Facts:

The Plaintiff-Respondents initiated a civil suit seeking perpetual injunction against the Defendant-Appellant, aiming to prevent him from alienating the suit property. The trial court dismissed the suit, and the District Judge upheld this decision on appeal. Subsequently, the Plaintiff-Respondents filed second appeals in the High Court. However, the High Court decided the appeals without formulating any substantial question of law and reversed the judgments of the lower courts, decreeing the suit in favor of the Plaintiffs.

Issues:

Whether the High Court was justified in passing the impugned judgment without formulating any substantial question of law, especially in the context of Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure?

Held:

The Court held that the High Court erred in deciding the second appeals without formulating substantial questions of law, which is a prerequisite under Section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

The Court reiterated that the formulation of substantial questions of law is essential before exercising jurisdiction in second appeals. Therefore, the matter was remitted back to the High Court to decide the appeals afresh, following the prescribed procedure.

Additionally, considering the age and financial status of the Plaintiff-Respondents, the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority was requested to provide them with legal assistance and cover their legal expenses. The Defendant-Appellant was directed to pay a sum of Rs. 25,000 towards the Respondents' legal expenses incurred in pursuing the case in the Supreme Court.

Facts:

Cargill India Pvt. Ltd. (the Appellant) filed 14 shipping bills for export of Soyabean meal through Visakhapatnam Port to Vietnam and Japan without claiming duty drawback.

The Appellant subsequently sought conversion of free shipping bills into drawback shipping bills under Rule 12(1)(a) of the Customs, Central Excise Duties and Service Tax Drawback Rules, 1995.

The Commissioner (Customs) rejected the conversion request, stating that the Appellant failed to demonstrate circumstances beyond their control for not claiming drawback initially.

The Appellant appealed to the Central Excise and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), which allowed the appeal.

The Department challenged the CESTAT's decision, leading to the present appeal before the Supreme Court.

Issues:

Whether the Appellant is entitled to claim conversion of free shipping bills into drawback shipping bills under Rule 12(1)(a) of the Rules?

If not, whether the Appellant is entitled to the benefit of duty drawback without conversion based on Circular No. 04/2004 dated 16.01.2004?

Held:

Conversion under Rule 12(1)(a) is permissible only if the exporter can demonstrate circumstances beyond their control for not claiming drawback initially. In this case, the Appellant failed to establish such circumstances, and thus, conversion was rightly rejected.

Circular No. 04/2004 provides for relaxation in allowing duty drawback claims without conversion under certain conditions. Since the Appellant sought only "All Industry Rates of duty drawback," the lack of physical examination of goods should not be a hindrance. The case was remitted back to the Commissioner to re-examine the Appellant's request for duty drawback benefits in accordance with the circular.

Therefore, both appeals were disposed of accordingly.

Facts:

The appellant, Commissioner of Central Excise, Chennai, challenged the interpretation of notifications by the Tribunal in relation to the eligibility of SSI Units to avail benefits for goods manufactured by them and for branded goods of third parties manufactured on a job work basis.

Issues:

Whether the benefit of MODVAT/CENVAT credit for branded goods of third parties manufactured by the assessee on a job work basis would disentitle them from availing the benefit of specific notifications for goods manufactured by them on their own account.

Held:

The judgment elucidate the court's decision on the matter. The court held that for availing the benefit of notifications by an SSI Unit, only clearances for home consumption should be considered, unless explicitly provided otherwise. Clearances bearing the brand name or trade name of third parties are to be kept outside the scheme and are not eligible for exemption.

Additionally, the court ruled that branded goods of third parties manufactured on a job work basis should be dealt with differently. Such goods do not qualify for exemption, and excise duty must be paid on them. Consequently, the SSI Unit would be entitled to CENVAT/MODVAT credit on the inputs used for manufacturing such goods because excise duty was paid on those inputs.

The Tribunal's decisions in both appeals were upheld as correct in interpreting these principles.

Decision: The court dismissed the appeals, affirming the Tribunal's decisions as correct interpretations of the relevant provisions.

Facts:

The case concerns the issuance of notifications amending the EXIM Policy, particularly targeting the misuse of incentive schemes by exporters, notably in the gem and jewelry sector.

Issues:

The validity and effect of the notifications issued under the EXIM Policy, the jurisdiction of the DGFT to issue public notices, and the constitutional validity of amendments to the policy.

Held:

The court upheld the validity of certain notifications issued on January 28, 2004, regarding amendments to the EXIM Policy, deeming them to be clarificatory in nature.

It clarified that amendments to the policy could only have prospective effect unless expressly provided otherwise by law, and since no such provision existed, the amendments could not be retrospective.

Regarding the jurisdiction of the DGFT, the court found that certain actions exceeded the DGFT's authority and required formalization by the Central Government through proper notifications.

The court affirmed the constitutional validity of notifications introducing amendments to the EXIM Policy, emphasizing the government's prerogative to withdraw incentives prospectively but not retrospectively, thereby safeguarding vested rights of exporters.

It underscored the government's authority to make policy decisions in the interest of the public, particularly in complex economic matters, with a reluctance to interfere with such decisions unless arbitrary or against public interest (Para 10).

Decision: The court set aside certain directions of the High Court granting exporters benefits under the EXIM Scheme for past periods, emphasizing the absence of accrued rights due to fraudulent practices.

Facts:

The petitioners challenged the reservation policy of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, arguing that it contravened national interest and the equality clause of the Constitution. They contended that the reservation system based on domicile created inequality without any rational basis.

