Facts:

The appellant was tried for offenses under Sections 342, 376(2)(b), and 506 IPC and was acquitted by the Trial Court. The victim, represented by the widow of the deceased, challenged the acquittal by filing a criminal appeal under Section 372 CrPC.

The High Court initially allowed the appeal without requiring leave, but subsequent decisions questioned this interpretation. The matter was brought before the Supreme Court for resolution.

Issues:

The interpretation of Section 372 CrPC and whether victims have an unfettered right to appeal against acquittal without obtaining leave from the High Court under Section 378(3) CrPC.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that while victims have a substantive right to appeal against acquittal under Section 372 CrPC, leave from the High Court as required under Section 378(3) CrPC is necessary. This position was clarified based on the decision in Satya Pal Singh vs. State of Madhya Pradesh.

The Court granted leave for the victim's appeal to proceed and remitted the matter back to the High Court for fresh consideration. The rejection of the state's application seeking leave to appeal does not preclude the victim from filing an appeal. The Court also expressed gratitude to the Amicus Curiae for their assistance in the case.

Facts:

The respondent, Ramanand, was convicted by the trial court for the murder of his wife Anita and daughter Ekta under Sections 302 and 201 IPC.

The High Court acquitted Ramanand of the charges under Sections 302 and 201 IPC but convicted him under Section 306 IPC.

The State of Rajasthan appealed against the decision of the High Court.

Issues:

Whether the evidence presented in the case was sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Whether Ramanand could be convicted under Section 306 IPC.

Held:

The medical evidence indicated that the deaths of Anita and Ekta were due to strangulation, not burn injuries. Therefore, the conviction under Section 306 IPC was unjustified.

There was insufficient evidence to conclusively establish Ramanand's guilt under Section 302 IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, but there was no direct evidence linking Ramanand to the murders.

Ramanand's statement provided to the police (Ext. D-1) was considered as evidence against him, but it alone was not sufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The circumstances on record did not rule out every other hypothesis except the guilt of the accused. Therefore, Ramanand was entitled to the benefit of doubt and could not be convicted under Section 302 IPC.

The appeal by the State of Rajasthan was rejected, and Ramanand was acquitted of the charge under Section 306 IPC as well.

Facts:

The prosecution alleged that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of a temple proposed to transfer the Kotharis from the temple due to misappropriation of funds. The Kotharis and their associates, including the appellants, conspired to kidnap and kill the Chairman.

Issues:

Whether the courts below correctly determined the guilt of the accused based on circumstantial evidence and legal principles.

Whether the evidence presented by the prosecution established the conspiracy and the involvement of each accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Held:

The courts below rightly proved the guilt of the accused based on motive, 'last-seen' theory, place of murder, disposal of the body, recovery of the body, and the conduct of the accused .

Conspiracy can be inferred from circumstantial evidence, and the courts found sufficient evidence to establish it beyond reasonable doubt.

The disclosure made by accused no. 3 about the location where the dead body was dumped was considered admissible under Section 27 of the Evidence Act .

The identity of the deceased was established through medical examination and other corroborating evidence.

The courts analyzed the involvement of each accused based on the evidence presented and found accused nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5 to be involved in various stages of the crime.

There was a strong motive for accused nos. 1 and 2 to commit the murder due to their fear of losing control over the temple affairs.

The judgment affirmed the order of conviction against accused nos. 1, 2, and 5, rejecting their appeals.

Decision: The court upheld the convictions based on the evidence and legal principles applied by the courts below, dismissing the appeals made by the accused.

Facts:

The case involved a contractual dispute between Mrs. Hema Khattar (the appellant) and Shiv Khera (the respondent) regarding the reconstruction of a building in New Delhi. The dispute arose due to alleged deficiencies in construction quality, leading to legal notices and arbitration proceedings.

Issues:

Whether the suit filed by the appellants was bad for misjoinder of parties and causes of action.

Whether the matter should be referred to arbitration as per the arbitration clause in the agreement between the parties.

Held:

The Court held that the suit was not bad for misjoinder of parties or causes of action. Both appellants had distinct causes of action but could be joined in one suit. The Court also held that the matter should be referred to arbitration as per the arbitration clause in the agreement, even after termination of the contract.

Decision: The Court set aside the orders of the lower courts and referred the disputes raised by the appellants to the sole arbitrator appointed by the respondent. The arbitrator was directed to decide the disputes expeditiously in accordance with the law.

Facts:

The "Beaulieu" estate was purchased in 1900 by the Dewan of Mysore on behalf of the First Princess.

Portions of the estate were subsequently acquired by the government before and after independence.

Complaints were raised regarding the validity of the original conveyance deed and subsequent transactions.

Proceedings were initiated under Section 67 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.

Various parties challenged these proceedings through writ petitions and appeals.

Issues:

Validity of the original conveyance deed executed in 1900.

