Facts:

The respondent-accused was facing trial on charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and the Immoral Traffic Act. During the investigation, the respondent allegedly absconded, and there were complaints of intimidating witnesses against him. Subsequently, the respondent surrendered and filed a bail application, which was dismissed by the Trial Court but granted by the High Court.

Issues:

Whether there are any chances of the accused fleeing from justice or reasonable apprehension that the accused would tamper with evidence/trial if released on bail.

The liberty of the accused with the interest of society and ensuring a fair trial.

Held:

The respondent-accused is only an under-trial, and his liberty is a relevant consideration. However, the interest of society and the fair trial of the case are equally important. While courts must adopt a liberal approach to bail applications, in cases where there is a possibility of the accused interfering with a fair trial if released on bail, the public interest in fair trial outweighs the personal interest of the accused.

The High Court's decision to grant bail was contrary to principles of law. The respondent had avoided arrest during the initial stages of the case, and there were complaints of intimidation against witnesses. Despite crucial witnesses remaining to be examined, bail was granted. This decision did not appropriately consider the substantial aspects relevant to the case.

Decision: The Court allowed the appeal and set aside the order of the High Court granting bail to the respondent-accused.

Facts:

The appellant challenged the legality of proceedings initiated under Section 340 of the Criminal Procedure Code, pertaining to contradictory statements made during judicial proceedings.

Issues:

Whether the High Court followed the correct procedure under Section 340 of the CrPC in initiating proceedings.

Whether the conditions for initiating proceedings under Section 340 CrPC were met.

Held:

The Supreme Court found procedural irregularities in the initiation of proceedings under Section 340 CrPC and decided to set aside the same in the interests of justice.

In Paragraph 13, the court noted that the High Court had not followed the correct procedure in forming the opinion that it was expedient in the interests of justice to file a complaint. The court found that the requirements under Section 340 CrPC were not fully met.

Referring to the case of Iqbal Singh Marwah v. Meenakshi Marwah, the court emphasized that the decision to file a complaint under Section 340 CrPC should be based on the interest of justice and not in every case where an offence is alleged.

Therefore, the appeal was allowed, and the initiation of proceedings under Section 340 CrPC was set aside.

Facts:

The appellants had been awarded compensation by the Labour Officer cum Workmen's Compensation Commissioner based on evidence, including disability certificates issued by a qualified medical practitioner.

The insurance company contested the compensation, alleging inadequate proof of injuries.

The High Court questioned the validity of the evidence, particularly the authenticity of the disability certificates.

Issues:

Whether the findings of the Workmen's Compensation Commissioner, based on disability certificates issued by a qualified medical practitioner, were valid.

Whether the High Court overstepped its jurisdiction by re-evaluating evidence and substituting its own findings regarding the percentage of disability.

Held:

The Court held that The Workmen's Compensation Commissioner is the final authority on factual matters under the Act, and the Parliament has restricted the scope of appeal to substantial questions of law.

The disability assessments conducted by qualified medical practitioners were valid, and there was no evidence to suggest otherwise.

The High Court exceeded its jurisdiction by re-evaluating evidence and substituting its own findings regarding the percentage of disability, which lacked a basis.

The appeals were allowed, the High Court's judgment was set aside, and the order of the Labour Officer cum Workmen's Compensation Commissioner was reinstated.

Facts:

The appellant, K.V. Prakash Babu, appealed against the State of Karnataka regarding his conviction under Sections 306 and 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case involved allegations of mental cruelty and abetment of suicide arising from the appellant's alleged involvement in an extra-marital affair.

Issues:

Whether the actions of the appellant constituted mental cruelty under Section 498A of the IPC.

Whether the appellant's conduct amounted to abetment of suicide under Section 306 of the IPC.

Interpretation of the concept of mental cruelty and its application in matrimonial disputes.

Applicability of the statutory presumption under Section 113-A of the Evidence Act.

Held:

The court held that while the tragic circumstances surrounding the wife's suicide and the alleged extra-marital affair were acknowledged, the evidence presented was insufficient to prove the charges of abetment of suicide and cruelty under the IPC. The court emphasized that mental cruelty depends on individual perceptions and circumstances and must be of such a nature as to drive the woman to commit suicide. The court further clarified that involvement in an extra-marital affair, per se, may not always invite conviction under Section 306 of the IPC but could be grounds for divorce or other reliefs in matrimonial disputes under other enactments.

The appeals were allowed, and the appellant's convictions under Sections 306 and 498A of the IPC were set aside. The appellant was ordered to be released unless detained in connection with any other case.

Facts:

The appellants, two Public Sector Undertakings of the State of Gujarat, were served with a show cause notice alleging that Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. (GSFC) was collecting 'incineration charges' from Gujarat Alkalies & Chemical Ltd. (GACL), considered as 'Storage and Warehousing Services' under the Finance Act, 1994.

GSFC contested the notice, arguing that the process did not constitute storage facilities and no service was provided by GSFC to GACL.

The Adjudicating Authority confirmed the demand for service tax, which was upheld by the Appellate Authority and the Customs Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT).

Issues:

Whether the process undertaken by GSFC and GACL amounted to 'Storage and Warehousing Services' under the Finance Act, 1994.

Whether GSFC provided any service to GACL for which service tax could be levied.