Issues:

Whether the reservation policy of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for super-specialty courses violates the equality clause of the Constitution.

Whether the special privilege enjoyed by Andhra Pradesh under Article 371-D justifies the reservation policy.

Whether there should be reservations for super-specialty courses in medical education.

Held:

The court acknowledged the special privilege granted to the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh under Article 371-D of the Constitution and the Presidential Order of 1974 and 1979.

Previous judgments and observations regarding reservation policies in medical education were considered.

The court noted the progressive change in the reservation policy but emphasized the need for authorities to prioritize national interest.

The court dismissed the writ petition challenging the reservation policy of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for super-specialty courses.

Facts:

The appellant imported parts of a Gas Turbine Hot Section under a Long Term Assured Parts Supply Agreement (LTAPSA) with a foreign company.

Parts identified for replacement were re-exported back to the company before importation of replaced parts.

The appellant paid customs duty based on the value declared in the bills of entry but did not make any payment to the company based on these invoices.

The Department issued a show cause notice to add 1/3rd of the value of the imported items to the invoice value.

The appellant did not produce the required certificate for exemption at the time of import.

Issues:

Whether Customs Valuation Rules apply to the LTAPSA arrangement.

Whether the appellant fulfilled the requirements of declaration and disclosure.

Whether the appellant is eligible for exemption notification benefits.

Held:

The Customs Valuation Rules apply only if imported goods are "sold" for export to India. As there was no sale, Rules 4 and 9 do not apply .

The LTAPSA did not involve subsequent resale, disposal, or use of the imported goods, hence Rules 4 and 9 do not apply .

The prices stated in the invoices were rotable exchange program prices, not incremental values after re-exported items' value was considered .

The appellant fulfilled the condition of subscribing to a declaration and producing the invoice relating to the imported goods .

There was no requirement for the appellant to produce the LTAPSA contract unless requested by the proper officer .

Denying exemption benefits over minor technicalities is unwarranted .

Decision: The appeals of the importer are allowed, and the revenue's appeals are dismissed.

Facts:

The case involved a fatal accident between a Maruti car and a three-wheeler tempo, resulting in the death of Rishi Parkash.

The claimants, including the widow, minor sons, and mother of the deceased, filed a claim petition seeking compensation.

The accident occurred due to a collision between the two vehicles, with each driver alleging negligence on the part of the other.

Issues:

Whether the accident was solely caused by the negligence of one driver or a result of composite negligence?

How should liability be determined in cases of composite negligence?

Held:

In determining liability in this case, the court found that both drivers were negligent, leading to a case of composite negligence. The court held that in such instances, the plaintiff can sue both or either of the joint tortfeasors for the entire compensation, with no apportionment of compensation between them permissible. The court allowed the appeal and upheld the compensation awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal.

It ruled that the claimants could recover the entire amount from any of the respondents, including the owner, driver, and insurer of the Maruti car, or Attar Singh, the driver of the tempo, as their liability was joint and several. The respondents were given the option to settle their inter se liability accordingly. No costs were awarded.

Facts:

Lal Babu Priyadarshi, the appellant, was involved in manufacturing, trading, and marketing incense sticks under the trademark "RAMAYAN" since 1981.

Amritpal Singh, the respondent, was a former dealer of the appellant but began selling incense sticks under the same "RAMAYAN" trademark after their dealership agreement was terminated.

The appellant applied for trademark registration of "RAMAYAN" in 1994, which the respondent opposed, citing religious sensitivities.

The Assistant Registrar initially dismissed the opposition, but the IPAB overturned this decision.

Issues:

Whether the registration of the "RAMAYAN" trademark, considering its religious significance, was permissible under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Held:

The Court examined Section 9 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which prohibits registration of marks lacking distinctive character, causing public deception, or hurting religious sentiments.

The Court concluded that "RAMAYAN" being a religious book's title couldn't be monopolized as a trademark for commercial goods.

Evidence showed widespread use of "RAMAYAN" in trade, indicating it had become common, and the appellant's use of religious imagery in packaging was seen as exploitation of religious sentiment.

Thus, the Court upheld the IPAB's decision to reject the registration of the "RAMAYAN" trademark and dismissed the appellant's appeal.

Facts:

The case revolves around an accident involving a bus leased by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (K.S.R.T.C.) from its registered owner. The issue at hand is the determination of liability for compensation in such accidents.

Issues:

Whether the liability for compensation falls on the registered owner, the Corporation, or the insurer.

The nature of insurance policy in such cases.

The responsibility of the Corporation and its ability to recover compensation from the owner or insurer.

Held:

The liability for compensation in accidents involving leased buses falls jointly and severally on the registered owner, the Corporation, and the insurer.

The insurance policy is a contractual obligation between the insured (registered owner) and the insurer. The insurer cannot escape liability, and there is deemed transfer of the insurance policy to the Corporation.

Section 157 of the Motor Vehicles Act establishes deemed transfer of the insurance policy in case of vehicle transfer, thus continuing the insurer's liability even in cases of leasing or hiring out vehicles.

The Corporation, being in actual control of the vehicle, is primarily liable to make compensation payments but can recover the amount from the registered owner or insurer as per the terms of the lease agreement.

The registered owner, insurer, and Corporation are jointly and severally liable to pay compensation to the claimants. The Corporation, as per the lease agreement, can recover the amount paid to the claimants from the owner or insurer.

Decision: The decision emphasizes the continued liability of the insurer and the joint responsibility of the registered owner, insurer, and lessee corporation in accidents involving leased buses under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.