Facts:

The judgment addresses instances of custodial deaths and torture in police stations and jails, and recommendations made by the Amicus Curiae to curb such violations.

Issues:

The establishment of State Human Rights Commissions, filling vacancies, setting up Human Rights Courts, installing CCTV cameras, appointment of non-official visitors, launching prosecutions, and considering deployment of women constables.

Held:

The court held that the power of State Governments to establish State Human Rights Commissions is not discretionary but coupled with a duty. Access to justice for victims of human rights violations, especially from remote regions, is crucial. The court issued various directions to address these issues, including mandating the establishment of State Human Rights Commissions, filling vacancies promptly, setting up Human Rights Courts, installing CCTV cameras, appointing non-official visitors, launching prosecutions, and considering deployment of women constables.

Decision: The court disposed of the petitions by issuing directions as mentioned in the "Held" section above.

Facts:

Eshwarappa was convicted for the murder of his wife, Latha, due to strangulation, along with other charges including cruelty under Section 498A and tampering with evidence under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The prosecution's case relied on circumstantial evidence, including the strained relationship between Eshwarappa and Latha, her visit to confront his paramour, and her subsequent death by strangulation.

Both the trial court and the High Court found Eshwarappa guilty based on witness testimonies and the autopsy report. However, inconsistencies were found in the dowry-related charges.

Issues:

Whether the conviction of Eshwarappa for offenses under Sections 302, 498A, and 201 of the IPC is sustainable based on the evidence presented.

Whether there were grounds to set aside the conviction under Section 498A due to inconsistencies in the dowry allegations.

Held:

The Court upheld Eshwarappa's conviction for murder and tampering with evidence but set aside the conviction under Section 498A due to inconsistencies in the dowry allegations.

The court rejected the possibility of suicide, citing the nature of the death and absence of typical signs of hanging. They found Eshwarappa's conduct suspicious, particularly his disappearance after the incident and the staged scene with a rope and stones.

The appeal was partly allowed, setting aside the conviction under Section 498A while affirming the convictions and sentences for murder and tampering with evidence.

Facts:

The case pertains to Criminal Appeal No. 1867 of 2012, where the appellant, Nanjappa, challenged a decision by the State of Karnataka. The incident occurred on March 24, 1998, and Nanjappa, at that time, was around 38 years old.

Issues:

The interpretation of Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, particularly concerning the necessity of previous sanction for prosecuting a public servant for specified offenses under the Act.

Held:

The language of sub-section (1) of Section 19 unequivocally mandates that no court can take cognizance of offenses against a public servant under specified sections of the Act without the previous sanction of the competent authority.

Sub-section (3) of Section 19 prohibits interference with an order passed by a Special Judge based on defects, omissions, or irregularities in the sanction, except where the higher court finds a failure of justice.

The trial court, in this case, correctly held the sanction to be invalid due to the incompetence of the authority issuing it. However, it erred by not discharging the accused but instead acquitted them on the merits of the case.

Considering the age of the appellant, the distant point in time since the incident, and the doubts raised about the prosecution's case, there's no compelling reason for directing a fresh trial.

Decision: The appeal is allowed, and the judgment of the trial court is upheld, with the observation that the trial court should have discharged the accused instead of acquitting them on the merits of the case.

Facts:

Dilip Kumar Sarkar, the Respondent, was working as the Controller of Examinations at the University of North Bengal.

Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Sarkar due to irregularities and financial losses identified in the University's funds, allegedly caused by him.

Various audit reports highlighted irregularities and financial losses, leading to an investigation by the University.

The Vice-Chancellor issued an order suspending Sarkar from his duties, prompting Sarkar to file a writ petition challenging the suspension.

Issues:

Whether the suspension order issued by the Vice-Chancellor was legally valid.

Whether the Division Bench's order adequately addressed the legal questions raised in the case.

Held:

The Court found dissatisfaction with the Division Bench's approach, criticizing its confusion and failure to address key legal questions.

