticity of the FIR were refuted, with the Supreme Court highlighting the sequence of events and the consistency in the evidence provided by the prosecution. (Para 34-37)

The Supreme Court criticized the High Court for relying on minor inconsistencies and inadequate grounds to overturn the trial court's decision. It was emphasized that there were no substantial reasons to doubt the testimonies of key witnesses. (Para 38, 41)

Considering the time elapsed since the incident and the circumstances of the case, the Supreme Court commuted the capital punishment to life imprisonment for the remaining accused. The appeal is accordingly allowed. (Para 42)

Facts:

The respondent, an allottee, approached the High Court alleging that PUDA/GMADA had charged excess rates for plot allotment. The High Court directed a reduction in rates and later considered the issue of payment of interest on the excess amount refunded. PUDA/GMADA contended that no policy existed for paying interest on refund amounts.

Issues:

Whether the respondent is entitled to interest on the excess amount refunded by PUDA/GMADA.

Whether the High Court's order in the contempt jurisdiction was justified.

Held:

The Supreme Court, after hearing arguments, set aside the High Court's judgment. The Court emphasized that in contempt jurisdiction, disputes should not be adjudicated but relief should be granted after proper adjudication. Since there was no proper adjudication regarding the entitlement of interest, the High Court's judgment was set aside.

The Court granted liberty to the respondent to challenge an earlier order before the appropriate forum. If such a challenge is made within one month, it should not be dismissed on the ground of delay. The Court urged the concerned forum to dispose of the matter expeditiously, preferably within one year.

Facts:

Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 issued on 01.10.1990 for land acquisition related to Kandaleru Reservoir under Telugu Ganga Project.

Land Acquisition Officer awarded compensation, which was challenged and referred to the Senior Civil Judge, Gudur.

Reference Court enhanced compensation, further contested in the High Court.

High Court dismissed the appeal due to a delay of 3671 days in filing.

Issues:

Whether the delay of 3671 days in filing the appeal can be condoned.

The appropriate compensation for acquired land and trees.

Held:

The term "sufficient cause" for delay should receive liberal construction to advance substantial justice.

The High Court erred in not adopting a similar approach to condone delay as in previous cases.

A pragmatic approach should be taken in awarding compensation, especially considering the impact on agriculturists.

Compensation for fruit-bearing trees should reflect the cost of planting and efforts involved.

Compensation awarded: Rs. 1,500/- for each pomegranate tree and Rs. 250/- for each lime tree.

Appellants not entitled to interest during the delay period but entitled to statutory benefits and interest on enhanced compensation.

Facts:

The appellant, Nelatur Sampoornamma, owned land with 45 pomegranate trees in Andhra Pradesh.

The land was sought to be acquired for the Telugu Ganga Project.

Notification for acquisition was issued on March 30, 1990, and an award was passed on September 14, 1992.

The appellant contested the compensation received, seeking higher compensation under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act.

The matter was referred to the Senior Civil Judge, Gudur, Nellore District, who increased the compensation.

The appellant appealed to the High Court, which further adjusted the valuation based on the age and fruit-bearing period of the trees.

Issues:

Determination of appropriate compensation for the acquisition of land with pomegranate trees.

Validity of the valuation methods employed by the Reference Court and the High Court.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that the High Court was correct in applying a higher multiplier considering the age and fruit-bearing period of the trees. However, there was an error in fixing the rate of the pomegranate trees at Rs. 65/-, as it relied on a subsequent government order not in effect at the time of the notification.

While the appellant sought compensation of Rs. 3,000/- per pomegranate tree based on a previous Supreme Court decision, the Court adjusted the amount to Rs. 2,000/- per tree, considering the difference in time between the two cases.

The appellant was entitled to statutory benefits such as solatium and interest. The appeal is partly allowed.