Held:

The Court emphasized that for service tax to be levied on 'Storage and Warehousing' services, two conditions must be satisfied: the goods must fall within the definition of 'Storage and Warehousing', and there must be an element of service provided by one party to another for which charges are collected.

The court found that neither condition was met in this case. The handling and incineration facilities were established through a joint venture between GSFC and GACL, with both parties sharing the associated expenses equally. The payment made by GACL to GSFC was merely GACL's share of the expenses and did not constitute payment for a service provided by GSFC.

Therefore, the demand for service tax was deemed unwarranted and set aside. The Court allowed the appeals, quashing the orders of the Adjudicating Authority and CESTAT.

Additionally, the Court left open the question of whether the receipt of goods through a common pipeline amounted to 'storage'.

Facts:

The case involves the death of a woman due to 100% burn injuries. The dying declaration of the victim, recorded before a magistrate, was crucial evidence in the trial.

Issues:

The credibility of the dying declaration.

The reliability of witnesses, particularly a hostile witness.

The scope of interference in appeals against acquittals.

Held:

The court discussed the narrow scope of interference in appeals against acquittals compared to appeals against convictions. While the High Court can review evidence, it should not overturn acquittals unless there are substantial reasons to do so.

The importance of dying declarations was emphasized, noting that they can be made to various authorities, including magistrates and doctors. In this case, the dying declaration was recorded by a competent magistrate and supported by medical certification of the victim's fitness.

Despite the victim's severe injuries, medical certification confirmed her fitness to give the dying declaration. The extent of injuries alone does not discredit the victim's statement.

The court addressed the issue of witnesses turning hostile, attributing it to various factors such as fear, pressure, or corruption. In this case, a witness's false testimony was exposed by hospital records, leading the High Court to discredit his testimony.

The High Court's decision was upheld, emphasizing the reliability of the dying declaration and the need for caution in cases where witnesses turn hostile.

Facts:

The issue arose due to conflicting opinions in different Benches of the Karnataka High Court regarding the classification of licensed surveyors as public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The Supreme Court considered relevant provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, along with rules governing the qualifications and duties of licensed surveyors.

Issues:

Whether licensed surveyors appointed under Section 18A of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 should be categorized as "public servants" under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Held:

The Court concludes that licensed surveyors are to be treated as public servants. The Court emphasizes that licensed surveyors perform statutory duties assigned by the government, relieving the burden on government surveyors. This conclusion is supported by the reasoning laid out in paragraphs 8 to 11, where the Court analyzes the duties and qualifications of licensed surveyors as outlined in the relevant rules and acts. The Court determines that licensed surveyors fulfill the criteria of being public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, based on their performance of statutory duties controlled by the government. Therefore, the Court dismisses certain appeals and allows others, affirming the status of licensed surveyors as public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Facts:

The victim's testimony, although initially lacking in specific naming of the appellant, was detailed and consistent throughout his statements under different sections of the Criminal Procedure Code. The victim's father corroborated key aspects of the events.

The negotiations for a land deal initiated by one of the accused revealed a concerted effort to entrap the victim, gradually gaining his trust before the abduction.

The victim's testimony, supported by his father, provided clarity and conviction, remaining unshaken even under cross-examination. The victim had sufficient opportunity to observe and identify his abductors during the captivity period.

Evidence of the stage-wise recovery of items and currency notes, as well as witnesses' testimonies, authenticated the seizures and supported the prosecution's case.

The admissibility of call details was questioned due to non-compliance with Section 65B(4) of the Indian Evidence Act. Despite this, the charges against the accused were considered proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Issues:

Whether the victim's testimony and identification of the appellant are reliable.

Whether the evidence supports the charges of conspiracy and abduction for ransom.

The admissibility of call details and its impact on the case.

Held:

The victim's testimony, despite initial omissions, remained consistent and credible throughout various statements. His identification of the appellant during trial strengthens the prosecution's case.

The evidence, including the victim's testimony and the recovery of items, supports the charges of conspiracy and abduction for ransom. The omissions and deficiencies in certain procedures do not detract from the overall veracity of the prosecution's case.

The failure to produce a certificate under Section 65B(4) regarding call details renders it inadmissible as evidence. However, this does not affect the proof of charges against the accused.

Decision: The appeals are dismissed, affirming the judgment of conviction and sentence against the appellants. The prosecution's case is upheld based on the evidence presented.

Facts:

The appellant challenged the legality of the Vidhayak Nidhi Scheme in Uttar Pradesh, providing budgetary grants to Members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council for development work in their constituencies.

The appellant contended that the scheme encroached upon the domain of development plans governed by Article 243ZD and the Uttar Pradesh District Planning Committee Act, 1999.

Issues:

Whether the Vidhayak Nidhi Scheme violates constitutional provisions and legislative acts.

Held:

The Supreme Court held that while elected representatives have a legitimate role in meeting the development needs of their constituencies, it is imperative to ensure accountability and compliance with constitutional provisions. The Court directed the State Government to revise the scheme guidelines to align with constitutional principles and provide necessary safeguards. The Court's decision emphasized limiting the role of elected representatives to recommending developmental work, ensuring independent assessment and implementation by state authorities, and enhancing transparency and accountability.

The appeal shall accordingly stand disposed of.