The Division Bench's order made conditional and contingent directions regarding the Executive Council's decision-making process and the Vice-Chancellor's powers under Section 10(6) of the North Bengal University Act, 1981.

The Supreme Court set aside the Division Bench's order and remitted the matter back to the High Court for fresh consideration.

Facts:

The case involves the State of Maharashtra and Others as the appellant and Shiva and Others as the respondents. The respondents were accused of organized crime under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA). The charges against them were related to incidents occurring before and after the enactment of MCOCA. The Trial Court convicted the respondents, but the High Court acquitted them, setting aside the conviction orders passed by the Special Court under MCOCA.

Issues:

Whether the invocation of MCOCA required strict compliance with the provisions of Section 23 of the Act?

Whether the prosecution had proved that the respondents committed offences for pecuniary, economic, or similar advantages after the promulgation of MCOCA?

Whether the High Court was justified in setting aside the convictions?

Held and Decision:

The Supreme Court, after thorough consideration of the arguments and the facts presented, held:

The High Court was correct in its interpretation that mere proof of filing charge sheets in the past was not enough to establish guilt under MCOCA. It was essential to prove that the accused were involved in continuing unlawful activities with the objective of gaining pecuniary or other advantages after the promulgation of MCOCA. This interpretation aligns with the requirements of Section 23 of MCOCA, which mandates proper application of mind by the competent authority before permitting registration of an FIR or granting prosecution sanction under MCOCA.

The acquittal of the respondents in previous cases indicated that they were not involved in the alleged offences after the enactment of MCOCA. Moreover, the prosecution failed to prove the second ingredient required for an offence under MCOCA. Therefore, the High Court's decision to set aside the convictions was justified.

Based on the above, the appeals were dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision to acquit the respondents.

Decided on : 24-07-2015

Arms Act, 1959 - Section 25, Section 4

Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 - Section 2, Section 23, Section 3, Section 3(1), Section 3(2), Section 3(4)

Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999—Section 3—Organised crime—Ingredients—Commission of offences prior to enactment of MCOCA does not by itself constitute offence under MCOCA—It is only if an organized crime is committed by accused after promulgation of MCOCA that he may be said to have committed offence under Section 3—Section 3 of MCOCA could not be invoked only on the basis of previous charge sheets for Section 3 would come into play only if respondents were proved to have committed offence for gain or any pecuniary benefit or undue economic or other advantage after promulgation of MCOCA—High Court was justified in allowing appeal and setting aside order of conviction passed by Trial Court.

Counsel for Appearing Parties

R.R. Deshpande, Aniruddha P. Mayee, Yuvraj Gaikwad, Prachiti Deshpande, Asha Gopalan Nair and Ravindra Keshavrao Adsure, for the Appellant; J.P. Dhanda, Raj Rani Dhanda, Vineet Dhanda, N.A. Usmani and Irshad Ahmad, Advocates for the Respondent

Final Result : Dismissed

Facts:

Talukdar Singh, an ex-serviceman, was employed with Tata Engineering and Locomotive Co. Ltd. as a Turner in the Auto Division.

Singh was terminated following an incident where he slapped his colleague, Mr. Kunjumon, who had used harsh words and shoved Singh towards the door.

The Labour Court found Singh guilty of misconduct but deemed the punishment of dismissal as "shockingly disproportionate," awarding him a retrenchment compensation of Rs. 6,049/-.

Singh filed a writ petition, challenging both his dismissal and the inadequacy of compensation.

The High Court upheld Singh's dismissal but enhanced the compensation to Rs. 1,00,000/-, minus the amount already paid to Singh.

Issues:

Whether the compensation awarded by the High Court should be further enhanced.

Held:

The Court reviewed the case and agreed with the findings of both the Labour Court and the High Court regarding the misconduct and the disproportionate punishment.

However, considering Singh's years of service and the circumstances, the Supreme Court decided to further enhance the compensation.

The compensation was increased to Rs. 5,00,000/-, inclusive of the amount awarded by the High Court.

