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Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 — Section 166 — Claim Petition — Standard of Proof — In motor vehicle accident claims, the standard of proof is based on preponderance of probabilities, not proof beyond reasonable doubt — However, claimants must establish three elements: (i) occurrence of accident; (ii) involvement of the specific offending vehicle; and (iii) rash and negligent act of the driver — Mere occurrence of the accident alone is insufficient if the involvement of the vehicle and negligence are not established. (Paras 5, 7, 8, 16) Service Law — Compassionate Appointment — Nature of right — Appointment on compassionate bases is a concession, not a matter of right, and serves as an exception to the general rule of public employment under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India — Core objective is to enable the dependent family to tide over sudden financial crisis following the death of the employee, providing relief against destitution — It is not intended to provide a post much less a post held by the deceased or a higher post based on educational qualification. (Paras 3, 7, 7.1, 7.3, 11) Goods and Services Tax (GST) — Exemption Notification — Notification No. 9/2017- Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 28.06.2017 — Entry 13 — Exemption on services by way of renting of residential dwelling for use as residence — Renting residential property as hostel to students/working professionals — Conditions for exemption: renting service, residential dwelling, and use as residence — The term “residential dwelling” is not defined under GST laws but refers to any residential accommodation for long-term stay, excluding commercial places, hotels, guesthouses for temporary stay — Property comprising 42 rooms rented out and sub-leased for use as hostel accommodation is considered a “residential dwelling” as its nature and use remain residential, not commercial accommodation like a hotel. (Paras 36, 46, 47, 50) Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 — Section 31(7)(a) and (b) — Power of Arbitral Tribunal to grant interest — Party Autonomy — Pre-award (pendente lite) interest — Section 31(7)(a) mandates that the Arbitral Tribunal’s discretion to award interest on the sum awarded (from date cause of action arose till date of award) is subject to the agreement between the parties (“unless otherwise agreed by the parties”) — When parties specify a contractual rate of interest in the agreement, subject to no legal bar, this stipulation takes precedence over the Arbitrator’s discretion to deem a rate “reasonable” — Arbitral Tribunal is bound by the contractual terms regarding interest once agreed upon, and the borrower cannot later challenge the rate as unconscionable or against public policy, especially in commercial transactions between parties of equal bargaining power — Post-award interest is governed by Section 31(7)(b) (Paras 51, 53, 56, 64, 65, 70). Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) — Section 319 — Summoning of Additional Accused — Nature and Scope of Power — The power under Section 319 CrPC is extraordinary and discretionary, intended to be exercised sparingly, but it is an enabling provision aimed at ensuring that no guilty person escapes the process of law — The prerequisite for its exercise is that it must appear from the evidence adduced during inquiry or trial that a person not already arraigned as an accused has committed an offence — The object is to ensure a fair and complete trial and give effect to the maxim ‘judex damnatur cum nocens absolvitur’ (Judge is condemned when guilty is acquitted). (Paras 6, 7)

Rule 3 of Order 17 of the CPC, also known as Or 17 R 3, gives courts the authority to proceed with a case even if one of the parties fails to provide evidence. This power can significantly limit the options for the losing party to seek justice, and is considered a drastic measure. Therefore, courts should exercise this power only in rare and exceptional situations.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH PREM KISHORE AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. BRAHM PRAKASH AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Sudhanshu Dhulia and J.B. Pardiwala, JJ. ) Civil…

(IPC) – Sections 300-Exception 4, 302 read with Section 34 – Murder – Nature of the injuries caused by dangerous weapons like sickle and sword which, were applied on the vital part of the body, there is no escape from the conclusion that it is a case of Section 302 of the IPC – Appeal dismissed.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH BALU SUDAM KHALDE AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Respondent ( Before : Sudhanshu Dhulia and J.B. Pardiwala, JJ. )…

(IPC) – Ss 394 and 397 – Arms Act, 1959 – S 25 – Robbery with voluntarily causing hurt – Presence of accused at the scene of crime and recovery of pistol from him becomes highly doubtful and the guilt of the accused having not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, conviction and sentence cannot be upheld.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH ANWAR @ BHUGRA — Appellant Vs. STATE OF HARYANA — Respondent ( Before : Abhay S. Oka and Rajesh Bindal, JJ. ) Criminal Appeal…

Delhi Cooperative Society Rules, 1973 – Rule 36(2) – Expulsion of membership on account of non-payment of dues for construction of flats – There is violation of Rule 36(2) of the Delhi Cooperative Society Rules, 1973 and the prescribed procedure for expulsion of a society member has not been followed – Expulsion of membership order is upheld.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH GEETA AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. FINANCIAL COMMISSIONER GOVT. OF NCT DELHI AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Rajesh Bindal and Aravind Kumar,…

Out of the total amount of Rs. 24,979.67 Crores lying in the “Sahara-SEBI Refund Account”, Rs. 5000 Crores be transferred to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, – which shall be paid to the genuine depositors in the most transparent manner and on proper identification and on submitting proof of their deposits and proof of their claims and to be deposited in their respective bank accounts directly.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH PINAK PANI MOHANTY — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : M.R. Shah and C.T. Ravikumar, JJ. ) I.A.…

I B C, 2016 – S 12A – application under section 12A for withdrawal cannot be said to be kept pending for constitution of CoC, even where such application was filed before constitution of CoC HELD substituted Regulation 30A of IBC as it stands clearly provided for withdrawal applications being entertained before constitution of CoC – It does not in any way conflicts or is in violation of section 12A of IBC.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH ABHISHEK SINGH — Appellant Vs. HUHTAMAKI PPL LIMITED AND ANOTHER — Respondent ( Before : B.R. Gavai and Vikram Nath, JJ. ) Civil Appeal…

(IPC) – Ss 302 & 149 – Murder – Acquittal – scribe of FIR not examined – PW-1 stated that she had no knowledge of the contents of the FIR -Death was homicidal but not convinced that the prosecution has established the case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused appellants – Conviction and sentence are set aside

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FULL BENCH PULEN PHUKAN AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF ASSAM — Respondent ( Before : B.R. Gavai, Vikram Nath and Sanjay Karol, JJ.…

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