Industrial Disputes – Misconduct – Dismissal from Service – Appellant, a driver, was dismissed for traveling without a ticket, abusing, and threatening the checking squad and higher officials – The Labour Court upheld the dismissal, refusing to exercise discretion under Section 11A of the Industrial Disputes Act – Single Judge modified the punishment to withholding two increments with cumulative effect – Division Bench restored the dismissal – Supreme Court upheld the Division Bench's decision, emphasizing the gravity of the misconduct and the appellant’s past record [Paras 2-10].

Discretion under Section 11A of the Industrial Disputes Act – Exercise of Discretion – Highlighted that discretion under Section 11A should be exercised judicially and judiciously, considering the gravity of misconduct, past record, and potential repercussions on the establishment – Interference with the punishment of dismissal should not be made casually [Paras 8-10].

Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 – Pension Eligibility – The Court noted that under Paragraph 12(8) of the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995, an employee dismissed from service is eligible for pension if they have completed the pensionable service – Directed that the appellant or his dependents could approach authorities for settlement of benefits under the scheme [Paras 11-13].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Upheld the dismissal of the appellant from service – Directed the appellant to approach the concerned authorities for pension benefits under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 [Para 13].

Family Law – Hindu Marriage – Validity – Both parties were minors at the time of the alleged marriage – Respondent claimed marriage and birth of a daughter – Trial Court and First Appellate Court recorded findings of minor status and proceeded on merits – High Court set aside merits, holding suits not maintainable as parties were minors – Supreme Court found High Court’s observations on criminal prosecution under Section 376 IPC inappropriate – Emphasized reconciliation in matrimonial disputes [Paras 1-10].

Matrimonial Dispute – Section 9 of Hindu Marriage Act – High Court’s Observations – Supreme Court disapproved of High Court's suggestion to initiate criminal proceedings under Section 376 IPC – Held that the primary concern should be to restore peace and encourage reconciliation – Criticized the lack of mediation efforts in matrimonial matters [Para 8].

Children – Maintenance – Acknowledged that even an illegitimate child is entitled to maintenance – Highlighted the importance of focusing on the welfare of children in matrimonial disputes [Para 8].

Decision: Appeal allowed – Deleted the observations made in Paragraph 4 of the High Court’s judgment – Directed focus on reconciliation and mediation in matrimonial disputes [Para 9].

Arbitration – Evidence – Section 27 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act – The Bombay High Court allowed the application under Section 27 of the Act to direct the appellant to produce certain sales tax assessment orders – Appellant’s objections on confidentiality and availability of documents were rejected – Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, emphasizing that Section 27 enables the Tribunal to seek court assistance for evidence from any person, including parties to the arbitration [Paras 2-26].

Confidentiality – Sales Tax Assessment Orders – Section 71 of Maharashtra Value Added Tax Act – The Court rejected the appellant’s claim that sales tax assessment orders were confidential under Section 71 – Held that the confidentiality provision applies to government officers, not parties to the arbitration – Appellant's change in stance regarding availability of documents was considered an afterthought [Paras 23-25].

Discretion – Drawing Adverse Inference – The Court noted that while the Tribunal could draw an adverse inference for non-production of documents, it was justified in seeking actual evidence for a fair determination of the claim [Para 21].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Upheld the order directing the appellant to produce the specified documents before the Arbitral Tribunal [Para 26].

University Administration – Pension Scheme – Validity – The university, an autonomous body under the Rajasthan Agricultural University Udaipur Act, provided an option for its employees to switch from Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) scheme to a pension scheme via resolutions passed without consulting the Chancellor – State of Rajasthan, which funds the university, later rejected the resolutions – Supreme Court held that the university’s resolutions were invalid without the Chancellor's approval as required under Section 39 of the Act – Ordered restoration of CPF scheme benefits [Paras 1-36].

State Control – Financial Implications – Autonomy – Although autonomous, the university is financially dependent on the State – Section 39 mandates the Chancellor’s assent for financial decisions impacting the state – The resolutions creating additional financial burden without such assent were legally untenable [Paras 14-16, 29].

Natural Justice – Hearing – The court found that absence of notice to employees before rescinding the pension scheme did not invalidate the decision, as notice would not alter the legal necessity of the Chancellor’s approval for such resolutions [Paras 33-35].

Decision: Appeals allowed – High Court judgments set aside – Ordered implementation of CPF scheme as per pre-December 2000 provisions – Special protection against recovery from retired employees receiving pensions per the invalid resolutions [Para 36].

Companies Act – SICA Applicability – Foreign Companies – The High Court held that SICA applies to foreign companies registered under Section 591 of the Companies Act – Supreme Court found the issue moot as Baranagore Jute Factory Plc. no longer fell within the definition of a sick industrial company due to substantial compensation received from land acquisition – Declined to decide on SICA’s applicability, leaving the question open for future cases [Paras 2-9].

Industrial Rehabilitation – Financial Status Change – Compensation of Rs. 170 crores received by the Respondent company made it financially viable, removing it from the scope of SICA – Recognized that all liabilities would be covered, leaving a surplus of Rs. 50 crores – Held that the BIFR scheme need not be implemented [Para 8].

Jurisdiction – Article 136 – Management Disputes – The Court did not adjudicate management disputes among shareholders, emphasizing that such issues should be resolved in appropriate forums – Continued existing management until further orders from competent authorities [Paras 10-11].

Decision: Appeals disposed of – Left SICA applicability question open – Maintained current management arrangement pending resolution in competent forums [Para 11].