The respondent was directed to pay this amount within eight weeks, with an interest rate of 9% p.a. applicable in case of default.

Facts:

The case revolves around the constitutional validity of Order No. 10(14)06/D(Med) dated April 20, 2007, which introduced a fixed tenure for officers in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) holding the rank of Lt. General and its equivalent, including the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services.

Issues:

Whether the prescription of a fixed tenure for AFMS officers by Order No. 10(14)06/D(Med) dated April 20, 2007, is constitutionally valid.

Whether the Armed Forces Tribunal's decision regarding the ultra vires nature of the tenure rule is justified.

Held:

The principle that courts should exercise restraint in interfering with the prescription of retirement age in public service, unless the prescribed age is unreasonably low, rendering it arbitrary and irrational.

Establish the court's reasoning behind the constitutional validity of the fixed tenure rule. It highlights that the government has the authority to prescribe a tenure appointment for Lt. Generals and equivalent ranks within the AFMS. The tenure of two years is deemed constitutionally permissible, subject to certain conditions outlined in the judgment.

Concludes that the Armed Forces Tribunal erred in interfering with the government's provisions regarding retirement age and retirement orders issued by the competent authority.

Decision: The court upheld the validity of the fixed tenure rule for AFMS officers of the rank of Lt. General and its equivalent, subject to certain conditions, and overturned the decision of the Armed Forces Tribunal.

Facts:

The petitioner colleges were granted provisional affiliation for starting the MBBS course for the academic sessions 2014-15.

Surprise inspections by the MCI pointed out deficiencies in the colleges.

The MCI recommended disapproval of the colleges, and despite reconsideration directed by the Central Government, the MCI reiterated its decision not to recommend renewal of permission for the academic year 2015-16.

Issues:

Whether the petitions were appropriately filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Whether the rights claimed by the petitioners are fundamental rights.

Whether the findings of facts by administrative authorities can be challenged in a petition under Article 32.

Held:

The court held that the petitions were not appropriately filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, and the rights claimed by the petitioners are not fundamental rights. The court emphasized that Article 32 is primarily meant for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Furthermore, the court reiterated that it is not supposed to interfere with the findings of facts recorded by administrative authorities unless there is a clear violation of Fundamental Rights.

Decision: The writ petitions filed under Article 32 of the Constitution were dismissed.

Facts:

The agreement between the Gujarat Maritime Board and UCL allowed UCL to construct and maintain a jetty at its own cost for the purpose of loading and unloading goods.

The Gujarat Maritime Board collected wharfage charges from UCL, which were alleged to be subject to service tax under the 'port services' category.

Issues:

Whether any service was rendered by the Gujarat Maritime Board to UCL under the agreement for the construction and use of the jetty.

Whether the wharfage charges collected by the Gujarat Maritime Board constituted a service under the scope of the Finance Act, 1994.

Held:

The agreement explicitly states that it was entered into under Section 35 of the Gujarat Maritime Board Act, allowing UCL to construct and maintain the jetty at its own cost. The Gujarat Maritime Board did not render any service to UCL under this agreement.

While the Gujarat Maritime Board owns the jetty, it is the responsibility of UCL to keep it in a condition suitable for vessels to berth. Therefore, the Board does not provide any service to UCL under the agreement. The wharfage charges collected by the Board are not for services rendered but for expenses incurred in maintaining the jetty.

Under Section 32(1) of the Gujarat Maritime Board Act, the Board may authorize any person to perform services mentioned therein, including the landing of goods at wharves. However, such authorization was not present in the agreement with UCL. Additionally, Section 32(4) specifies that the authorized person may charge or recover sums for such services, which was absent in the agreement. Therefore, no service was rendered by the Gujarat Maritime Board or any authorized person, negating the levy of service tax.

Decision: The appeals were dismissed, affirming the tribunal's decision. No service tax was deemed payable on the wharfage charges collected by the Gujarat Maritime Board from its licensee, UCL.