Judicial Inquiry & Procedure - Allegations of sexual harassment by a High Court judge; challenged on procedural and ethical grounds; necessitated examination under the "in-house procedure" - The Supreme Court identifies procedural irregularities and missteps by the Chief Justice of the High Court in constituting a two-Judge committee contrary to the established "in-house procedure," exceeding his authority and initiating a deeper probe without appropriate jurisdiction.

Administrative Control and Influence - The Supreme Court emphasizes the necessity to remove the accused Judge from any administrative roles that might influence the testimony of witnesses or the handling of evidence in matters related to the complaint.

Reassessment of "In-House Procedures" - Calls for the Chief Justice of India to reassess the initiation of investigative processes, ensuring that they are fair, just, and devoid of any influence from those directly involved in the allegations, suggesting the assignment of initial inquiry duties to a Chief Justice from another High Court or taking over by the Chief Justice of India directly.

Decision: The Supreme Court set aside the proceedings initiated by the Chief Justice of the High Court and directed the Chief Justice of India to reassess and possibly reinitiate the investigative process under the "in-house procedure," with the possibility of assigning the inquiry responsibilities to another Chief Justice or managing them directly to safeguard fairness and judicial integrity. The petition also granted liberty to the petitioner to pursue other issues not resolved in the current proceedings through separate petitions.

Criminal Law - Murder and Conspiracy – Supreme Court reviews High Court judgment acquitting five and upholding conviction of two under IPC Section 302 and Arms Act Section 25 for murder using firearms - Eyewitnesses, including the deceased's mother and wife, identified the accused; their testimonies, corroborated by medical and forensic evidence, were crucial in upholding convictions - Fingerprint analysis on tea glasses from the crime scene linked the accused to the murder, reinforcing the prosecution's case [Paras 2-14].

Evidence and Procedure - Eyewitness reliability and forensic evidence under scrutiny - Supreme Court finds eyewitness accounts by family members credible and consistent; forensic evidence, particularly fingerprints matching the accused, pivotal in confirming their presence at the crime scene and involvement in the crime - Admissibility of fingerprints upheld, taken in compliance with legal standards [Paras 9-13].

Legal Principles - Confirmation of conviction based on cogent, consistent eyewitness testimony and robust forensic evidence - Acquittal of five co-accused upheld due to insufficiency of evidence regarding their involvement and absence of corroboration for extrajudicial confessions [Paras 16-18].

Decision - Dismissal of all criminal appeals - Convictions of Charanjit Singh and Surjit Singh upheld; sentences of life imprisonment confirmed - Acquittal of five co-accused upheld due to insufficient evidence - Directive for the apprehension of Surjit Singh to serve remaining sentence issued [Para 18].

Electrocution of Minor - Severe injuries leading to triple amputation of a minor due to exposed electric wires - Appellant sought compensation under Article 226 - Electricity authority found liable under "strict liability" for negligence in ensuring safety, as mandated by Electricity Act, 2003, and associated rules - Initial compensation awarded by Single Judge modified by Division Bench, prompting this appeal. [Paras 1-9]

Negligence and Liability - High Court's Single Judge recognized the electricity board's failure to adhere to safety standards, applying principles of strict liability for damages - Bench referred extensively to legal precedents under both Electricity and Motor Vehicles Acts to justify compensation - Despite board's denials, responsibility for safety lapse and resultant life-altering injuries to the minor established. [Paras 5-7]

Compensation Awarded - Single Judge awarded Rs. 60 lakhs, accounting for permanent disability and future hardships, including loss of livelihood and need for lifelong care - Division Bench modified the award, reducing monthly payments and altering conditions for fund access - Supreme Court critiqued modifications, emphasizing need for full compensation reflecting the child's severe lifelong disability. [Paras 8-20]

Civil Procedure – Writ Petition maintainability – Appeal against Patna High Court's judgment dismissing writ petition based on non-usage of arbitration clause in contract despite contract's completion and payment – Supreme Court finds that completed contracts and resolved payments negate the requirement of arbitration, especially where no objection regarding alternative dispute resolution was raised in prior or current litigation – Writ petition maintainability reaffirmed where alternative remedy was not objected to by respondents at any litigation stage – Supreme Court sets aside Division Bench order, restoring Single Judge’s decision granting relief to appellant. [Paras 2-14]

Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, setting aside the order of the Division Bench of the Patna High Court and restoring the order of the Single Judge with a direction for the respondents to pay costs of Rs. 25,000 to the appellant within two months. [Para 14]

Criminal Law - Murder and Arms Act Violation - Appellant convicted for the murder of Suraj Mal and Shri Ram using a licensed firearm and sentenced to life imprisonment - Conviction affirmed by the High Court - Co-accused acquitted; another co-accused, a juvenile, tried separately - Appeal claims shooting in self-defense during a violent altercation post-Holi celebration involving multiple parties [Paras 1-2] - Prosecution asserts appellant shot the deceased as part of an escalated quarrel where the appellant escalated force using his firearm - Defense contests the narrative, suggesting firing occurred amidst a chaotic fight where all parties were armed and aggressive, advocating a self-defense argument - FSL report confirms the fatal shots could have only been fired from appellant's gun [Paras 4-6] - Supreme Court finds merit in appellant's self-defense claim, noting inconsistencies and gaps in prosecution's narrative and evidence - Recognizes the fight took place near appellant's residence, suggesting possible provocation by the deceased [Paras 7-12] - Conviction modified from murder under Section 302 IPC to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 Part II IPC due to the sudden and provoked nature of the altercation - Sentence adjusted to time already served, appellant ordered to be released unless required for another offense [Paras 13-14].

