Month: September 2021

Second Appeal – Power of High Court to determine issues of fact – If the appellants’ arguments were to prevail, the findings of fact based upon an entirely erroneous appreciation of facts and by overlooking material evidence would necessarily have to remain and bind the parties, thereby causing injustice – It is precisely for such reasons that the High Courts are empowered to exercise limited factual review under Section 103 CPC. However, that such power could be exercised cannot be doubted.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH K.N. NAGARAJAPPA AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. H. NARASIMHA REDDY — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and S. Ravindra Bhat, JJ. )…

Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 – Section 25, 25(a) and 25(f) – General Clauses Act, 1897 – Section 21 – Principal Special Director in Enforcement Directorate – Extension of tenure – Section 25(f) of the CVC Act has to be read as the tenure of office of the Director of Enforcement is for a minimum period of two years – There is no proscription on the Government to appoint a Director of Enforcement beyond a period of two years

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH COMMON CAUSE (A REGISTERED SOCIETY) — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai,…

Medical negligence – Where the treatment is not successful or the patient dies during surgery, it cannot be automatically assumed that the medical professional was negligent – Indicate negligence there should be material available on record or else appropriate medical evidence should be tendered – Negligence alleged should be so glaring, in which event the principle of res ipsa loquitur could be made applicable and not based on perception

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH DR. HARISH KUMAR KHURANA — Appellant Vs. JOGINDER SINGH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Hemant Gupta and A.S. Bopanna, JJ. ) Civil…

IMP : Suit for grant of perpetual injunction against the defendants restraining them or anybody claiming through them from interfering with the plaintiff’s peaceful possession and enjoyment of the suit property – High Court was right in holding that the suit simpliciter for permanent injunction without claiming declaration of title, as filed by the plaintiff, was not maintainable .

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH T.V. RAMAKRISHNA REDDY — Appellant Vs. M. MALLAPPA AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai, JJ. ) Civil…

Murder – Cancellation of bail – Giving threats to the complainant side and the other witnesses and the offences under Sections 504 & 506 IPC can be said to be a very serious offence – Therefore, the aforesaid conduct ought not to have been taken by the High Court very lightly – High Court has committed a grave error in releasing the accused on bail pending appeals against the judgment and order of conviction for the offences under Sections 302/149, 201 r/w 120B IPC.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SHAKUNTALA SHUKLA — Appellant Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Dr. Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah, JJ.…

Consumer fora under the Act would not have jurisdiction to entertain the consumer complaints on the ground of deficiency in service related to transfer of title of the immovable property – It is not a case of the deficiency in service as contemplated by Consumer Act but definitely a case of exercise of jurisdiction in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner. Direct the Chandigarh Administration to decide the claim of conversion as on the date when consumer complaints were filed – Such action shall be taken within 3 months.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH ESTATE OFFICER AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. CHARANJIT KAUR — Respondent ( Before : Hemant Gupta and A.S. Bopanna, JJ. ) Civil Appeal No.…

Service Matters

Service Law – Manipulated appointment – Fraudulent selection process – Fraudulent practice to gain public employment cannot be countenanced to be permitted by a Court of law – Workmen here, having hoodwinked the Government Undertaking in a fraudulent manner, must be prevented from enjoying the fruits of their illgotten advantage

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH EMPLOYERS IN RELATION TO THE MANAGEMENT OF BHALGORA AREA (NOW KUSTORE AREA) OF M/S BHARAT COKING COAL LIMITED — Appellant Vs. WORKMEN BEING REPRESENTED…

Madhya Bharat Land Revenue and Tenancy Act, 2007 – Sections 57, 158 and 159 – Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1959 – Sections 108, 114 and 258 – Pujari is only to perform puja and to maintain the properties of the deity – Circulars issued by Madhya Pradesh Government to delete the names of Pujari from revenue record so as to protect the temple properties from unauthorized sale by the Pujaris upheld.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. PUJARI UTTHAN AVAM KALYAN SAMITI AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : Hemant Gupta…

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.