Month: March 2019

Motor vehicles Act, 1988, S.166 and 2(30)–Accident–Registered Owner- -Merely because the vehicle was transferred does not mean that such registered owner stands absolved of his liability to a third person–So long as his name continues in RTO records, he remains liable to a third person.

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 216 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2059 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Uday Umesh Lalit  Hon’ble Mr. Justice Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud Civil…

Criminal Breach of trust by Public Servant—Reduction in Sentence—Embezzlement of 85 litres of diesel from depot of State Transport by its bus driver—Appellant is now in his late sixties and no longer in service—He is also ailing and is not involved in any other criminal activity—Sentence reduced to period already undergone with increment in fine

2019(1) Law Herald (SC)   204 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2056 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Indu Malhotra Criminal Appeal No.…

Previous Bad Character—Use of previous bad character evidence is prohibited except when the convict himself chooses to lead evidence of his good character. Murder—Death Sentence—Life Imprisonment—The criminal, however ruthless he might be, is nevertheless a human being and is entitled to a life of dignity notwithstanding his crime. Murder—Death Sentence—Where the social re-integration of the convict may not be possible, the option of a long duration of imprisonment is permissible. DNA Test—Failure to produce available DNA evidence leads to an adverse presumption against the prosecution and in favour of appellant for the purpose of sentence only.

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 172 : 2018 LawHerald.Org 2051 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Madan B. Lokur Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Abdul Nazeer Hon’ble Mr.…

High Court dismissed the revision by observing that even though Session Court and High Court have concurrent revisionary jurisdiction but there was no special circumstance to bypass the forum of Session Judge—Appeal against this order—Held; keeping in view the matter is already pending for 16 years impugned order of High Court set aside-High Court to hear the revision on merits-Question of law left open

2019(1) Law Herald (SC) 637 : 2019 LawHerald.Org 614 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Before Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar Hon’ble Mr. Justice N.V. Ramana Criminal Appeal No.…

You missed

Temple Bye Laws — Oachira Parabrahma Temple — Ancient structure without a building or deity, governed by Bye-laws with three-tier elected committees — Appellants, elected Secretary and President, challenged two High Court orders (2020 and 2023) that removed their committee and appointed an unelected one under an Administrative Head, citing violations of the temple’s Bye-laws and customs —Legality of appointing an unelected committee and removing the elected one contrary to the temple’s Bye-laws — Petitioner argues that the High Court overstepped its jurisdiction and violated the temple’s governance structure by appointing an unelected committee and removing the elected one without proper legal basis — The High Court’s actions were necessary for the efficient administration of the temple until a scheme could be framed and new elections held — The Supreme Court modified the High Court orders, appointing a new retired Judge as Administrative Head to conduct fair elections within four months, while directing all parties to cooperate — The Court emphasized the need to preserve temple properties and governance as per established customs and laws — The Supreme Court struck down the High Court’s order appointing an unelected committee, appointed a new Administrative Head to conduct elections, and directed all parties to cooperate, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the temple’s established governance structure and Bye-laws.