Pension Rights and Employee Resignation – Interpretation of resignation letter in the context of employee’s medical condition and intent for voluntary retirement under the Central Bank of India (Employees) Pension Regulations, 1995 - High Court found it to be a resignation leading to forfeiture of pension rights - Supreme Court reversed the decision, interpreting the letter as a request for voluntary retirement given the specific medical circumstances and the employee’s reliance on terminal benefits for treatment - Recognized pension as a right, not a bounty, emphasizing liberal interpretation to support employee benefits [Paras 2-15].

Voluntary Retirement vs. Resignation – Distinction emphasized by the Supreme Court - Letter of resignation due to incapacity caused by severe medical conditions should be treated as a request for voluntary retirement, especially when accompanied by medical documentation and a plea for early release of terminal benefits to fund medical treatment - Supported by Regulations which allow for voluntary retirement after completing requisite service period [Paras 6-14].

Legal Principles on Pension and Gratuity – Acknowledged as rights earned through service, not discretionary rewards - Importance of liberal interpretation of pension regulations to promote welfare of employees underscored [Paras 8, 11, 15].

Arbitration Law - Dispute on Forum - Appellant contends ITPO improperly terminated lease and sought arbitration as per the clause in the agreement; Supreme Court considers whether the designated arbitrator by ITPO is permissible and the impact of the Public Premises Act on such arbitration clauses - Held, matters related to eviction and damages under the Public Premises Act cannot be arbitrated as they fall within exclusive domain of the Estate Officer as per Sections 3, 5, and 7 of the Act, barring any civil court or arbitral intervention - Application for arbitration by appellant dismissed. [Paras 4, 9, 14-24]

Interpretation of Contract - Scope of Arbitration Clause - Analysis on whether Clause 28 of the license agreement constitutes an arbitration agreement under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act - Held, the clause appoints the Chairman of ITPO or his nominee as arbitrator, whose decision is final and binding; but Supreme Court reaffirms that such clauses must not oust statutory jurisdiction of specified authorities under the Public Premises Act - Agreement's arbitration clause not applicable for disputes falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of Estate Officers under the Public Premises Act. [Paras 8, 16-24]

Decision: The appeals are dismissed. The Supreme Court holds that the arbitration clause in the licensing agreement does not apply to disputes intended to be resolved under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, reaffirming the exclusive jurisdiction of Estate Officers in such matters. No costs are awarded.

Employment Law - Termination without retrenchment compensation - Respondent, a peon, terminated after irregular daily-wage employment from July 1, 1994, to March 4, 1996, at the appellant’s Parbhani unit - Labour Court awarded reinstatement with continuity but without back wages - High Court affirmed - Supreme Court found reinstatement inappropriate due to the closure of the employment unit and the irregular nature of employment - Ordered compensation of Rs. 2 lakhs instead of reinstatement, overturning High Court’s decision - No retrenchment compensation was originally provided; however, compensation deemed just under the circumstances - Respondent also granted permission to withdraw Rs. 25,000 in costs from the court registry. [Paras 3-12]

Decision: The Supreme Court set aside the High Court judgment that affirmed the Labour Court’s decision to reinstate the respondent, opting instead to award a lump sum compensation considering the respondent's short service duration, irregular appointment, and closure of the employment unit.

Tax Law - Classification for VAT Purposes – Battery chargers sold with cell phones considered accessories, not a part of the cell phone itself – Appeals from State of Punjab challenging High Court's order that classified battery chargers as part of composite cell phone package thus eligible for concessional tax rate – Supreme Court reverses High Court's decision, holding battery chargers as taxable separately at a higher standard rate – Reinforces battery chargers are accessories, sold with phones but not integral to phones, hence not subject to concessional tax rate of 4% under Punjab VAT Act applicable to cell phones – Tribunal and lower assessing authorities found battery chargers to be accessories, subject to 12.5% tax rate, not part of the cell phone itself under Entry 60(6)(g) of Schedule 'B' of the Act – Clarifies that battery chargers do not come under cell phone's HSN Code 8525.20.17, which relates only to cell phones – Upholds Tribunal's and lower assessing authorities' decisions, setting aside contrary High Court judgment. [Paras 1-20]