Jurisdiction of the State to initiate proceedings under Section 67 of the KLR Act.

Applicability of Section 67 to disputes of title between individuals and the State.

Allegations of fraud and collusive transactions.

Held:

The Supreme Court examined historical records and transactions related to the estate.

Found evidence supporting the purchase of the estate for the First Princess.

Concluded that the State's actions were beyond the period of limitation and lacked jurisdiction.

Held that Section 67 of the KLR Act applies to public property, not disputes of title between individuals and the State.

Emphasized the need to prove fraud and that it cannot be presumed.

Declared the estate rightfully belonged to the First Princess, and the State had no claim over it.

The appeals were allowed, setting aside the High Court's judgment and restoring the Single Judge's decision.

Facts:

The respondent, along with co-accused, intoxicated the complainant, looted money from him, beat him, and dumped him in a watercourse. The trial court convicted the respondent for offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and awarded imprisonment for two years for each offense, to run concurrently. However, the High Court modified the sentence, substituting it with a fine of Rs. 30,000.

Issues:

Whether the High Court erred in altering the sentence awarded by the trial court?

Whether the gender of the offender can be considered as a mitigating factor in sentencing?

What principles should govern sentencing for heinous offenses?

Held:

The Supreme Court emphasized the necessity of imprisonment as punishment for certain offenses, particularly those under sections 307, 328, and 392 of the IPC, which mandate both imprisonment and a fine. The High Court erred in removing the element of imprisonment altogether .

The Court discussed the principles of sentencing, including the consideration of mitigating and aggravating circumstances, as well as the relevance of gender as a mitigating factor. While there is no hard and fast rule regarding the treatment of gender in sentencing, it may be considered depending on the circumstances of each case .

Justice Sikri emphasized the necessity of punishment for heinous offenses, highlighting the deterrence theory in sentencing. Discretion lies with the court, but it must be exercised fairly and in accordance with established principles .

Justice Ashok Bhushan, concurring with Justice Sikri, further elaborated on the statutory scheme of punishments under the IPC. The power of the appellate court to alter sentences must be exercised within the framework of the law .

Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the High Court's modification of the sentence and restoring the judgment of the trial court. The respondent was to undergo imprisonment as originally sentenced by the trial court.

Facts:

Dispute between parties over irrigation rights.

Altercation during a court proceeding, resulting in injuries inflicted by the appellant using a Kirpan.

Two individuals died as a result of the altercation.

Issues:

Whether the appellant's actions constituted murder under Section 302 of the IPC or could be classified under Section 304 Part II, which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Held:

The court concluded that the appellant's actions fell under Section 304 Part II rather than Section 302 of the IPC due to the absence of cruelty or undue advantage taken by the appellant. The court found that the altercation was sudden and lacked premeditation, thus qualifying for the exception under Section 300 Exception 4 of the IPC.

Considering the circumstances and legal principles, the court modified the appellant's conviction to Section 304 Part II and sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment. The appeal is disposed of.

Facts:

The insured, Hindustan Safety Glass Works Ltd., filed claims with National Insurance for damages caused by heavy rain in August 1992.

National Insurance delayed settling the claim and eventually repudiated it in May 2001.

The insured filed complaints with the National Commission seeking compensation.

Issues:

Whether the complaints filed by the insured were barred by limitations under the insurance policies and the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Whether National Insurance's delay in settling the claims prejudiced the insured's rights.

Held:

The Court held that the insured had the right to file a claim when damages occurred, and National Insurance's delay in settling the claim couldn't prejudice the insured's rights. The Court emphasized the need for a pragmatic view to protect consumers' rights.

In both Civil Appeal No. 3883 of 2007 and Civil Appeal No. 1156 of 2008, the Court dismissed National Insurance's objections on limitations and upheld the National Commission's decisions in favor of the insured.

The Court concluded that there was no merit in National Insurance's arguments and upheld the National Commission's decisions, dismissing the appeals.

Facts:

The respondent, Nisar Ramzan Sayyed, was convicted by the Trial Court for causing the death of his pregnant wife by setting her on fire.

The High Court acquitted the respondent due to inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the prosecution.

The prosecution primarily relied on dying declarations of the deceased as evidence.

Issues:

Whether the dying declarations of the deceased were reliable and sufficient to prove the guilt of the respondent.

Whether the High Court erred in acquitting the respondent based on the evidence presented.

Held:

The Court found the dying declarations of the deceased consistent and reliable, pointing to the guilt of the respondent. It emphasized the principles governing dying declarations and their admissibility.

Despite the gravity of the offense, the Court decided against awarding the death penalty. It noted the recommendation of the Law Commission of India to abolish the death penalty for most crimes and opted for life imprisonment for the respondent.

The Court set aside the acquittal by the High Court and restored the conviction by the Trial Court. However, it modified the death sentence to life imprisonment considering the circumstances of the case and the recommendation of the Law Commission of India. The criminal appeals are allowed.