Criminal Procedure – Quashing of Complaint – Section 482 CrPC – The High Court dismissed the appellant’s application to quash the complaint alleging fraudulent replacement of a partnership deed – Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, emphasizing that the complaint disclosed a prima facie case and the CJM was justified in issuing the process – Reinforced that quashing should not be done to stifle legitimate prosecution [Paras 1-20].

Fraud and Misrepresentation – Partnership Deed – Complaint alleged that the original partnership deed was replaced with a forged one to deprive the respondent of benefits – Inquiry reports indicated manipulation in the excise office, implicating the appellant – Supreme Court held the complaint warranted investigation and trial to determine the extent of the appellant’s involvement [Paras 7-10].

Delay in Filing Complaint – The Court found the delay justified as the respondent became aware of the fraud only after obtaining inquiry reports – Highlighted that delay alone is not sufficient ground to quash proceedings if allegations have substance [Paras 16-17].

Legal Precedents – Considered multiple judgments emphasizing the principles for quashing complaints and the necessity to proceed with trial if prima facie case is made out – Reiterated that courts should not delve into the merits of allegations at the initial stage [Paras 11-15].

Decision: Appeal dismissed – Upheld the validity of the complaint and the orders for proceeding with the case – Emphasized the role of trial court to ascertain the truth through evidence [Para 20].

Service Law – Date of Birth – Correction – The respondent sought correction of his date of birth from 2.4.1946 to 2.4.1948 based on his matriculation certificate – Supreme Court upheld the decision of the General Manager and set aside the High Court’s order – Found that the respondent did not produce the matriculation certificate at the time of his appointment and mentioned a different date of birth to gain eligibility [Paras 1-19].

Equitable Jurisdiction – High Court’s Discretion – Emphasized that the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution is discretionary and equitable – The Court should not extend benefits to those who have taken undue advantage by misrepresenting facts [Paras 16-17].

Regulations Interpretation – Eligibility Criteria – The Court interpreted Regulations 14 and 15 of the Coal Mines Regulations, 1957, noting that at the time of the respondent’s examination in 1969, the minimum age was 21 years – Highlighted that the respondent could not have been eligible if his correct date of birth was considered [Paras 10-12].

Decision: Appeal allowed – High Court’s judgment set aside – Rejected the respondent’s request for correction of the date of birth in service records [Paras 18-19].

Criminal Law – House Trespass, Kidnapping, and Murder – Conspiracy – The appellants were accused of abducting and murdering seven family members of the complainant (PW-3) – Supreme Court examined the delay in lodging the FIR, enmity between witnesses and accused, and reliability of witness statements recorded under Section 161 CrPC [Paras 2-27].

FIR Delay – Explained Delay – The delay of 2 months and 21 days in lodging the FIR was justified due to the complainant's fear of police retribution, given that one of the appellants was a Deputy Superintendent of Police – Court held that the delay did not affect the authenticity of the prosecution’s case [Paras 16-17].

Enmity – Careful Scrutiny – Although there was previous enmity between the complainant and the appellants, the Court held that this required careful scrutiny of witness evidence rather than outright dismissal – The corroborated testimonies of PW-3, PW-4, PW-5, and PW-6 were found reliable [Paras 20-21].

Witness Statements – Delayed Recording – The delay in recording witness statements under Section 161 CrPC was justified by the extraordinary circumstances involving police resistance to investigating their own personnel – Court found no contradiction significant enough to discredit the prosecution witnesses [Paras 18-19].

Evidence – Custody and Last Seen Theory – PW-3, PW-4, PW-5, and PW-6 testified that the abducted individuals were last seen in police custody – However, the Court found insufficient evidence to conclude that the appellants murdered the abducted persons, as they were seen in various police stations and no direct evidence linked the appellants to the killings [Paras 22-27].

Decision: Appeal partially allowed – Conviction under Sections 302 read with Section 120B IPC set aside – Convictions under Sections 364 and 452 IPC upheld – Sentences for Section 364 IPC revised to five years rigorous imprisonment for each of the seven abductions, to run consecutively, along with a fine of Rs. 4,000 for each offence [Paras 27-28].

Criminal Law – Mass Murder – Death Sentence – Appellants were convicted for participating in the mass murder of 35 individuals in village Bara, district Gaya, Bihar – Supreme Court reviewed the evidence and the role attributed to each appellant – Held that if a person is a mere bystander and no specific role is attributed to him, he may not come under the wide sweep of Section 149 IPC – Emphasized that in cases involving death sentences, the circumstances of the accused are also required to be considered [Paras 1-6, 19].

Evidence – Witness Identification – Prosecution relied on witness testimonies identifying the appellants as participants in the crime – Supreme Court scrutinized the reliability of the identification, especially in the absence of Test Identification Parade (TIP) and the delayed recording of witness statements – Held that deficiencies in the investigation raised doubts, particularly for appellant Naresh Paswan who was not identified by key witnesses in the dock [Paras 25-28].

Applicability of TADA – The Court addressed the applicability of TADA provisions, including the necessity of proper notification of the designated area and compliance with Section 20A(1) – Found that procedural lapses and inadequate investigation undermined the prosecution’s case against some appellants [Paras 10-13].

Judicial Discretion – Sentencing – Supreme Court stressed that while upholding convictions under Sections 302 and 149 IPC, the death sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment considering the socio-economic background of the appellants and the prolonged trauma faced during trial – Emphasized the need for a cautious approach in capital punishment cases [Paras 29-34].

Decision: Appeal allowed in part – Conviction of Naresh Paswan set aside and he was acquitted – Convictions of Vyas Ram and Bugal Mochi under Sections 302/149 and other charges upheld but their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, to mean imprisonment for the rest of their natural lives – Death Reference Case dismissed [Paras 35-35(iii)].